MONROVIA – Despite the political will expressed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) in Liberia, the office overseeing its implementation is facing serious financial and security challenges. Cllr. Jallah Barbu, Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L), has raised alarm over the dire situation, citing unpaid salaries, bureaucratic delays in accessing government-allocated funds, and a lack of security for staff.
At an acquaintance meeting, Cllr. Barbu disclosed that his office has a team of competent and dedicated professionals who remain committed to their duties, despite not receiving salaries for two months. “Imagine, our staff have not taken pay for two months. We don’t have the necessary funds to do the things we are supposed to do, and the little money the government has committed is tied up in bureaucratic red tape,” he lamented.
He also revealed that he has no police or national security protection, despite the high-risk nature of his work. “I could leave this room now, and once I step outside, something could happen to me. But I believe that if anything happens, another Liberian will take up the fight. What I do know is that the Liberian people are resolved for the court to be established,” he stated.
Cllr. Barbu emphasized that ensuring justice for past war and economic crimes must be accompanied by efforts to combat corruption, which continues to plague Liberia. He disclosed that his office is actively engaging anti-graft institutions such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), the General Auditing Commission (GAC), and the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) to work collectively in addressing corruption.
“Corruption is an embarrassment to Liberia, and we must work harder to root it out. That is why we are also advocating for the establishment of an Anti-Corruption Court alongside the War and Economic Crimes Court,” he added.
He called on civil society organizations (CSOs) to actively participate in the process, ensuring consistency in messaging to prevent misinformation and fear. According to him, CSOs have a vital role in advocating for justice and securing both local and international support.
“One of our mandates is to engage international partners to help raise funds for the office, and we are also making efforts in that direction,” Cllr. Barbu noted.
Despite the challenges, he remains steadfast in his commitment to ensuring that the court becomes a reality. However, he stressed that the government must take full ownership of the transitional justice process by providing adequate funding and security for those leading the efforts.
