Launch of Outreach Campaign for War and Economics Crimes Court
The Office for the War and Economics Crimes Court has initiated a nationwide outreach campaign, which is considered essential for the establishment of the proposed courts. The campaign aims to inform citizens across the country about the court's mission and objectives through various means such as traditional media, local languages, drama, music, and social media.
The launch event took place at the Office’s headquarters in Mamba Point, Monrovia, on Saturday. Despite the lack of funding, with the promised $2 million from President Boakai still not received, the campaign was officially launched by Jallah Barbu, the executive director of the Office. Other government officials, including Cole Bangalu, Minister of Youth and Sports, were also present.
President Boakai, who was expected to attend, sent But George T. Marshall Jr., assistant minister of state for special services, in his place. Marshall emphasized the president's commitment to the courts, stating that the Ministry of State is working to ensure all needs are met during the campaign.
"We are on path at the Ministry of State, especially the office of the acting minister, to make sure that all your needs are met in this campaign," said Marshall.
Community Engagement and Support
The outreach campaign is designed to reach every corner of the country. Barbu expressed his determination to engage with communities, even in remote areas. "We will do our best to walk to nearby villages and talk with the people and cover some distances. I ask you to put on your sneakers and let's walk," he said.
The event attracted Liberians from different parts of the country, including victims and survivors, students, youth leaders, and senior government officials. Peterson Sonyah, executive director of the Liberia Massacre Survivors Association, shared his personal connection to the cause. He lost his father and six family members during the St. Peter's Lutheran Church massacre, one of the most tragic events of the civil wars. "I know that my dead father... he will come to me and say, 'thank you,' and I know all those who lost their lives will tell me 'thank you,'" he said.
United Nations officials also praised the initiative. Christian Mukosa, country representative for the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, highlighted the importance of ensuring that everyone understands the role of the courts. "Everyone doesn't mean those who are educated; those who live in Monrovia, but also those who live in villages, in remote areas, in underprivileged communities in Monrovia and other cities of Liberia," he added.
Prioritizing Anti-Corruption Efforts
In the roadmap provided by the court Office to President Boakai in May, the anti-corruption court was identified as a priority over the war and economic crimes court due to its lower resource requirements and international support. According to the roadmap, the anti-corruption court is expected to be operational by November 2026, with the war and economic crimes court following a year later.
Dempster Brown, chairman of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, called on the Legislature to make corruption charges in the proposed anti-corruption court non-bailable. He urged the Legislature to amend existing laws to make corruption charges non-bailable immediately. "Corruption should not be bailable because corruption fights back," Brown said, emphasizing that placing individuals on bail allows them to use their money to fight the case.
Brown also stressed the need for a clear definition of corruption in a statute, warning that current vague language weakens prosecutions. Under current law, the term "economic sabotage" is used instead of "corruption," which Brown argues is unclear to Liberians.
Addressing Economic Crimes and Corruption
The call for a tougher stance against corruption resonated with attendees and speakers at the program. James Kinsley, executive director of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, highlighted the severe impact of economic crimes. "The pain of economic crimes is as atrocious and enduring as war crimes," he said. "Economic crime is responsible for generational poverty and transgenerational poverty."
Augustine Fayiah, Liberia's solicitor general, pointed out the consequences of corruption. "Why would someone work for one year and you have value of property worth more than $1 million?" he asked, referring to government officials. "So, it means you are responsible for people who die from here to Duala because there's no good road. You are responsible for those who die in the hospital because the doctors are not paid well and there's no medicine to take care of the situation."
Ongoing Challenges and Collaborative Efforts
Corruption has long been a significant issue in Liberia. Human Rights Watch noted that corruption was one of the factors fueling the country's civil wars, which ended nearly 22 years ago. An estimated 250,000 people were killed, and millions were displaced. Although successive governments have taken actions against corruption, the issue remains deeply entrenched.
A 2024 Transparency International report acknowledged marginal progress in fighting corruption but warned that "impunity remains high." Mark Toner, the retiring U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, urged the government to fast-track prosecutions.
Two parallel efforts are currently underway to establish anti-corruption courts: one by the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court, and another by the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission, which has submitted a draft bill for a standalone anti-corruption court to the Legislature. Currently, corruption cases are tried in Criminal Court "C," which also handles theft, burglary, robbery, and narcotics. Advocates argue that the crowded docket justifies a separate court.
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