MONROVIA – Liberia’s annual observance of Decoration Day often evokes personal memories of loved ones lost to time, illness, and tragedy. Yet for thousands of Liberians, the day carries a deeper national meaning tied to the unresolved legacy of the country’s brutal civil wars. Nearly two decades after the guns fell silent, many families still struggle with unanswered questions about the fate of relatives killed or disappeared during the conflict. The continued push for a War and Economic Crimes Court has therefore become intertwined with broader calls for national healing and justice. As Liberians gathered at gravesites across the country this week, the head of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court renewed appeals for accountability. THE ANALYST reports.
As Liberians across the country gathered Wednesday to honor the memory of departed loved ones, the Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia (OWECC-L), Dr. Jallah A. Barbu, renewed hope for thousands of families who lost relatives during Liberia’s brutal civil wars.
In a special statement marking the national observance of Decoration Day, Dr. Barbu emphasized that the annual memorial tradition should serve not only as a time to honor the dead, but also as a moment for national reflection on justice and accountability for those who suffered during the country’s years of armed conflict.
Decoration Day, observed on the second Wednesday in March each year, was established through an Act of the Liberian Legislature as a national day dedicated to remembering the dead.
On the occasion, families across Liberia traditionally visit cemeteries and gravesites to clean, decorate, and honor the memories of relatives and friends who have passed away.
Across Monrovia and several other counties, citizens were seen visiting burial grounds, clearing overgrown graves, repainting tombs, and placing flowers and wreaths on the resting places of loved ones.
For many Liberians, however, the day carries deeper emotional significance—particularly for families who lost relatives during the country’s devastating civil wars between 1989 and 2003.
According to Dr. Barbu, thousands of Liberians were brutally killed during the conflict, leaving behind families who continue to seek answers and justice decades later.
“Decoration Day reminds us not only of the loved ones we have lost, but also of the painful chapters of our national history,” Dr. Barbu said in his message.
“For many Liberian families, the graves they visit today represent victims of a brutal conflict whose deaths have never been accounted for.”
He noted that the ongoing efforts to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia are intended to address those painful memories by ensuring that individuals responsible for grave crimes committed during the conflict face justice.
According to him, memorializing the dead must also include a national commitment to truth, justice, and accountability.
“For families who lost relatives in the war, remembering the dead must come with the hope that those responsible for the brutal killings will one day account for their actions,” he emphasized.
Liberia’s civil wars, which spanned more than a decade, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 250,000 people and displaced millions of others.
Thousands more were subjected to torture, sexual violence, forced displacement, and other serious human rights abuses.
Despite the end of the conflict more than twenty years ago, calls for justice have persisted from victims, survivors, and civil society organizations.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which completed its work in 2009, recommended the establishment of a war crimes court to prosecute individuals responsible for atrocities committed during the conflict.
However, the implementation of those recommendations has faced years of political debate, legal questions, and public advocacy.
Dr. Barbu said recent developments suggest that Liberia may be gradually moving closer toward confronting that chapter of its past.
According to him, the growing national momentum toward establishing the court represents an important step in addressing the grievances of victims and strengthening the country’s commitment to accountability.
He encouraged Liberians to view Decoration Day not only as a memorial observance but also as a reminder of the importance of justice in preventing future violence.
“A nation that remembers its dead must also commit itself to ensuring that such tragedies never happen again,” he said.
Dr. Barbu also expressed sympathy for families who continue to live with the trauma of losing loved ones during the war.
He acknowledged that many families still do not know exactly how their relatives died or where they were buried.
“For countless families, the wounds of the war remain open because the truth about what happened to their loved ones has not been fully told,” he stated.
According to him, the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court will not only pursue accountability but will also help bring closure to many families who have waited years for justice.
He urged Liberians to continue supporting national efforts aimed at promoting accountability, reconciliation, and lasting peace.
“Justice is not about revenge,” Dr. Barbu stressed. “It is about restoring dignity to victims, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring that future generations inherit a country where crimes of such magnitude will never be tolerated.”
Throughout the day on Wednesday, cemeteries across the country were filled with families paying tribute to relatives and friends.
For some, the observance was a solemn reminder of personal loss. For others, it served as a moment of reflection on Liberia’s difficult journey from war toward peace and national reconciliation.
As the country continues to grapple with the legacy of its past, Dr. Barbu said remembering the dead must go hand in hand with ensuring that their deaths are not forgotten.
“The best way to honor those we have lost,” he said, “is to commit ourselves to justice, accountability, and a peaceful future for Liberia.”