THE RECENT REVELATION that the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court and Anti-Corruption Court (OWECC-L) is facing a severe operational crisis, mired by prolonged delay in salary payments, is sad. For over five months, employees have gone unpaid, resulting in a significant disruption to the office’s ability to fulfill its mandate.
THE SITUATION IS particularly egregious given that Executive Order No. 148 allocated US$2 million for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court. Reportedly, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning has been dragging its feet to fund the OWECC-L, casting doubt on the government’s professed commitment to this important institution.
AS WE GO to bed, the OWECC-L has advised the HR to relax daily attendance as staff will come to work if they can transport themselves to work. Apparently, things are at a near standstill, severely hampering the Office’s ability to carry out its preparatory work for the court’s establishment. Can anyone fathom the consequences of this prevailing condition, which threatens to derail Liberia’s long-promised efforts to prosecute war crimes and economic offenses committed during the country’s civil conflicts?
EYEBROWS ARE BEING raised at home and abroad, not just at the funding delays but also at the risk of undermining public trust in the government’s commitment to justice. International partners and civil society organizations have long supported Liberia’s transitional justice efforts, and the current situation may erode confidence in the country’s ability to follow through on its promises.
AT THE END of the civil conflict, everyone, including the warmongers and their financiers, were unanimous in their view that the war was a result of corruption, injustice, and marginalization. It was said that to give meaning and effect to the resolution “Never Again Must We Fight,” the War and Economic Crimes Court was the cornerstone and framework of post-conflict governance and accountability.
THE SAD REPORTS of prolonged delay in paying salaries and generally funding the operations of the OWECC-Liberia are a huge setback that do not speak well of the country and its leadership. Indeed, the onus is on President Boakai and his administration to do something, and do it now.
AS WE CRITICIZE the Liberian government for its lack of commitment to justice and accountability, exemplified in part by the situation, we also turn our attention to the international community. For years, the international community has pressed successive Liberian administrations to ensure that justice is done in the aftermath of the devastating civil war that left 250,000 people dead. Its commitment to Liberia’s post-war reconstruction and transitional justice efforts has been commendable, with nearly 20,000 peacekeepers deployed to the country at the height of the UN Mission in Liberia.
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY’S role in initial transitional justice efforts cannot stop there. As a bastion of humanity and justice, the international community has a moral obligation to ensure that those responsible for war crimes and economic offenses are held accountable. It is particularly galling that the international community, which has poured resources into Liberia’s reconstruction efforts, is now seemingly helpless in ensuring that the War and Economic Crimes
Court is established.
WE ASK: WHERE is the international community’s leverage in ensuring that the Liberian government prioritizes justice and accountability? Will they continue to stand idly by as the country’s justice system is crippled by lack of funding and political will?
THE PEOPLE OF Liberia are not just victims of war; they are also stakeholders in the country’s future. The international community has a responsibility to support them in their quest for justice and accountability. We urge the United States, Great Britain, France, and all the champions of human rights, justice, and accountability to not only use their influence to pressure the Liberian government to prioritize funding for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court but also to provide needed resources directly to the OWECC-L to execute this worthy cause.
THE TIME FOR EXCUSES is over. The time for action is now. The time to put “money where your mouth is” is here. The people of Liberia demand justice, and it is the government’s responsibility to deliver it. The international community cannot remain indifferent.
WE CALL ON the Government of Liberia, particularly the Ministry of Finance, to release the allocated funds without further delay. We also appeal to civil society, religious leaders, and international stakeholders to advocate for swift and decisive action.