Anti-Impunity Fight Will Remain Uncompromised -Flag Day Orator Vows; Pleads for Political Will

MONROVIA – Efforts by successive post-conflict establishments to make real the promise of bringing to justice those who committed egregious war and economic crimes during the war days and beyond have been disappointingly slow. Scores of near-empirical cases documented still dust on the shelves, and supposed culprits roam with impunity. Providentially, this year’s Flag Day ceremonies saw on the national stage the head of the War and Economic Crimes Courts serving as the orator—a moment he undoubtedly maximized not only by accentuating commitment to fight against looming impunity without compromise, but also drumming up pressure on the current administration for political and financial reports. The Analyst reports.      

Liberia’s 178^th Anniversary of National Flag Day keynote speaker was Jallah Allen Barbu, the head of the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L). Making use of the rare opportunity of addressing the nation on such a national day, he did not fail to rally the nation to actualize the fight against impunity for those who committed heinous crimes during the country’s dark past, also confirming his team’s commitment to keep the fight lively. 

Cllr Barbu reminded Liberians that the fight against impunity and for accountability and transparency cannot be undermined or compromised, reporting that in a few days “we hope to have a conversation with His Excellency the President and other Officials on this concern of the OWECC-L and all Transitional Justice stakeholders, as we fast approach the setting up of the two courts”.

He said if Liberians to honor their shared history, they must also take bold steps toward inclusivity and justice. 

Speaking on the topic, “Liberia -The Flag We Raise, The Values We Uphold:  One Nation, United Under God; With Liberty and Justice For All,” Cllr Barbu said: “Today, I stand before you not only as a citizen of Liberia; not just as the Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L); but as a humble agent of what he called a collective national conscience. “

Upbeat about that the day of reckoning is nigh, he took the case squarely at the feet of government. “Let me be quick to note that we are relying heavily on the Government for both political and financial support as this is a Liberian-owned and Liberian-led process,” he said. “In this regard, I respectfully request Your Excellency to instruct all relevant government authorities to scrupulously execute the terms and conditions of Executive Order Number 148, especially as to making available the funds Your Excellency mandated therein, to the Office, and on time.”

Cllr. Barbu made it clear that when a public official disregards the dictates of the law, including an executive order, or a Presidential mandate, it is a misuse and abuse of power and a clear act of corruption; and such a conduct should not be condoned.

Recalling mandate

Cllr. Barbu used the occasion to press on the minds of power brokers the mandate he enjoys from the president of Liberia.

According to him, his office is under obligation to investigate and prosecute people who are responsible for human rights and Humanitarian Law violations and who committed atrocities from 1979 up to the launch of the 14 years of civil war on December 24, 1989 and for the entire period of the war up to 2003. 

“The goal is to bring to closure the pains and sufferings those abuses caused the Nation and provide relief to the victims of our civil crises,” he stated, before mentioning the second, which to “To develop appropriate draft laws that the Honorable Legislators will consider to address and solve the chronic and stubborn problem called “Corruption,” described by our leaders as “Public Enemy Number One,” running from 1979 to current.”

Dr. Barbu asserted also that the mandate of his office is to develop appropriate draft laws that the Honorable Legislators will consider to address and solve the chronic and stubborn problem called “Corruption,” described by our leaders as “Public Enemy Number One,” running from 1979 to current.

He indicated that Liberia is establishing these two Courts to help this Country to get rid of impunity by setting examples that will deter people from carrying out such acts of violence and dishonesty.

“We are not there yet and the victims are hurting every moment of their lives, and we cannot ignore them,” he continued, calling for the honor of the memory of the more than 250,000 people who lost their lives, and as a mark of solidarity with victims or survivors, and to hail the efforts of all Transitional Justice Actors.”

Recommendations

The National Flag Day Anniversary orator proffered a number of recommendations towards building a strong nation.

He called for establishing a national honor to recognize the contributions of indigenous forebears, brothers and sisters – an Order akin to the “Grand Order of the Pioneers,” but one that uplifts and honors the indigenous peoples who equally contributed to building, defending and sustaining this nation.

“Let us call it the “Grand Order of the Indigenous Star,” or any other suitable title, ensuring that their names and sacrifices are forever etched in the chronicles of our history,” he said, adding: “Let us take a thoughtful approach to our traditional and cultural societies – the Poro, the Sande, and others.

“These are not misfits to be discarded but traditional institutions that can be reformed and respected. Instead of banning or suspending them, let us reframe and regulate all fraternal organizations in our Country, preserving their positive cultural and educational roles while eliminating harmful practices that no longer align with our constitutional values and human rights obligations.”

He also called on Liberians to go back to the days of respect for our Flag, revising the school curriculum if that is the way to go and strengthen civics and the teaching of basic constitutional and other responsibilities.

“We have built and continue to build decent school facilities under this Government, thanks again to His Excellency the President and to the Minister of Education and all development partners. We must match those facilities with quality education,” said further the Flag Day orator.

He also reminded Liberians that they would always Liberians, and there needed to be receptive to fellow brothers and sisters in other parts of the world who are trying to return home.

“They are very important to our Country and they have the same right as we have, to be here, to live here, and to serve their Country,” he continued.

Speaking of the proliferation of illicit drugs in the country, Dr. Barbu said “it is an early warning signal as it once was a weapon of war. It can be again. There is need to pay attention to the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) and to correct all problems therein swiftly. We cannot deny that there are administrative and operational problems in that institution that is very important to the future of this Country.

“It is clear that jealously protecting our national security, our borders, and the eradication of mob violence and eradication of drug abuse cannot be overemphasized; but, arbitrary actions in the name of securing the community and fighting drugs are not the way to go because they are not structured. Perhaps it is time to seek assistance from the National Community Watch Forum of Liberia (NCWFL), an institution that has substantially assisted in the fight against crimes in this Country.”

He opined that the flag that Liberians raise dictates that “we honor its deep and entrenched pillar of national unity.

“When our mothers made the Flag in 1847, they made it for the Republic of Liberia. That is, for every person belonging to the Republic, whether we call them Americo-Liberians, Congos, or Indigenous Liberians.  We are all here, under the Constitution and other laws of the Republic of Liberia.

“Under one Flag. Everyone is entitled to equal treatment under our laws, and we, as a people, are bound to uphold not just our western values, but also our traditional values.  Our traditional institutions are as important to our national unity, reconciliation, peace and justice as our western and other institutions. Therefore, I hold the view that traditional and cultural institutions and schools are absolutely important and necessary for our Country’s growth, development, fight against drugs and violence, and the training of our young boys to become useful male adults, and our young girls to mother our Country and continue to broker peace as their forebears I referenced earlier.” 

He also recommend to national leaders, to lift the holistic suspension of all Poro and Sande schools, the traditional educational institutions of our people and a cornerstone of our body politic, and if you may, put in place workable regulatory means that will apply not only to traditional groups, but to all organizations similarly situated.