The Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu has renewed calls for justice and accountability for victims of Liberia’s brutal civil conflicts. He made the statement recently during the dedication of the Sabo Woffieken Memorial in River Gee County, constructed in honor of victims of the November 11, 1994 massacre. Speaking at the event, Cllr. Barbu reminded Liberians of their collective promise after the 2003 peace agreement not to return to war, but also not to forget the atrocities committed.
“The people who did the bad things in this country must answer why they did them,” he emphasized, noting that two decades later, Liberia still awaits a court to address war and economic crimes. He praised President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for taking concrete steps toward establishing the court, recalling the President’s campaign promise and subsequent issuance of Executive Order No. 131 that created the War and Economic Crimes Court Office. “This office is not the court itself,” Barbu clarified, “but it is here to help prepare the ground so that the court can be fully established.”
Cllr. Barbu admitted that his role comes with risks, given that some individuals currently in government could face accountability. “Even if I will die for the sake of the court, I will make sure the process does not stop,” he told residents, calling for nationwide prayers and support for the initiative. He stressed that justice is essential for national healing, saying victims’ souls cannot rest until truth and accountability are pursued. “How the souls of those can killed rest in peace when their bodies were dumped without dignity?” he asked.
As part of decentralizing the process, Cllr. Barbu announced plans to establish a regional office in River Gee to serve River Gee, Grand Gedeh, and Maryland counties. He said the move would ensure that local voices are included in shaping the court’s process, emphasizing that “this is not about people in Monrovia deciding for you, but Liberians everywhere saying what they want.” The dedication ceremony was both solemn and symbolic, as residents reflected on the horrors of the 1994 massacre while also expressing hope that the memorial and the future court would mark the beginning of true reconciliation and justice in Liberia.
Author: Cooper K. Sangar Jr.
