MONROVIA — A coalition of six leading civil society organizations has intensified pressure on the Boakai-Koung administration, including the Legislature, to move beyond promises and swiftly establish Liberia’s long-awaited War and Economic Crimes Court and Specialized National Anti-Corruption Court.
The National Civil Society Consortium for Transitional Justice in Liberia issued a seven-count recommendation Tuesday in Monrovia, calling for the passage of enabling legislation, adequate funding and full operationalization of both courts.
The consortium comprises the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMCL), and Liberia Council of Churches (LCC).
The groups expressed concern over what they described as continuing delays by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s government in securing legislation to establish the two courts, despite earlier steps toward their creation.
“We applaud the 55th Legislature’s passage of a Joint Resolution in April 2024 to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court. Also, we acknowledge President Boakai’s creation of the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC) and subsequent submission of draft Bills to establish the above-mentioned Courts,” the statement said.
“While we applaud these initial actions, government must decisively act to complete the process — enact the enabling statutes to establish, adequately fund, and make fully operational the War and Economic Crimes Court and National Anti-corruption Court for Liberia.”
The consortium said Liberia’s election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2026-2027 term reflects international confidence in the country’s transition from conflict to peace and its growing role in international peace and security. It noted that Liberia campaigned for the seat on commitments that included conflict prevention and peacebuilding, human rights, justice and accountability, as well as the Women, Peace and Security and youth agendas.
“Therefore, the country must lead by example by demonstrating at home the same values and priorities it has undertaken to champion internationally,” the groups said.
With Liberia preparing to assume the presidency of the U.N. Security Council in December 2026, the consortium warned that continued delays in establishing the courts could undermine the country’s credibility and moral authority internationally.
Among its recommendations, the consortium called on Boakai to urgently engage leaders and members of the Senate and House of Representatives to secure passage of the bills establishing both courts. It also wants the 2027 national budget to include allocations for the courts while the government mobilizes additional international support.
The groups similarly urged lawmakers to act without further delay, warning against repeating previous legislative delays surrounding recommendations of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
“We are reminded about previous delay tactics by past legislatures in the name of constituency engagement on the 2009 Findings and Recommendations of the erstwhile Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) Report,” the statement said. “Therefore, while we recognize the value in constituency engagement by lawmakers, we caution against its use as an excuse for delayed action on both instruments.”
The consortium further called for both courts to be adequately resourced, financially and operationally independent, impartial, transparent, victim-centered, gender-responsive and compliant with constitutional and international human rights and fair-trial standards.
“Government must align Liberia’s domestic justice and anti-corruption agenda with its international commitments on human rights, peace and security, transitional justice, and Women, Peace and Security, including the principles reflected in UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent WPS resolutions,” the groups stressed.
They also urged Liberia to use its December Security Council presidency to demonstrate leadership internationally while taking concrete steps to institutionalize justice and accountability at home. The consortium called on the United Nations, European Union, U.S. government and other international partners to continue supporting Liberia’s accountability efforts and the establishment, financing and operationalization of the two courts.
“Finally, we call on the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court to strengthen collaboration with all stakeholders to constructively engage with the Office of the President of Liberia, relevant agents of the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary and other partners to achieve this milestone,” the statement said.
The consortium reaffirmed its willingness to work with national institutions and international partners to ensure the courts are established and sustained as part of Liberia’s broader transitional justice, anti-corruption and good governance agenda.
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