Liberia’s Office for the establishment for War and Economic Crimes is appealing to the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, for support.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia, December 19, 2024 – The Office for the establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court is calling on ECOWAS to support Liberia’s effort towards establishing the Court.
President Boakai recently appointed law professor Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu as Executive Director for the Office.
Already, government has demonstrated political will through the issuance of two instruments, a legislative joint resolution and an executive order leading to the creation of an office to oversee the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia.
A press release from the Office commends ECOWAS for approving the establishment of Gambia’s Special Tribunal to prosecute perpetrators of Gross Human Rights Violations.
It terms the move by the regional bloc as a milestone that all rights groups should support.
ECOWAS took the decision Friday, December 13, 2024, at the just-ended summit in Abuja, Nigeria.
The OWECC-L “acknowledges the participation and congratulates His Excellency, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., for his role in this cutting-edge decision by the sub-regional body, as this exemplifies the President’s resolve to fight impunity and strengthen accountability for all”, the release says.
It adds that the support given to The Gambia in addressing impunity is unprecedented in West Africa, as this is the first time that ECOWAS was partnering with a member state to establish an international tribunal to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Press Release
