By Staff Writer
Monrovia, March 12, 2026: As Liberians across the country gathered on Wednesday to remember their departed loved ones, the Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia (OWECC-L), Dr. Jallah A. Barbu, renewed hope for thousands of families who lost relatives during Liberia’s brutal civil wars.
In a special statement issued in observance of Decoration Day, Dr. Barbu said the memorial tradition should not only be a time to honor the dead, but also a moment for the nation to reflect on justice and accountability for those who suffered during the years of conflict.
Decoration Day, observed on the second Wednesday in March each year, was established through an Act of the Liberian Legislature as a national day dedicated to remembering the dead. On this day, families across the country visit cemeteries and gravesites to clean, decorate, and honor the memories of loved ones who have passed away.
But for many families, the day carries deeper pain — especially for those who lost relatives during Liberia’s devastating civil wars between 1989 and 2003.
According to Dr. Barbu, thousands of Liberians were brutally killed during the conflict, leaving behind families who continue to seek answers and justice decades later.
“Decoration Day reminds us not only of the loved ones we have lost, but also of the painful chapters of our national history,” Dr. Barbu said in his message. “For many Liberian families, the graves they visit today represent victims of a brutal conflict whose deaths have never been accounted for.”
He noted that the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court is intended to help address those painful memories by ensuring that individuals responsible for grave crimes during the conflict face justice.
Dr. Barbu said memorializing the dead must also include a national commitment to truth, justice, and accountability.
“For families who lost relatives in the war, remembering the dead must come with the hope that those responsible for the brutal killings will one day account for their actions,” he emphasized.
Liberia’s civil wars resulted in the deaths of an estimated 250,000 people and displaced millions, while thousands more were subjected to torture, sexual violence, and other serious human rights abuses.
Despite the end of the war more than two decades ago, many victims and survivors continue to call for justice.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which completed its work in 2009, recommended the establishment of a war crimes court to prosecute those responsible for atrocities committed during the conflict. However, implementation of the recommendation has taken years of political debate and public advocacy.
Dr. Barbu said recent national momentum toward establishing the court is a sign that Liberia is gradually moving toward confronting its past.
He encouraged Liberians to view Decoration Day as a reminder of the importance of justice in preventing future violence.
“A nation that remembers its dead must also commit itself to ensuring that such tragedies never happen again,” he said.
Dr. Barbu also expressed sympathy for families who continue to live with the trauma of losing loved ones during the war.
He acknowledged that many families still do not know exactly how their relatives died or where they were buried.
“For countless families, the wounds of the war remain open because the truth about what happened to their loved ones has not been fully told,” he stated.
According to him, establishing the court will not only pursue accountability but also help bring closure to many families who have waited years for justice.
He urged Liberians to continue supporting national efforts to promote accountability, reconciliation, and lasting peace.
“Justice is not about revenge,” Dr. Barbu said. “It is about restoring dignity to victims, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring that future generations inherit a country where crimes of such magnitude will never be tolerated.”
Across Monrovia and other parts of the country on Wednesday, citizens were seen visiting cemeteries, cleaning graves, and placing flowers or wreaths on the tombs of relatives and friends.
For many, the day was a solemn reminder of loss. For others, it was also a moment of reflection on Liberia’s difficult journey from war toward peace and justice.
As the nation continues to confront the legacy of its past, Dr. Barbu said remembering the dead must go hand in hand with ensuring that their deaths are not forgotten.
“The best way to honor those we have lost,” he said, “is to commit ourselves to justice, accountability, and a peaceful future for Liberia.”
