Civil Society Consortium Demands Action on War Crimes and Corruption Courts, Cites

MONROVIA, SEPT 8, 2026 – A powerful coalition of Liberian civil society organizations has issued a stern warning to President Joseph Boakai's administration, decrying the persistent failure to establish the long-awaited War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the Specialized National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC). The National Civil Society Consortium for Transitional Justice in Liberia stated that nearly three years after President Boakai took office in January 2024, the government has yet to secure the passage of the enabling legislation crucial for the full operationalization of these vital judicial institutions.

In a strongly worded statement released today, the consortium acknowledged the executive actions taken by the administration, including President Boakai's establishment of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC) and the submission of draft legislation to the legislature. The group also commended the 55th Legislature for passing a Joint Resolution in April 2024 expressing support for the WECC. However, these steps, the consortium argued, are no longer sufficient. The group insists that the government must transition from mere commitments and declarations to tangible, concrete actions.

The consortium's core demand centers on the urgent enactment of the necessary legislation, coupled with adequate budgetary allocations and the establishment of independent and fully functional courts. These courts, they assert, are essential for prosecuting grave war crimes, economic crimes, and corruption, thereby upholding the rule of law and providing justice to victims.

This critical juncture for Liberia arrives at a particularly sensitive geopolitical moment. The nation is preparing to assume the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council in December 2026, following its election to the Council for the 2026-2027 term. The civil society organizations argue that Liberia cannot credibly champion international agendas related to peacebuilding, human rights, accountability, conflict prevention, and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda if it fails to implement critical justice reforms domestically.

'Liberia's international leadership,' the statement read, 'creates an obligation for the country to lead by example.' The continued absence of the War and Economic Crimes Court, the consortium warned, risks severely damaging Liberia's international credibility and moral authority, especially as it prepares to occupy one of the most influential diplomatic positions at the UN.

Victims Still Awaiting Justice

The echoes of Liberia's brutal civil wars, which spanned over a decade and caused immense suffering, continue to resonate. The civil society group emphasized that victims and survivors of these conflicts have waited far too long for justice. Special attention was drawn to women and girls who endured egregious human rights violations, including conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, forced displacement, and the devastation of their livelihoods. The ongoing delay in establishing the WECC, the consortium stated, perpetuates impunity, denies victims the closure they deserve, and fundamentally undermines the process of national reconciliation.

The group stressed that any established court must be victim-centered and gender-responsive. This means ensuring that women, children, and other survivors are not merely viewed as symbolic figures in Liberia's peace narrative, but as rights-holders who are entitled to truth, justice, reparations, and firm guarantees that such atrocities will not be repeated. The establishment of the WECC is directly linked to Liberia's international commitments under the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, particularly the principles enshrined in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

Corruption Court Also Critical

Parallel to the demand for the WECC, the consortium also vociferously advocated for the establishment of the proposed National Anti-Corruption Court. They argued that endemic corruption and the rampant abuse of public resources continue to erode Liberia's democratic institutions and severely hamper economic development. Corruption, the group explained, fuels poverty, exacerbates inequality, breeds public distrust, and significantly limits citizens' access to essential services like healthcare, education, and electricity.

A properly established and adequately funded anti-corruption court, the consortium contends, would serve as a crucial mechanism for strengthening accountability, safeguarding public resources, and unequivocally signaling that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law. Both courts, the organizations emphasized, must operate with the utmost independence and transparency, while rigorously adhering to constitutional protections, due process, fair-trial guarantees, judicial independence, and ensuring the protection and meaningful participation of victims and witnesses.

A Seven-Point Demand for Action

To galvanize immediate action, the National Civil Society Consortium outlined a clear seven-point call to President Boakai and the Legislature. Firstly, they urged the President to engage directly and proactively with the leadership and members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives to ensure the speedy passage of the enabling legislation for both courts.

Secondly, the consortium called for the 2027 National Budget to include specific, substantial allocations for both the WECC and the NACC. This budgetary support, they argued, would serve as a tangible demonstration of the administration's commitment to ensuring the financial sustainability of these institutions.

Thirdly, the Legislature was implored to cease further delays and pass the bills without recourse to using constituency consultations as a pretext for inaction. The group also reiterated the need for the government to guarantee that both courts will be financially and operationally independent, impartial, transparent, victim-centered, and fully compliant with both national and international human rights standards.

Fourthly, the consortium appealed to the United Nations, the European Union, the United States Government, and other international partners to maintain and strengthen their support for Liberia's pursuit of accountability. They urged these partners to actively encourage the Liberian government to expedite the establishment and adequate financing of both courts.

Fifthly, the consortium called upon the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC) to enhance its collaborative efforts with the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches, as well as other key stakeholders, to foster a more cohesive approach.

Sixthly, the group issued a strong reminder that Liberia's international commitments must be unequivocally matched by robust domestic action. Finally, the consortium concluded with a resounding declaration: "Justice delayed is justice denied." They warned that the continued denial of justice risks fueling further human rights violations, perpetuating impunity, potentially igniting renewed violence, and exacerbating poverty and underdevelopment.

The statement from the consortium concluded with a direct, urgent message to the Boakai administration: "The Boakai administration must act now."

The statement was endorsed by a formidable array of prominent civil society and faith-based organizations, underscoring the broad consensus on the urgency of these demands. These include the Press Union of Liberia (PUL), the Center for Transparency and Accountability (CENTAL), the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), the National Muslim Council of Liberia (NMCL), and the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC).

The protracted delay in establishing these courts has significant implications for Liberia's internal stability, its post-conflict reconciliation efforts, and its standing on the global stage. As Liberia prepares to chair the UN Security Council, the world will be watching closely to see whether the nation can translate its commitment to justice and accountability into tangible reality, or if it will continue to fall short, leaving victims in perpetual waiting and undermining its own aspirations for international leadership.

Historical Context and Broader Implications

Liberia's journey towards transitional justice has been long and arduous. The country endured two devastating civil wars from 1989 to 2003, which resulted in an estimated 250,000 deaths and widespread atrocities. While the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report in 2009 made recommendations for accountability, including the establishment of a war crimes court, these have largely remained unimplemented.

The current administration, led by President Boakai, inherited a mandate that included addressing issues of accountability and good governance. The establishment of the WECC is seen by many as a crucial step in fulfilling post-conflict obligations and providing a measure of closure for victims. The delay has led to frustration among civil society and survivor groups, who fear that with the passage of time, evidence may degrade and the political will to pursue justice may further wane.

Furthermore, the proposed National Anti-Corruption Court addresses another critical pillar of governance reform. Corruption has been a persistent challenge in Liberia, draining public resources, hindering development, and eroding public trust in institutions. The lack of robust accountability mechanisms has allowed corruption to fester,...