(MONROVIA, LIBERIA August 24, 2026) As Liberia commemorates the 179th Anniversary of Flag Day, the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) is calling on the National Legislature to demonstrate historic leadership by swiftly passing the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) Bill and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Bill.
The call comes as Liberia continues its difficult but necessary journey toward transitional justice, national reconciliation, accountability, and lasting peace following years of civil conflict and widespread human rights violations.
In a Flag Day message, of OWECC-L Executive Director Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu said Liberia has reached a critical point in its transitional justice journey and must confront its past with courage while establishing strong institutions for a peaceful and accountable future.
“Justice and reconciliation are not competing objectives – they are mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable peace,” Dr. Barbu said.
OWECC-L says Flag Day provides an important opportunity for Liberians to reflect on the meaning of the national flag – not merely as a symbol of sovereignty, but as a representation of the country’s shared history, sacrifices, resilience, and collective aspirations.
The organization maintains that Liberia cannot build a durable peace by forgetting the victims and survivors of its conflicts or leaving serious violations unaddressed.
OWECC-L therefore calls for a comprehensive transitional justice approach that combines truth, justice, accountability, reconciliation, reparations, memorialization, and national healing. Such an approach, it says, is necessary to strengthen the rule of law, address the legacies of conflict, and prevent the recurrence of violence and impunity.
Dr. Barbu is urging members of the National Legislature to recognize the historic importance of the WECC and NACC Bills and act with the urgency demanded by the national interest.
According to OWECC-L, passage of the WECC Bill would establish the necessary legal and institutional framework for addressing serious violations committed during Liberia’s conflicts, while the NACC Bill would strengthen the country’s institutional response to corruption and economic crimes.
“The Legislature has a historic responsibility,” Dr. Barbu stated, urging lawmakers to seize the opportunity to strengthen Liberia’s justice and accountability architecture.
OWECC-L assures the Legislature and other relevant institutions of its continued readiness to provide technical assistance and engage constructively in the development of the necessary legal and institutional framework.
The organization is also calling on civil society organizations, victims and survivors’ groups, women and youth organizations, traditional and religious leaders, professional associations, development partners, government institutions, and all stakeholders to join a sustained national advocacy campaign for the passage of both bills.
While strongly supporting the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court, OWECC-L emphasizes that not every conflict-related harm will necessarily fall within the jurisdiction or practical reach of a specialized tribunal.
The organization therefore advocates a broader and more inclusive understanding of justice, including community-based justice, truth-telling, traditional reconciliation, restorative justice, reparations, memorialization, and other locally appropriate mechanisms.
These approaches can provide victims and communities with opportunities for healing, recognition, restoration, and reconciliation.
OWECC-L stresses, however, that community-based justice must complement—not replace—criminal accountability for serious international crimes.
The Office therefore supports a principle of complementarity, whereby formal criminal justice and community-based processes work together to address the different forms of harm suffered during Liberia’s conflicts.
Cllr. Barbu also commends President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for his continued commitment to reconciliation, national healing, and unity, particularly his efforts toward establishing a National Peace Memorial.
The organization considers the proposed memorial an important part of Liberia’s transitional justice process. A nation emerging from prolonged conflict, OWECC-L says, must preserve the memory of its past and honor those who suffered, died, survived, and sacrificed during periods of national crisis.
Memorialization can help future generations understand Liberia’s history and reinforce the national commitment to ensuring that the tragedies of the past are never repeated.
On this National flag day, OWECC-L urges all Liberians to renew their commitment to building a nation where justice prevails, truth is respected, corruption is confronted, victims are heard, human rights are protected, and peace is sustained.
“Let us stand together and urge the Legislature to swiftly pass the WECC and NACC Bills. Let us support the President’s efforts to promote reconciliation and national unity. And let us ensure that every community, every victim, every transitional justice actor, and every generation has a rightful
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