Calls for Strong Political and Financial Support
By Amos Harris
MONROVIA—At Liberia’s 178th National Flag Day celebration, National Orator Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu confirmed that the nation’s long-awaited National Anti-Corruption Court and War and Economic Crimes Court are slated to be established in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
Cllr. Barbu, who serves as the Executive Director of the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court, announced that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has committed his full support to the initiative. According to the proposed timeline, the Anti-Corruption Court is expected to be operational by November 2026, with the War and Economic Crimes Court set to open by November 2027.
Barbu stressed that the success of both institutions will hinge on the government’s strong political and financial commitment. “This is a Liberian-owned and Liberian-led process,” he emphasized, urging all national stakeholders to take ownership of its implementation.
He specifically called on President Boakai to ensure the full enforcement of Executive Order No. 148, which guarantees the timely disbursement of funds to the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court.
“Let me be clear,” Barbu declared, “when a public official disregards the dignity of the law, including executive orders, which are presidential mandates and thus carry the weight of law, it constitutes a misuse and abuse of power, and a clear act of corruption. Such conduct must not be tolerated.”
Barbu also cautioned against viewing the initiative as a personal presidential agenda, insisting that it is a national undertaking that requires broad support. He urged members of the Legislature to allocate the necessary resources for the timely establishment of the courts.
The creation of the War and Economic Crimes Court has been a longstanding demand from victims’ groups, civil society organizations, and international partners, who see it as a crucial step toward addressing past atrocities and promoting accountability in Liberia.
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