In a drive to take complete ownership of the transitional justice processes and to ensure that justice truly prevail in the Country, the need to adequately fund strategic arms of Government can’t be over emphasized.
Following the bold and commendable step by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to establish the war and economic crimes court in Liberia, a move amongst other geared towards addressing key issues of Liberia’s past Civil conflict, the cry for adequate support to ensure effective operations of the office of the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia has been the order of the day.
The office according to its Executive Director Cllr. Jallah Barbu has competent staffs, professional people who are passionate about the job but are heavily challenged thus affecting some of their major operations and activities.
Despite not been paid for two months, the OWECC-L staffs Dr. Barbu stated are committed to their duties and are regular on their respective jobs.
At a one day acquaintance meeting Cllr. Barbu very passionate in leading such key national process of Liberia disclosed that he has not a single police or national security officer assigned with him despite the risk and security nature associated with the work he does.
” I could leave this room now and once I get outside something else could happen to me but I believe that another Liberia will take over the process and what I do know for a fact is that the Liberian people are resolved for the court to be established in the Country “, he re-emphasized.
According to him, what they are doing is to leave a legacy for the Country as such they will do nothing less than to do the right thing in order to ensure that the mandate of ensuring the establishment of the court is achieved in the midst of several challenges.
He acknowledged that the government has the political will to establish the Court as such encouraged it to take total ownership and focus more on working inside than outside.
“Imagine our staffs have not taken pay for two months , we don’t have the necessary funds to do the things we are suppose to do and moreover, the little fund government committed, to get it, the bureaucracy is as if you want to say, let it be so”, he narrated.
The seasoned Liberian lawyer and professional of Law at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia stated that it will not be proper for Liberia to address the past and leave the current that is still creating a problem also for the Country.
By this he underscored the importance of also addressing the issue of corruption across the Country.
“Corruption is also a big issue in Liberia and we are also engaging for the establishment of the Anti corruption court for Liberia just as we are doing for the establishment of war and economic crimes court in Liberia”, he added.
As part of their ongoing engagements, Cllr. Barbu told the gathering that they are meeting with anti graphs institutions of government to include, The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, The General Auditing Commission and the Internal Audit Agency in a move to work together to help address the issue.
He reiterated that Corruption is an embarrassment to Liberia but once worked on through the court and other processes can be avoided.
Dr. Barbu pointed out that it is the responsibility of the people and government especially relevant agencies to work harder in order to rit corruption our the Country.
Cllr. Barbu further informed the gathering that the OWECC-L is not just a structure but a system that is an integral part of the transitional justice system of the Country as such called for more collaboration and coordination from civil society organizations to help lead the process.
” We are working to ensure that our messages are consistent and not distorted to avoid fear, confusion and lack of trust and credibility in us”, he added.
The OWECC-L head encouraged CSOs inputs and direct participation as part of one of their mandates of collaboration and coordination to the process.
” One of our mandates is to also ensure that international partners help us in raising funds for the office and we are also trying in that direction “, he noted.
He used the ocassion to also challenge civil society organizations to join the advocacy campaign for the fight against corruption in Liberia as well as adequate support to the office of the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia in order to ensure that justice is served.
