The Executive Director for the office of the Establishment of War and economic crimes court in Liberia Dr. Jallah Barbu has underscored the importance of trauma healing and reconciliation process in the wake of the full establishment of the courts in Liberia.
Speaking when OWECC-L signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lutheran church of Liberia trauma healing and reconciliation program, Dr. Barbu said that psychosocial, method health and addressing trauma is critical in the transitional justice process in the Country.
“Trauma healing is very key especially so when I think that about the amount of persons who still need healing as a result of the crisis as well as people who are still looking for answers to why Liberians even fought war”, he further explained.
Cllr. Barbu stated that while Liberia is becoming a better place there are still unresolved issues as some people put up some resistance only because of person interest.
“It is incumbent upon us as actors in healing and transitional justice as well as peace building sector to be role module for others to see”, he added.
According to him, when Liberia is elected and takes its seat at the United Nations Security Council as non permanent member , Liberia will contribute significantly to the healing process.
“It is not time to be exhausted about the process but rather it is time to get re-energized, put our efforts and everything together to ensure that we achieve our primary mandate” he reechoed.
The OWECC-L Boss who hailed the Lutheran church especially its trauma healing and reconciliation department for its contributions to trauma healing and reconciliation initiatives over the years also reminded them that their role to the process is important.
“Your role is key, you have that capacity to roll your sleeves and begin to work from the tables to the field in order to make the difference in this process and we at OWECC-L believe that once we work , hand – in hand , we will get the work done”, he noted.
However, he pointed out that there are scaptics who don’t believe that the courts will be established but he is of the conviction that with the level of work done and other ongoing activities and plans ahead, they will live up to their mandate in ensuring that the courts are established in Liberia.
” The Liberian people accepted and initiated this process, it is a home growned one and we need to take ownership of it , we are leading this and we are all stakeholders of it”, he maintained.
He encouraged the church to come up fully to work in order to make the process a successful one.
The OWECC-L as part of the MOU assured the Lutheran church that it will work along with them to ensure that key issues and interventions can be made especially reflecting on the sad history of the Lutheran church massacre as well as direct interventions on the site where the massacre took place.
Drawing the attention of the church to some of the issues around, he encouraged them to see the need to include in the Lutheran school’s curriculum the history of the sad situation that took place, the students need to know and be well informed even if they are Lutherans or non Lutherans, this is important, he re-emphasized .
At the same time he pointed out the need to reserve a portion of the site on the Lutheran church compound for the sake of respect and memorialization purposes.
Moreover, he informed the body that the OWECC-L has a very robust and proactive psychosocial department working in the national healing process of the Country.
“We established the grade school Ambassadorial program piloting ten schools including the St. Peter’s Lutheran school where our young Ambassador are working very hard to get factual information to help the process “, he further explained.
Dr. Barbu at the same time pledged the OWECC-L’s commitment to the MOU With the Lutheran church of Liberia trauma healing and reconciliation program.
” We will take this document very seriously as a living one and will implement it to the fullest”, he re-emphasized.
Also speaking during the signing ceremony, the Director of the Lutheran church of Liberia trauma healing and reconciliation program F. Philip L. Nushann Jr, welcomed the partnership and promised that they will work together to live up to it.
Healing he stressed has been one of the major pillars of the Lutheran church apart from preaching and teaching the word of God.
” It is a good partnership and thanks for allowing the church to form a part of this crucial national process and we stand ready, prepared and willing to coordinate and cooperate to work together”, he reechoed.
