Liberia CSOs Demand: Recall Legislature for War and Economic Crimes Court Bill

• A coalition of Liberian civil society organizations (CSOs) has urged President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to recall the 55th Legislature to pass bills for a War and Economic Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court.
• The CSOs, represented by Rev. Adolphus Capehart, stated that delays undermine efforts to address wartime atrocities, corruption, and economic crimes, and erode public confidence in the justice system.
• Victims of Liberia's civil wars have waited decades for accountability, with unresolved atrocities continuing to hinder national reconciliation and development.
• The proposed courts are seen as crucial mechanisms for accountability, national reconciliation, constitutional governance, and protecting future generations.
• The organizations demand government clarity on obstacles, a public roadmap, and a timeline for the courts' establishment, emphasizing the need for a transparent and victim-centered process.

The establishment of these courts would introduce new legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, necessitating a close monitoring of their legislative progress by legal professionals and compliance officers in Liberia.

A coalition of Liberian civil society organizations (CSOs) has issued a strong appeal to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, urging him to recall members of the 55th Legislature from their current agricultural recess. The primary objective of this recall, articulated in a joint advocacy statement released on September 14, 2026, is to facilitate the immediate passage of crucial legislation aimed at establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court and a National Anti-Corruption Court in Liberia. The CSOs contend that continued delays in enacting these judicial bodies risk undermining efforts to address past atrocities and ongoing corruption, while also eroding public trust in the nation's justice system.

Rev. Adolphus Capehart, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer for People Uniting for Peace in Liberia, delivered the statement on behalf of the allied organizations. He highlighted the decades-long wait endured by victims of Liberia's civil wars for credible accountability regarding grave violations committed during those conflicts. The unresolved nature of these wartime atrocities, Capehart emphasized, continues to impede Liberia's progress toward reconciliation and overall development. Furthermore, he noted that pervasive corruption and economic crimes present significant obstacles to effective governance within the country.

The proposed War and Economic Crimes Court is envisioned as a critical mechanism for confronting serious violations that occurred during Liberia's protracted civil wars, offering a path to transitional justice for victims. Concurrently, the National Anti-Corruption Court legislation aims to bolster the nation's capacity to prosecute significant corruption and economic crimes through a specialized judicial process, thereby strengthening the rule of law and promoting accountability in public life. Despite the Boakai administration's repeated public commitments to enhancing justice and accountability, the persistent delays in establishing these vital courts have generated considerable apprehension among victims, civil society groups, faith-based organizations, and the general populace.

The CSOs view these proposed judicial institutions not merely as governmental initiatives but as fundamental pillars for ensuring accountability, fostering national reconciliation, upholding constitutional governance, and safeguarding future generations from similar injustices. The establishment of these courts would introduce new legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, necessitating a close monitoring of their legislative progress by legal professionals and compliance officers in Liberia. Their eventual operationalization will require reviews of existing compliance programs, risk assessments, and could open new avenues for litigation or defense related to past atrocities and economic crimes.

In light of the ongoing delays, the coalition of organizations is seeking explicit clarification from the government regarding the specific impediments preventing the establishment and operationalization of both courts. They have called for a public explanation detailing the current status of the legislative and institutional processes, alongside an identification of any outstanding constitutional, legal, administrative, financial, or political obstacles. Rev. Capehart specifically requested a clear timeline and concrete steps for the establishment of the proposed National Anti-Corruption Court.

The CSOs underscored that their advocacy is not intended to create confrontation but rather to promote greater clarity, accountability, and decisive action. They advocate for meaningful participation from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including victims, civil society organizations, faith and traditional leaders, women, and youth, in the efforts to establish these courts. The coalition further proposed an open engagement forum involving the Presidency, the Legislature, and civil society to advance initiatives aimed at combating impunity, reinforcing the rule of law, and protecting the rights of victims and survivors. They are demanding a clear public roadmap and timeline for the establishment and operationalization of both courts, asserting that such a plan would alleviate uncertainty and unequivocally demonstrate the government's commitment to accountability. The organizations affirmed their readiness to collaborate with the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, victims' groups, religious and traditional leaders, development partners, and other stakeholders to ensure that the process is independent, transparent, credible, victim-centered, and nationally owned, urging the Boakai administration to move beyond mere commitments.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Liberia should closely monitor the legislative progress of the proposed War and Economic Crimes Court and National Anti-Corruption Court bills. Their eventual establishment will introduce new legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, necessitating reviews of compliance programs, risk assessments, and potentially opening new avenues for litigation or defense related to past atrocities and economic crimes.

Source: Original reporting via FrontPageAfrica