Liberia: War Crimes Court Bill Delayed Until 2027, Barbu Confirms

• Legislative action on Liberia's War and Economic Crimes Court bill is delayed until January 2027.
• The proposed US$1.2 billion national budget includes no funding for the court's operations.
• Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, head of the preparatory office, expressed concern that the delay undermines efforts for civil war accountability.
• President Joseph Nyuma Boakai submitted the court bill to the Legislature in May 2026.
• Executive Order No. 164 provides US$2 million annually for the preparatory office, but not for the court's operational costs.

Lawyers advising on human rights, international criminal law, or post-conflict justice in Liberia should note that the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court is significantly delayed until at least 2027, with no current budget allocation.

The establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia faces a significant postponement, with legislative consideration of the enabling bill now deferred until January 2027. This delay was confirmed by Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, who serves as the Executive Director for the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia. He indicated that his office received this information from the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, citing lawmakers' current focus on other pressing national issues.

Adding to the uncertainty, the proposed US$1.2 billion national budget for Liberia contains no specific allocation for the operational costs of the War and Economic Crimes Court. Cllr. Barbu expressed concern that this extended delay could severely impede the efforts to create a tribunal designed to prosecute grave offenses committed during Liberia's protracted civil wars. Speaking at an an event in West Point, central Monrovia, for the dedication of a public awareness billboard for the court, Barbu directly questioned whether legislators had engaged with their constituents regarding the court's necessity during their recent recess.

The absence of dedicated funding in the Liberia national budget for war crimes court operations raises critical questions about how the government intends to finance essential functions, including investigations, prosecutions, judicial administration, and the vital protection of witnesses and victims. Barbu underscored that robust public engagement and decisive legislative action are indispensable, given the profound implications of such a court for victims, survivors, and the nation's broader accountability framework.

President Joseph Nyuma Boakai formally submitted the bill to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court to the Legislature in May 2026. Concurrently, a separate legislative proposal for a National Anti-Corruption Court was also put forward. However, neither of these crucial judicial bodies can be formally established without the necessary legislative approval and passage of their respective bills. This legislative bottleneck is a primary factor in the current delay.

While the court itself awaits legislative action and funding, Cllr. Barbu's preparatory office operates with its own financial provisions. In May 2026, President Boakai extended the mandate of this office through Executive Order No. 164 Liberia, which guarantees an annual appropriation of US$2 million. This funding is channeled through the Ministry of Justice and is specifically designated for the development of implementation frameworks and engagement with the Legislature and potential international funding partners. It is crucial to note that this US$2 million is allocated solely for preparatory work and does not cover the substantial operational costs required for the actual functioning of the court.

The call for accountability for crimes committed during Liberia's 14 years of civil conflict is not new; it was a central recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). This historical mandate underscores the long-standing demand for justice, a demand that victims and survivors have consistently voiced, making the establishment of this court a paramount concern for them.

The protracted delay in establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia carries significant implications for the nation's pursuit of justice and reconciliation. For the countless victims and survivors of the civil wars, who have consistently advocated for such a tribunal, the postponement until at least 2027 represents a further deferral of their hopes for accountability. This ongoing uncertainty surrounding the timeline for accountability for civil war-era crimes impacts expectations for future legal proceedings and could erode public trust in the commitment to address past atrocities.

Cllr. Barbu's public challenge to lawmakers regarding their consultation with constituents highlights the perceived disconnect between legislative priorities and the deeply felt needs of those affected by the conflict. The absence of funding in the national budget, coupled with the legislative delay, signals a continued struggle to translate the political will for a War and Economic Crimes Court into concrete action. Despite these setbacks, Barbu's office confirmed in August that preparations are continuing, even as they urge lawmakers to advance the necessary legislation.

Lawyers advising on human rights, international criminal law, or post-conflict justice in Liberia should note that the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court is significantly delayed until at least 2027, with no current budget allocation.

Lawyers advising on human rights, international criminal law, or post-conflict justice in Liberia should note that the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court is significantly delayed until at least 2027, with no current budget allocation. This signals continued uncertainty regarding the timeline for accountability for civil war-era crimes and impacts expectations for future legal proceedings.

Source: Original reporting via Liberian Investigator.