“Justice Was Delayed But Not Denied” President Boakai Signed The Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court

Executive Mansion-President Joseph N. Boakia has signed executive order number 131, paving way for the establishment of the office of extraordinary criminal court and domestic corruption court for war and economic crimes in the country.

The action of the Liberia Head of State comes weeks after the 55th legislature passed a resolution, number 001/2024, advocating its approval for the establishment of a war and economic crimes court; Concured by the Liberian Senate.

Article 34 (e) (b) (j) (i) and Chapter 2, Article 5(b) of the 1986 constitution gives the executive branch willpower to undertake said actions.

“The conviction that brings us here today is that, for peace and harmony to have a chance to prevail, justice and healing must perfect the groundwork.” He said during the signing ceremony.

He acknowledged both the House of Representatives and Senate for the joint resolution, urging the nation to take tangible steps towards paving the way to bringing what he consider as “a just, healed, and reconciled finality to the issues of that ugly period of the past.”

He lauded legislators, justice and peace advocacy community, interfaith community and victims who have consistently restrained themselves with the faith of achieving justice.

“This nation needs to be united in this resolve to ferret the causes and effects of the violence that was visited upon this Land to justly apportion the blame and rewards wherever they may lie.” he asserted.

Reaffirming his commitment to the rule of law system, the State Man maintained that impunity will not be allowed under his watch.
“Let the word go forth that we will remain firm in our stand against injustice and impunity and that we have no doubt that this move will go a long way in helping to restore respectability and integrity to this country and to a reconciled and united people.” he Lamented.

Below is President Joseph Boakai Full speech 

My Fellow Liberians;

Stakeholders in the Search for Justice and Peace;

Our Sister Branches of Government—the Legislature and Judiciary;

Representatives of our Partner Governments and Institutions;

Esteemed Guests;

The News Media;

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:

We are assembled here this solemn afternoon for a purpose that is not only noble and humane but is also one that we believe holds far reaching positive implications for our country and people.

I invited you all here to join me in consummating a process that will set in motion deliberate action steps toward bringing justice and closure to the scars and memories of our tragic and violent misadventure into more than fourteen years of senseless civil conflict. Through the several years following the silencing of the guns, we as a people have endured downpours of agony, an avalanche of recriminations, and clarion calls from either victims or alleged perpetrators.

The conviction that brings us here today is that, for peace and harmony to have a chance to prevail, justice and healing must perfect the groundwork.

I acknowledge the historic move by our National Legislature—both the House of Representatives and House of Senate—to reach separate, and then, a joint resolution urging the nation to take tangible steps towards paving the way to bringing a just, healed, and reconciled finality to the issues of that ugly period of our past. The direct representatives of the people spoke through their collective and overwhelming vote as they passed the resolution. And so, we must act, and act now!

On behalf of the Republic, I register sincere thanks to you, our legislators, and also to the justice and peace advocacy community, the interfaith community, as well as the various shades of victims who have for so long restrained themselves with the faith that at long last justice will one day arrive.

This nation needs to be united in this resolve to ferret the causes and effects of the violence that was visited upon this Land to justly apportion the blame and rewards wherever they may lie.

And so, to signify in the clearest possible terms our commitment to justice and the rule of law, as well as to amplify our affirmation that impunity will not be allowed to stand under our watch, I find it only prudent and fair to embrace and further bolster the efforts that the National Legislature has so courageously invested in this matter.

It is in view of this that I am today, Thursday, May 2, 2024, signing and issuing EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 131, ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF A WAR AND ECONOMIC CRIMES COURT FOR LIBERIA.

Let the word go forth that we will remain firm in our stand against injustice and impunity and that we have no doubt that this move will go a long way in helping to restore respectability and integrity to this country and to a reconciled and united people.

In our resolve to Think Liberia, Love Liberia, and Build Liberia, we urge all to lend this noble effort all the support it needs so that, once and for all, we can keep our eyes on the forward march, and not remain stuck in the ugly memories of our unfortunate past.