WONGOSOL Frowns at Delays Over WECC Establishment in Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia: The Women Non-governmental Organizations Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has expressed frustration over what it calls the slow pace of a War and Economic Crimes Courts (WECC) establishment in Liberia, warning that the trend could erode public trust in the government.

WONGOSOL's concerns followed recent disclosures by the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes (OWECC), in which the Office accuses key government institutions, including the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning of undermining efforts in the court's establishment.

Recently, OWECC Boss Jallah Barbu, stated that the US$2 million promised by President Joseph Boakai and authorized through the Ministry of Finance to support the office on an annual basis, is yet to be received in full.

He said the funds were arranged to be disbursed in quarterly installments of US$500,000. Barbu has however linked the delays to administrative and coordination challenges involving the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance towards providing needed funds to the office and submitting draft bill before the Legislature for scrutiny.

Reacting to recent developments surrounding the courts' establishment, WONGOSOL described the delays as troubling Liberia's commitment to justice for war victims and economic sabotage cases.

The organization says the government seems not to be exercising political will, nearly after two years when Executive Order #131 was issued by President Boakai for the court's establishment.

The group believes that the office is not fully operational due to limited support and coordination.

According to WONGOSOL, sufficient groundworks have been done, but decisive political action seems to be lacking—particularly the submission of the draft bills to the Legislature.

The Women's Secretariat group cautioned that continued delays—whether due to bureaucracy, or lack of political will, could derail justice efforts and weaken accountability mechanisms in Liberia.

WONGOSOL also points out that establishing the courts is not optional. The group says it stems from recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is backed by international obligations, including commitments to human rights, anti-corruption, and gender justice.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” WONGOSOL warns, emphasizing that accountability is not just a legal obligation, but a moral one", WONGOSOL led by Esther David Yango, emphasized.

Meanwhile, the Women's group is calling on President Joseph Boakai to intervene, remove bottlenecks, and fast-track the Court establishment process.

For WONGOSOL, the issue is also deeply personal and historical. It noted that women, who bore the brunt of Liberia’s civil conflict and continue to face the impacts of corruption, must remain central to justice efforts.

The group stresses that failure to act sends the negative signal to citizens and international partners, at a time it says Liberia is pursuing national development priorities under the government's ARREST Agenda.

As Liberia stands at a critical crossroads, the group says swift action on the courts could help rebuild trust, strengthen democratic institutions, and deliver long-awaited justice for victims.