Published: February 25, 2026
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia — Gbarpolu County Sen. Amara M. Konneh is urging the Liberian Senate to move from symbolic support to concrete action on the long-delayed War and Economic Crimes Court, warning colleagues that the 55th Legislature will be defined by whether it advances justice for civil war victims or allows the process to stall.
In a communication read Tuesday, Feb. 24, by Senate Secretary Nanborlor Singbeh, Konneh called on the plenary to summon Justice Minister Cllr. Oswald N. Tweh and Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, executive director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court, for a comprehensive briefing on the court’s progress, funding outlook, and diplomatic challenges.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | Facebook
He said lawmakers need clarity on the status of implementation, including concerns that political resistance in partner countries, particularly the United States, could complicate international support.
From Historic Vote to Implementation Test
Konneh reminded colleagues that the Senate overwhelmingly voted in April 2024, in concurrence with the House of Representatives, to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court to prosecute atrocities committed during Liberia’s 1989–2003 civil wars.
Following that decision, President Joseph Boakai issued Executive Order No. 131 on May 2, 2024, and renewed the mandate in April 2025 under Executive Order No. 148.
“The purpose of these directives is to bring justice for the more than 250,000 Liberians who lost their lives, as well as for the economic crimes that fueled and prolonged the conflict,” Konneh said.
But he cautioned that executive orders alone cannot guarantee sustainability.
Reports, he noted, indicate that the court’s implementation roadmap anticipates the launch of an anti-corruption component in 2026 and the start of war crimes trials in 2027. However, he warned that without formal legislative enactment and predictable, long-term national and international funding, those timelines could slip.
“Our vote in 2024 was historic,” Konneh said. “But sustaining this effort requires more than symbolism.”
Justice as a National Imperative
Framing the court as both a legal and moral obligation, Konneh said justice remains elusive for thousands of victims and survivors.
“For decades, victims and survivors have waited for justice,” he said, adding that many senators, including himself, continue to carry personal scars from the war.
Citing assessments by national and international partners, he said an estimated 40% to 50% of Liberian households still include at least one person suffering long-term trauma, disability or psychological distress linked to the conflict.
Without accountability, he argued, those unresolved wounds risk undermining reconciliation and national stability.
“The unresolved burdens of our turbulent past will continue to undermine our fragile peace unless we act decisively,” he said. “Liberia remains one of the most war-traumatized nations in the world.”
A Question of Legislative Legacy
Konneh praised Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence for her role in securing the 2024 vote establishing the court, describing her leadership as instrumental. He emphasized that his urgency is shaped by lived experience as a war victim.
“If my urgency appears undue, I ask your indulgence,” he told colleagues. “It is shaped by lived experience, as I am a victim of that war, just as many of you and the people we represent are.”
He warned that history will render its own verdict on the Legislature’s resolve.
“No title or seniority can shield us from the judgment of history if we fail to push the Executive to complete what we unanimously began,” Konneh said. “The scrutiny of our citizens, those who survived and those who suffered, will shape our legacy for generations.”
Konneh also noted that the late Sen. Prince Y. Johnson, long accused in the killing of former President Samuel K. Doe, had supported the court’s establishment, a development he said underscored the national significance of the issue.
Call for Oversight and Transparency
To reinforce legislative oversight, Konneh requested that the plenary convene a Committee of the Whole hearing with Dr. Barbu. He said the briefing should detail the office’s operational progress, the status of financial and technical commitments from the government and international partners, and any diplomatic efforts to safeguard the court’s establishment from political interference abroad.
Following a motion by Grand Kru County Sen. Albert T. Chie, amended by Lofa County Sen. Momo T. Cyrus, the communication was forwarded to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petitions for further action, including the possible invitation of the two officials.
Discussion about this post