“The Court Will Be Established, Conduct Trial & Reach Decisions” – Cllr. Barbu Assures By: Julius Konton

The Head of the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, Cllr. Jallah Barbu, has assured the Liberian people that the War and Economic Crimes Court will be established, operationalized, issue indictments and have people tried within this term of President Boakai’s administration.  Speaking to reporters, Cllr. Barbu said it is not his decision to make neither his authority but rather the government and he and his team members as part of their responsibilities will work to ensure that such mandate is fulfilled. Cllr. Barbu who also commended the government for 100% support to his office and the process thus far has also stated that they are working very hard in a consultative manner and form to ensure that their objectives are met. He said based upon the work that  they have done over the short period of time  and the prospects to achieving other aspects of their works and activities, he is certain that nothing will stop the operations for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia. “This is a Liberian process, owned by Liberians and with support from the government and other partners, this will be fulfilled,” he re-emphasized.  Cllr. Barbu at the same time disclosed that his office has gotten assurance from President Boakai and his government for the full implementation of their works. Speaking about public concerns following the death of former Senator Prince Johnson regarding the continuation of their work, Cllr. Barbu clarified that his office works and activities are not about the former Senator, special individuals, neither a set of groups of people but rather based on conduct to ensure that justice is the order of the day. “We have a lot to be done, the Court will be established and it is not about punishing people but rather bringing about lasting peace to Liberia through the closure process,” he re-emphasized.  According to him, to heal the wounds especially of the victims in other to avoid the recurrence, it is key that all Liberians work together in order for the rule of law to prevail. Speaking further about their works and activities in just three months of operations, Cllr. Barbu  disclosed that as part of their mandate, his office submitted a written report to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on their past activities.  He named some of their activities as the holding of several meetings with civil society organizations, partners and the development of a road map for the office.  Others are his trip to Sierra Leone and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to discuss on transitional justice practices among others.  At the same time, he said they have established members of technical committees to work on particular issues as well as their meeting with victim groups, among others. As part of their engagements, Cllr. Barbu stressed that they are also doing more outreach, publicity and mitigation in a drive to reach out to everyone.  “We have engaged with high schools in an effort to educate them and create the necessary awareness and to ensure that we raise a generation who will be law abiding,” he added. Cllr. Barbu also stated that they did series of collaborative efforts from all levels to ensure that they meet their objectives.  “We have committees working on legislative engagements especially due process which is key to our mandate and also a committee on safety and security issues relative to a design structure should in case the court structure for example is or will be in Liberia,” he noted. He urged the public to manage expectations as well as the media especially in its messaging to the general populace.  “We want clear messages from the media nothing that there are plans in the making to conduct series of capacity building training for the media in order to further sharpen their skills especially on reporting programs and activities of the office of the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia,” he said. Moreover,  and as part of their global media visibility, Cllr. Barbu was glad to disclose  about the establishment of their website which he stated will help in further informing the global population about their works and activities. “Not everyone will come to us as such, we also established a hotline process to ensure that people can reach out to us through this medium in order to engage us and to share whatever information relevant to our work and activities, ” he said. Meanwhile, The Head for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia assured the public that with team work efforts and collaboration from all as well as support, they will endeavor to ensure that impunity is brought to an end in Liberia.