Liberia’s President Establishes Committee to Reconstitute WECC Leadership

Monrovia, Liberia – In a move aimed at addressing public concerns over the selection process, Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has established a committee to reconstitute the leadership of the Office of War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC). The decision comes after Liberia’s 177th Independence Day Orator, Dr. Robtel Pailey, urged President Boakai to withdraw the appointment of the WECC Executive Director, Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi, citing “dubious circumstances” surrounding his selection.

According to Liberia’s Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, the vetting committee will recruit and vet candidates to lead the WECC office, which was created under President Boakai’s Executive Order #131. The office is responsible for setting up a Special War Crimes Court and an Anti-Corruption Court for Liberia.

The committee, comprising various organizations, includes the Ministry of Justice (as Chair), the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, and a national non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on transitional justice. Members from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the United Nations Office in Liberia, and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) are also part of the committee.

The committee’s task is to recruit, vet, and recommend three candidates with proven integrity, expertise in Liberian constitutional and criminal law, and the ability to collaborate with the international community and the Liberian public. This role will be crucial in developing the mechanisms, procedures, and processes necessary for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Courts.

President Boakai’s decision to reconstitute the office’s leadership reflects his commitment to ensuring that the establishment of these courts undergoes thorough public scrutiny and remains transparent. The move is seen as a step towards addressing public and international concerns over the selection process and ensuring that the WECC leadership is credible and effective.

The development comes as a welcome relief to many Liberians who have been advocating for transparency and accountability in the country’s justice system. The establishment of the WECC is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the country’s legacy of conflict and human rights abuses, and the reconstitution of its leadership is a critical step towards ensuring its success.