By Grace Bryant Mollay
The Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) and the Liberia Massacre Survivors Association (LIMASA) have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen collaboration on transitional justice and amplify the voices of war survivors across the country.
The agreement, signed Monday in Monrovia, represents a renewed national commitment to accountability, healing, and inclusion, particularly for victims of Liberia’s brutal civil conflicts. It lays the foundation for shared efforts to promote public awareness, support victim participation, and accelerate the establishment of both the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC).
The executive director of OWECC-L, Jallah A. Barbu, hailed the partnership as “a pivotal moment in Liberia’s pursuit of justice”
He emphasized that the importance of Liberian-led, survivor-centered initiatives.
“This MOU marks a pivotal moment in Liberia’s pursuit of justice. We believe that inclusive, Liberian-driven initiatives such as this partnership with LIMASA are essential to ensuring that victims and survivors are at the heart of the transitional justice process,”Barbu stated.
As part of the agreement, OWECC-L will facilitate information-sharing, advocacy support, and joint coordination. LIMASA, in turn, will mobilize victims’ voices in the justice process, promote evidence-gathering, and foster reconciliation across affected communities.
The President of LIMASA, Peterson Sonyah, described the MOU as “a powerful platform to amplify the voices of survivors” and expressed optimism that perpetrators will finally be held accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“This partnership gives us a powerful platform to amplify the voices of survivors and ensure they are no longer marginalized in conversations about justice and accountability,”Sonyah said.
He noted the tireless support LIMASA has received from OWECC-L under Barbu’s leadership.
The ceremony also spotlighted the neglected condition of mass grave memorials, particularly the Duport Road Massacre site, which Barbu described as a symbol of national neglect.
“Leaving these sites abandoned is a high degree of disrespect to those who were murdered,” said Barbu.
He also called for urgent rehabilitation of memorials to restore dignity and reinforce public commitment to honoring the dead.
Recently, OWECC-L, in collaboration with partners, renovated the long-neglected Carter Camp Memorial, signaling a broader push to restore these historical sites as sacred spaces of remembrance and healing.
The MOU is the third strategic agreement signed by OWECC-L in recent months, following partnerships with Integrity Watch Liberia, the Secretariat of Women NGOs, and the Liberia Council of Churches — all part of an inclusive national strategy to ensure that justice, truth, and memory take root.
For thousands of survivors still carrying the scars of war, this partnership offers more than hope — it opens a long-awaited door to justice, accountability, and national healing.
