More Than 2 Decades After The Civil War Officially Ended With 250,000 Live Lost
By Gabriel M C Parker
BOMI COUNTY, Liberia–The Chairman of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Cllr. T. Dempster Brown has strongly spoken against delay in the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) in Liberia, warning against prolonging the culture of impunity in this post-war West African country.
Cllr. Brown, who said that the impunity has gone on for too long, made the assertion on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 during the official dedicatory ceremony of the Maher Memorial Site in the western Bomi County.
The ceremony brought together government officials, human rights advocates, and citizens to honor victims of the Maher River Bridge massacre.
The memorial commemorates more than 150 people who were killed on July 18, 2002, during Liberia’s civil unrest.
Liberia’s brutal civil war claimed the lives of about 250,000 people, according to United Nations estimate. But to date, the country is yet to bring to justice alleged perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Speaking at the memorial launch event, Cllr. Brown expressed frustration over what he described as the slow pace in establishing the long-awaited court.
He questioned the continued delay despite what appears to be progress on paper.
“How long will it take for the War and Economic Crimes Court to be established?” the head of the INCHR asked.
According to him, it has been nearly two years since the executive order for the court’s establishment was signed by President Joseph Boakai.
He further noted that the mandate has since been extended, with funding provided by the Government of Liberia, yet the court remains non-operational.
“The President has already given the go-ahead, so why is the court still delayed?” Cllr. Brown wondered.
While he did not directly name those responsible for the delay, Cllr. Brown attributed the situation to what he described as a culture of impunity.
He stressed that such a culture enabled widespread violence and senseless killings across the country during the civil war years.
“Liberia cannot continue to reward those who committed heinous crimes during the civil unrest,” he warned.
Cllr. Brown concluded by cautioning that any attempt to undermine the establishment of the court would not succeed, emphasizing that the demand for justice remains strong among victims and the general public.