PHOTO: (L_R) Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, head of the War Crimes Court Office and Dr. Leo E. Tiah, Executive Director of YOUNETPO signing the MOU
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
Monrovia, Liberia – In a landmark partnership, the Youth Network for Positive Change (YOUNETPO) and the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia have formalized their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at amplifying the voices of young people throughout the court process.
The signing ceremony took place in Monrovia earlier this week (April 16, 2025),
YOUNETPO, a registered and accredited youth-led civil society organization with over nine years of experience in various domains including peacebuilding, human rights, and citizen access to justice, has long championed the rights of youth in Liberia.
The organization’s work has spanned numerous issues such as sexual reproductive health rights and climate change, benefiting more than 10,000 youths aged 10 to 35 across several counties, including Montserrado, Margibi, and Nimba.
During the ceremony, Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Executive Director for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crime Court in Liberia, highlighted the importance of this partnership in the fight against corruption.
He expressed his office’s commitment to monitoring corruption cases and receiving essential documents from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
“Liberia will be corrected very soon, and people will be held accountable for their crimes,” he stated emphatically.
Cllr. Barbu also expressed frustration over the limited engagement from government officials, noting that only the Foreign Minister had visited their office.
He encouraged local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to leverage opportunities for positive change, emphasizing the need to guide and protect the youth effectively.
Dr. Leo E. Tiah, the Executive Director of YOUNETPO, articulated that the MOU not only aims to advocate for young people’s inclusion in the war crimes process but also to facilitate training and awareness about the court’s functions.
“Young people must be involved in decision-making processes as they are the true drivers of positive change in Liberia,” he asserted.
This MOU marks a significant step in engaging Liberia’s youth in crucial national dialogues about justice, accountability, and governance, underscoring the vital role they play in shaping a more just and equitable society.