Africa-Press – Liberia. The Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy near Monrovia, Mr. Joseph Zodrozny, on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia (OWECC-L).
The visit came amid growing demonstrations by civil society organizations (CSOs) drawing attention to the office’s worsening financial crisis, which has reportedly left employees unpaid for more than five months.
Held at OWECC-L’s headquarters in Monrovia, the engagement formed part of broader U.S. diplomatic efforts to support Liberia’s ongoing justice and accountability initiatives. While details of the closed-door meeting were not disclosed, sources from both institutions confirmed that discussions focused on the office’s financial and operational constraints and the importance of sustained international and domestic support to maintain its activities.
The visit follows mounting pressure from CSOs and victims’ advocacy groups, who have organized peaceful protests in Monrovia and other parts of the country.
Protesters contend that insufficient funding is crippling OWECC-L’s credibility and operations delaying outreach efforts, reducing staff morale, and undermining Liberia’s pursuit of post-war justice. They blame the government’s limited budgetary allocation, reportedly below the amount recommended under Executive Order No. 148, for the institution’s paralysis.
Despite these challenges, many observers interpret the U.S. Embassy’s visit as a sign of renewed confidence in Liberia’s transitional justice agenda. The United States remains a strong advocate for accountability for wartime atrocities and corruption, emphasizing that justice is vital to lasting peace and reconciliation.
Established by the Government of Liberia, OWECC-L is mandated to lay the foundation for the creation of both the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC).
These institutions are expected to address the country’s longstanding culture of impunity and strengthen the rule of law key components of President Joseph N. Boakai’s governance reform agenda.
As Liberia confronts persistent post-war accountability challenges, Mr. Zodrozny’s visit underscores the urgent need for stronger financial backing and political will to sustain progress toward justice, transparency, and institutional credibility.
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