Liberia: Lawmakers Clad in Orange Turn Advocates for WECC Creation

The chamber of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, April 2, turned orange as members protested in favor of the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court, pushing for Senate approval.

In what was a rare scene, majority members, during mid-deliberation of the agenda, were seen clad in orange T-shirts and caps, kicking off a protest demanding their colleagues across the arc — the Senate — to concur on the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court.

The orange T-shirts displayed the message “War and Economic Crimes Court is a Must” and included an image of chained hands. Despite some criticism for improper attire, over 40 lawmakers stood firm in their demonstration.

Representatives Seeboe and Kolubah voiced their support for the court and the protest — urging their colleagues in the Upper House to concur with the instrument passed nearly a month ago by the Lower House.

The assertions of the two Montserrado County lawmakers were in response to an observation made by Nimba County District #9 Representative Dorwon Gleekia of Nimba County District #6 that “some members are improperly attire, wearing T-shirt and cap in session.”

Over 40 lawmakers were seen in the Orange T-shirts, whereas Grand Bassa County District #5 Representative Thomas Goshua said the stage of the War and Economic Crimes Court is in “Code Orange.”

The session ended abruptly, with lawmakers vowing to continue their protest until progress is made. All female lawmakers and the House’s leadership are backing the establishment of the court, following the House’s historic decision to move forward with the resolution. The resolution calls for the establishment of an Economic Crimes Court to address corruption swiftly and emphasizes the importance of implementing TRC recommendations.

Some political pundits argued that with the delay in concurrence by the Senate of the War and Economic Crimes Courts, and rumor of altering the contents; the Code Orange would signify a “threat in progress” while other political pundits argued that Code Orange would also mean “seeking Justice and no to impunity.” 

Tuesday’s session was abruptly adjourned with a majority of the lawmakers insisting on not taking off their “T-shirts and caps” despite being improperly attire and that they would continue to protest if their colleagues continued to “drag their feet” in concurring with the resolution to create War and Economic Crime Court. 

On Tuesday, 5th March 2024, during the 16th day sitting, the House’s Plenary unanimously voted for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Courts, which was signed by 49 Representatives and has since been sent to the Senate for concurrence. 

The House’s decision is unprecedented because it is the first time since the end of the senseless and deadly civil war for either of the Houses of the Legislature to act upon a Resolution for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Courts. 

“Recognizing that economic crimes are the progenitor of war crimes, call for legislative action to establish an Economic Crimes Court for the swift and speedy trial of corruption and economic crimes. Attested Members of the House of Representatives hereby affix their signatures,” the Resolution stated. 

However, the Senate has not been as proactive as the Lower House has been. Less than 24 hours following the passage of the resolution by the Lower House, the Senate, during its March 7, sitting, referred the matter to its Judiciary and Security committees for further review–a move that comes amid clarion calls from citizens, civil society actors, and friends of Liberia in the international community for the establishment of the WECC. 

The committee was mandated by the Senate plenary to seize the resolution and report in two weeks. Many believe this could cause delays to the concurrence of the resolution passed in the House of Representatives. 

Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate has been swayed by some senators raising concerns on the nature and kind of resolution, a motion filed by Maryland county Senator J. Gbleh-Bo Brown. 

A growing wave of disagreement from senators on the establishment of the WECC has been seen in recent times since the Boakai administration decided to take a more proactive stance on the matter. 

Some senators have expressed differing opinions on the establishment of the WECC, citing concerns about its potential impacts on Liberian society. 

Senators, including Thomas Yaya Nimely, Prince Y. Johnson, and Albert T. Chie from Grand Gedeh, Nimba, and Grand Kru Counties, respectively, have all expressed their disapproval of the establishment of the Court. 

Former Senate Pro-Tempore Albert Chie recommended exploring other reconciliation mechanisms outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report instead of pursuing the WECC. 

A few days before the resolution surfaced on the Senate’s floor, a communication from former Pro-Tempore Albert Chie asked his colleagues to consider other recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report instead of establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court. In his communication to the Senate’s plenary, Senator Chie informed his colleagues to revert to decisions made during the 54^th Legislature, where the senate advised former President George Weah not to venture into establishing the court but implement recommendations enshrined in the Truth and Reconciliation Council Report. 

Speculation about the delay in the Senate's concurrence includes concerns about potential alterations to the court's framework.