MONROVIA — At the same ground where thousands of Liberian women once gathered in prayer during the country’s civil war, women leaders, journalists, and peace advocates on Tuesday renewed their call for the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court, insisting that lasting peace cannot exist without justice.
The appeal was made during the opening of a photo exhibition on justice, peace, and national renewal held at the Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET) office in Invincible Park. Organized by the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) in collaboration with Kvinna till Kvinna, the Alliance for Peace, Justice and Human Rights (APJHR), the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECCL), and other partners, the exhibition traces Liberia’s journey from conflict to recovery through photographs, historical records, and survivor testimonies.
For many of those in attendance, the venue itself carried deep historical significance.
“It was destiny by God that we own this place, and it’s a sacred place,” said Asatu Bah-Kenneth, Director for Anti-Corruption at OWECCL.
She reflected on the prayer movement led jointly by Christian and Muslim women during Liberia’s civil war, describing it as a defining moment in the country’s search for peace.
“I remember when the women of Liberia gathered here to pray, Christians and Muslims together. One of the women said God had instructed them to pray like never before, and shortly afterward former President Charles Taylor was indicted,” Bah-Kenneth recalled.
She said another woman from the Muslim community urged the group to continue praying with even greater determination.
“After those prayers, the President was able to return to Liberia peacefully. Had that not happened, the country could have descended into even more violence,” she said.
Bah-Kenneth argued that the sacrifices made by those women should not be forgotten and that their struggle for peace must now be matched by a commitment to accountability.
“The establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court is not a mistake,” she said. “I hear people say, ‘Let bygones be bygones,’ but what exactly are we supposed to forget? How can someone who held a knife to your throat simply come back and ask you to move on? God teaches forgiveness, but He also demands justice. That is why we have institutions to correct wrongs.”
She urged Liberians, particularly young people, to recognize the importance of confronting the country’s past.
“We hope our coming here will not be in vain. Let us reflect on where we came from and where we are going as a nation. This fight is for the younger generation. We do not want history to repeat itself.”
FeJAL President Lisa Tenneh Diassy said the exhibition serves as a reminder that Liberia’s civil conflict touched virtually every family.
“Our civil conflict affected every Liberian in one way or another,” she said, adding that the exhibition is intended to preserve the country’s collective memory while encouraging dialogue on justice, healing, and reconciliation.
The President of WIPNET, Korpo Danni, appealed directly to lawmakers to pass legislation establishing the War and Economic Crimes Court.
“The Legislature should recognize the urgency of passing this bill,” Danni said. “We want to see the court established before the end of this year. We do not want another generation of Liberian children to experience war, to flee into the bush, or to lose their lives. Our greatest desire is to see our children grow up in peace.”
Organizers said the exhibition is designed to help young Liberians understand the country’s painful history while encouraging them to play an active role in protecting peace.
Beyond the photographic displays, visitors are invited to participate in interactive activities, including a Peace Reflection Wall, a Peace Letter Box Archive, and a Memorial Line, where participants can share personal reflections, messages of hope, and commitments toward a more peaceful Liberia.
The exhibition also provides a space for survivors and citizens to express their aspirations for the country’s future while honoring the memory of the estimated 250,000 Liberians who lost their lives during the civil conflict.
The event was jointly organized by FeJAL, Kvinna till Kvinna, the Alliance for Peace, Justice and Human Rights, OWECCL, and other partners under the PeaceGen Liberia Project, which is funded by the European Union with additional support from the Embassy of Ireland.
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