–As Justice Ministry & Partners Embark on Community Engagement Dialogue
By Vaye Abel Lepolu
MONROVIA – The Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Liberia Chamber of Commerce and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has officially entered the rollout phase of its nationwide campaign to combat mob violence and restore public trust in the country’s judicial institutions. The initiative, “Justice for All, Not Just Us,” was first unveiled earlier this year and is now being actively implemented through a series of community engagement dialogues across Liberia.
The latest dialogue, held in Bushrod Island on Saturday, August 23, 2025, marks a critical step in operationalizing the campaign’s core strategies. It brought together residents, civil society leaders, law enforcement officials, and youth advocates to confront the persistent threat of extrajudicial violence and to co-create solutions rooted in legal accountability and civic education.
From Launch to Action: Mobilizing Communities for Justice
Cllr. Cora Hare Konuwa, Deputy Minister for Administration and Public Safety and Acting Minister of Justice, delivered a keynote address that underscored the urgency of the rollout phase. Speaking on behalf of Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, she emphasized that mob violence is not only a violation of human rights but a direct threat to Liberia’s economic stability and international reputation.
“We are no longer in the phase of promises—we are in the phase of action,” Konuwa declared. “This government is committed to protecting lives and property, and we will not allow vigilante violence to erode the rule of law or deter investment.”
Although Minister Tweh was unable to attend, his personal message—delivered by Konuwa—reinforced the campaign’s community-first approach. As a native of New Kru Town, Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh expressed deep concern over the normalization of mob justice and called for sustained, collective vigilance.
Diagnosing the Drivers of Mob Violence
A panel discussion featuring experts from civil society, youth organizations, and the Liberia National Police examined the systemic drivers of mob violence. Panelists pointed to a dangerous mix of poverty, judicial delays, misinformation, and public mistrust as key accelerants.
Ambassador George Kingsley, National Chairperson of the Civil Society Council of Liberia, issued a sobering reminder:
“Mob justice is not justice—it is lawlessness masquerading as accountability. It bypasses every safeguard of due process and often ends in irreversible harm.”
Rollout Strategies: From Dialogue to Delivery
The campaign’s rollout phase is anchored in three strategic pillars:
• Community-Police Trust Building: Facilitating honest dialogue and accountability mechanisms
• Legal Literacy Expansion: Deploying civic education programs in all 15 counties
• Judicial Reform Advocacy: Accelerating reforms to reduce delays and increase transparency
New Kru Town was chosen as a symbolic launchpad for the rollout due to its history with mob violence. Community Governor Robert Teah welcomed the initiative, pledging full support and calling it a “long-overdue intervention” for peace and development.
A National Call to Uphold the Rule of Law
The event concluded with a unified call to action: Liberians must reject vigilante justice and recommit to the principles of fairness, due process, and constitutional order. The Ministry of Justice reaffirmed its constitutional mandate to deliver “effective, efficient and excellent public safety and legal services which promote the rule of law, ensure the safety and security of the public and uphold the interest of the government and people of the Republic of Liberia.”
