War Crimes Court Will Not Prosecute Child Soldiers— Barbu

By Kruah Thompson

Monrovia, April 1, 2026: The Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court, Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu has clarified that child soldiers will not be prosecuted under Liberian law, as they are legally regarded as victims rather than perpetrators of the civil war.

Speaking Tuesday on ALLAS Radio’s Criminal Accountability Hour, Cllr. Barbu explained that children lack the legal capacity to commit crimes. As such, individuals recruited as minors during the conflict cannot be held criminally responsible for wartime actions.

He noted that this position shifts the court’s focus toward those who recruited, exploited, and commanded children, while also easing concerns among former child combatants who fear prosecution.
Barbu emphasized, however, that determining who qualifies as a child soldier will require careful assessment. Investigators will examine each individual’s age at the time of the alleged acts and the circumstances of their involvement. Cases involving crimes committed after individuals reach adulthood may be treated differently.

Even minors who held leadership titles during the war, Barbu said, would still be viewed within the context of coercion and manipulation. “A child soldier cannot be a sound commander,” he stated, noting that many were drugged, armed, and subjected to extreme influence.

While discussions continue on whether rare exceptions could apply in complex cases, Barbu stressed that child soldiers are generally not the focus of the court’s investigations. Instead, accountability efforts will prioritize adult commanders who recruited and abused minors.

He disclosed that the Office is working with the Government of Liberia and international partners, including UNICEF, to establish clear criteria for identifying child soldiers and determining appropriate legal treatment.

On the broader mandate of the proposed court, Barbu assured the public that its work will be independent and evidence based. Investigators will collect testimonies, review records, and establish timelines before referring cases to prosecutors.

He also revealed that individuals who unlawfully enriched themselves during the war may be required to forfeit illicit assets, which could be redirected toward reparations for victims.