In a deeply emotional and historic ceremony held at the Executive Mansion, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai officially unveiled the prototype of Liberia's Civil War Memorial. The memorial honors the hundreds of thousands of lives lost during the country's turbulent conflict. Before a gathering of dignitaries, survivors, and families of victims, President Boakai stated that the monument represents a tangible repository for collective grief long carried in hushed whispers.
President Boakai reflected on the dark chapters of Liberia's civil war, which claimed an estimated 250,000 lives between 1989 and 2003. He spoke directly to families and survivors, addressing their heaviest burdens. "For too many years, the pain of our civil wars was something we spoke of in whispers, if we spoke of it at all. Today, we speak of it openly, with dignity, and with love for those we lost," Boakai declared.
The President directly addressed the families, stating, "To the families who are here today, I see you. Liberia sees you. Your loss was not in vain and your loved ones are not forgotten. This nation owes you more than words. It owes you truth, it owes you remembrance, and it owes you a future in which no family will ever again endure what you endured." He also paid tribute to the nation's survivors, whose daily acts of endurance and community-building laid the cornerstone of modern Liberian stability.
President Boakai emphasized that monuments alone cannot heal a fractured society, and true reconciliation depends on daily choices. He underscored the importance of selecting dialogue over division, justice over vengeance, and unity over historical fault lines. The memorial is linked to the ongoing development of the Liberia Peace, Reconciliation and Memorial Museum, which aims to preserve the nation's history and foster a lasting culture of harmony.
The President noted that the museum's Steering Committee is slated to convene its next high-level strategic sessions, bolstered by recent international study tours and technical cooperation agreements. These agreements include support from international partners like South Africa. The museum will educate younger generations and promote a culture of peace and reconciliation.
President Boakai issued a national call to action, urging every citizen to serve as active ambassadors of peace within their families, communities, and counties. He extended gratitude to the international community and diplomatic partners who supported Liberia through both the ravages of war and the rebuilding of peace. Boakai stressed that global solidarity reaffirms reconciliation as a shared human cause.
Concluding his address, President Boakai sealed the unveiling with an enduring national pledge: "May God bless Liberia, and may God bless us all as we keep the promise of never again." The President's speech was a solemn prayer for the departed souls, and he emphasized that the memorial represents a promise to future generations that Liberia will never again go down the path of war.
Key points
- President Boakai pledges truth and remembrance to families of war victims.
