In a sober and unifying address delivered at the EJS Ministerial Complex on Saturday, July 5, 2025, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. led the nation in a moment of reflection, healing, and commitment to lasting reconciliation.
The Liberia Reconciliation, Healing, and Unity Program brought together survivors of Liberia’s civil conflict and pandemics, traditional leaders, women and youth groups, civil society organizations, members of the diplomatic corps, and senior government officials to reckon with the country’s painful past and to renew the national commitment to unity and justice.
President Boakai emphasized that the gathering was not merely ceremonial, but a vital national exercise to “reflect deeply on the soul of our country” and to ensure that reconciliation becomes a lived reality for all Liberians. “This event offers a platform for Liberians, from every county, every background, and every walk of life, to come together, confront our shared difficult past, and begin to build a future rooted in truth, justice, and compassion,” the President stated.
In a bold and historic moment, President Boakai issued a formal apology on behalf of the Liberian state to the victims of the civil war and their families, “To every victim of our civil conflict, to every family broken, to every dream shattered, we say: WE ARE SORRY. The state could have done better but was used as agency. But we are here now, and we must do everything we can to make sure that it never fails you again!”
The President also announced concrete actions to advance reconciliation and national healing, including the full implementation of key recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC); revival of the National History Project to ensure Liberia’s history is inclusive and reflective of its diversity; the establishment of a National Memorial to honor the over 250,000 lives lost and preserve the TRC archives; and continued support for the Palava Hut process to bring closure and community-based healing across the country.
Referencing Liberia’s Strategic Roadmap for National Healing, Peacebuilding, and Reconciliation (2012–2030), President Boakai called on all ministries, agencies, civil society, development partners, and the private sector to renew their commitment to the final five years of the framework. He urged a national review and coordinated implementation focused on transforming mindsets, rebuilding relationships, and restoring institutions.
Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., President Boakai reminded Liberians that true peace is “not just the absence of war, but the presence of justice”, and he called on the nation to rise together to build a Liberia where “unity, dignity, and justice are not just ideals, but lived realities”.
This event follows the national honoring of former Presidents William R. Tolbert, Jr. and Samuel K. Doe, whose tragic deaths marked pivotal moments in Liberia’s conflict history. President Boakai reiterated that the commemoration of their legacies is part of a broader effort to recognize national trauma, preserve collective memory, and ensure such a past is never repeated.
The program marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s long journey toward peace, unity, and inclusive nation-building.