Editorial: Bicentenary Echoes National Unity And Reconciliation

ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022 programs marking the celebration of Liberia’s bicentennial were officially launched under the patronage of His Excellency President George M. Weah, and brought together all segments of the Liberian society. Prominent among the participants were the delegation of the United States government, headed by Dana Banks, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council; His Excellency Adama Barrow, President of the Republic of Gambia; His Excellency Mohamed Bazoum, President of the Republic of Niger; His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone; His Excellency Faure Gnassingbe, President of the Republic of Togo; His Excellency Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of the Republic of Liberia.

ALSO IN ATTENDANCE were a host of government officials and leaders of opposition political parties, including Alexander B. Cummings, Standard Bearer, Alternative National Congress (ANC), and Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Political Leader, Liberty Party (LP).

IN HIS SPECIAL Statement, President Weah emphasized national unity and reconciliation, noting that they should be the foundation upon which the new Liberia must be built. “We must focus on promoting unity amongst all Liberians, wherever they may reside, and encourage all to make meaningful contributions to the nation-building tasks of our country,” President Weah said in his address.

“REDEFINING LIBERIA’S IDENTITY and building a shared sense of nationalism should be at the center of continued reconciliation in Liberia. The model for genuine National Unity and Reconciliation in Liberia is inspired and founded on positive cultural values, citizenship building, good governance, economic empowerment, and the rule of law.” He said.

HE ADDED, “IN fostering genuine national unity and reconciliation, we must let go of the past, embrace the present within the context of our diversities, and give birth to the future with unity, peace, reconciliation and sustainable development as our imperative agenda.”

THE PRESIDENT USED his Office as President and Chief Executive of the sweet land of liberty, Liberia, to call on all Liberians to champion the cause of national unity and to reconcile their differences for Liberia’s growth and development.  “Let us reinforce and strengthen the common heritage that unites all of us, both the descendants of the indigenous people and the descendants of the settlers. We are One People, with One Destiny.”