Lome, Togo – At the 2nd Lomé Peace and Security Forum in Lome, Togo, on Saturday, October 11, President Joseph N. Boakai called on African leaders to promote justice, reconciliation, and grassroots-driven solutions as crucial foundations for a lasting peace on the continent.
President Boakai discussed Liberia’s difficult path from war to peace while addressing the high-level assembly of African heads of state, diplomats, and peacebuilding professionals. He made clear links between the country’s recovery and the larger regional movement for stability.
According to President Boakai, Liberia is a living example of how a country can achieve peace when it chooses forgiveness over retaliation and dialogue over separation. He said, “Our experience demonstrates that justice, inclusion, and local ownership are the first steps on the path to peace.”
At the event, the Liberian leader called on Africa to use unified, African-owned methods to address its security issues, which range from economic marginalization and climate-induced displacement to violent extremism and unlawful changes of government.
He also emphasized how crucial organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS are to resolving disputes and preventing civil unrest.
The message from President Boakai was both politically and personally forward-looking. He referred to himself as “a witness to history” at the age of 80, recalling the civil war crimes, the military takeover in Liberia in 1980, and the shaky but steady progress made toward the country’s recovery.
A formal apology to victims of Liberia’s civil wars, the symbolic reburial of former presidents William R. Tolbert and Samuel K. Doe, along with members of Tolbert’s cabinet, the progress made toward the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court to address past crimes against humanity, and plans to memorialize conflict victims, including ECOWAS peacekeepers who died during Liberia’s war, are just a few of the historic initiatives the Liberian leader highlighted under his administration that are meant to promote accountability and healing.
Accountability promotes rather than destroys peace. According to the President, “we need to put an end to the nation’s indifference and make sure that future generations understand the importance of peace and the price of violence.”
In a shifting chapter, Boakai discussed the increasing number of African youth migrating irregularly in search of better prospects elsewhere, characterizing this as one of the most concerning signs of socioeconomic instability.
“Instead of dying in deserts or drowning at sea, our youth, many of whom are war victims, should be rebuilding their nations,” he stated. He emphasized, “Investing in their education, innovation, and inclusion is a peacebuilding strategy, not charity.”
The President added that his administration is putting in place extensive reforms to encourage accountability, economic revitalization, and responsive governance, and he also named corruption, exclusion, and weak institutions as the main drivers of violence.
In keeping with the African saying, “When spider webs come together, they can bind a lion,” President Boakai emphasized the importance of early warning systems, cooperative security, and regional cooperation in avoiding conflict before it starts.
“The peace we seek must be homegrown, created by Africans, owned by Africans, and sustained by Africans,” he asserted.
The Liberian chief executive wrapped up his speech by highlighting the country’s willingness to make a significant contribution to global peace initiatives, particularly as it gets ready to rejoin the UN Security Council.
According to him, peace is a journey rather than a destination. The President went on to say, “May the experience of Liberia serve as a reminder to the world that the peace of Africa is the peace of the world.”
This is the second edition of the Lomé Peace and Security Forum, a pan-African forum for discussion and collaboration on governance, security, and conflict reconciliation. To address the most important issues facing peace and stability on the continent, it brings together African leaders, international organizations, members of civil society, and security specialists.
