Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph N. Boakai has underlined the importance of national reconciliation, saying that it should not be passed down but rather experienced, shared, and embraced by all. During the National Reconciliation, Healing, and Unity Program held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Boakai stated that there is limited opportunity for communication or settlement because too many people have been enduring their sorrow in silence for a long period of time.
“We come together to think deeply about the essence of our nation; not only to remember, but to reaffirm our commitment to healing, to reconciliation, and to a Liberia where justice, unity, and dignity are not just ideals, but lived realities,” he said.
The ceremony was open to the public, ensuring that no Liberian was left behind in the process of recollection and reconciliation, he said, adding that by commemorating the past together, people start the road of national reconstruction together.
“This event comes after two former Liberian presidents, William R. Tolbert Jr. and Samuel K. Doe, were recognized and honored nationally. Their tragic deaths represent a difficult period in our history,” he continued.
According to the Liberian leader, Liberians recognize a generation of loss and national sorrow by paying tribute to them.
“Liberia has had a long and difficult journey since the guns were put down in 2003. But the path has been resolute. We have made an effort to come back from ashes and devastation. We’ve rebuilt schools and roads. However, reestablishing communities, faith, and trust has been our biggest challenge,” President Boakai said.
Boakai also urged all citizens to take a moment to reflect on the countless sons and daughters who never came home, the mothers who buried their children too soon, the family members who are still looking for answers, and the kids who grew up in makeshift school buildings, refugee camps, and communities where they only went outside to play when the guns were momentarily silenced.
He stated that the suffering, bloodshed, and injustice that have plagued the country had affected almost every Liberian family. “We have all lost something, a loved one, a home, a feeling of security, and a dream from the terrible shadow of slavery to the hardships of our formation and the profound fundamental issues of our nation, as well as the chaos that engulfed our territory during the years of civil war,” Boakai continued.
He asserted that: “these wounds are not far-off memories; rather, they are a part of who we are. Of sure, the horrific tales may have influenced us in some way, but they shouldn’t define us. Rather, our lives and our healing must be shaped by these traumatic experiences.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, in my capacity as your President and as a fellow Liberian, I formally apologize on behalf of the State today on this momentous occasion to all the victims of our civil war, to all the families who have been devastated, and to all the dreams that have been dashed. Although it was employed as an agency, the State could have done better. However, we must make every effort to ensure that it never fails you again now that we are here.”
He noted that the apology must be followed by action; stating that the government is committed to implementing key recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
President Boakai went on to say that the government is going to revive the National History Project in order to write a new, inclusive history of Liberia that takes into account the privilege of diversity; create a National Memorial to pay tribute to the conflict’s victims, including the more than 200,000 people who died; ensure that it never occurs again; and preserve the TRC archives as a reminder of a shared memory and national conscience.
According to the Liberian leader, reconciliation is not a singular occurrence. It is a shared obligation, a journey, and a way of thinking. “Let’s practice reconciliation as a way of life and governance, not as a slogan.”
