UL President, Rev. Dr. Julius Sarwolo Nelson Jr. is urging Liberians to rally efforts and maintain the hard-earned peace after more than fourteen years of civil war in Liberia
Dr. Nelson emphasized the importance for Liberians to live in harmony with one another, which, according to him, is the fundamental pillar in obtaining political, Socio and economic stability. He warned Liberians against vices that could jeopardize the peace the country is enjoying currently.
As we join the rest of the world today in commemorating International Peace Day (IPD), let me appeal to all Liberians to never go back to the sad days again”, Dr. Nelson urged.
He spoke at a program marking the observance of International Day of Peace on September 21, 2022, on the UL Capitol Hill Campus.
The observance of International Peace Day was adopted through a unanimous UN Resolution in 1981. Peace Day provides a global platform for all humanity to commit to and build the culture of peace.
This year’s observance was jointly organized by the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation (KAICT) at the University of Liberia, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Liberia, Mano River Union and the Ziviler Friedensdienst Civil Peace Service.
The theme for this year’s event was “Politicizing Ethnicity Threatens Peace and Stability”
ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia, Amb. Josephine Nkrumah served as keynote speaker.
Amb. Nkrumah, among many points stressed, acknowledged the resilience of Liberians for the maintenance of peace.
“Liberians have everything to be proud of for their individual and collective efforts toward peace and stability in their country”, Ambassador Nkrumah averred.
She however warned against ethnicity and its plurality, terming it as a major threat to peace.
“You must guide against ethnicity, political exclusion and division and promote social cohesion, national identity, reconciliation, equitable distribution of resources, accountability and transparency”, Amb. Nkrumah noted.
The IPD brought together key stakeholders who participated in a panel discussion to highlight the significance of promoting peace and stability in Liberia.
For his part, the chairman, World Policy Council of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Elias Shoniyin , disclosed that in the absent of peace it is impossible of any nation to grow and if Liberia must grow and move forward , Liberians must maintain the peace they now enjoys adding that “peace is in our hands”.
Mr. Shoniyin “in the absent of peace absolutely there is no development, in the absent of peace there is no possibility of the future, the absent of peace constrain the youth, in the absent of peace nation cannot engage in development, in the absent of peace mothers cannot raise their children within the society of security force and as well in the absent of peace mothers watch their children died.
“So, as we gather here today, we want peaceful, united under the same calling to proclaimed not only for our country but all other who hear the clearing call that we pronounce today”.
Those on the panel included the Chief of Staff of the Arm Forces of Liberia, Maj. Gen. Prince C. Johnson III, Grace Yeaney, KAICT, Msrian L. Rogers, KAICT, Imam Mohammed Passawe, National Muslim Council of Liberia, and Mr. Christian W. Jallah, Sr. Resident Coordinator, MRU.
Pictures from the event .
