The Liberia Peacebuilding Office of the Ministry of Internal Affairs with support from the United Nations Development Program, on Monday, March 24, 2025, commenced a three-day Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue in four electoral districts beginning with Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County.
The Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue seeks to bring together stakeholders, especially traditional leaders in Lofa, Grand Gedeh, Grand Bassa and Bong Counties in identifying existing conflict issues that have the proclivity to stall development in the targeted counties.
It can be recalled that in March 2024, the Liberia Peacebuilding Office conducted a Political Reconciliation dialogue aimed at breaking the cycle of violence, aid post-traumatic reconciliation and ultimately sustain peace in Lofa, Grand Gedeh, Grand Bassa and Bong Counties.
The Liberia Peacebuilding Office was established in January 2009 with a primary function of supporting the Liberian government in development and implementation of the government’s peace and reconciliation programs.
The ongoing dialogue is being held under the Theme: “Enhancing Peace, Reconciliation and Social Cohesion Through Building Civic Trust and Fostering Reconciliation in the Communities” and runs from March -April 2025.
The dialogue also looks at how political actors and citizens can embrace peace and reconciliation for community development and identify ways forward in maintaining peace and upholding successful free and fair elections in 2029.
Speaking to journalists at the start of the dialogue, Assistant Minister for Culture Affairs at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, William Jallah, frowned against the misused of the Sande and Poro Society which according to him undermines the peace and stability of Liberia.
According to Assistant. Minister Jallah, traditional practices should not be used for force initiation of minors and ensure that cultural practices do not interfere with children’s education or harass and intimidate residents including partners across the country.
Minister Jallah plans to institute mechanisms for effective control of cultural practices while emphasizing the government’s commitment to preserving Liberia’s cultural heritage particularly addressing cultural challenges.
For his part Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, Eric Quaqua urged citizens and residents especially leaders of Grand Bassa County to refrain from all forms of violence and hate speeches and respect the rule of law.
Ambassador Quaqua used the dialogue to encourage participants to utilize dialogue as the pathway to conflict resolution and Peacebuilding.
Also speaking, participants promised to utilize the knowledge gain during the Peace and Reconciliation Dialogues.
The Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue is scheduled for four counties including Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County. Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, Gbarnga, Bong County and Foya, Lofa County.
The Peace and Reconciliation Dialogues brought together Civil Society Organizations, Traditional and Religious leaders, Youths, Persons Living with Disabilities, Women Groups, and the Joint Security among others.
LPO, UNDP Launch Peace, Reconciliation Dialogue
