By Bill W. Cooper
The Civil Peace Service-Liberia (CPS) Network has called on Liberians to join efforts and focus on ending all forms of discrimination across Liberia.
It also called on the public to join hands and ensure the promotion of sustainable peace and development for a more equitable and peaceful Liberia for all irrespective of one political or religious affiliation.
CPS made the call in observance of the International Day of Peace (IDP) which was established in 1981 by the United Nations (UN) and is celebrated on September 21st each year globally as one devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing a 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
With support from the Brot fur die Welt, this year IDP is being celebrated under the global theme: “End racism, Build Peace” and local theme: “No to tribal and political discrimination, Yes to Peace.”
In a statement issued in Monrovia, the CPS among other things stressed that Liberia has, and continues to witness hate speeches and violence directed at political opponents or among tribal groups, something they believe has the propensity to undermine the country’s fragile peace and stability.
The group stressed, “That is why the CPS Liberia Network therefore calls on all Liberians home and abroad to be reminded of their individuals and collective responsibilities in fostering peace in Liberia.”
“Though we acknowledge with profound gratitude the contributions made by every Liberian in keeping Liberia peaceful for 19 years following the end of the Liberian civil war; in the wake of recent developments, and as we approach the 2023 elections, we believe that more needs to be done,” the CPS Liberia Network maintained.
The group further said that it will in open space also cautioned Liberian brothers and sisters to support movements for equality and human rights as well as speak against hate speeches both online and offline in order to move forward to a peaceful and prosperous future of our country.
However, the CPS Liberia network which is a conglomeration of several NGOs working groups is a German funded program aiming at preventing violence and promoting peace in crisis zones and conflict regions as well as support people in their commitment for dialogue, human rights, and peace on a long-term basis.
CSO institutions forming parts of the CPS Liberia network include Center for Justice and Peace Studies (CJPS), Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), Liberia Opportunity Industrialization Corporation (LOIC) and the National Adult Education Association of Liberia (NAEAL).
Others are New African Research and Development Agency (NARDA), Lutheran Church in Liberia Trauma and Healing Reconciliation Program (LCL-THRP), Young Men Christian Association of Liberia (YMCA) and the Lutheran Development Service (LDS).
