The Director of the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation, Debby Syandee, has announced plans by his institution to hold a day-long symposium in commemoration of Liberia’s 21 years of peace.
Prof. Syandee said the event, which is slated for this Friday, August 30, 2024, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, will mark the anniversary of the end of the civil war in Liberia and the beginning of a new era of peace and stability in the country.
The Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation (KAICT) was set up in 2006, and named after Kofi Atta Annan to honor the contributions to peace and security in Liberia by the former Ghanaian Secretary General of the United Nations (1997-2006).
Under Annan’s leadership, the UN Security Council set up the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in 2003, which supported the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the Liberian peace process until 2018 with the largest contingent of peacekeepers deployed thus far.
KAICT, is a center of excellence for research, teaching, policy dialogue and community engagement on peace, conflict, security, gender and development that aims to contribute to Liberia’s national recovery, development, peace and gender equality.
The institute is part of the University of Liberia (formerly Liberia College), a publicly funded institution of higher learning, as KAICT is not only active in academic teaching and research but also maintains an extensive civic education and specialized training program targeting the interested public and professionals.
It can be recalled that the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement or Accra Peace Agreement was the final peace agreement in the Second Liberian Civil War, as it was signed on August 18, 2003 in Accra, Ghana.
It was however created following the signing of a ceasefire agreement on June 17, 2003 and an “intensive back-door negotiations” beginning on June 4, in Akosombo, Ghana.
The Agreement called for the establishment of a post-war two-year transitional government (National Transitional Government of Liberia) which would consist of 76 members: 12 each from the three warring parties; 18 from political parties; seven from civil society and special interest groups; and one from each of Liberia’s 15 counties.
The peace agreement also covered a broad range of intended reforms; committing to a human rights inquiry through a truth commission, and vetting of the security forces on human rights grounds.
In in an interview with journalists, Prof. Syandee disclosed that the event will be a celebration of the progress that has been made in Liberia over the past 21 years, as well as an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that still lie ahead.
He revealed that President Boakai and former President Weah are expected to deliver speeches at the event, highlighting the importance of peace and reconciliation in Liberia and the need for continued efforts to build a more inclusive and just society.
Others expected to grace the occasion include those who contributed to the signing of the peace agreement including international partners as well as the Institute representatives from other countries among others.
Meanwhile, during the event, President Boakai is expected to praise the efforts of the Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation in promoting peace and reconciliation in Liberia as well as call on all Liberians to work together to maintain the nation’s peace.
While former President Weah, who played a key role in bringing an end to the civil war in Liberia, is also expected to speak at the event, reflecting on the challenges that he faced during his time in office and the progress that has been made since then.
As Liberia marks 21 years of peace, the event will serve as a reminder of the importance of continued efforts to build a more peaceful and just society despite each and every citizen political or religious affliction.
