President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, today delivered a Keynote address at the 2nd Lomé Peace and Security Forum, urging African leaders to pursue justice, reconciliation, and grassroots-driven solutions as essential pillars for sustainable peace on the continent.
Speaking to the high-level gathering of African Heads of State, diplomats, and peacebuilding experts, President Boakai reflected on Liberia’s hard-earned journey from war to peace, drawing direct connections between national healing and the broader regional push for stability.
“Liberia stands today as living proof that peace is possible when a nation chooses dialogue over division and forgiveness over vengeance,” President Boakai declared. “Our experience shows that the road to peace begins with justice, inclusion, and local ownership.” He added.
The Liberian leader issued a call for Africa to confront its security crises—ranging from violent extremism and unconstitutional changes of government to economic marginalization and climate-induced displacement—through unified, African-owned strategies. He emphasized the importance of institutions like ECOWAS and the African Union in mediating conflict and preventing instability.
President Boakai’s message was both personal and politically forward-looking. At 80, he described himself as “a witness to history,” recalling Liberia’s 1980 military coup, the horrors of civil war, and the fragile but steady progress toward national recovery.
The Liberian Leader highlighted several landmark initiatives under his administration aimed at promoting accountability and healing, including:
• A formal apology to victims of Liberia’s civil wars;
• The symbolic reburial of former presidents William R. Tolbert and Samuel K. Doe, as well as members of Tolbert’s cabinet;
• Progress toward the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court to address past atrocities;
• Plans to memorialize conflict victims, including ECOWAS peacekeepers who died during Liberia’s war.
“Accountability strengthens peace, not weakens it,” President Boakai told the audience. Adding, “We must end national amnesia and ensure that future generations remember the cost of violence and the value of peace.”
In a poignant segment, President Boakai addressed the growing wave of irregular migration by African youth seeking better opportunities abroad, describing it as one of the most troubling symptoms of socio-economic instability.
“Our youth, many of whom are victims of war, should be rebuilding their nations, not dying in deserts or drowning at sea,” he said. “Investing in their education, innovation, and inclusion is not charity—it is a peacebuilding strategy.” He intoned.
The President also identified corruption, exclusion, and weak institutions as root causes of conflict, adding that his government is implementing wide-ranging reforms to promote accountability, economic renewal, and responsive governance.
Echoing an African proverb—“When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion”—President Boakai stressed the need for regional solidarity, collaborative security, and early-warning mechanisms to prevent conflict before it erupts.
“The peace we seek must be homegrown, created by Africans, owned by Africans, and sustained by Africans,” he asserted.
The Liberia Chief Executive concluded his remarks by emphasizing Liberia’s readiness to contribute meaningfully to international peace efforts, especially as the country prepares to return to the United Nations Security Council.
“Peace is not a destination; it is a journey,” he said. “May the experience of Liberia remind the world that Africa’s peace is the world’s peace.” He concluded.
Now in its second edition, the Lomé Peace and Security Forum is a pan-African platform for dialogue and cooperation on security, governance, and conflict resolution. It brings together African leaders, international organizations, civil society actors, and security experts to address the continent’s most pressing peace and stability challenges.
