Liberia To Honor Victims of Civil War, Ebola and COVID-19 

File photo: a street in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia during the civil war

Source: Africa Publicity

Liberia is expected to host a national healing, reconciliation, and unity program in honor of victims of civil war, ebola, and coronavirus (COVID-19).

The program is a continuation of Liberian President, Joseph Nyuma Boakai administration’s commitment to national unity and historical justice.

The National Healing, Reconciliation, and Unity Program will be held on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, the Executive Mansion of Liberia announced in a statement.

The program follows the dignified and historic reburial ceremonies of two of Liberia’s former leaders—President William Richard Tolbert, Jr. and President Samuel Kanyon Doe, Sr. whose lives were lost during periods of national unrest. These ceremonies, being held in June and July respectively, mark a critical step in the Boakai Administration’s broader effort to foster national healing from the painful chapters of Liberia’s past.

Announcing the upcoming event, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, Minister of Education and Chairperson of the National Reburial and Reconciliation Committee, emphasized that this national gathering will honor not only the memories of Liberia’s former leaders but also the thousands of citizens who perished during the country’s brutal civil conflict, the deadly Ebola epidemic, and the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.

“Many of our people still live with the scars of these tragedies—some physical, many emotional, and others buried in unmarked graves,” Dr. Jallah stated, noting “This program is intended to provide a space for collective reflection, mourning, and healing, and to renew our shared commitment to peace and reconciliation.”

The July 5th event will bring together members of the three branches of government, representatives of the diplomatic community, faith-based and traditional leaders, youth and women groups, international organizations, and civil society actors.

A distinguished keynote speaker, Dr. Antoine Rutayisire, will address the gathering, delivering a message centered on healing the wounds of the past, strengthening national unity, and charting a peaceful future for all Liberians.

Dr. Antoine Rutayisire is the current Rwandan Team Leader of African Enterprise, an organization that is committed to bringing healing, reconciliation, strength and renewal back to the disillusioned and devastated Rwandan church and nation.

President Boakai has repeatedly affirmed that reconciliation is a moral imperative and a necessary pillar for sustainable peace and inclusive development. The National Healing, Reconciliation, and Unity Program is a clear reflection of this vision.

The Government of Liberia is inviting the general public to attend and participate in this momentous national event as Liberians make a conscious effort to unite under one banner—Healing Our Past, Building Our Tomorrow, Together….