The Liberia Peacebuilding Office (LPO), under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), launched a three-day Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue. The event held on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, marks the beginning of a series of dialogues in four electoral districts.
The goal of the Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue is to bring together key stakeholders, particularly traditional leaders, in Grand Bassa, Lofa, Grand Gedeh, and Bong Counties. The dialogue aims to identify existing conflict issues that have the potential to hinder development in these regions.
This initiative follows the Liberia Peacebuilding Office’s Political Reconciliation Dialogue held in March 2024, which sought to break the cycle of violence, support post-traumatic reconciliation, and sustain peace in these same counties.
Established in January 2009, the Liberia Peacebuilding Office’s primary mandate is to support the government in the development and implementation of its peace and reconciliation programs.
The ongoing dialogue is held under the theme: “Enhancing Peace, Reconciliation, and Social Cohesion Through Building Civic Trust and Fostering Reconciliation in the Communities.” It will continue throughout March and April 2025.
The dialogue will also focus on how political actors and citizens can embrace peace and reconciliation to drive community development. It will explore strategies for maintaining peace and ensuring free, fair, and successful elections in 2029.
At the start of the dialogue, Assistant Minister for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, William Jallah, condemned the misuse of the Sande and Poro societies, which he stated have undermined Liberia’s peace and stability. Minister Jallah emphasized that traditional practices should not be used to force the initiation of minors.
He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that cultural practices do not interfere with children’s education or lead to harassment and intimidation of residents or partners.
Minister Jallah expressed plans to establish mechanisms to better regulate cultural practices, while stressing the government’s commitment to preserving Liberia’s cultural heritage and addressing the challenges posed by these practices.
For his part, Liberia’s Peace Ambassador, Eric Quaqua, called on citizens, particularly the leaders of Grand Bassa County, to refrain from violence, hate speech, and to respect the rule of law. Ambassador Quaqua urged participants to view dialogue as the key to conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Participants in the dialogue pledged to apply the knowledge gained during the sessions. The Peace and Reconciliation Dialogue is scheduled to take place in four counties: Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County; Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County; Gbarnga, Bong County; and Foya, Lofa County.
The dialogue has brought together civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, youth groups, persons with disabilities, women’s groups, and the joint security forces, among others.
