President Bio urged West African nations to recommit to regional cooperation not only in times of crisis, but in education, trade, and development.
Monrovia – Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has called for renewed regional unity, deeper democratic commitment, and eternal vigilance in preserving peace.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Speaking at Liberia’s 178th Independence Day celebration at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia, President Bio reflected on his personal role in Liberia’s civil war and celebrated the country’s hard-won stability as a powerful example of resilience and transformation.
“I once stood on this sacred soil in uniform—not in ceremony, but in service,” Bio said, recalling his days as a young military officer deployed to Liberia with ECOMOG during the height of the civil war. “Even when the air was heavy and the nights uncertain, I could sense the endurance of this nation.”
The Sierra Leonean leader said returning to Liberia now as a guest of a democratic and peaceful nation is not just a matter of protocol but a personal journey of reflection and hope. “To return now, in peace, as a guest of a sovereign and democratic Liberia, is a deeply personal and humbling experience. It affirms how far we have come.”
President Bio praised Liberia’s transition from conflict to democracy, highlighting successive peaceful elections and transitions of power as major achievements. “Democracy cannot thrive without peace, and peace cannot last where democracy is hollow,” he said.
The theme of this year’s Independence Day celebration — “One People, One Destiny: Healing the Past, Building the Future” — resonated strongly in his speech. President Bio noted that healing is not instant and requires courage, resolve, and a collective rejection of hatred and division. “Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the presence of dignity.”
Ties That Bind
President Bio emphasized the deep historical, cultural, and familial bonds between Sierra Leone and Liberia, calling the two nations “twin souls.” He reminded Liberians that their pain was also felt by Sierra Leoneans during the years of war, just as their peace now strengthens Sierra Leone.
“Our rivers flow into each other. Our languages echo one another. Our songs speak of shared joys and common grief,” he said. “When your land trembled under the weight of war, we felt the tremors too.”
He also lauded Sierra Leonean soldiers who served and died in the name of Liberian peace, stating that their sacrifices helped build “a peaceful, democratic Liberia alive with promise.”
Call to Regional Action
As current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Bio urged West African nations to recommit to regional cooperation not only in times of crisis, but in education, trade, and development. He called on leaders to transform the Mano River Union from a bureaucratic concept into a living embodiment of solidarity.
“Our youth are crossing borders in search of opportunity. Let us build systems that allow them to do so safely, legally, and with dignity,” he said.
He warned against letting elections become arenas of hate and division, stating, “General elections are not wars. They are sacred moments to renew our social contract.”
A Message to Liberia’s Youth
In a heartfelt message to Liberia’s younger generation, President Bio urged them to honor the sacrifices that earned their freedom. “To the youth of Liberia: know that your freedom was purchased at great cost. Honour it in every choice you make.”
He concluded with a powerful reminder: “Peace is not only possible — it is powerful.”
President Bio’s address drew widespread praise for its humility, personal reflection, and bold vision for West Africa’s shared future. As Liberia marked its 178th year of independence, observers say his message served as both a tribute to its painful past and a call to safeguard the fragile but transformative power of peace.
