BUCHANAN, Grand Bassa – President George Manneh Weah has underscored the need for Liberians to reconcile their differences as a means of sustaining peace in an address he made at a celebration commemorating the August 18, 2003 Accra Peace Accord.

The Kukatornon Peace Festival was held in Buchanan on Saturday to mark the signing of the final peace agreement to end the Second Liberian Civil War. Since then, Liberia has had 15 years of peace.

The program was intended to bring Liberians together to reflect on the importance of peace, taking into consideration the 14 years of civil crisis which killed several Liberians and destroyed the nation’s infrastructure.

He noted that during the civil crisis, Liberians destroyed not only their infrastructure but also their dignity. He added that the lost dignity can be redeemed through peaceful coexistence and putting aside political differences and focusing on development.

“Why do we want to fight for other people to lose their generation?” the president said. “Today, we are celebrating 15 years of peace. Young people can come to the podium and speak about their education and human rights. They got hope to move on. Liberia belongs to all of us no matter what.”

He told the gathering that Liberians cannot talk about peace and refuse to reconcile, noting that reconciliation is the essence of maintaining peace.

“We are calling for reconciliation, and we are fighting to maintain the peace. Remember, maintaining the peace symbolizes patriotism,” Weah said.

He recalled the service of men and women from Nigeria and Ghana who had come to ensure peace, with some even losing their lives.

Grand Bassa’s Sen. Jonathan Kaipay also spoke at the program, where he called for a war crimes court to be established. He said those who committed crimes against humanity must be brought to justice for Liberia to achieve real peace and maintain it. Kaipay said it is the responsibility of government to bring them to justice for real peace to be achieved.

Grand Bassa’s superintendent, Janjay Baikpeh, said the hosting of the peace festival in the county indicates that the people of Grand Bassa are peace loving people and ready for development.

He praised the president for holding his first cabinet retreat in Buchanan early this year. He also thanked the first lady, Clar Weah, for implementing several humanitarian projects in the county.

The peace festival was run by the Crusaders for Peace, in collaboration with the Carter Center’s Access to Justice Program.

Featured photo by Sampson David