“Liberia’s Peace Story Is Still Being Written”

Monrovia, Liberia – In a small community on the outskirts of Monrovia, a group of young people gather under a shaded structure, sharing stories of resilience, recovery, and hope. For many of them, access to youth empowerment and rehabilitation programs supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) has marked a turning point—offering not just opportunity, but a renewed sense of purpose.

Their stories echo a broader national journey—one that drew the attention of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) during a recent high-level mission to Liberia. Led by H.E. Ambassador Nicola Clase, the delegation came not only to assess progress, but to listen—to leaders, communities, and individuals shaping Liberia’s peace from the ground up.

“Liberia’s peace story is still being written,” Ambassador Clase reflected at the close of the visit. “We must build on what has been achieved, support those shaping it today, and enable future generations to carry it forward.”

Across the country, that story is visible in everyday efforts. Women leading community dialogues to ease tensions. Youth advocating for inclusion and driving civic engagement. Local leaders working to resolve land disputes before they escalate. These are the quiet, often unseen actions that sustain peace long after conflict has ended.

During the visit, the delegation engaged with national leadership, including President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, alongside former Presidents George Manneh Weah and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Their discussions reinforced a shared commitment to democratic governance, reconciliation, and accountability—key pillars in Liberia’s post-conflict recovery.

But beyond high-level meetings, it was the direct engagement with communities that brought the country’s progress into sharper focus. In projects supported by the PBF, young people are gaining skills, overcoming substance abuse, and reclaiming their roles as active citizens. In classrooms, the idea of integrating peace education is gaining traction, aiming to equip the next generation with the tools to resolve conflict through dialogue rather than division.

For many Liberians, peace is not an abstract concept—it is deeply personal. It is the ability to send children to school without fear. To resolve disputes through conversation. To trust institutions and participate in shaping the future.

The delegation also recognized the importance of addressing persistent challenges. Conversations across the country highlighted the need for continued progress in transitional justice, including efforts toward establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court. Ensuring a vibrant civic space, strengthening early warning systems, and deepening decentralization were also identified as critical to preventing future conflict.

A recurring theme throughout the mission was the central role of women and young people. Liberia’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security stands as a testament to this commitment, but stakeholders emphasized that sustained investment and inclusion remain essential.

Liberia’s recent milestones—including its peaceful 2023 elections and its election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term—reflect growing international confidence. Yet, as many stakeholders noted, sustaining peace requires constant effort.

“Peacebuilding must be inclusive, nationally owned, and locally led,” Ambassador Clase emphasized. “It is a shared responsibility.”

As the delegation departs, it carries with it not just policy insights, but the voices of communities—stories of progress, persistence, and possibility. These will inform continued advocacy within the Peacebuilding Commission, helping to mobilize support for Liberia’s next chapter.

Back in the community outside Monrovia, the young people continue their discussions—planning, debating, and imagining what comes next. Their aspirations, grounded in lived experience, are a reminder that peace is not a destination, but a continuous journey.

And in Liberia, that journey continues to unfold—one voice, one community, one generation at a time.