“Liberia’s peace story is still being written” - Peacebuilding Commission Reaffirms Support for Peacebuilding Efforts at All Levels”

– The Chair of the Liberia Configuration of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), H.E. Ambassador Nicola Clase of Sweden, has concluded an official visit to Liberia, reaffirming the strong partnership between Liberia and the United Nations - underscoring continued international support for Liberia’s peacebuilding priorities.

The visit provided an opportunity to engage a broad range of stakeholders and to take stock of progress in Liberia’s peacebuilding journey, while identifying areas where sustained efforts remain essential. 

“Liberia has become a global role model for peacebuilding and post-conflict transition” the Chair said. “Peacebuilding must be inclusive, nationally owned and locally led, stressing that it needs to be supported by coherent international partnerships.” 

During the high-level visit, the delegation, consisting of representatives from Sweden, Morocco and Liberia’s Permanent Mission in New York, held high-level meetings with President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, as well as with former Presidents George Manneh Weah and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The discussions highlighted Liberia’s continued commitment to peace, democratic governance and transitional justice. The Chair extended an invitation to President Boakai to brief the Peacebuilding Commission in New York on Liberia’s peacebuilding priorities. 

The delegation commended Liberia’s peaceful conduct of the 2023 elections and the orderly transfer of power, achieved through the shared commitment of all stakeholders to ensure that the country’s peacebuilding gains are sustained.

It also highlighted Liberia’s election to the United Nations Security Council for the 2026–2027 term as a reflection of international confidence in the country’s progress.

Throughout the visit, a consistent picture emerged of a country that has made meaningful peacebuilding progress - continuing to not only consolidate and sustain the gains made but to deepen it’s democratic credentials.

While the visit helped the delegation to critically assess different conflict drivers, some of the key themes included the importance of continued progress on accountability and transitional justice, including ongoing efforts related to the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court. The central role of education as a driver of peacebuilding was repeatedly emphasized.  A cross-cutting theme of conversations was the critical contribution of women and young people to sustaining peace. Liberia’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security was highlighted as a key achievement in this regard. 

The delegation further stressed the importance of a vibrant and protected civic space as a precondition for inclusive peacebuilding. It emphasized the need for sustained progress in decentralization, community-based peace infrastructures, and the management of land-related issues.

“Liberia’s progress reflects strong political will over several years, and the shared responsibility of its people and institutions,” the Chair noted. “We encourage inclusive dialogue across political lines and all sectors of society, to continue Liberia’s positive peacebuilding momentum.”

The delegation also engaged with communities and visited projects supported by the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund, focusing on youth empowerment, substance abuse rehabilitation, transparency and anti-corruption, as well as civic education. 

“We will bring the insights from this visit back to the Peacebuilding Commission and continue to mobilize political attention and coherent international support” the Chair said.

The delegation noted ongoing UN-efforts to carry out a Peacebuilding Impact Spotlight study on Liberia – the second of its kind – which provides an opportunity to capture lessons from Liberia's peacebuilding experience. 

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

Contact: Gradiah Walker Bou Hussein