Monrovia – Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah and members of the Reburial Committee are receiving national commendation for the successful execution of the National Reconciliation, Healing, and Unity Program held in Monrovia over the weekend.
By Francis G. Boayue
The high-profile event, hosted at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, marked a significant milestone in Liberia’s effort to address the legacies of its civil conflict and foster long-term peace.
Held under the theme “Healing Our Past, Building Our Tomorrow Together,” the program brought together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the judiciary, civil society leaders, and ordinary citizens in a solemn show of national unity.
President Joseph Boakai, delivering a keynote address, praised Minister Jallah and her team for what he described as a meaningful and timely national engagement. The president described the program not as a symbolic event, but as a vital moment for national reflection and commitment to justice, reconciliation, and unity.
“This is not merely ceremonial,” President Boakai said. “It is a vital national exercise to reflect deeply on the soul of our country. To every victim of our civil conflict, to every family broken, to every dream shattered, we say: We are sorry. The State could have done better but was used as an agency, but we are here now, and we must do everything we can to make sure that it never fails you again.”
President Boakai’s apology marked a formal acknowledgment of the state’s failures during the civil war era and was met with broad applause from participants, many of whom represented families affected by the conflict.
Minister Jallah, who also chaired the National Reburial Committee, addressed the gathering and echoed the president’s message. She stressed that true reconciliation must begin with an honest confrontation of the past and a commitment to never repeat the mistakes that led to division, violence, and national trauma.
She highlighted the importance of the reburial of former Presidents William R. Tolbert Jr. and Samuel K. Doe, calling it a significant first step toward healing. According to her, the act signaled a collective willingness to grieve properly, to forgive, and to pursue national unity.
“This is the first important step to allowing us to duly grieve, heal, forgive, and forge ahead towards national reconciliation and unity,” Minister Jallah said.
She revealed that during preparations for the program, she studied public reactions on social media to understand the sentiments surrounding the reburials. One particular message, she noted, stood out as it captured the deep emotional wounds still felt by many Liberians.
“It screamed of injustice, abandonment, loss, pain, and hopelessness,” she recounted. “Throughout all of our planning process, we were guided by the charge from President Boakai, and the screams of the wounded voices of our brothers and sisters sharpened our focus.”
Minister Jallah emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in national healing, urging citizens to embrace “transculturalism”—a concept that encourages learning from one another’s diverse experiences and perspectives.
She called on all Liberians to ensure that the atrocities of the past are never repeated, and to work toward building a society grounded in justice, inclusion, and shared prosperity.
“We remember what took their precious lives and commit as a people that never again,” she said. “We should pledge to ourselves that the past societal ills will not happen again and purpose in our heart to fight for a just society where our future is propelled by unity and characterized by prosperity for all.”
Support Independent Journalism
Your support helps FrontPage Africa continue delivering independent, credible, and impactful journalism. Every contribution strengthens our ability to investigate, inform, and hold power accountable while keeping quality journalism accessible to our readers.
Support our journalism or subscribe to receive the latest FrontPage Africa stories and updates.
