MONROVIA — The Liberia Crusaders for Peace, in collaboration with its local and international partners, has announced August 18-19, 2024, as the dates set for the commemoration of the country’s 21 years of uninterrupted peace since the signing of the Accra Peace Accord (CPA).
The disclosure was made by Liberia’s Culture Ambassador, Executive Director, and Traditional Queen of Liberia, Madam Juli Endee, during a major press conference held at the Liberia Crusaders for Peace head office in Central Monrovia on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.
She said 2024 marks the 21st edition of the Kukatonon Initiative, themed “We Are One,” which will be celebrated in Zorzor, Lofa County. “The event is in commemoration of the 21st anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,” she stated.
Ambassador Endee recounted that the signing of the CPA in Accra, Ghana, by warring factions, political parties, civil society, women’s groups, national and international organizations, and the government effectively ended the Liberian Civil War on August 18, 2003.
She noted that Liberia has since enjoyed 21 years of uninterrupted peace, improving its democratic governance with two successive transitions and building confidence in the international community to freely partner with the country.
According to her, the Peace Initiative in Lofa will also celebrate Liberia’s rich cultural heritage and diversity. Ambassador Endee added that the historic event will bring together participants from all 15 counties, women from Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, peace builders, activists, peace negotiators, advocates, and artists from across the country.
The Culture Ambassador also highlighted that hosting Liberia’s Unification Monument in Lofa underscores its importance as a destination for the Kukatonon Peace Initiative 2024.
“The Liberia Crusaders for Peace and partners will host a women’s conference where issues such as SGBV, reproductive health and rights, harmful practices, UN Resolution 1325, empowerment and gender equality, ‘Back to the Classroom,’ and ‘Grow What You Eat and Eat What You Grow’ will be discussed under the theme, ‘Together, We Are Stronger. Let’s Maintain the Peace,’” she said.
Ambassador Endee further called on all Liberian citizens to desist from violence and embrace peace in recognition of 21 years of uninterrupted peace. “Peace is not just what you wish for; it is what you are, what you say, and what you do. Let’s do what is right.”
She emphasized that there can be no peace without justice, and therefore, it is essential for citizens to respect the rule of law to promote democracy and unity, which will lead to success.
Additionally, Queen Endee, as she is famously referred to, made a passionate plea to the Liberian government through the legislature to include the Liberia Crusaders for Peace in the national budget to empower the institution to implement its activities across the country.
She noted that since the signing of the Accra Peace Accord, the Liberia Crusaders for Peace and its partners launched and implemented the first year of peace with support from ECOWAS, the United Nations, the Carter Center, the United States Embassy, Ghana, Nigeria, and other embassies representing their respective countries.
“Despite the significance of these events, as organizers, we have always tried but never received budgetary support from the national government. We are therefore appealing for consideration in the budget,” Queen Endee emphasized.
According to the Liberia Culture Ambassador, the Kukatonon Peace Festival has seen many activities over the years, including the MRU Women’s Conference, the Youth Forum, the Traditional Leaders BCC Program, the main Kukatonon Peace Festival event, the George Weah Peace Prize awarded to deserving peace builders, the Show Love Campaign Monument, Dialogue Not Violence, Peace Not War, and the Peace Pledge.
She noted that the initiative continues to this day, mentioning that during the regime of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, her institution, in collaboration with partners, successfully commemorated 10 years with former President George Manneh Weah as Peace Ambassador. “H.E. Joseph Nyumah Boakai has been a strong supporter of this initiative, evidenced by his participation in the peace festival activities over the years.”
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