LPO, MIA Conclude Reconciliation Dialogue in Bong

Liberia Peacebuilding Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and its partner, the United Nations Development Program, has concluded a three-day Political Reconciliation Dialogue in Gbarnga, Bong County.

The Liberia Peacebuilding Office (PBO), based in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), was established in January 2009 with the primary function of supporting the Government of Liberia in the development and implementation of the government’s peace and reconciliation programs.

Eric Quaqua, Liberia’s National Peace Ambassador, who was the proxy for the Minister of Internal Affairs, at the opening ceremony, called on political leaders to refrain from all forms of violence and respect the rights of all.

He at the same time urged participants to utilize their fundamental right to calmly participate in the democratic process, noting that everyone is responsible for creating a better Bong County and Liberia for the present and future generations.

The Peace Ambassador said the Political Reconciliation Dialogues seek to bring stakeholders of the county together to break a cycle of violence, aid post-traumatic reconciliation, build a more peaceful common future, and ultimately sustain peace in Bong County and Liberia at large.

He revealed that the dialogues are scheduled for five counties, which include Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Nimba, Bong, and Lofa counties.

“Liberia has enjoyed relative peace since the end of the civil war two decades ago.” Eric Quaqua said. “Land conflicts, failure for concession companies to live up to agreements made with residents that often lead to riots and violence between local people and security forces, drug abuse, sexual and gender-based violence threaten the peace in Liberia.”

He at the same challenged participants to apply the skills and knowledge acquired in the implementation of solving conflict and reconciliation.

For their part, participants of the three-day dialogue outlined some ills in society that spark up violence and, at the same time, promised to implement whatever they have learned at the three-day Political Reconciliation Dialogue in the county.

The participants told reporters that they will embark on creating awareness in their various communities in order to provide citizens with opportunities to know the negative impact of conflict in the county and Liberia at large.

The Liberia Peacebuilding Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs Political Reconciliation Dialogue brought together representatives from civil society organizations, youth groups, women organizations, motorcyclists, and traditional leaders, religious representatives (Christian + Muslim) among others.

The dialogue was held under the theme: “enhancing peace, reconciliation and social cohesion through building civic trust and fostering reconciliation in the communities.”