Latest news with #ECOMOG
Zawya
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
President John Dramani Mahama Partakes in the 178th Independence Day Celebrations in Monrovia
President John Dramani Mahama, on Saturday, joined President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the people of Liberia to celebrate their 178th Independence Day celebration in Monrovia. The event held at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia, Montserrado County, was attended by heads of states from the subregion including the Presidents of Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau. There were also representatives of the governments of Cote D'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Gambia. Liberia used the occasion to recognise ECOWAS member states that contributed troops to the multinational peacekeeping force, ECOMOG, which played a key role in ending the civil war as well as securing humanitarian corridors during the Liberian war. President Mahama received Ghana's honour from the Liberian President on behalf of the Ghana Armed Forces and the people of Ghana for the contribution of its gallant soldiers. President Boakai in a spirit of national reconciliation said Liberia must heal itself, unite for a common purpose and inspire all for a faster development of the country. He called on all his citizens to leverage on technology to transform Liberia. The celebration as on the theme 'One people, one destiny, healing the past and building the future the ceremony reflected on the past, need for stock taking, reconciliation, a united national identity to rebuild a peaceful Liberia, endowed with rich natural resources'. The President was accompanied by the Minister for Defence, Dr Edward Omane Boamah, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces, Lt. General William Agyapong and Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Stanislav Xoese Dogbe. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of Ghana in Liberia.
Zawya
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Liberia honors the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) at 178th independence celebrations
Liberia's 178th Independence Day celebration on the 26th of June 2025 served as a powerful tribute to regional unity and peacebuilding, with a spotlight on the enduring role of ECOWAS and ECOMOG in Liberia's journey through civil conflict and reconciliation. The ceremony welcomed high-level dignitaries from across West Africa, including the Presidents of Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, along with senior officials from Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire, symbolizing Liberia's strong ties within the sub-region. In recognition of ECOWAS at 50, Liberia honored contributing member states of ECOMOG – Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone with awards presented by H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, President of Liberia. Special honors were also given to past Executive Secretaries of ECOWAS who played pivotal roles during Liberia's crisis, including H.E. Lansana Kouyate, H.E. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, and H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas. President Maada Bio, serving as Chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State, led the presentation of awards to H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu TOURAY and H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, and other key figures recognized for their commitment to regional peace and stability. H.E. Josephine Nkrumah, Resident Representative of ECOWAS in Liberia received the award on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission. Liberia's Foreign Minister highlighted the vital impact of ECOMOG peacekeepers, whose sacrifices laid the foundation for lasting peace prior to the deployment of UNMIL. President Boakai also announced plans to commission a National Memorial dedicated to victims of Liberia's civil wars and fallen ECOWAS peacekeepers, reinforcing the government's commitment to remembrance, reconciliation, and regional solidarity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Zawya
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Sierra Leone's President Bio Honoured at Liberia Independence Celebrations, as he Delivers Inspiring Keynote on Shared History and Regional Unity
His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, has been honoured with a plaque of recognition by the Government of Liberia in appreciation of Sierra Leone's critical contribution to the peacekeeping efforts that helped restore stability during Liberia's civil conflict. The presentation took place during the celebration of Liberia's 178th Independence Anniversary at the Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia. The commemorative plaque acknowledged the sacrifices of Sierra Leonean men and women, both in and out of uniform, who served through the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) during Liberia's most difficult years. In a powerful keynote address themed 'One People, One Destiny: Healing the Past, Building the Future,' President Bio reflected on his own role as a young officer in the Sierra Leone Armed Forces deployed to Liberia with ECOMOG. 'I once stood on this sacred soil not as a visitor, but as a peacemaker,' he said. 'I remember walking the streets of White Plains, Gardnersville, and Monrovia Freeport during a time of great hardship. Even then, I could sense the deep endurance of the Liberian people.' President Bio described the recognition as a deeply personal and humbling moment. 'To be honoured on this day is not just a diplomatic courtesy, it is a homecoming. We receive this honour with pride and renewed commitment to regional unity, democratic stability, and shared peace.' Also addressing the gathering, Liberia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mme. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, expressed profound gratitude to all ECOMOG troop-contributing countries, singling out President Bio for his personal role during the conflict. 'You stood with us in our most difficult time,' she said. 'The true legacy of ECOMOG is not only found on the battlefield or in treaties signed, but in the peace we enjoy today.' The celebration brought together Heads of State and representatives from across the region, including President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal. President Bio emphasized the deep cultural and historical ties between Sierra Leone and Liberia, calling the two nations 'twin souls' bound by shared rivers, languages, and struggles. 'When Liberia trembled under the weight of war, Sierra Leone felt the tremors too. And when we cried out in our own agony, you mourned with us. This is not coincidence. This is kinship,' he declared. In his capacity as ECOWAS Chair, President Bio also used the moment to outline key regional priorities, including revitalizing regional security cooperation, strengthening democracy, unlocking economic integration, and building institutional credibility. 'Let us align our goals in trade, education, and security and let the Mano River Union become a living promise of solidarity. Let our borders bind, not divide.' He called on West African nations to recommit to regional cooperation not only in times of crisis but as a daily practice of development and peacebuilding. 'Our youth are crossing borders in search of opportunity. Let us build systems that allow them to do so safely, legally, and with dignity,' he urged. President Bio concluded his keynote with a heartfelt tribute to the people of Liberia. 'Thank you for reminding the world that peace is not only possible. it is powerful. May God bless the Republic of Liberia, may God bless the Republic of Sierra Leone, and may God bless the deep, enduring friendship that binds us.' President Bio arrived in Monrovia by road this morning and is scheduled to return to Sierra Leone later today via the same route. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.
