In a deeply symbolic moment marking 178 years of Liberia’s independence, the Government of Liberia honored Sierra Leone’s President, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, with a special recognition for his country’s role in restoring peace during Liberia’s devastating civil conflict. The award presentation was a highlight of the national celebration held at the historic Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia on Saturday.
President Bio, who also serves as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, received a commemorative plaque in recognition of the sacrifices made by Sierra Leonean soldiers and civilians who contributed through the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) during Liberia’s war years.
The honor was presented by Liberian officials as a gesture of gratitude to Sierra Leone and its people for their critical support during a time of national upheaval. “This recognition is not just a diplomatic courtesy—it is a homecoming,” President Bio remarked emotionally during his keynote address.
Speaking under the theme “One People, One Destiny: Healing the Past, Building the Future,” Bio recalled his own service as a young officer deployed to Liberia as part of ECOMOG. “I once stood on this sacred soil not as a visitor, but as a peacemaker,” he said. “I remember walking through White Plains, Gardnersville, and Freeport. Even in hardship, I could feel the deep resilience of the Liberian people.”
President Bio’s address struck a powerful chord with attendees, as he linked personal memories with broader regional themes. Describing the moment as deeply personal and humbling, he reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s enduring commitment to regional peace, democracy, and solidarity. “This honor speaks to our shared past, but more importantly, to a future we must shape together,” he said.
Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, echoed this sentiment. She praised all ECOMOG troop-contributing countries but gave special recognition to President Bio for his direct involvement in Liberia’s peace process. “You stood with us in our darkest hours,” she noted. “The true legacy of ECOMOG lives in the peace we now enjoy and the hope we now nurture.”
The event was attended by an impressive roster of regional leaders, including President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of Liberia, former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, and President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal. Their presence highlighted the strong regional significance of Liberia’s Independence Day celebration.
In his keynote, President Bio celebrated the historic and cultural ties between Liberia and Sierra Leone, referring to the two nations as “twin souls.” He spoke of shared struggles, mutual empathy, and an unbreakable bond forged through conflict and cooperation. “When Liberia trembled under war, Sierra Leone felt the tremors too. When we cried out in our own agony, Liberia mourned with us. This is not coincidence. This is kinship,” he declared.
As ECOWAS Chair, Bio used the platform to advocate for renewed regional integration. He outlined key strategic priorities, including strengthening regional security, deepening democratic governance, and fostering inclusive economic growth. “Let the Mano River Union become a living promise of solidarity,” he said. “Our borders should bind us, not divide us.”
He also addressed the aspirations of West Africa’s youth, calling on regional leaders to build systems that allow safe, legal, and dignified mobility across borders. “Our young people are crossing borders not to escape, but to seek opportunity. Let us make those pathways just and hopeful,” he urged.
President Bio concluded his remarks with a heartfelt tribute to Liberia and its people. “Thank you for reminding the world that peace is not only possible—it is powerful,” he said. “May God bless the Republic of Liberia, may God bless the Republic of Sierra Leone, and may God bless the enduring friendship that unites us.”
President Bio arrived in Monrovia earlier in the day by road and is expected to return to Sierra Leone later this evening via the same route.
