Liberia Pays Historic Tribute and Honor to ECOWAS, ECOMOG Peacekeepers at 178th Independence Day.
By Raymond Enoch
In a powerful and emotionally charged ceremony marking Liberia’s 178th Independence Day, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai led a national tribute that transcended borders, honoring the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its military arm, ECOMOG, for their pivotal roles in rescuing Liberia from the abyss of civil war and steering it toward peace.
The commemoration was far more than a celebration of sovereignty; it was a solemn reminder of sacrifice and solidarity. Held in the nation’s capital, the event was attended by an impressive array of West African dignitaries, including the Presidents of Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Senegal, and Sierra Leone, and top-level emissaries from Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. Their presence underscored the unshakable bonds Liberia shares with its West African neighbors—a testament to unity forged through shared struggle and the pursuit of peace.
The spotlight of the day was cast firmly on ECOWAS, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In a symbolic gesture of gratitude, President Boakai conferred national honors upon seven member states whose troops served under the ECOMOG banner during Liberia’s darkest hours: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
“These nations did not stand by as Liberia bled. They stood with us, fought for us, and many of their sons and daughters paid the ultimate price,” President Boakai declared to thunderous applause.
A roll call of gratitude continued with the recognition of distinguished statesmen who once served as Executive Secretaries of ECOWAS—H.E. Lansana Kouyaté, H.E. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, and H.E. Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas—each hailed for their strategic leadership during Liberia’s turbulent years.
Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, who currently chairs the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, took the stage to present awards to other towering figures in regional diplomacy, including H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray and H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, both recognized for their unwavering dedication to regional peace and governance.
H.E. Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS’s Resident Representative in Liberia, accepted an award on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, further symbolizing the organization’s continued engagement with Liberia’s recovery and development.
Liberia’s Foreign Minister delivered poignant remarks, emphasizing the critical role ECOMOG peacekeepers played before the arrival of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). “ECOMOG’s sacrifices became the pillars upon which post-war Liberia was rebuilt,” he said.
In a moment of solemn commitment, President Boakai announced a forthcoming National Memorial to honor the victims of Liberia’s civil conflicts and the fallen peacekeepers from across West Africa. This memorial, he said, would serve not only as a place of remembrance but as a lasting monument to Liberia’s gratitude and regional resilience.
“This Independence Day is not just about Liberia’s freedom—it is about the shared legacy of peace that binds us as West Africans,” President Boakai concluded.
As the nation marked nearly two centuries of independence, the 2025 celebration stood out as a landmark in healing and regional partnership—a day when Liberia did not just celebrate its past but honored the hands that held it steady during its most perilous journey.
