By Vaye A. Lepolu
The Kukatonon Initiative, a hallmark of peacebuilding in Liberia, is set to celebrate its 21st edition in 2024 under the theme “We Are One,” taking place in Zorzor, Lofa County.
Ambassador Juli Edee, Executive Director of Crusader for Peace, announced that this year’s event will welcome a diverse group of participants, including the Women of Liberia, signatories to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Accra, WONGOSOL, the Federation of Liberian Youth, WIPNET, traditional women, Lutheran Church Women, Liberian Muslim Women, Women on the Move, the Ministry of Gender, and the Liberia Crusaders for Peace family.
Reflecting on the significance of this milestone, Ambassador Edee noted that it has been 21 years since the signing of the Accra Peace Accord. The Liberia Crusaders for Peace, along with their partners, launched the first year of peace initiatives with support from ECOWAS, the United Nations, The Carter Center, and various embassies, including those of the United States, Ghana, and Nigeria. This commitment to peace has continued to flourish.
Under the leadership of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the initiative celebrated a decade of success, with former President George Weah serving as Peace Ambassador and former Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai providing steadfast support through his active participation in peace festival activities over the years.
Despite the importance of the event, Ambassador Edeeexpressed disappointment over the lack of budgetary support from the national government, urging for consideration in future budgets to sustain these vital initiatives.
The Kukatonon Peace Festival has featured numerous activities over the years, including the MRU Women’s Conference, youth forums, a Traditional Leaders BCC program, the main Kukatonon Peace Festival, the George Weah Peace Prize for deserving peace builders, and the Show Love Campaign Monument. The festival promotes messages of dialogue over violence, peace over war, and the peace pledge.
The 2024 event will not only commemorate the 21st anniversary of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement but will also celebrate Liberia’s rich cultural heritage and diversity. Participants from all 15 counties, as well as women from Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Sierra Leone, peace builders, activists, negotiators, advocates, and artists from across the nation will come together for this significant occasion.
Ambassador Edee emphasized the importance of Lofa County as the home of Liberia’s Unification Monument, making it a fitting location for the Kukatonon Peace Initiative 2024. The festival will also host a women’s conference addressing critical issues such as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), reproductive health and rights, harmful practices, UN Resolution 1325, empowerment, gender equality, and sustainable agriculture initiatives under the theme “Together, We Are Stronger. Let’s Maintain the Peace.”
With 21 years of uninterrupted peace, Ambassador Edee urged all Liberians to leave behind violence and embrace peace, stating, “Peace is not merely a wish; it is a reflection of who we are, what we say, and what we do.” She concluded with a call to action: “Let’s do what is right. There can be no peace without justice. Let us respect the rule of law and ensure that democracy prevails. In unity, success is assured.”
