By Jacob N.B. Parley
The author
While other African countries are still locked up in the period  of political despair and uncertainty as a result of developments that undercut democracy, Liberia continues to add value to its democratic credentials after nearly a fourteen-year civil war that saw an estimated 250,000 innocent lives perished at the hands pseudo liberators and their likes.
As this great nation for which our forefathers gave their sweat, blood or precious lives clocks 179 years (July 26, 2026), I see it befitting, using this medium to entreat all of us to treasure and carefully uphold the principles for which Liberia was conceived. One of these ideas is self- governance, inclusive of unity despite our socio, political, religious and cultural diversities. Clearly, it was on the basis of promoting national accord that the National Unification Policy was introduced, especially in the embryonic stage of our nationhood.
As we commemorate another National Independence Day this year, I wish to provide some historical reflections regarding our contributions to global peace since independence in 1847 and our glaringly enviable democratic gains over the past two decades.
Four Successive Post War ElectionsÂ
Liberia is gradually proving to be a shining example of democratic multiplicity, based on its recent electoral achievements. For instance, on Monday, January 22, 2024, the people of Liberia witnessed the second transfer of power from one democratically elected president to another in 80 years since 1944. As we all might know, the first was in 2018, when then Liberian Chief Executive, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf turned over to Liberia’s immediate former President, George Manneh Weah. The January 22, 2024 ceremony still suggests that we have added another precious symbol to our democratic badge as a people. These great developments are indicative of how far we have come as a nation in sustaining democracy since the end of war in 2003. Proudly, the 2023 election was the fourth time Liberians put democracy to test through the ballot box; 2005, 2011, 2017 and 2023, since the end of a brutal civil war that claimed an estimated 250,000 innocent lives, as mentioned at the genesis of this article.
Global Contributions
1. Perhaps there are some of us who have not realized that Liberia’s remodeling from a post conflict nation to an elected non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2025 is a demonstration of how unity plays a pivotal role in an emerging democracy. As we see reason to uphold unity and sustain the gains made thus far, it helps in elevating our voice stronger and even better on the global stage. These remarkable achievements, as mentioned earlier include promoting regional peace, sustainable development and democratic governance since Liberia’s birth in 1847.
2. Maybe some of us have not also realized that we have won ourselves remarkable space in history for pioneering and stimulating other African countries seeking self-governance many years ago. This means that our position as a founding member of the United Nations and the African Union (then OAU) was not a mistake- simply because it continues to bear meaningful fruits
3. In 2013, Liberia contributed troops to the United Nations Integrated Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), initially under the Africa-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).
4.Liberia was blessed once again, when in 2012, one of its sons, Lt/ Col.Emmanuel S.Sarvice served within the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria(UNSMIS).
5. We contributed peacekeepers to the United Nations Operations in Congo (UNOC) in the 60’s.
6. In 2005, Liberia set records when Madam Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became Africa’s first democratically elected female President. Her election and resilience continue to inspire other women across the globe.
7. We made history again, when in 60’s, a prominent Liberian, Angie Brooks Randolph became the first African female president of the UN General Assembly. Madam Randolph, a diplomat and jurist, was serving Liberia at the United Nations as its Permanent Representative when she ascended to the position.
8. Today, Africa continues to boost about the existence of the African Development Bank (AfDB). Perhaps there are some of us who do not know that Liberia was part of a nine -member committee comprising financial experts and economists that gave birth to the AfDB in 1964. Infact, the idea leading to the birth of the AfDB was proffered by a prominent Liberian, Dr. Romeo L. Horton. May peace be unto his ashes!
I got to know about Dr. Horton’s role in this worthy development during a report I did on ELBC Radio nearly nine years ago during one of the visits of the immediate former President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, to Liberia. The bank has proudly become a leading development finance institution in Africa. I am drawing in all of the points to teach a national lesson about how disunity stalls national growth, development and democratic advancement.
In my candid opinion, one of the foremost foundations on which we can sustain the gains made over the past two decades is national unity. By keeping the torch of unity constructively burning, we are undoubtedly promoting peaceful co-existence or the culture of tolerance, due respect for one another’s constitutional and ultimate rights.
This is why we must muster the courage to work together if we must make the needed progress illustrating our age. I am sounding this patriotic trumpet because 179 years is an enough time for a society that championed,poineerd and inspired the independence of other African countries to be where we are today because of discord arising from politics.
Beginning from every household to political, ecclesiastical and other important layers of society, let’s keep the torch of unity burning. By so doing, we will help ourselves sustain the democratic gains made by broadening our chances for greater, better, and brighter prospects in elevating our voice on the global stage.
Fellow compatriots, we cannot afford to roll back these gains on the basis of what appears to be toxic politics and increasing unnecessary bitterness against one another.
Note: While it is true that I currently serve as the communications Director at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, this article is my personal opinion.
About the author:
Jacob Parley is a Liberian media professional whose work spans more than two decades-both print and electronic.
Parley holds a Post Graduate Diplomat in International Relations (Development Diplomacy) from the Foreign Service Institute, sixteen journalism certificates-including two from the People’s Republic of China, etc. He has published volumes of articles touching many issues affecting the Liberian society.
Among them are:Â
- Liberia: A Recollection of An Evolving Democratic Journey
- President Sirleaf’s State Visit To Indonesia: A Chronological Recollections (Parts 1&2)
- The Need To Transform Liberia’s Media Generalists Into Specialists
- Liberia-US Relations: An Account of Three Successive Female AmbassadorsÂ
- Africa’s Journey To A Single Market: A Few Quarrelsome Issues (Parts1&2)
- When A Society Picks Up Spears & Arrows Against Good Journalism
The author is reachable through: jacobtheancestor@yahoo.com/jacobnbparley1@gmail.com
Contacts: +231777604576/886560455 WhatsApp: +231881336137
