President Bio Calls For Renewed Unity, Peace Across West Africa
By Godgift Harris
Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, serving as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has issued a stirring call for regional unity, peace and democratic resilience during Liberia’s 178th Independence Day celebration on Friday, July 26, 2025.
Speaking at the historic Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia, President Bio represented ECOWAS troop-contributing countries with a deeply personal and moving address that paid tribute to the shared sacrifices of West African nations during Liberia’s civil war and highlighted
the urgent need to safeguard the region’s hard-won peace and democratic gains.
“I once stood on this sacred soil in uniform not in ceremony, but in service,” President Bio recalled, referring to his earlier role as a young peacekeeper in Liberia.
“Then, I walked the streets of White Plains, Gardnersville and other communities as a peace enforcer not as a dignitary but to help restore order.”
The moment, he said, was filled with emotion, as it marked his return not just as a head of state but as a brother to the Liberian people whose history is deeply intertwined with that of his own country.
President Bio expressed profound gratitude on behalf of Sierra Leone and other ECOWAS nations for Liberia’s recognition of their role in restoring peace.
He described Liberia’s gesture of appreciation as “not just a diplomatic courtesy, but a deeply meaningful tribute to thousands of West African soldiers and civilians who risked and many who gave their lives to defend peace and democracy.”
“We did not come to conquer but to serve,” he said, “Some never returned home, others came back changed.
But every one of them contributed to the miracle we witness today, a peaceful and democratic Liberia.”
In a passionate plea, the ECOWAS Chair warned that peace must never be taken for granted.
“Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the presence of dignity,” he emphasized.
“It allows our children to learn, our traders to trade, and our democracies to thrive. The price of peace is eternal vigilance.”
He further urged West African nations to work tirelessly to uphold the ideals of inclusive governance, justice, and human dignity.
“When politics is poisoned by bitterness or tribalism, peace suffers and democracy collapses,” he warned.
President Bio’s speech painted a vivid picture of the deep and historic ties between Liberia and Sierra Leone, noting that their proximity is more than geographic; is spiritual and cultural.
“Our rivers flow into each other. Our songs echo one another.
A proverb in one land finds its answer in the hills of Lofa,” he said.
“When Liberia trembled under war, Sierra Leone trembled too, this is not coincidence. This is kinship.”
Addressing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai directly, President Bio declared, “My brother, the peace of Liberia is the peace of Sierra Leone, and the peace of Sierra Leone is the peace of Liberia.”
Amid rising political instability in parts of West Africa, President Bio urged ECOWAS countries to view elections not as contests for power but as solemn opportunities to renew the social contract between citizens and their governments.
“Elections are not wars they are sacred moments to renew the social contract,” he said.
He commended Liberia for its consistent adherence to democratic processes, particularly the recent peaceful transition of power, describing it as “a beacon for the entire region.”
Beyond politics, the Sierra Leonean leader called for deeper economic and social integration within the ECOWAS community.
He envisioned a region where “borders bind, not divide,” and where “farmers, traders and students feel at home across our borders.”
“We must recommit to daily cooperation, not just in moments of crisis,” he said, adding that the region’s prosperity is interconnected.
“When Liberia prospers, Sierra Leone is strengthened. And when Sierra Leone struggles, Liberia cannot remain untouched,” he stressed.
President Bio also acknowledged the international community’s support and interest in Liberia’s peace and progress.
He shared that congratulatory messages had poured in from global leaders, including King Charles III of the United Kingdom, President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Xi Jinping of China and the Holy See, among others.
President Maada Bio’s remarks resonated as both a reflection and a challenge: to remember the sacrifices of the past to nurture peace in the present and to stand together in shaping a stable and prosperous future for the West African region.
“As Liberia continues its journey of healing and nation-building,” he said, “let us remember that peace is not just the absence of war it is a duty, a commitment, and a shared responsibility.”
His words served as a clarion call for renewed solidarity, regional cooperation, and the defense of democracy not just in times of conflict, but every day.