Gongloe Calls for ‘Political Ceasefire’ – Delivers Christmas Message, Pleading for Love, Sacrifice

MONROVIA – As Liberia celebrates another year of peace and democracy, Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, former presidential candidate and human rights advocate, has extended his Christmas greetings to the nation. In his message, Gongloe reflects on Liberia’s journey since the end of the brutal civil war and expresses gratitude to international partners, particularly Nigeria and the United States, who supported the country’s peace process. He also acknowledges the sacrifices made by these nations in helping Liberia restore peace and stability, emphasizing the importance of love, sacrifice, and justice, citing the story of Jesus Christ as an example. He also urged Liberians to put aside harsh criticisms and condemnations, and instead choose kindness, encouragement, and goodwill towards one another. The Analyst reports. 

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Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, former presidential candidate in the 2023 general and presidential elections, has released a Christmas message to the people of Liberia, calling for a season of reflection, reconciliation, and renewal.

In the statement, Cllr. Gongloe emphasized the importance of love, sacrifice, and justice, citing the story of Jesus Christ as an example.

“Christmas is not merely a season of festivity; it is a season of reflection, reconciliation, and renewal,” he said in the statement to mark this year’s Christmas celebration. “It is the remembrance of a profound act of love: the birth of Jesus Christ, a leader sent not to rule by force, but to redeem by sacrifice.”

Cllr. Gongloe, who has served as a human rights lawyer since 1988 and as a former official of government, is urging Liberians to put aside harsh criticisms and condemnations, and instead choose kindness, encouragement, and goodwill towards one another.

He said: “In the spirit of this sacred season, I humbly appeal to all Liberians—at home and in the diaspora—to put a temporary halt to harsh criticisms, condemnations, and hurtful words on our various media platforms until after Christmas Day.”

The human rights icon’s message highlights the need for national healing, accountability, and the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court to address past injustices.

“The establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court is not an act of revenge, but an act of national healing,” he continued. “It is about closing a painful chapter of our history, ending impunity, restoring dignity to victims, and ensuring that never again will violence be rewarded or wrongdoing go unanswered.”

Cllr. Gongloe also used the Christmas message to express gratitude to international partners, including Nigeria and the United States, for their support in restoring peace to Liberia.

“We express profound gratitude to Nigeria, under the leadership of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, for its decisive role in 1990 in preventing Liberia from collapsing entirely,”
he said.

He also thanked the United States for supporting the deployment of UN peacekeepers to Liberia in 2003, saying “Liberia can never forget this giant step in saving Liberia from Liberians.”

“I further express sincere appreciation to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for its swift and visible contributions to Liberia’s post-war reconstruction—seen in institutions such as the Jackson.F. D. Memoral Hospital in Tappita, road construction across the country, and the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex, amongst others. Gratitude does not weaken sovereignty; it strengthens character,” he said.

Gongloe also indicated in the statement a fervent call to action, urging Liberians to support the government in promoting human rights, good governance, and the rule of law.

“Holding the government’s feet to the fire on its failures or omissions is a form of support, because constructive engagement, principled criticism, and patriotic vigilance are not contradictions,” former Liberian National Bar Association president said. “They are democratic virtues.”

Cllr. Gongloe extended Christmas greetings to all Liberians, saying: “May peace dwell in our homes. May unity guide our nation! May Liberia rise—not by hatred, but by love anchored in truth.”

He said further: “At Christmas, bells ring, songs are sung, and lights shine across the world. Yet beyond the celebration lies a deeper meaning—one that calls humanity back to its conscience. Christmas is not merely a season of festivity; it is a season of reflection, reconciliation, and renewal. It is the remembrance of a profound act of love: the birth of Jesus Christ, a leader sent not to rule by force, but to redeem by sacrifice.

 “I speak today as a human rights lawyer since 1988; as an advocate of democracy, human dignity, and good governance; as one who has been jailed many times for standing up for what is right; as a former official of government, having served as Executive Assistant to the President of Liberia, Solicitor General, and Minister of Labor; as a former President of the Liberian National Bar Association; as a former presidential candidate in the 2023 elections on the ticket of the Liberian People’s Party—the broom party; and above all, as a Liberian who loves this country so deeply and believes unshakably in its future.”

 Liberia, more than ever, needs this kind of love today.

He reminded Liberians that the country endured deep pain through military rule, civil conflict, injustice, corruption, exclusion, and wounds that remain unhealed. Peace without justice is fragile, and reconciliation without truth is incomplete.

“This is why the establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court is not an act of revenge, but an act of national healing,” the law professor said. “It is about closing a painful chapter of our history, ending impunity, restoring dignity to victims, and ensuring that never again will violence be rewarded or wrongdoing go unanswered.”

 “At the same time, Christmas reminds us that laws alone do not build nations—values do. Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to Liberia’s progress. To tolerate corruption is to deny children education, deny the sick healthcare, and deny the poor hope. We must therefore, renew our collective determination to sweep corruption from the Government of Liberia and to insist on a leadership rooted in integrity, accountability, and service.”

In the spirit of this sacred season, he said, “I humbly appeal to all Liberians—at home and in the diaspora—to put a temporary halt to harsh criticisms, condemnations, and hurtful words on our various media platforms until after Christmas Day.

“In short, I am calling for a political ceasefire. Let us, for these holy days, choose kindness over conflict, encouragement over accusation, and goodwill over grievance. Let us say good things about one another. Let us make feel-good statements about one another. Words can either wound or heal a nation—and Liberia needs healing.”

Turning to his home county, Nimba, he stressed: “I extend heartfelt Christmas greetings to all Liberian children—our present joy and future promise; to our elderly—our living libraries of wisdom; and to persons with disabilities, whom society too often misunderstands. As the late Paramount Chief of Nimba County, Franklin Toweh, once said: “Disability is not inability.” A just Liberia is one that leaves no one behind.”

He also extend warm Christmas wishes to the leaders of our country—those in government and those out of government, including the civil society, traditional leadership, and faith communities—“as well as to my fellow contenders in the 2023 presidential election. Our disagreements must never erase our shared responsibility to Liberia”.

“To foreign governments and international partners represented in Liberia—especially ECOWAS, the European Union, and all diplomatic missions—I express appreciation for your engagement and continued partnership. Liberia’s peace, democracy, and respect for human rights remain a shared regional and global responsibility,” Cllr. Gongloe said.