Healing the Wounds Of Liberia’s Civil War -A Memorial Monument to be Unveiled in Gbonyea Town

MONROVIA – According to the Center for Justice and Accountability, an estimated 250,000 people lost their lives during Liberia’s civil war from 1989 to 2003. In a bid to promote healing, peacebuilding, and reconciliation, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Project, has built five memorials at massacre and mass grave sites across five counties: Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Lofa, Gbarpolu, and Nimba.

A Symbol of Remembrance and Dignity

Four of these memorials have already been commissioned and officially handed over to the beneficiary communities in Behn Town (Grand Bassa), Bloe Town (Rivercess), Kpotomai Town (Lofa), and Gbarpolu. The final memorial, located in Gbonyea Town, Sanoyea District, Bong County, is scheduled to be officially dedicated on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. This monument honors the memory of those who perished under harrowing conditions or were buried in improvised graves during the war, serving as a symbol of remembrance and dignity.

Fostering Community Ownership

This initiative aligns with Recommendation 17.0 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which calls for reparations and preservation of history. To foster community ownership and ensure the memorials are used in ways that support the TRC’s goals, the Gbonyea Town Memorial will be formally handed over to the local leadership during the dedication ceremony.

A Step Towards Healing and Reconciliation

The presence of the memorial is expected to offer solace and healing to families of civil war victims. It provides a meaningful space for reflection, remembrance, and closure, while also standing as a powerful symbol of Liberia’s collective rejection of violence as a means of resolving conflict. Beyond its commemorative purpose, the memorial may also contribute to local tourism, bringing cultural and economic benefits to the surrounding communities.

Dedication Ceremony

The dedication ceremony marks the official handover of the final memorial constructed under the Peacebuilding, Reconciliation, and Social Cohesion Project (PBRSCP), with a total contract value of USD $31,730.96. The ceremony will be attended by the INCHR Chairperson and Commissioners, dignitaries from the European Union and the Swedish Embassy, community and religious leaders, civil society representatives, women and youth leaders, local officials, members of the Memorial Committee, and Transitional Justice (TJ) actors.

A Historic Event

Designated INCHR Commissioners, UNDP staff, and a range of county- and district-level officials, traditional leaders, and civil society stakeholders will oversee the ceremony, marking an important milestone in Liberia’s journey towards healing and reconciliation.