Monrovia— At the historic Invincible Park, widely known as the Fish Market – a place remembered for the courageous women-led peace movement that helped end Liberia’s civil war – survivors, women leaders, youth advocates, civil society actors and international partners gathered on Monday, May 25 for the pre-launch and signing ceremony of the PeaceGen Project, a major peacebuilding initiative aimed at strengthening sustainable, in-country capacities for conflict management and peacebuilding.
By Patience M. Jones
The three-year project, funded by the European Union, is being implemented by the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation (KTK), Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) and four other women and youth-led organizations across Liberia.
Held under the objective, “Strengthen Sustainable, In-Country Capacities for Effective Conflict Management and Peacebuilding,” the event brought together war survivors, youth groups, women peacebuilders, journalists, and advocates who reflected on Liberia’s painful past while calling for justice, reconciliation and inclusion.
For many in attendance, the ceremony was more than the signing of an agreement – it was an emotional reminder that Liberia’s fragile peace must be protected through accountability, healing and active youth engagement.
Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC), Cllr. Jallah Barbu, delivered one of the strongest messages of the day, urging Liberians not to delay the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court.
“Peace without justice remains fragile. We cannot continue to postpone accountability while victims continue to carry the pain of the war. Let us act now before history repeats itself,” Cllr. Barbu declared.
Cllr. Barbu emphasized that women played a central role in ending Liberia’s conflict and must remain at the forefront of peacebuilding efforts. “If Liberia is to become a better country, then we must continue to look to the women who sacrificed for peace. Women carried this nation during its darkest hours,” he said.
He further challenged young people to see themselves as future leaders and decision-makers.
“Do not wait for tomorrow to become part of national leadership. Begin now, even in small ways. Every young person has the ability to shape Liberia’s future,” Cllr. Barbu added.
The emotional atmosphere deepened as war survivors shared painful memories of Liberia’s civil conflict and the suffering endured by ordinary citizens during the years of violence.
President of WIPNET, Ma Korpo Dennis, recalled the fear, hunger, and brutality women experienced while advocating for peace during the war.
“We suffered, we cried, we were beaten, but we never gave up on peace for Liberia. Today, we are grateful that the call for a War and Economic Crimes Court is finally being heard,” she said.
She praised President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for standing by his commitment to support the establishment of the court.
“Others came and ignored our cries, but President Boakai promised the Liberian people that justice would come, and today we see efforts toward fulfilling that promise,” Madam Dennis stated.
Executive Director of LIMASA, Peterson Sonyah, who also survived the war, emotionally narrated the loss of seven family members during the conflict, including his father.
“I am not advocating for justice because of politics. I am advocating because I lost my family during the war. Victims deserve justice, healing, and recognition,” Mr. Sonyah said.
He warned against exploiting war victims for personal gain and urged Liberians to remain committed to peace and accountability.
“This struggle is not about money or personal benefit. It is about ensuring that our children never experience what we experienced,” he stressed.
Country Director of Kvinna till Kvinna, Korto Williams, reflected on the significance of holding the ceremony at the Fish Market, which she described as “holy ground” because of the sacrifices made by Liberian women during the civil crisis.
“This moment connects the legacy of Liberia’s women peacebuilders with the determination of a new generation. Lasting peace depends on the meaningful inclusion of women and young people in decision-making,” Madam Williams said.
She noted that the PeaceGen Project aligns with Liberia’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security (2025–2029) and seeks to empower women and youth as central actors in reconciliation, governance, and transitional justice.
Executive Director of WONGOSOL, Esther S. Davis Yango, described the PeaceGen Project as a “collective movement” toward a peaceful and inclusive Liberia.
“Peacebuilding cannot happen in boardrooms alone. It must happen in communities, schools, women’s networks, youth groups, and spaces where the voices of ordinary people are heard,” Madam Yango emphasized.
She stressed that women and youth must not remain on the margins of national conversations around reconciliation and accountability.
“Women and young people must not be observers in Liberia’s transitional justice process. They must be leaders, peace actors, and decision-makers,” she added.
Speaking to reporters following the ceremony, President of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FEJAL), Lisa Tenneh Diasay, described the signing as a major achievement for Liberian women journalists and civil society organizations.
“This project is proof that Liberians can create innovative solutions for peacebuilding and transitional justice. We competed with other countries and Liberia emerged successful because of the strength of our proposal and collaboration,” Madam Diasay explained.
She disclosed that the project will also train journalists and support fellowship opportunities for media practitioners interested in reporting on peacebuilding and transitional justice.
Program Manager Agiechie Comfort Baysah provided an overview of the project, noting that despite Liberia’s relative peace, unresolved grievances, weak reconciliation efforts, and growing youth frustrations continue to threaten social cohesion.
According to Madam Baysah, the PeaceGen Project will focus on four key pillars: capacity building, transitional justice, memorialization, and community-based peacebuilding.
“At the heart of PeaceGen is the belief that peace is most sustainable when it is locally owned, inclusive and intergenerational,” she stated.
The project will be implemented in Montserrado, Bong, Bomi, Nimba and Sinoe Counties over a 36-month period ending January 2029.
Target beneficiaries include youth-led organizations, women-led organizations, journalists, community leaders, justice sector actors and local peace activists.
As the ceremony concluded with prayers and renewed commitments, many attendees described the initiative as a critical opportunity to bridge Liberia’s painful history with a future built on justice, inclusion, and lasting peace.
For survivors who once sat at the Fish Market praying for the guns to fall silent, the PeaceGen Project represents more than a development initiative — it symbolizes hope that Liberia’s next generation will inherit a country where peace is protected not only by silence of guns, but by justice, accountability and unity.
