Independence Day Assertion
B. Elias Shoniyin
July 26, 2025
Fellow Liberians,
As we speak, as we commemorate 178 years of our sovereignty, the longest unbroken independence on the African continent, we stand at a solemn crossroads between reminiscence and aspiration.
Our founding fathers, with unmatched braveness, carved out this Republic in opposition to the currents of colonial ambition and indifference. President Joseph Jenkins Roberts, in pursuit of legitimacy, spent 9 months of his first time period journeying by Europe to safe recognition for a fledgling nation. Such was the worth of our freedom, the labor, diplomacy, and religion that constructed the muse we now stand on right now.
But as we replicate, we should admit: the promise of Liberia stays unfulfilled.
This 12 months’s Independence Day is especially sobering, following the honorable reburial of President William R. Tolbert, Jr., and his 13 slain officers, in addition to former President Samuel Okay. Doe. In honoring their ultimate relaxation, we’ve additionally reopened wounds from our painful previous. However in doing so, we acknowledge our reality and start to heal.
Liberia has recognized moments of greatness, of management, studying, and energy. But it surely has additionally wandered by lengthy valleys of battle, injustice, corruption, and neglect – vices which might be stubbornly nonetheless with us even right now.
Too lots of our residents nonetheless stay in silent despair, gripped by poverty, illness, and misplaced alternative. However even within the darkest hour, hope endures.
We now discover ourselves on the fringe of a brand new starting, a second to revive belief, put money into our individuals, and rebuild our nationwide dignity. If 178 years of independence may very well be preserved by warfare, instability, and neglect, absolutely we will now rise to meet the imaginative and prescient of our forebears.
Let this be the 12 months we cease taking our nationhood without any consideration. Let this be the 12 months we lastly reply the decision of historical past, not with nostalgia, however with motion. It’s time to unite, to reform, to construct, not for ourselves alone, however for the generations who will someday ask what we did when Liberia wanted us most.
The long run shouldn’t be a promise; it’s chance. And if we can’t discover the best way, we should create it.
Joyful Independence Day, Liberia! The long run belongs to us; let’s go for it!
Might God proceed to bless and information our beloved nation!
Love Liberia, suppose Liberia, and construct Liberia!
Alphonso Toweh
Has been within the career for over twenty years. He has labored for a lot of worldwide media retailers together with: West Africa Journal, Africa Week Journal, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Instances, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He’s the present correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in Worldwide Relations and a candidate for second grasp in Worldwide Peace research and Battle Decision from the College of Liberia.
