MONROVIA, Liberia — Queen Ambassador Juli Endee, a longstanding advocate for peace and national reconciliation, was among those invited to witness President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s unveiling of Liberia’s first Civil War Memorial prototype at the Executive Mansion on Friday, November 6, 2026.
The unveiling of the prototype of Liberia’s Civil War Memorial Wall, held under the theme “Honoring the Past, Celebrating Peace, and Inspiring the Next Generation,” represents a national initiative aimed at remembering the thousands of Liberians who lost their lives during the civil conflicts, while recognizing the suffering endured by families and communities affected by the war. The project is expected to commence in mid-2027 on Bali Island in Monrovia.
For more than three decades, Queen Ambassador Endee has dedicated her efforts to peacebuilding, humanitarian service and community reconciliation. Through Liberia Crusaders for Peace, established in 1994 during the civil war, she used music, cultural engagement and grassroots mobilization to promote unity and peaceful coexistence.
Her organisation later contributed to Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission process, training community mobilizers across the country’s 15 counties to support reconciliation efforts. Her humanitarian work has also included public health campaigns, support for vulnerable communities and initiatives aimed at strengthening national unity.
Through the annual Kukatornon Peace Festival, Queen Ambassador Endee has continued to commemorate Liberia’s 2003 comprehensive peace agreement while encouraging younger generations to protect the peace achieved after years of conflict.
Reflecting on her personal experiences during the civil war, Queen Ambassador Endee expressed profound gratitude to the Government and people of the United States of America, whom she credited with saving her life on three separate occasions during the conflict.
“America will forever remain dear to my heart,” she said, while also thanking the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its support and acknowledging the United Nations for years of collaboration in advancing peace and humanitarian efforts.
She further expressed appreciation to Hon. Hadja Mamaka Bility for the opportunity to be part of the historic occasion, saying, “Thank you so much for the opportunity to be a part of this. God bless you.”
Boakai: Memorial Acknowledges Painful History
Addressing the gathering in the Parlors of the Executive Mansion, President Boakai stressed that the memorial is not merely the unveiling of a physical structure but an opportunity for the country to openly acknowledge its painful history with dignity and compassion.
The President added that the memorial would stand in honor of every Liberian life lost during the civil wars, including mothers, fathers, children, relatives, friends, and countless others whose names may never be known. He assured families of the victims that their loved ones would not be forgotten, emphasizing that the country owes them truth, remembrance, and a future free from the suffering they endured.
President Boakai also commended survivors for their resilience, describing their determination to rebuild their lives, homes, and communities as an important foundation for the peace Liberia enjoys today. He noted that their experiences demonstrate the power of forgiveness and the importance of choosing reconciliation over division and vengeance.
The President cautioned, however, that a memorial alone cannot heal a nation, emphasizing that lasting reconciliation depends on the actions of citizens and their commitment to dialogue, justice, unity, and peaceful coexistence. He urged Liberians at home and abroad to become active builders of peace in their families, communities, counties, and across the country.
President Boakai further disclosed that the memorial initiative is closely connected to the work of the Liberia Peace, Reconciliation, and Memorial Museum, the Steering Committee of which is expected to convene from November 16 to 18, 2026. The initiative is intended to preserve the country’s history, educate future generations about the civil conflicts, and promote a lasting culture of peace and harmony.
Delivering remarks on Liberia’s Road to the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Minister of Foreign Affairs Madam Sara Beysolow Nyanti noted that the construction of the country’s first Civil War Memorial Wall signals Liberia’s commitment to advancing global peace and security.
She noted that the initiative also reinforces the youth and security agenda by seeking to prevent young people from being drawn into extremism, armed factions, or other activities that could threaten national stability. She emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for young Liberians to prosper at home as a means of fostering sustainable peace and development.
For his part, Chairman of the ECOMOG Memorial Committee, Major General (Retired) Daniel Dee Ziankahn, Jr., underscored the importance of documenting significant historical events that have shaped Liberia’s national experience.
He asserted that the initiative would provide an opportunity to collect and preserve historical accounts reflecting the country’s journey through conflict, peace, reconciliation, and healing, including other major events that have shaped its history.
The Liberian Leader acknowledged the contributions of international partners, diplomatic representatives, and members of the Memorial Committee for their continued support of Liberia’s recovery and reconciliation efforts. He expressed appreciation to international partners for standing with the country during its years of conflict and continuing to support its journey toward peace.
The President concluded by calling on all Liberians to embrace the memorial as a national promise to future generations that the country will never again return to war. He stressed that remembrance must be accompanied by justice, unity, and a collective commitment to lasting peace.
For Queen Ambassador Juli Endee, whose decades of service have centered on healing communities and promoting peace, the initiative reflects a cause she has championed throughout much of her life: ensuring that Liberia remembers its painful past while building a future free from conflict.
