In Liberia’s central province of Bong, Gbarnga County, rival politicians hugged and danced with each other at a musical concert aimed at healing the wounds of a nation divided by the recent presidential and legislative polls.
 

The concert brought together a cross-section of Liberians including both winners and losers of the legislative polls held last October 11. Each of the politicians expressed their commitment to reconciliation.

“I have no permanent enemies,” declared opposition party Representative-elect George Mulbah . “We have to put aside the offensive comments we made during the campaign, and work in harmony for the development of our county,” he said adding, “The greatest thing we have in common is this county.”

Impressed with the mood of unity and goodwill at the event senatorial candidate, Augustus Flomo confessed that: “This is one of the things I was wishing to see in Bong County. My message to the people of Bong County is that we should embrace peace to develop our county.”

Ruling party, Representative-elect Prince Moye, embraced the idea of forging unity among politicians in the county. “We are happy to come together as aspirants to reconcile our differences,” he said. James Sundar, of the main opposition party, called for similar concerts to be held throughout Liberia. “I hope that what we all said here today will be implemented,” he said.

The children of Bong County presented a strong message of peace to their political leaders. Ten year-old Josephus Kaiwood read the collectively written message in which the children called for an all-embracing reconciliation.

They said the security, continued education and good health of all Liberia’s children depends on achieving genuine peace, unity and reconciliation.

“We want to encourage you to join hands and reconcile. Dialogue about your differences and find a common ground. Work together to build our county, and our mother land. Remember, our future and the future of Bong and our country depend on the foundation you lay today,” the children’s message stated.

The 5-hour musical jamboree was laced with hope-nourishing speeches and appeared to have won the hearts of many Bong citizens. Dorothy Toomann, CEO of DEN-L, one of the organizers of the concert says more such events will be organized to accelerate the peace-building process in the county.