President Joseph N. Boakai has warned African leaders that failure to invest in young people could fuel instability across the continent, calling for urgent action to build a new generation of peace leaders. Speaking Saturday, April 25, 2026, while receiving a prestigious peace honor at the 34th Africa Peace Awards hosted by the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution at California State University, Sacramento, President Boakai said Africa stands at a critical crossroads, where its growing youth population could either drive development or deepen conflict.
Drawing from Liberia’s painful past, including a brutal civil war that left more than 250,000 people dead, Boakai stressed that peace must be actively sustained through justice, inclusion, and opportunity, not merely the absence of violence.
“This reality of doom must change,” the Liberian leader said, warning that marginalization, unemployment, and inequality continue to expose young Africans to exploitation, crime, and dangerous migration routes. The Liberian Chief Executive emphasized that governments must take “bold and deliberate” steps to integrate youth into governance and development, urging investment in education reform, leadership mentorship, and peacebuilding programs across schools and universities.
The Liberian President also highlighted Liberia’s own post-war recovery, referencing the 2003 Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement as a turning point that ushered in reconciliation and democratic stability.
He noted ongoing efforts to establish a war and economic crimes court as part of national accountability measures. On the global stage, the President pointed to Liberia’s current role on the United Nations Security Council, pledging that the country will advocate for diplomacy, cooperation, and conflict prevention.
President Boakai further called on the African diaspora to play a more active role in peacebuilding and development, describing it as a critical partner in shaping the continent’s future. “Peace leadership is not reserved for presidents. It belongs to every citizen who refuses to allow hatred to define their future,” he added. The Liberian leader, however, challenged young people to take ownership of peace efforts, urging them to reject division and embrace justice, purpose, and unity.
