As Liberia marked its 61st National Unification Day celebration, renowned educator, Sister Mary Laurene Browne, stressed the importance of national unity, reminding citizens of their shared heritage and calling for deeper togetherness’
The ceremony, organized by the Kofi Annan School of Peace and Conflict Resolution, was celebrated on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in the Auditorium of the University of Liberia under the theme, “New Frontiers for a Safe and United Liberia”. The gathering brought together government officials, lawmakers, students, civil society leaders, and members of the public in a colorful event. Madam Browne emphasized the importance of recognizing Liberia’s diverse roots while forging a common national identity.
“We are all settlers in this land. Whether our ancestors arrived on ships from America or walked across the borders from neighboring countries, nobody is more Liberian than the other,” she said. Her statement received resounding applause from the audience, many of whom nodded in agreement as she challenged Liberians to rise above historical divisions.
She recounted Liberia’s formation in 1847 and the challenges that have tested national cohesion since then, including civil war, political tensions, and ethnic divides. She commended the efforts of past leaders like President William V.S. Tubman, who first established Unification Day in 1960 to foster unity among the various ethnic and social groups.
According to her, “Unification Day is not just a public holiday; it is a reminder that our strength lies in our unity. We must teach our children that unity is not uniformity, it is understanding, respect, and equal opportunity for every Liberian.”
For his part, Liberia’s Culture Ambassador, Kekura M. Kamara said that National Unification Day is not only a solemn reminder of who Liberians are, what they’ve endured, and more importantly, what they can become together.
Ambassador Kamara said the day was established not as ceremony of convenience, but as a national commitment to healing the fractures of the past and forging bonds across ethnic, regional, and ideological lines; more than ever, the commitment demands renewal, not in word, but in action, not in silence, but in shared voice.
He said nation-building is not possible without national unity; no constitution, no election, no infrastructure can substitute for the deep, abiding sense of togetherness that a country must nurture in its people. “But unity must never be mistaken for uniformity. We are not called to sameness; we are called to solidarity, rooted in mutual respect, diversity, and dignity,” The Culture Ambassador stated.
