Saturday, April 25, 2026
Harper Alumni Center, California State University – Sacramento, USA: – His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has called on global actors to continue adherence to Global Peace and Security by joining forces to call for global Peace and Stability.
The Liberian Leader made the plea on Saturday, April 25, 2026 during the 30th anniversary of the Center for Africa Peace and Conflict Resolution where he served as Keynote Speaker and the recipient of the 34th Annual Peace Award held under the theme: “Honoring Our Peace Heroes”.
The Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution (CAPCR) was established in 1996 at California State University Sacramento as a multidisciplinary institution dedicated to advancing peace-building, conflict management, and reconciliation, particularly in Africa and the African diaspora. Emerging in the post–Cold War era when civil conflicts across Africa drew global attention, the Center was created to bridge academic research with practical solutions.
The Center has since engaged governments, civil society, and international partners through training, mediation initiatives, policy research, and dialogue platforms aimed at preventing conflict and promoting sustainable peace.
As part of its outreach, CAPCR hosts annual conferences and presents peace and leadership awards—often tied to initiatives like the Africa Peace Awards—to honor individuals and institutions contributing to conflict resolution and good governance.
Receiving the 2026 Award, President Boakai shared Liberia’s historical journey from conflict to sustained peace and called on all nations to echo the call for global Peace, asserting that all of Liberia’s post conflict democratic transition has become possible because the nation believes that sustainable peace must rest on fairness, inclusion, and respect for the rule of law.
Speaking on the Theme: “BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PEACE LEADERS IN AFRICA & HER DIASPORA,” Keynote Speaker Boakai averred that peace must continuously be respected and the call for it must be joined by nations irrespective of the institutions, personality and tune of those calling for it.
“Across the borders we continue to see instability, conflict, and emerging threats, violent extremism, private aggression and inequality that challenge global Peace,” he noted, pointing out that, “These realities remind us that peace must be continuously respected as no nation is too small to contribute or too quiet to be marginalized.”
The President stated that the Liberian nation’s journey to recovery demonstrates transformation and as such Liberia is going to use her tenure (2026-2027) at the United Nations Security Council to promote dialogue, strengthen diplomacy and advocate corporations.
As guest of honor, the Liberian Chief Executive called on governments across Africa to go beyond simply ending conflict through aggressive prevention, intimating that Africa is a world where wealthy people are scared with about seventy percent (70%) of South Sahara Africa are young people, Africa face a demographic reality that presents both opportunity and serious risk.
The President said global conflict, economic downturn, private pressure, and unemployment have increasingly subjected the youths of Africa to negative vibes, keeping them marginalized while at the same time leaving them only with limited access to employment and opportunity; a condition he described as breeders of instability across Africa.
He furthered that the youthful population must therefore be protected and used as an engine for peace innovation and development. He warned that if neglected, this population could be used as a source of tension, fragility and conflict.
The Liberian Leader called on governments and national leaders across the continent to ensure that the aspiration, energy and potential values of the young people of Africa are fully integrated into development and governance processes.
President Boakai recommended that Governments in Africa undertake deliberate and bold measures that support universities and regional bodies to invest in leadership initiative like fellowship and mentorship programs so as to encourage and mentor young people.
The top Honoree opined that Africa should rethink its education philosophy by integrating new ideas that connect youths to services and patriotism and formulate programs that alter marginalization of youths.
He urged nations to, “Formulate programs that alter the historical marginalization of youths. Incorporate programs of peace, education, and network. From primary school to University young people are taught conflict resolution, peace building, civic responsibility and critical thinking that ensure young people learn technology,” President Boakai urged, while stating that digital platforms must be used to modernize, advocate, educate, promote dialogue, counter misinformation and build cross border solidarity.
The President also recommended that traditional youth organizations be restructured to integrate programs of peace mentorship, establish peace movement, schooled peace mentorship initiatives that enhance inter generational partnerships.
Award winner Boakai concluded by calling on African diaspora to become integeral part of reconciliation and development across Africa, stating that peace leaders are not only Presidents and Diplomats but everyone.
The President lauded organizers of the 30th anniversary of the Center for Africa Peace and Conflict Resolution and the 34th Annual Peace Award Committee, promising to use the award as an insulin to renew and boost his commitment to working for a prosperous Liberia, a peaceful Africa and a just and equitable world.
