From All Africa

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has officially launched the National Palava Hut Program meant to promote and consolidate lasting peace and harmony throughout Liberia.

In the presence of her Ivoirian counterpart, President Alassane Ouattara, traditional leaders, elders, diplomats accredited near this capital, women and youth groups, and other guests from both Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, the Liberian leader said, “The launch of this program is meant to promote lasting togetherness thus ensuring that the peace and harmony that has prevailed in our country for the past ten years is maintained,” adding that this will further consolidate the country’s peace and democracy.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf spoke in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, on Saturday, October 19, when she officially launched the program on the grounds of the Administrative Building, the process to be spearheaded by the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR).

Article 10, Section 46 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Act mandates the INCHR to ensure implementation of the TRC’s recommendations. In 2009, the erstwhile Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended the establishment of the National Palava Hut Program as a means for redressing outstanding traditional grievances and for fostering national healing, social cohesion and reconciliation through dialogue at the community and grassroots levels.

This program will afford anyone who has committed, whether knowingly or unknowingly, any wrongful act against an individual or the state during the Liberian civil war, to admit the wrongful act and seek pardon from the people of Liberia through the Palava Hut.

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