The streets of Monrovia came alive early Saturday morning as hundreds of young Liberians gathered for the AYF Walk/Run4Peace 2025, a vibrant celebration of peace, unity, and youth empowerment. Organized by the African Youth Fellowship (AYF), the annual event drew participants from youth groups, civil society organizations, government institutions, and United Nations agencies under the theme: “One Liberia, Moving Forward Together.”
From ELWA Junction to Fish Market, the atmosphere was electric. Participants of all ages and backgrounds filled the streets with chants of peace, waving colorful banners and sharing high-fives with strangers. Volunteers distributed water and commemorative T-shirts, fueling the energy of a crowd united by a common purpose: to honor Liberia’s 22 years of uninterrupted peace and its recent election to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council—both milestones reflecting the nation’s resilience and rising global stature.
Addressing the crowd, AYF Liberia’s Communications Officer, Augustine C. Boakai Jr., emphasized the symbolic power of the event.
“Every step we take today is a step toward a Liberia where justice is real, unity is strong, and opportunity is for all,” Boakai declared.
He lauded the launch of the National Action Plan on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS), calling it a transformative framework that places young people at the center of Liberia’s peacebuilding and development agenda.
Boakai urged both national leaders and international partners to invest in youth—not only as peacebuilders but as innovators and future leaders. He advocated for the creation of innovation hubs, creative spaces, and incubation centers to harness the potential of Liberia’s young minds.
“Say no to drugs, abuse, and political manipulation. Use your voices, your creativity, and your energy to promote peace, education, and opportunity. When young people lead, Liberia rises.”
He paid tribute to the women of Liberia for their historic role in securing peace and acknowledged ongoing challenges, including drug abuse, gender-based violence, poverty, and the political exploitation of youth.
Representing the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Human Rights Officer Roosevelt G. Jayjay echoed the event’s deeper significance.
“This gathering is more than a sporting event; it is a powerful reminder that peace, unity, and respect for human dignity are the foundations of a just society,” Jayjay said.
He stressed the importance of sustainable peace through the promotion of accountability, the fight against discrimination, and the protection of rights for all citizens—women, men, and children alike.
“Let us continue to walk and run together, not only today but every day, toward a future rooted in peace, inclusion, and human dignity,” he added.
Among the participants was Madam Olive G. Taylor of the Survival Fitness Club, who praised AYF for merging physical fitness with civic engagement.
“Staying fit, united, and peaceful is the way to build a stronger nation,” she said, pledging her organization’s continued support for the Peace Run.
Throughout the morning, the streets of Monrovia echoed with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared sense of purpose. Young people ran side by side, celebrating not just their physical endurance but their collective commitment to safeguarding Liberia’s hard-won peace.
As the Run4Peace concluded, one message stood clear: justice over violence, unity over division, peace over conflict. Liberia’s youth demonstrated that they are not merely participants in the nation’s journey—they are its torchbearers, shaping a future grounded in hope, inclusion, and dignity.
