By: Martina Fanciah
The Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), officially inaugurated the Bloh Town Memorial in Electoral District Two, Rivercess County.
The new national monument serves as a tribute to the victims of Liberia’s brutal civil war and a space for healing and reconciliation.
The memorial commemorates nearly 400 civilians including children, women, and men who were killed in a massacre on January 15, 1994.
The attack, allegedly perpetrated by Liberia Peace Council (LPC) fighters, was one of the deadliest single-day events of the 14-year conflict, leaving lasting trauma in the community.
Speaking at the ceremony, Boye Johnson, UNDP’s Program Analyst for Inclusive Governance, stressed the importance of honoring survivors and fostering national unity through remembrance.
He added that the memorial is a meaningful step toward reconciliation and sustained peace stressing that it is a valuable non-judicial initiative to encourage collective reflection and justice.
The UNDP Representative stated that the creation of the memorial aligns with Liberia’s broader transitional justice efforts, including ongoing discussions around establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court.
Meanwhile, Rivercess Development Officer Estalle Ajavon Logan, representing the local government, called the day painful, yet essential for national healing.
She used the medium to thank the UN for its support and urged citizens to stay alert to any threats to Liberia’s stability.
For their parts, Survivors shared deeply emotional accounts.
Elizabeth Biamo, who was eight months pregnant during the massacre, described surviving a brutal beating, giving birth alone in the forest, and being rescued by a friend.
Godgift Bloh recounted witnessing her family’s murder, including her infant sister, and narrowly escaping death when an LPC commander intervened.
Construction of the memorial began three years ago as part of a national project to honor victims and create spaces for mourning and education.
The Bloh Town community now manages the site, preserving it as a place for reflection and public awareness.
The dedication ceremony was attended by representatives from UNDP, INCHR, government bodies, community leaders, and families of victims.
It is one of several efforts supported by local and international partners to promote peacebuilding, justice, and national healing throughout Liberia.
The Bloh Town massacre is one of several atrocities committed in Rivercess County between 1990 and 2003.
INCHR and its partners emphasize that memorials like this are essential to ensuring such violence never happen again and helping survivors move forward.
As Liberia continues to address its civil war legacy, the Bloh Town Memorial stands as both a solemn reminder and a hopeful symbol of unity and peace for future generations.
