Liberians are Monday,May 14, 2018 celebrating the 58the anniversary of National Unification Day, with President George Manneh Weah committing the CDC-led government to upholding justice, fair play and equal opportunities for all citizens.
In 1960, May 14 was enacted into law by the Legislature as National Unification Day as a means of supporting the national unification and integration policy of the then Liberian President William V.S. Tubman, a tradition that has continued up till today.
The current President George Manneh Weah has by Proclamation declared Monday, May 14, 2018 as National Unification Day to be observed throughout the Republic as a National Holiday.
According to Liberian historical accounts, after becoming President in 1944, President Tubman in his inaugural address introduced his policy of national unification.
This was aimed at reducing the social and political differences between the native tribes and Americo-Liberian elite. For instance, he enfranchised the indigenous Liberians.
In his 2018 National Unification Day Proclamation, President Weah recounts that since the Unification and Integration Policy became an integrated part of the National Development Plan, the Nation has seen marked progress and improvement in all spheres of national endeavor, particularly in the economic, educational, communication and social fields.
According to a Foreign Ministry press release, it recalls that the wisdom of the Unification Policy has found expression in the national fabric through the representation of all sections of the country in the Legislature and every other branch of government, thereby promoting conditions of peace and unity in the country.
However, the President stated: “Being mindful of the years of civil strife in the country and its harmful impacts on the people of Liberia, it becomes imperative that all Liberians would embrace the noble ideals enshrined in the Unification Act to promote unity and peace among all Liberians.”
President Weah stressed further that the Government of Liberia adheres to the principles of justice, equality, fair play and equal opportunities for all, regardless of tribe or clan, section, creed, religion or economic status so that Liberians might be united in a consolidated whole.
Some historians have said the enactment of the annual National Unification Day celebration has to some extent contributed to keeping the Liberian nation together over the years.
However, despite the existence of the Unification Day, Liberia experienced 14 years of civil war from December 24, 1989.