Minister of Local Government Francis S. Nyumalin
-Says Min. Nyumalin; Hails Diaspora Liberians for Their Contributions
By Jonathan O. Grigsby, Snr. Contributor Writer
The 179th National Independence Day Celebration was not only commemorated in Liberia, but was globally cross-cutting highlighting Liberians in the United States of America, Europe and part of Asia where the community of Liberians reside joined in the observance of the Day.
Because the Day fell on Sunday, July 26, it was officially celebrated on Monday, July 27.
In Europe, the United Liberian Association of Belgium (ULAB) and the European Federation of Liberia Associations (EFLA) hosted a July 26 event in Antwerp, Belgium from 25-27 July 2026 that brought together Liberians from across Europe,where Liberia’s Local Government Minister, Francis Sakila Nyumalin, served as Guest of Honor.
In his prepared speech, Minister Nyumalin underscored that love is the greatest weapon that can breed unity amongst Liberians as well as accelerating growth and development in the country.
That is why the Local Government Minister cautioned Liberians at home and in Diaspora to put aside hatred, divisions and love each other. He indicated that after all the ugly and bitter past over the years it is now for Liberians to celebrate this 179th Independence Day with renewed spirit of oneness of purpose.
“The Government has taken foundational steps toward national healing and reconciliation, amongst which is the respectful reburial of Former Presidents William R. Tolbert, Jr. and Samuel K. Doe, Sr. The reburial of our past leaders is geared towards bestowing dignity and correcting historical wrongs of the past and to unite us as one nation moving forward. In addition, the Government offered a national apology for the countless lives lost and the destruction caused by the 14-year brutal civil war”, Minister Nyumalin noted.
He told the gathering, it is now time for us to move forward in healing the divisions and promoting reconciliation, stressing that Liberia’s development will not be fully realized without genuine peace and reconciliation, unless we are all aspire to this noble cause of unity and peace.
Minister Nyumalin, however disclosed that the Liberian Government, under the leadership of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has made steady legislative and structural progress under theARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
The Liberia Local Government Minister, according to a dispatch explained that the Agenda focuses heavily on road infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and governance tracking, including independent policy assessments indicating that while numerous initiatives are underway as the fulfillment of its extensive campaign promises remains paramount to achieve.
He also spoke of how Liberia has made a significant gain on the global stage by being elected to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council with the country being seen as a nation building sustainable peace and a critical voice towards world peace.
Minister Nyumalin: “This shows that we have regained our status among the comity of nations across the world and that we are ready to lead other nations of the world. Our strategic positioning globally affirms that we are making steady progress toward just peace, stability, and responsible leadership”.
He believed that Liberians at home or abroad can rise to build a new Liberia and this will only happen when we all join hands together to build a Liberia that values human dignity deeply rooted in building a body of knowledge over ignorance, promote unity over division and progress over stagnation.
The Local Government Ministry Boss narrated that Liberia’s development depends on all of us, whether in Liberia or in Belgium or across Europe, and called on those in the Diaspora to use your strategic positioning and leverage technology to help transform the Liberian society and turn current and future challenges into gracious opportunities.
“Liberians in the Diaspora serve as foundational pillars and engines for national reconstruction, economic survival, and social progress in Liberia. Your contributions transcend mere financial aid, spanning direct economic investments, skills transfer, and political advocacy”, Minister Nyumalin stated.
