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At a press briefing held at the FJN’s offices in Sinkor, Monrovia, on 24th Street, Dr. Jallah, the Executive Director of the Faith and Justice Network (FJN), urged the nations in the Mano River Basin—Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Cote d’Ivoire—especially their governments, to allow justice, peace, and unity to prevail in 2025.
As Christians celebrate the birth of hope in Christ, they are reminded of the light that shone into the darkness, bringing a message of love, reconciliation, and redemption to the world.
According to Dr. Jallah, the region of West Africa is thought to be at a critical juncture, with significant challenges as well as promising opportunities for growth and development.
Dr. Tolbert Thomas Jallah emphasized that citizens throughout Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire are suffering from the effects of conflict, poverty, corruption, and inequality. We are encouraged by the resilience of the people of Liberia and the countries of the Mano River Basin that have shown courage and determination that continues to inspire us.
We see the possibility of bringing about revolutionary change via regional cooperation, ecumenical efforts, and grassroots activism. “The ongoing vulnerability of democratic processes in certain of our nations deeply worries us. Despite gains in peacebuilding and democratic governance, our nations still struggle with corruption, inequality, and weak institutions and these factors undermine the ability of governments to meet the needs of their people and erode the faith of citizens in the very systems that are supposed to protect them,” Director Jallah stressed.
Furthermore, we urged the people of the four nations to unite in their efforts to mend the scars in our society and to stand up to the forces that uphold these injustices. We urge governments, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, and all Mano River Basin residents to overcome the differences that have all too frequently held them apart as we look to 2025, Dr. Jallah stated.
Director Jallah noted that children and young of the Mano River Basin, our future hope, are stuck in cycles of poverty, disappointment, and a lack of possibilities. Our land, minerals, and waters—all of which God has provided us with—have all too frequently been exploited, marginalizing and excluding the people who ought to profit from them.

It is not fair for us to remain silent in the face of these issues; we must speak out and take action, confront the forces that perpetuate these wrongs, and work together to fix our cultures. Despite the difficulties, we know that we are at a turning point in our history and that our collective will can change its course.
We call on all people, states, and civil society and faith-based organizations to overcome the divisions that have too frequently held us apart as we look to 2025. We must renew our commitment.
Unfortunately, our nations continue to struggle with weak governance systems, fragile democracies, and corruption, which erodes public institutions’ credibility. We must speak up and take action because it is unfair for us to remain silent in the face of these issues. In order to correct our societies, we must confront the factors that perpetuate these injustices.
Despite the difficulties, we are aware that we are at a pivotal moment in our history and that we may alter its course by uniting as a people.
If we wish to improve the future, we must reaffirm our commitment to cooperating for the benefit of everybody. It is crucial to cultivate a peaceful attitude that transcends social, political, and ethnic divides.
We want our leaders to respect the ideals of democracy, openness, and responsibility. Political power should always be utilized to empower and assist all people, not just to harm or enrich a select few.
The leaders of the nations that make up the Mano River Basin are urged to put aside their political differences and historical grudges in order to work together as a single entity and form a regional alliance that puts the interests of the people before their own.
Our problems—poverty, instability, inequality, and climate change—are too big for any one country to handle alone. To establish a region characterized by justice and peace, we must unite as a single people, as neighbors, and as brothers and sisters.
Above all, we demand a renewed dedication to the principles of justice—justice for the oppressed, justice for the marginalized, and justice for those whose voices have been silenced. In the fight for social, economic, and political justice for all Mano River residents, we must not waver.
Above all, we demand a renewed dedication to the principles of justice—justice for the oppressed, justice for the disadvantaged, and justice for those whose voices have been heard. Our commitment to achieving social, economic, and political fairness for all Mano River Basin residents must not waver.
Our esteemed Primates, Archbishops, Bishops, Prelates, Priests, Evangelists, Deacons, Deaconesses, and others are called upon to help those in need and to make sure that the promise of peace, prosperity, and dignity is fulfilled for everyone in the Mano River Basin.
The Faith and Justice Network (FJN) is prepared to work alongside those committed to these causes as an agent of change, offering advocacy, support, and a platform for cooperation.
As we consider the lessons of 2024 and welcome the opportunities of 2025, we are reminded that the future of our region rests in our hands, and that the pursuit of justice is not the responsibility of a select few but rather the duty of all of us—governments, corporations, communities, and individuals.
In this time of hope, let us all consider the words of the Christmas message: “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” As we welcome the new year, let us reaffirm our commitment to justice, to peace, and to the well-being of all our citizens. Together, we can overcome the obstacles we face and create a future characterized by equity. Let us not be divided by politics, ethnicity, or wealth. Let us demand that our governments act in the best interest of the people, ensuring that every Liberian, Guinean, Sierra Leonean, and Ivorian has access to the resources, education, and opportunities they need to live full and meaningful lives.
Let’s all consider the Christmas message’s words, “Peace on earth, good will toward men,” during this hopeful season. Let’s reaffirm our dedication to justice, peace, and the welfare of all of our residents as we welcome the new year. By working together, we can overcome our obstacles and create a future characterized by opportunity, equity, and shared prosperity.