KIGALI, RWANDA — Liberians residing across Rwanda gathered in Kigali on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for the All Liberian Festival, a day dedicated to cultural celebration, professional networking, and national reflection centered around the theme, “United by Heritage, Driven by Purpose.”
A key highlight of the festival was a panel discussion featuring prominent community voices, including Jura Gonyasuo Mangou, Vice Chair for Administration (VCA) of the Federation of Liberian Communities in East Africa (FOLICEA) and former Secretary General of the Liberian Community in Rwanda (LIBCOR). Addressing the audience on the responsibility of Liberians living abroad, VCA Mangou challenged attendees to view themselves as their nation's primary ambassadors—as a "country's deployment."
Drawing a parallel from his background in information technology, VCA Mangou noted: "One failed deployment can close the door to another client. In the same way, the conduct and performance of one Liberian can influence how the world perceives those who come after us. One good representation can open doors for many Liberians."
The panel also engaged in a critical examination of Liberia's national narrative and founding history. Discussions touched on historical misrepresentations embedded in the country's national identity, with VCA Mangou offering a nuanced perspective on the national motto.
"Love of Liberty United Us Here could have been a more inclusive expression of our national identity," VCA Mangou suggested, arguing that history can be revisited and refined to reflect a more unified heritage. "History can be revisited, corrected, and better represented, and Liberia, like other nations that have reassessed their past, can do the same."
The festival concluded with calls to strengthen the network among Liberians in Rwanda and to leverage the skills and perspectives of the diaspora to support ongoing development in Liberia.