President Carter’s passing reminds us of his persistent work for peace long before winning the Nobel Prize in 2002. At the Dr. Ghoulem Berrah Foundation, we pay tribute to the ardent champion of peace.
Our founder, Ambassador Ghoulem Berrah, strived not only for peace and respect among people of different faiths but also for global peace among nations.
Along with President Houphouet-Boigny of Cote d’Ivoire, he worked closely with Presidents Carter and Sadat for peace in the Middle East. They also worked with him for peace in the Horn of Africa. Ambassador Berrah’s memorable meeting occurred in Riyadh on January 3, 1978, to inform President Carter that the Somalian President Siad Barre agreed to take from the Soviets the Port of Berbera and give the United States unlimited access. This was a significant step towards peace in the region, as the Port was once considered a key part of US military strategy.
President Carter’s determination to achieve peace was always noteworthy in their interactions with him. President Houphouet-Boigny used to call him: “A sincere lover of peace.”
We recall those times with a profound sense of connection and emotion, a testament to the enduring impact of their efforts.
We share in the profound grief of the Carter family and offer our heartfelt condolences.
Many years later, we stand at a crossroads, a beacon of hope for achieving peace in the Holy Land, the cradle of our Abrahamic faiths.
Let us all, united in our shared goal, pray for peace to flourish and inspire future generations.