By: Mohamed Sahr
In response to a request from the Government of Sierra Leone, the Peace Museum was established before the closure of the Special Court for Sierra Leone in 2013. The museum serves as an archive for the Court and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). It functions as a national centre for reflecting on the atrocities committed during the civil war and is home to historical records that facilitate the healing process. The museum houses several sections, including an archive room, a mini hall, a hallway, a crime scenes room, a peacekeepers’ room, and a memorial garden.
Patrick Aiah Fatorma, the Outreach Focal Person for the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, explains that one of the primary purposes of the Peace Museum is to memorialise the victims of the war and create a space for remembrance.
The museum preserves records of the atrocities committed during the war, as well as documentation from the TRC and the Special Court for Sierra Leone. It also contains artefacts from the Civil Defense Forces (CDF), such as magical charms, regalia, cutlasses, talismans, and carvings representing the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), and the CDF. These items allow younger generations to visualise the clothing and regalia worn by the various factions during the conflict.
One notable section of the museum is the crime scenes room. This room displays testimonies from witnesses of the atrocities, alongside pictures documenting various crimes. These images, taken by the three factions involved in the conflict, also depict mass graves identified by the TRC in partnership with the Centre for Memory and Reparation.
The memorial garden within the museum is another significant site. It features symbolic gravestones representing the lives lost across the 14 (now 16) districts of Sierra Leone during the war. These gravestones serve as a solemn reminder of the victims of the conflict.
Fatorma mentions that thousands of Sierra Leoneans have visited the museum, and it has attracted significant attention both nationally and internationally. The museum operates a digital platform, allowing people from around the world to explore its content online. This platform features broadcasts and interactive features to engage visitors.
Reflecting on the creation of the museum, Fatorma notes that while it was established immediately after the war, there was considerable debate among Sierra Leoneans, NGOs, civil society organizations, and government agencies regarding its structure and purpose. Ultimately, the decision was made to name it the “Peace Museum” to emphasise the vision of lasting peace rather than focusing solely on the war itself.
Mohamed Belloski Kamara, a third-year law student of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, recalls that the Peace Museum is understood as a legacy project of the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the Residual Special Court. The museum was created to serve as a memorial, research, and historical site for both Sierra Leoneans and non-Sierra Leoneans.
Adding that the museum houses significant historical documents, such as the Special Court Public Archives and the TRC records. Its purpose is to strengthen the historical knowledge of Sierra Leoneans and help promote a peaceful and just society. As a place of memory preservation, the museum contributes to enhancing a culture of human rights and the rule of law in Sierra Leone. It uses representations of the war to promote an understanding of the importance of fostering peace and reconciliation.
Kamara further shared that visiting the Peace Museum was an educational experience that provided him with valuable insights into the 11 years of senseless civil war in Sierra Leone. He learned about the causes of the war, including bad governance, tribalism, nepotism, resource distribution, and corruption. He was also deeply moved by the use of children as child soldiers and human shields by both the rebels and other combatants, and the grave atrocities committed. The Peace Museum houses records of the trials conducted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone and the TRC report.
Kamara emphasised that the museum is vital for preserving historical memory, housing key documents and testimonies related to the civil war, and ensuring future generations understand the past. The museum contains archives from the Special Court, which prosecuted war crimes, and reinforces the importance of accountability.
“The museum serves as a valuable resource for schools and researchers studying conflict, justice, and peacebuilding,” Kamara stated.
Wuya Sao Kallon, the Manager of the Centre for Memory and Reparation (CMR), stated that the CMR has been actively involved in the development and operations of the museum. Joseph Ben Kaifala, the founder of the CMR, played a significant role in establishing the Peace Museum. The museum serves as a legacy project of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, dedicated to preserving the history of the conflict and the peace process. Its objectives include breaking the culture of silence surrounding this period and ensuring that the lessons learned from the war help prevent future conflicts. The Centre for Memory and Reparation views the Sierra Leone Peace Museum as a crucial institution for honouring the victims, preserving historical records, and promoting a culture of peace and reconciliation in Sierra Leone.
However, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), one of Sierra Leone’s transitional justice mechanisms, plays a critical role in the country’s healing and progress. Appendix 4, Part 1 of the TRC outlines the importance of memorials and transitional justice, emphasising the need to remember the past. The struggle over control of national memory is central to post-conflict and post-authoritarian accountability policies. Many survivors, human rights advocates, and members of the democracy movement have expressed concerns over attempts by new regimes to create a state-generated narrative about the past. In this context, memorials like the Peace Museum serve as crucial lenses through which to understand the past, present, and future.
The Sierra Leone Peace Museum is an essential institution in preserving the nation’s history and supporting its people’s healing from the scars of the civil war. By remembering the past through the museum’s exhibits and the efforts of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Sierra Leone continues its journey toward lasting peace and reconciliation.
This report was made possible with support from the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) through the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG), as part of the project “Engaging Media and Communities to Shift the Narrative on Transitional Justice Issues in Sierra Leone.”