January 18, 2021
By Mohamed M. Sesay
The Chairman and Leader of the National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP) Jonathan Sandy, has on the 18th of January joined War Victims in commemoration of the 2021 National Reconciliation Day.
In a Press Statement, Jonathan Sandy urged Sierra Leoneans to take some time to reflect on the past and learn about the “SHARED” histories, cultures, and to also take stock of progress made towards unity and national reconciliation in the country over the past years.
He further requested Sierra Leoneans either as individuals, groups, or organizations, to continue contributing to the achievement of long-term reconciliation and healing process to advance the democratic culture for the economic prosperity of all citizens.
He added that the reconciliation process must be considered critical, especially where there are still hard questions to answer, such as whether the Victims of the 11 years’ civil conflict are currently in a better situation or not.
Sandy further noted that Sierra Leoneans should remind themselves of the 19 years that have passed since Late President Ahmad Tejan Kabba and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) officially declared the 11 years civil war over (January 18, 2002). He maintained that the war left more than 50,000 people dead and thousands more suffering from amputations, mutilations, sexual violence/rape, and displacement.
He acknowledged that Sierra Leoneans cannot forge ahead as a nation if they keep harboring bitterness and fail to reconcile with their neighbors.
He urged all and sundry to work towards addressing the main reasons for the war. He highlighted some of the causes of the civil war which he said includes: poverty, income inequality, bad governance, increased economic crime and corruption, lack of employment and jobs, nepotism, marginalization, exclusion, politicization of ethnicity, tribes, and regions, as well as over-centralization of power and constrained delivery of basic public services to the poor, especially in rural areas.
He asserted that the NURP Party remains proud that they are in close consultation and cooperation with the Senior Leadership of the National Amputees and War Wounded Association, the National Association of Sexually Abused Women, War Victims, and several media houses, regarding the need to get government endorse January, 18th annually as a a day for national reconciliation.
He disclosed that during the COVID-19 State of Emergency Lockdowns and Curfew restrictions, they were able to provide modest food items in support to amputees, war wounded and sexually abused women residing in Jui, Waterloo, and Aberdeen
“Again, let me conclude that it is ultimately up to all Sierra Leoneans to engage in imaginative acts that will advance our national reconciliation and healing process in a bid to secure our common future, especially in consolidating our nascent democracy for the economic prosperity of all Citizens,’’ he concluded.
