Sierra Leone on Saturday marked the International Day of Peace with a National Peace Walk that brought together citizens and institutions across all 16 districts in a nationwide call for peace, dialogue and national cohesion.
The walk was organised by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), in collaboration with its partners, and brought together government officials, members of the diplomatic community, political parties, security institutions, civil society organizations, the media, women, young people and other citizens.
In Freetown, participants dressed in white T-shirts walked through the streets to the accompaniment of music, peace messages and performances. The walk ended at Kallon Car Park at Lumley Beach, where representatives from various sectors delivered goodwill messages on the importance of preserving Sierra Leone’s peace.
Among those who addressed the gathering were the Nigerian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, the Irish Ambassador, the Minister of Education, and representatives of the Sierra Leone Police, Office of National Security and National Fire Force. Political representatives, including the Deputy Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and representatives of the National Grand Coalition (NGC), also participated.
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Women’s Forum, civil society organizations and other partners joined the event, highlighting the shared responsibility of different sectors in promoting and sustaining peace.
Speakers emphasised that Sierra Leone’s peace should not be taken for granted and that citizens and institutions must work together to prevent conflict and strengthen national cohesion.
The National Peace Walk was also observed in Bo, Bonthe, Bombali, Falaba, Kailahun, Kambia, Kenema, Koinadugu, Kono, Karene, Moyamba, Port Loko, Pujehun, Tonkolili, Western Area Rural and Western Area Urban, making it a nationwide activity.
The ICPNC used the occasion to highlight its preventive approach to conflict, which includes early warning and early response, dialogue and mediation, community engagement, Peace Monitors and mediators, as well as Regional Coordinators who engage communities and stakeholders across the country.
The Commission has also emphasized that conflict can arise from issues beyond politics, including land disputes, community disagreements, misinformation, natural-resource disputes, chieftaincy matters and other unresolved grievances.
The National Peace Walk formed part of activities marking the International Day of Peace, observed on September 21 each year. The occasion provided an opportunity for Sierra Leoneans to reflect on their individual and collective responsibility to preserve peace.
The participation of government, diplomatic missions, political actors, security institutions, the media, women, civil society and ordinary citizens demonstrated a broad-based commitment to peace and national cohesion.
The walk may have ended, but the responsibility to protect and sustain Sierra Leone’s peace remains a shared responsibility