The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC-SL) has called on Sierra Leoneans to promote reconciliation and peace as the country commemorated the International Day of Peace with a nationwide peace walk on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
The peace walk, held under the theme: “Our Walk, One Voice for Sierra Leone,” brought together Government officials, security personnel, diplomats, peace advocates and members of the public in Freetown, while similar activities took place across all 16 districts.
In Freetown, participants from the eastern part of the city assembled at Up-Gun Roundabout, while those from the western part gathered at the Cotton Tree in central Freetown. The two groups walked through various streets before converging at Kallon Park, Lumley Beach, where the procession ended.
Speaking during at the Kallon Park, Executive Secretary of the ICPNC-SL, Hawa Samai, thanked participants for turning out despite the unfavourable weather, saying their participation demonstrated a collective willingness to preserve and protect the country’s peace.
Hawa Samai said the peace walk was not only a Freetown event but a nationwide activity, with all 16 districts participating in the commemoration. She encouraged participants to promote a culture of reconciliation in their communities as a means of preventing conflict.
Police Superintendent Samuel Saio Kamara described peace as one of the most important things society has, reaffirming the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to maintaining peace.
“The Sierra Leone Police is committed to peace and people should be peaceful wherever they are,” he said.
Representing the Office of National Security, Assistant Research Officer Columba Bono-Dick said Sierra Leone’s history had shown that peace is not merely the absence of war, but also the presence of justice, inclusion and opportunity.
He said the security sector remains committed to protecting the country’s hard-won peace through efforts aimed at ensuring human security, preventing threats to national stability and supporting national cohesion.
Columba Bono-Dick added that the security sector would continue strengthening early warning and early response systems at regional, district and chieftaincy levels.
Irish Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Patrick McManus, described Sierra Leone as a beacon of peace, given its history and progress since the civil war.
He said Sierra Leone’s current circumstances provide an opportunity for the country to demonstrate to the world that peace and dialogue are possible.
“Talking is better than not talking and dialogue is better than no dialogue,” Patrick McManus said.
Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Ayo Luther-Ogbomode expressed Nigeria’s solidarity with Sierra Leone, describing Nigeria as a brother to the country.
She said Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians remain committed to the peace and stability of Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Ayo Luther-Ogbomode congratulated the ICPNC and participants on what he described as five years of peace and stability, while encouraging young people to embrace peace as a means of supporting continued development and progress.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Conrad Sackey said peace is fundamental to national development.
“This peace march is important because without peace development will be absent. Peace is the first step towards development,” he said.
He also stressed that disagreements do not have to result in conflict, saying, “We can have disagreement but we can still be peaceful.”
Peace Ambassador, Abubakarr S. Turay, popularly known as Shaddy Baby, also called for continued efforts to build and nurture peace in the country. “If we want our country to prosper and thrive we must build and nurture peace. Peace is not an option,” he said.
Abubakarr S. Turay also announced plans to host a political tolerance peace show at Bintumani Conference Centre on October 23, bringing together representatives of political parties to demonstrate their commitment to peace.
The peace walk formed part of activities marking the International Day of Peace, with participants using the occasion to promote unity, reconciliation and national cohesion across Sierra Leone.
