By Abubakarr Harding
As part of their strides towards strengthening the ideals of peace in the country, the Civil Peace Service Network comprising Bread for the World Sierra Leone and AGIAMONDO has on Wednesday 21st September, 2022 joined other countries to commemorate International Day of Peace on the theme, “Stop Election Violence, Build Peace.” The event was held at the New Freetown City Hall Auditorium in Freetown.
In her welcome address, the Program Coordinator of the network, Adenike Cole said that every year the two organizations have been coming together to commemorate International Day of Peace, adding that as two civil peace networks they have been doing content analysis in order to identify some of the issues that are threatening peace and stability in the country.
She revealed that as the country is currently preparing to hold its elections in 2023 and owing to fact that during electioneering process there are several instances of violence and so they decided to choose, “Stop Election Violence, Build Peace” as the theme for this year’s International Day of Peace commemoration.
She further called on all Sierra Leoneans that as we celebrate International Day of Peace to commit themselves towards building sustainable peace in the country which she described as the smooth way towards the development of the country.
“Let us take this message far and wide as Peace is very important; when we are at peace the country will be at peace and such will enhance development,” she concluded.
Following the welcome address, was a panel discussion on the theme of the event “Stop Election Violence, Build Peace.” The panelists included the Chairperson of National Election Watch (NEW), Marcella Samba-Sesay, the Public Relation Officer for the National Commission for Democracy-Sierra Leone, Rev. Gibrilla Kargbo, the Chairman of Black Street Association Brookfields, Osman Bangura, a Market Women Leader, Marie Bob Kandeh, etc. and Samuel Wise Bangura of the Africa Young Voices Media Empire moderated the session.
In her submission, the Chairperson of National Election Watch (NEW), Marcella Samba-Sesay, mentioned that Sierra Leone as a nation has completely become divided in the political line where in the Northerners refer to themselves as Red and the Southerners as Green, stating that all these are happening because the politicians are not taking responsibility for those actions but rather they have defending such actions.
She also stated that politicians are failing to respond to the wrongs of their fellow politicians because they are in the same political party and taking any firm action might affect them in the future.
According to Marcella peace is an action word and a peaceful country is a State where the voices of the people are heard and the people have right to their opinions.
She pointed out that the International Day of Peace is celebrated globally to encourage all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace of which she called on all, including politicians, to commit themselves towards building sustainable peace in the country.
On his part, the Public Relations Officer for the National Commission for Democracy-Sierra Leone, Rev. Gibrilla Kargbo also stated that in order for peace to be sustainable in the country people should have access to the basic necessities and that the social and economic rights of the majority needs to be guaranteed.
Other speakers made salient contributions.
