By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone has entered a historic national moment of reflection and unity with the commencement of the country’s first-ever National Remembrance Week, co-implemented by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion alongside the Ministry of Information and Civic Education. The week-long civic campaign, running from 14 to 21 January 2026, is building toward National Remembrance Day on Sunday, 18 January 2026, a permanent national moment introduced under the message “Never Again” to honour victims and survivors of the 11-year civil war, promote healing and strengthen national cohesion.
At the centre of this national effort is the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, a statutory body mandated to promote peace, prevent conflict, strengthen national unity and support dialogue and reconciliation across Sierra Leone. Government officials said the Commission’s role as co-implementer underscores the seriousness of the initiative, which is designed to deepen national consciousness about the cost of war and the responsibility of every citizen to preserve the peace achieved since the end of the conflict.
That commitment was reflected during a brief but solemn ceremony at State House on Wednesday morning, 14 January 2026, when the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Madam Hawa Sally Samai, pinned the white ribbon on President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, officially marking the start of the remembrance week. The symbolic act, officials said, represented the launch of a nationwide call for Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad to wear a white ribbon or white cloth as a sign of peace, healing and national unity.
Describing National Remembrance Day as a crucial opportunity for Sierra Leone to build a safer future through lessons from its past, Madam Hawa Sally Samai urged citizens to embrace unity and peace as national choices rooted in shared memory. “We remember the past to protect the future. From loss, we choose unity. From memory, we choose peace. Let’s talk, let’s listen and let’s resolve,” she said. Her statement, officials noted, reflects the heart of the remembrance campaign, which aims to encourage reflection, honest dialogue and shared responsibility as the nation consolidates its democratic and peaceful path.
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, speaking during the ceremony, said he had personally worn the white ribbon to demonstrate solidarity with the national message of remembrance and reconciliation. He invited all Sierra Leoneans to join the symbolic gesture throughout the week. “I wore the white ribbon, symbolizing peace, healing and unity. As we prepare for our first National Remembrance Day on 18 January 2026, I invite all Sierra Leoneans to wear a white ribbon or cloth from 14 to 21 January 2026,” the President stated.
The remembrance initiative is being driven by intensified nationwide awareness, with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education clarifying that National Remembrance Day will not be observed as a public holiday. The Ministry said Government offices, schools, markets and businesses will remain open, but citizens are encouraged to participate respectfully in remembrance activities. Officials explained that the purpose is not to disrupt productivity but to establish a permanent national consciousness that honours the sacrifices of the past while promoting maturity, peace and responsible citizenship.
Organisers described the white ribbon as a powerful national symbol of remembrance, reflection and peace, honouring the memory of those who lost their lives during the war and acknowledging survivors and communities that continue to live with the trauma of conflict. In a show of unified national leadership, the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Chief Minister and all Cabinet Ministers also received the white ribbon during the ceremony, reinforcing the message that the observance is a national duty and not a political event.
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, used the occasion to call on citizens from all walks of life to support the campaign and actively participate throughout the week. He said collective memory and national unity remain vital to Sierra Leone’s long-term development and peacebuilding.
Across the country, the white ribbon has already become highly visible, with many Sierra Leoneans embracing the symbol as part of the national call. On Wednesday alone, schoolchildren, police officers, members of the armed forces, drivers and residents in various communities were seen wearing the ribbon in observance of the remembrance week. Local authorities, civil society organisations, community-based groups and non-governmental organisations have also lined up a range of remembrance activities across districts, including memorial events, community engagements, reflection forums and peace messaging initiatives.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education has urged citizens and communities to observe the week in peace and dignity, warning against hate speech, political provocation and any divisive conduct that could undermine the purpose of the commemoration. Authorities stressed that the remembrance is intended to strengthen unity and reconciliation, not to reopen wounds or fuel tension.
Representing war survivors, Catco Sesay, Secretary General of the Amputees and War Wounded Association, said National Remembrance Day carries deep meaning for those still living with the painful realities of the conflict. “The Remembrance Day means a lot to us, especially people like us disabled by the war. I think it’s time for us to be remembered,” he said. Survivors’ groups, officials said, have welcomed the initiative as a long overdue recognition of the suffering endured by thousands of Sierra Leoneans, while also calling for continued national support and inclusion.
As part of the broader remembrance narrative, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education also announced plans to collaborate with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists to host a special event recognizing journalists who lost their lives during the conflict and honouring the resilience of those who survived while reporting under difficult conditions. Officials said the recognition will ensure that sacrifices across various sectors are captured in Sierra Leone’s civic memory.
Several national activities have been outlined for the observance of National Remembrance Day, including a Presidential Address in which President Dr. Julius Maada Bio is expected to officially inaugurate the day, honour victims and survivors, and reaffirm the country’s commitment to peace and national unity. A two-minute traffic stop will be observed nationwide, followed by a National Moment of Silence at exactly 12:00 noon, during which activities across Sierra Leone will pause for two minutes. The Ministry said the silence will be observed in schools, workplaces, places of worship, markets where feasible, public gatherings, and across national radio and television broadcasts.
Communities and schools have also been encouraged to create a Wall of Remembrance featuring names of victims, messages of reflection and pledges for peace. Suggested remembrance practices include candle-lighting, flower-laying, kola nut sacrifices and other peaceful cultural activities aimed at promoting healing and national solidarity.
With the remembrance campaign widely promoted under the hashtags #SaloneDaeMemba, #WiNorForget and #SaloneRemembers, Sierra Leoneans are being urged to embrace the white ribbon as a lasting national symbol of unity and to stand together under the collective pledge of peace, cohesion and “Never Again.”
For the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, the message is clear: remembrance is not only about honouring the past, but also about strengthening the national resolve to protect the future.
