By Amin Kef (Ranger)
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on Thursday December 11, 2025 paid a symbolic visit to the booth of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) at the ongoing Civic Festival in Freetown, where he signed the powerful message “Peace Is Everything,” reaffirming his administration’s commitment to national unity and lasting peace.
The President was received by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Ms. Hawa Sally Samai, who guided him through an exhibition showcasing the ICPNC’s nationwide peacebuilding initiatives. The displays highlighted the Commission’s work in community mediation, early-warning and response mechanisms, and youth-centered programmes aimed at strengthening social cohesion across Sierra Leone.
President Bio’s presence at the booth attracted significant attention, drawing a diverse crowd of young people, civil society actors, public officials, and festival participants. The Civic Festival, organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, has become a key national platform for promoting civic responsibility, encouraging dialogue, and reinforcing the values of peace, unity, and democratic participation.
Addressing participants at the festival, President Bio made a major national announcement, declaring January 18 as a new National Holiday to be observed as National Remembrance Day. He explained that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) identified January 18 as the official date marking the end of Sierra Leone’s civil war, making it a fitting moment for reflection, healing, and renewed commitment to peace.
According to the President, National Remembrance Day will serve multiple purposes, including honouring victims and survivors of the conflict, promoting civic education and peacebuilding, encouraging community engagement nationwide, and educating younger generations about the devastating consequences of violence and division.
President Bio noted that, despite the passage of time, many Sierra Leoneans continue to live with the physical, emotional, and psychological scars of the war. Establishing a dedicated day of remembrance, he said, is intended to ensure that the sacrifices, suffering, and lessons of the past are never forgotten, while reinforcing the national resolve that violence must never again be used as a means of resolving grievances.
The President further emphasized that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a continuous process that requires dialogue, tolerance, justice, and collective responsibility. He commended the ICPNC and other institutions for their ongoing efforts to nurture peace at community and national levels.
The Civic Festival continues with a range of activities, including exhibitions, public discussions, cultural performances, and educational sessions, all aimed at deepening civic awareness and strengthening national cohesion.
As Sierra Leone reflects on its journey and looks toward the future, a unifying message echoed throughout the festival grounds: Let us rise above hate. Nar wan Salone we get.
