By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Peace, reflecting on its remarkable peacebuilding journey and reaffirming commitments to deepen national cohesion, inclusive governance and justice reform. The national ceremony, held on Monday 22 September 2025 at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Aberdeen, was organized by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) under the theme “Act Now for a Peaceful Sierra Leone.”
The keynote address was delivered by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, who represented Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, unavoidably absent from the event. Speaking on behalf of the Vice President, Alpha Sesay described the occasion as not only a commemoration but also a reminder of the country’s painful history and the hard-won peace Sierra Leone enjoys today.
In his message, Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, urged Sierra Leoneans to reflect on the journey from war to peace, stressing that peace is invaluable because of the nation’s shared experience of conflict. “This International Peace Day offers us an opportunity to reflect on our peace; a peace that we hold dear because we know all too well the cost of war,” he said.
He emphasized that peace cannot be sustained in isolation from development and governance. According to him, the promise of a better tomorrow must be delivered through economic transformation anchored on democracy and the rule of law. He called for unity under the principle of “one country, one destiny,” stressing that national cohesion and inclusive governance remain indispensable to Sierra Leone’s stability and progress.
Expanding on the theme, Attorney General, Alpha Sesay, reminded citizens that peace requires deliberate action. “Peace is a verb; an action word. In line with this year’s theme, we all must act now for a peaceful Sierra Leone,” he declared.
Alpha Sesay noted that Sierra Leone has earned recognition for its progress on the Global Peace Index, ranking 57th worldwide and 5th in Africa. From once being the recipient of international peacekeeping interventions, the nation now contributes to global peace efforts by deploying peacekeepers abroad and serving on the United Nations Security Council. This transformation, he said, demonstrates resilience and the nation’s growing credibility on the world stage.
However, Alpha Sesay cautioned that Sierra Leone cannot afford complacency. He stressed that consolidating peace at home requires addressing systemic challenges, particularly within the justice sector. “Public trust in the justice system and confidence that it will respond to people’s needs is directly connected to peace in society,” he noted.
The Attorney General highlighted several recent reforms as evidence of the Government’s commitment to justice and peace. He cited the Criminal Procedure Act 2024, which modernizes the country’s justice system, as a landmark step in ensuring access to justice for all. He also pointed to the ongoing constitutional review process, describing it as vital for strengthening democratic institutions and aligning governance with the needs of citizens.
In addition, Alpha Sesay announced plans to table the Mediator Act in Parliament. The proposed law aims to institutionalize mediation as an alternative conflict resolution mechanism, empowering citizens to resolve disputes peacefully while enhancing ownership of constitutional and democratic processes.
He concluded by pledging that the Government will continue to pursue reforms, civic engagement and inclusive governance as cornerstones for sustaining peace. “We must continue to build a just, inclusive and peaceful Sierra Leone through institutional reforms, civic engagement and national cohesion,” Alpha Sesay reaffirmed.
The commemoration also drew the support of development partners. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sierra Leone joined the ICPNC at the event, reaffirming its solidarity with Sierra Leone’s peacebuilding agenda. UNDP described the International Day of Peace as an opportunity to recommit to dialogue, inclusion and collective action to prevent conflict and consolidate gains.
The presence of traditional leaders, civil society representatives, religious leaders and youth groups underscored the broad-based commitment to peace. Many speakers highlighted the importance of civic responsibility, urging citizens to guard against actions that could undermine unity.
For Sierra Leone, the International Day of Peace is deeply symbolic. Two decades ago, the country emerged from one of Africa’s most brutal civil wars. The transition from violence to stability was made possible through disarmament, reconciliation and the tireless efforts of citizens and international partners.
Today, Sierra Leone’s leadership in peacekeeping missions abroad reflects how far the nation has come. From being a recipient of peacekeeping assistance, it now contributes to global peace, a transformation seen by many as an inspiring example of resilience.
Yet, as the Vice President and Attorney General emphasized, peace remains fragile if it is not nurtured. Challenges such as unemployment, inequality, political tensions and weak institutions continue to test the nation’s stability. Sustaining peace, therefore, requires continuous investment in governance, justice and inclusive development.
As Sierra Leone reflects on its peace journey, the message from the 2025 commemoration was clear: peace is not a destination but a process that demands collective action. With reforms underway in the justice sector, constitutional governance and new mechanisms such as the Mediator Act on the horizon, the Government reaffirmed its resolve to strengthen the foundations of peace.
The International Day of Peace served not only as a reminder of the sacrifices of the past but also as a call to action for the future. In the words of Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the nation must remain bound by “one country, one destiny,” working together to secure a peaceful and prosperous Sierra Leone for generations to come.
