By Musa Paul Feika
The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) on Saturday, September 19, 2026, marked the International Day of Peace with a peace walk through Freetown, bringing together representatives of political parties, security institutions, diplomatic missions, civil society and members of the public.
The event, held under the theme “Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” was organised in collaboration with development partners, including Ireland, the Sierra Leone Police, the National Fire Force (NFF) and the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
The peace walk commenced at the Up-Gun Roundabout, passed through the Cotton Tree area and ended at Kallon Car Park at Lumley Beach, where participants delivered messages calling for continued peace, reconciliation, dialogue and national cohesion.
Addressing participants, ICPNC Executive Director Hawa Sally Samai urged Sierra Leoneans to make peace a daily responsibility rather than limiting it to an annual celebration.
“Once again, we have only one way to answer the question: we cannot continue like this. We have to come together, talk to one another and give everyone a chance to be heard,” she said.
Director Samai encouraged citizens to resolve personal disagreements, forgive one another and take the initiative to reconcile with family members, neighbours, friends and others with whom they may have differences.
According to her, peace must begin within homes and communities before it can be sustained at the national level.
“If you have a problem with someone, take the initiative to resolve it. Go and make peace,” she urged.
The Nigerian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Mrs. Ayo Luther-Ogbomode, described Nigeria and Sierra Leone as brotherly countries and said Nigeria was pleased to join Sierra Leone in celebrating peace.
She said Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerians remained committed to peace and stability in Sierra Leone, while congratulating the Peace Commission and citizens on what she described as five years of peace and stability.
“Embrace peace. Embrace peace, and there will continue to be progress,” Ambassador Luther-Ogbomode said.
Ireland’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Mr. Patrick McManus, also stressed the importance of protecting and nurturing peace.
He thanked the Peace Commission, Talking Drums and other partners for organising the event and commended participants for attending despite difficult weather conditions.
“Peace is not something that happens only when the sun shines. Peace happens when the sun shines and when the rain falls,” Ambassador McManus said.
Drawing from Ireland’s own experience of conflict and reconciliation, he said peace agreements could remain fragile and therefore required continuous protection and nurturing.
Ambassador McManus also noted that Sierra Leone, against the backdrop of current political difficulties, had an opportunity to demonstrate that dialogue remained possible and that talking was preferable to avoiding engagement.
He said Sierra Leone could once again demonstrate the strength and sustainability of its peace to the international community.
Representing the leadership of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Deputy National Chairman Robert Kondema reaffirmed the party’s stated commitment to peace and national cohesion.
Kondema said political differences should not turn Sierra Leoneans into enemies, stressing that the country was the common home of all citizens.
“We are one family. When you see the SLPP, you should see one country and one people,” he said.
He described peace as a collective responsibility involving political parties, the police, military, civil society, the media and ordinary citizens.
Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) Community Relations Department, Superintendent of Police Samuel Saio Conteh, urged citizens to maintain peace wherever they live.
He said more than 300 police personnel from various departments, including traffic management, intelligence and community relations, participated in the event.
Conteh encouraged citizens to see peace as a shared responsibility and called for respect for one another and for communities.
The Office of National Security (ONS), represented by Columba Bono-Bick, said Sierra Leone’s experience demonstrated that peace was more than the absence of war.
“Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, inclusion, and opportunity,” Bono-Bick said.
He said national security and national cohesion were closely connected, arguing that lasting security required peace while sustainable peace required cohesion and justice.
He reaffirmed the security sector’s commitment to protecting Sierra Leone’s peace and strengthening early warning and early response mechanisms at national, regional and district levels.
The National Fire Force also used the occasion to call on citizens to protect public safety equipment.
Representing the Fire Force, Fatmata Kamara, Legal One, reminded the public that firefighting equipment was purchased with taxpayers’ money and should therefore be protected from misuse and damage.
She said firefighters would continue working to protect lives and property and encouraged citizens to carry the message of peace back to their communities.
The event also served as a commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, with speakers highlighting the importance of continued dialogue, reconciliation, tolerance and collective responsibility in safeguarding Sierra Leone’s peace.
The gathering ended with a renewed call for citizens and institutions to make peace a daily practice and to strengthen national cohesion across political, social and community lines.