Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Hundreds of young people and civil society advocates marched through the heart of Freetown on Saturday, September 27, 2025, to mark International Peace Day with a call for non-violence and tolerance in the nation.
The peace walk, organized by the SHE4Peace organization and other youth-led groups, proceeded from PZ to the Cotton Tree under the theme, “Act Now, Lead Together: Building Peace through Youth and Women’s Voices.”
In her address, Nyanda Emma Hamilton, the legal representative of SHE4Peace, described the event as an initiative to foster a culture of peace and unity, particularly among the youth. She urged citizens to remember the country’s history of conflict and to embrace peace.
“Participants carried placards bearing messages of peace, with the aim of taking those messages back into homes, schools, communities and workplaces,” Hamilton stated.
She underscored the tangible benefits of stability, noting, “When peace prevails, people can move freely, businesses thrive and children can go to school. But when peace is absent, fear and disruption take over, undermining development.” Hamilton recommended that future peace walks be decentralized to include other districts beyond the capital.
The event drew support from established peacebuilding institutions. A representative from the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP-SL), Desrica Taylor, commended the organizers and reflected on the day’s significance.
“Peace Day is a reminder of Sierra Leone’s shared humanity at a time when the nation faces political polarization, unemployment, gender inequality and climate-induced challenges,” Taylor said. She defined peace as “not only the absence of war but also the presence of justice, fairness and opportunity,” emphasizing the need for education, employment, and non-violent conflict resolution.
National Youth Ambassador, Bilkisu Jalloh, praised the collaborative spirit of the march and reminded participants that global bodies like the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS prioritize harmonious living.
Adding a personal dimension, Alie Barrie, President of the Freetown Peace Club, spoke on the importance of cultivating inner peace as a foundation for national reconciliation. He highlighted the social pressures facing young people, including drug misuse, which can hinder them from realizing their potential. “Without peace, nothing is possible,” Barrie concluded.
The event culminated in a unified call for all Sierra Leoneans to choose dialogue over violence and to actively work toward a peaceful society.
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