By Saidu Jalloh D.S
FREETOWN — President Julius Maada Bio on Monday made a historic apology to victims and survivors of Sierra Leone’s civil war, saying “I AM SORRY” on behalf of the State for the suffering they endured and the protection they did not receive.
The President also pledged an initial Le25 million contribution to a proposed Peace Basket Fund in the 2027 national budget, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen national unity and social cohesion.
President Bio made the commitments at the opening of the National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown on 26th October 2026.
Addressing victims, the President declared: “On behalf of the State of Sierra Leone, I apologise for the suffering you endured and for the protection you did not receive. I AM SORRY.”
He further directed relevant institutions to strengthen the reparations programme recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and to publish a comprehensive report on the implementation of its recommendations by 18th January 2027.
As part of his peacebuilding agenda, President Bio announced that Government will develop a National Peace and Cohesion Action Framework within 90 days, strengthen the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee and introduce a Code of Conduct for Peaceful Elections ahead of the 2028 polls. He also called for peace education to be integrated into the school curriculum.
Reaffirming his political stance, the President reiterated that he will not contest the 2028 presidential election, urging national leaders and citizens to place peace above political differences.
“Those of us who remember the war must now prepare the country for a generation that does not,” he said, stressing the need to make peace an enduring part of Sierra Leone’s national culture.
Former President Ernest Bai Koroma welcomed the reconciliation efforts and pledged his support, underscoring the importance of responsible leadership during political transitions. He recalled measures taken after the 2007 change of government to ensure continuity and protect former Vice President Solomon Berewa.
“This is the responsibility that a leader has – to hold the country together,” Koroma stated.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Santos Simão, commended the renewed engagement between the two leaders and welcomed the 2023 Agreement for National Unity signed between Government and the All People’s Congress (APC).
“Peace is not only the absence of conflict. It is the presence of trust,” Simão said, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and public confidence in institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the diplomatic community, the Deputy British High Commissioner urged political leaders to act responsibly as the country approaches the 2028 elections, stressing that peace and stability are essential for economic development, investment and effective public services, while underscoring the need to protect civic space and media freedom.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), Rev. Dr. Shodankeh Johnson, highlighted the Commission’s achievements over the past five years in strengthening community mediation, early warning systems and peacebuilding structures across all 16 districts.
“Peace is priceless, but sustaining it requires investment,” Johnson said.
The two-day conference, organized by the ICPNC to mark its fifth anniversary, is being held under the theme: “From Commitment to Action: Rebuilding Trust, Strengthening National Unity and Advancing Social Cohesion.”
Deliberations continue today, Tuesday 27th October, with stakeholders expected to work towards a proposed Freetown Declaration and practical measures to strengthen trust and national unity as Sierra Leone approaches 25 years since the end of its brutal civil war.
Contact: Daily Scope Newspaper – dailyscopemedia@gmail.com
