Sierra Leone commemorated for the first time in its history its first National Day of Remembrance in honor of the victims of the civil war that devastated the country from 1991 to 2002.
In a speech to the nation, Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, calls on the country to find the grace to heal completely, restore dignity, and move forward together .
For the first time in our history, we come together on this unique day to commemorate our civil war and the heavy price our country paid for peace. As of today, January 18 belongs to all Sierra Leoneans. To all the victims and survivors, I cannot ask you to forget. I only ask you, at your own pace and in your own way, to allow our nation to find the grace to fully heal, restore its dignity, and move forward together.
This conflict, considered one of the most brutal in contemporary history, left around 120,000 dead and thousands injured or mutilated before officially ending on January 18, 2002. This day of remembrance is one of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. An initiative welcomed by the Sierra Leone Amputees and War Wounded Association. Now marked in the annals of the country, this day of remembrance is for the President of the Republic an opportunity to understand chaos and work to ensure that it never repeats itself.
