By Joseph S Conteh
Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh and First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio led the nation in commemorating the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day on Sunday, November 9th, 2025. The service, held at the Cenotaph in Freetown, paid tribute to the hundreds of Sierra Leonean military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of peace and freedom.
The theme “For a Better Future, Remember Yesterday, Act Today” called on citizens to reflect on the courage and sacrifices of those who gave their lives serving their country, from the World Wars to more recent peacekeeping operations and the fight against the Ebola pandemic.
Alongside senior government officials and members of the diplomatic corps, the sombre ceremony honoured the fallen heroes from conflicts spanning over a century – from World War I and II, to the Sierra Leone Civil War, and the nation’s participation in peacekeeping missions across Africa.
Vice President Juldeh Jalloh and First Lady Fatima Bio laid wreaths in memory of the deceased, expressing solidarity with the widows, families, and veterans in attendance. The atmosphere was deeply poignant, as war veterans stood alongside serving officers, a silent tribute to the price paid for the country’s hard-won peace.
In his welcome address, retired Major Mark Sesay of the Sierra Leone Ex-Servicemen’s Association (SLESA) said, “We are gathered here this morning to remember our fallen colleagues who died in the line of duty – in the World Wars, the Sierra Leone Civil War, peacekeeping operations, the Ebola pandemic, and the recent protection of constitutional order. Their courage and sacrifices will never be forgotten.”
