By Joseph S. Conteh
On January 12th, 2026, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education has called journalists and bloggers to an important meeting to discuss the maiden commemoration of the National Remembrance Day on January 18th, 2026.
His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, has officially declared January 18th, 2026, as the National Remembrance Day, a day of reflection to deepen national cohesion and unity. This decision follows the recommendation made in paragraph 202 of chapter 5 of volume 2 of the commission’s report, which suggested the government declare January 18th as the official day that marks the end of the war and a national reconciliation day.
The National Remembrance Day will be dedicated to civil education, community service, peace-building, and honouring the victims and survivors of the war.
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has called on all Sierra Leoneans to wear a white ribbon or a piece of white cloth from January 14th to 21st, 2026, as a symbol of peace, mourning, and a collective commitment to reject hatred and promote reflection.
At 12:00 noon on January 18th, all activities will pause for two minutes, and citizens will stand quietly in reflection in all households, public gatherings, schools, universities, MDAs, workplaces, markets, transport hubs, religious institutions, public ceremonies, and other gatherings. Church bells, sirens, and radio and TV broadcasts will go silent across the country during this time.
The Secretary of the Peace Commission, Madam Hawa Sally Samai, emphasised that this is a national event that concerns all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of their location or tribe, and she urged all journalists to participate in this important commemoration.
