Bintumani Conference Hall, Aberdeen, Freetown – Monday, 22 September 2025 – Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, today delivered the keynote address at the national commemoration of the International Day of Peace, organized by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion under the theme “Act Now for a Peaceful Sierra Leone.”
Attorney General Sesay stressed that peace is not passive but active, noting: “Peace is a verb – an action word. In line with this year’s theme, we all must act now for a peaceful Sierra Leone.”
He pointed out Sierra Leone’s progress on the Global Peace Index, where the country currently ranks 57th globally and 5th in Africa. From being a recipient of international peacekeeping interventions to contributing to global stability through peacekeeping missions and serving on the UN Security Council, Sierra Leone, he said, has made remarkable strides. Still, he cautioned that more effort is needed to consolidate peace at home.
Underscoring the link between justice and peace, Sesay stated: “Public trust in the justice system, and confidence that it will respond to people’s needs, is directly connected to peace in society.” He noted that the newly enacted Criminal Procedure Act 2024 is now in force, representing a milestone in justice reform. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the ongoing constitutional review and announced plans to table the Mediator Act in Parliament to strengthen citizen participation and constitutional ownership.
The Attorney General concluded by pledging government’s continued commitment to building a just, inclusive, and peaceful Sierra Leone through institutional reforms, civic engagement, and national cohesion.
