By Emma Black
Hon. Alpha Kanu, Presidential Spokesman and Special Adviser, addressed a heartfelt gathering in his hometown of Port Loko to mark International Peace Day, expressing deep gratitude and humility while reaffirming Sierra Leone’s commitment to peace, unity, and progress.
On September 21, 2025, this occasion was not merely a celebration but a powerful pledge to protect peace through lawful means, recognizing its priceless value to the nation.
Dr. Kanu commended the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) for its exemplary efforts in fostering harmony, noting that the Commission highlights the strength of shared identity
among Sierra Leoneans, far outweighing divisive factors. He credited the ICPNC’s establishment to the visionary leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, whose life exemplifies a steadfast dedication to peace. Reflecting on key milestones, Dr. Kanu recalled 1996, when, as Head of State during the civil war, Bio initiated dialogue with rebel leader Foday Sankoh, paving the way for reconciliation over violence, and voluntarily handed power to a civilian government after just three months setting a continental precedent.
In 2012, after a contested election loss, Bio personally congratulated President Ernest Bai Koroma at State House, declaring unity for Sierra Leone’s sake, a mature act that solidified democratic peace.
Following his 2018 victory, he invited the opposition into governance, showcasing wisdom, and later that year, hosted the National Dialogue Conference at Bintumani IV, where the ICPNC’s concept was born. Dr. Kanu urged the nation to embrace this legacy of statesmanship as a guide for the future.
While the 1999 Lomé Peace Accord ended the war, Dr. Kanu stressed that true peace requires robust systems ensuring fairness, justice, and inclusion to prevent future conflicts. He highlighted President Bio’s 2023 parliamentary proposal for electoral reforms and the 2025 initiative to extend the Proportional Representation (PR) system to the executive and public service, framing these as concrete steps toward sustainable peace. Explaining PR’s value, he argued it ensures every vote counts, every voice is heard, and no community feels excluded, countering historical resentment that breeds instability with a model of shared governance and coalition-building.
At over 70 years old, Dr. Kanu framed his advocacy as a gift for future generations, emphasizing that this transcends politics it is about national survival and well-being.
Dr. Kanu celebrated Sierra Leone’s ranking as the most peaceful nation in the Mano River Union, third in West Africa, fifth in Africa, and 57th globally, contrasting this with Nigeria (147th), Guinea (120th), and Liberia (97th), a testament to the country’s progress.
He rallied support for President Bio as a peacemaker, urging adoption of reforms that enhance democracy, fairness, and inclusivity. Dr. Kanu called on all to choose dialogue over conflict, inclusion over exclusion, and cohesion over division, building a prosperous Sierra Leone. He endorsed the ICPNC’s efforts and concluded with a blessing, May God bless us all.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 24th September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
