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PRESIDENTIAL
ADDRESS TO THE NATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY
OF PEACE
19TH SEPTEMBER 2003
FELLOW
SIERRA LEONEANS,
THE
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECIDED IN THE
YEAR 2001 TO DECLARE AN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE
TO BE OBSERVED IN SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR, AS A DAY
OF GLOBAL CEASEFIRE AND NON-VIOLENCE. ONE OF THE
MAIN THE PURPOSES OF THIS DECLARATION, IT SHOULD
BE NOTED, IS TO INSPIRE HUMANITY TO REFLECT ON,
AND COMMIT ITSELF TOTHE MITIGATION OF, THE HORRENDOUS
VIOLENCE THAT MAKES LIFE UNBEARABLE FOR PEOPLE
IN EVERY CONTINENT OF THE WORLD.
THEREFORE
WE IN SIERRA LEONEN HAVE EVERY REASON TO HONOUR
THIS DAY AND MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
FIRSTLY, BY THE
GRACE OF GOD, THIS COUNTRY HAS FINALLY FOUND PEACE
AFTER A LONG AND DEVASTATING WAR.
SECONDLY,
FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, OUR COUNTRY WAS THE BENEFICIARY
OF THE LARGEST UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING MISSION
IN THE WORLD. WE HAVE ENJOYED AND CONTINUE TO
ENJOY THE GOODWILL OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
AND EVEN IN OUR EFFORTS TO REBUILD SIERRA LEONE
TODAY MANY NATIONS, ORGANISATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS
HAVE BEEN GIVING US THEIR PRICELESS SUPPORT AND
ENCOURAGEMENT.
FELLOW SIERRA
LEONEANS,
I DO HOPE
THAT TODAY WE WILL JOIN THE REST OF THE WORLD
TO REFLECT ON THE MATTER OF ORGANIZED VIOLENCE
IN THE FORM OF WARS AND DEDICATE OUR ENERGIES
TO ASSIST OTHERS ACHIEVE PEACE IN THEIR LANDS.
THERE IS AN AFRICAN SAYNG THAT ADVISES US NEVER
TO REJOICE IF OUR NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE IS ON FIRE.
FOR OUR NEIGHBOURS,
AND OTHER NATIONS FAR AND NEAR WHO ARE CAUGHT
UP IN ARMED CONFLICT IN PARTICULAR, WE WISH TO
RECONFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT THE PEACE
PROCESS IN OUR SISTER STATE OF LIBERIA, RECOGNIZING
THE FACT THAT WAR IN THAT COUNTRY CAN NEVER BE
IN THE INTEREST OF PEACE IN OURS. LET US PRAY
THAT ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN THAT CONFLICT
WILL SEE THE NEED FOR TOLERANCE, FORGIVENESS AND
RECONCILIATION AND THEREAFTER ENJOY THE FRUITS
OF UNITY AND PEACE.
SIERRA LEONE
HAS NOW EMBARKED ON A PROGRAMME OF NATIONAL RECOVERY
THAT REQUIRES THE CONTINUED CONTRIBUTION AND COMMITMENT
OF EVERY SIERRA LEONEAN. DEVELOPMENT IS THE BEST
WAY TO PRESERVE THE GAINS OF PEACE, AND SO AS
WE CELEBRATE THIS DAY LET US REMEMBER THE TASK
AT HAND. I THEREFORE ENTREAT YOU ALL TO CONTINUE
TO SUPPORT ME AND MY GOVERNMENT IN OUR EFFORTS
TO LAY AND CONSOLIDATE THE FOUNDATION OF A PEACEFUL
AND PROGRESSIVE NATION. MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.
-END-
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