Peace Cannot Wait – Dr. Bangura Sounds the Alarm”
On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, observed globally on September 21, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura has issued a passionate call for Sierra Leoneans to embrace unity, reconciliation, and justice as the foundations for lasting peace.
Speaking under this year’s theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” Dr. Bangura stressed that peace cannot be delayed in a nation already burdened by divisions and unmet promises.
“Waiting is a luxury that many have already paid too high a price for,” he declared. “Let us commit to a politics of service, where leaders listen, where communities are empowered, and where reconciliation is more than rhetoric.”
The All Peoples Congress (APC) flagbearer hopeful pledged that under his leadership, the party will ensure every Sierra Leonean feels safe, valued, and heard, while creating opportunities for young people to thrive in a society guided by justice and equality.
“As we mark the International Day of Peace alongside my birthday, I recommit myself and my campaign to healing divisions, strengthening unity, and building a nation rooted in tolerance, respect, and the courage to resolve conflict without violence,” he added.
Dr. Bangura, a scholar and practitioner in peace and conflict resolution, emphasized that true peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of justice, dialogue, and reconciliation. “Without it, development falters and justice is denied. With it, children can learn, farmers can prosper, and citizens can hope,” he said.
He noted that his lifelong mission has been to “build bridges where others see barriers” and to “find solutions where conflict once thrived,” reiterating his commitment to ensuring that peace remains Sierra Leone’s guiding principle.
“Our nation deserves leaders who understand conflict, unite rather than divide, and transform peace into prosperity,” Dr. Bangura affirmed.
He concluded with a renewed vision for Sierra Leone: a nation where peace is not fragile but firm, not exclusive but shared, and not fleeting but lasting.
“Together, we can stand as guardians of Sierra Leone’s peace, democracy, and destiny,” he urged.