On December 9th, 2023, National Council for Civic Education and Democracy commenced nationwide engagement with ex-servicemen, ex-combatants and young people in its continued efforts to nurture patriotism and national unity, at the Western Rural District Council Hall, Waterloo.
According to Mr. Thomas Johnny, NaCCED Director of Programme and Research, the engagement is part of the Council’s deliberate effort (especially after the November 26 “coup attempt”) to nurture understanding of citizens’ rights, roles and responsibilities, and the importance of peace and unity to national development. He noted that the Council targets them for this intervention because, in his words, “whenever the security of a country is threatened the likelihood of you being active players is high, for the simple reason that you already know how to operate a gun”. He stressed the need for peace, unity, and to conduct ourselves within the confines of the law. He informed the gathering that the event would be replicated in Western Urban and all regional headquarter towns. Mr. Johnny thanked all present for availing themselves for such a very important national endeavor.
Addressing the ex-servicemen, Police Superintendent Samuel S. Conteh, Deputy Head of Community Relations Department said that the engagement, “is not only for our own personal good and liberty, but also for our family, community, society and the entire sub region.” He thanked NaCCED for “this wonderful initiative.” Superintendent Conteh conveyed the good wishes and advice of the Inspector General of Police, and expressed regret for his absence due to other very important national engagement. “Peace is the best thing not only for yourself, family, compound, or your community but for everybody on planet earth as long as you have life, you should believe in peace and respect peace”, the Superintendent reported. He cautioned that ex-servicemen have to be conscious and mindful of their actions because the law is there to hold them accountable if they default. “So never allow anyone – politicians or friends convince you to engage in unlawful acts because you will be held accountable.”
Earlier, Mr. Kasho Joseph Holland-Cole, the Western Rural District Council Chairman, noted that although he is APC, “my own APC does not condone anything violent. We totally condemn any violent act. If you want to be president, you have to wait for the people to vote for you. This is not the time to take guns or broke into a military facility and assume power forcefully. We ex-servicemen have to be very careful and support the government so that they will know that we are not parties to such a violent plan and act.” Mr. Cole implored all present to alert the legitimate authorities if they see any strange person/people or suspect unusual happenings in their communities.
Abdual K. Will, the Deputy Director Strategic Communication for Office of National Security said that Sierra Leone is a country that has gone through a lot, and much has been done to foster national cohesion and development. He emphasized the importance of peace to national security, and thanked NaCCED for the engagement.
Mr. Aziz Yokie, the National Coordinator of the ex-servicemen thanked NaCCED for the event. He advocated for more support for his constituents (intelligence and local works) as well as emphasized their importance to peace and national development. “ If the past election was peaceful, it was as a result of the hard work of the ex-servicemen,” he noted. He admonished them against division and urged them to always stay united.
