First Peace March … Master Peace, OFP, COJA Take The Lead
In celebrating the International Day of Peace, Master Peace Sierra Leone, One Family People and COJA held the first ever peace march as part of their celebration.
The event which was done in collaboration with the Special Court of Sierra Leone began at the Freetown Cotton Tree and ended at St. John with the theme ‘Sustainable Peace for a Sustainable Future’
The Executive Secretary of COJA Sulaman Jabati described the two days event as a special day in the history of the country.
He called all political leaders to put peace in all their campaigns and rallies. He pointed out that justice should be in place and they are working with women and children groups for sustainable peace.
One Family People, Edward said it is important for all to appreciate the International Day of Peace. He encouraged his audience to preach peace in every aspect of their life, through that he said peace will be sustained in the country.
Vice Chair Central ZYC Rugiatu Watta Kandeh in her statement of the role of women in peace said among other things that during the days of the war, women and children are the ones that suffered the most in the country. She pointed out that women stand firm to ensure that peace is restored in the country because they took the lead and now she calls on all women to come forward and take part in decision making.
“This is not the time for us to be left behind, no more for us to be at the backyard. It is time for us to take part in decision making. We should advise our husbands and children about the need of sustainable peace in the country,” she said.
She went on to say that the 30% quota is a clear manifestation for women to take the lead and stressed that women can do it better than men when it come to decision making.
President of the National Youth Coalition, Al-Sankoh Conteh, said if the youth want to maintain the peace they should decease from drugs.
He went on to say that Sierra Leone has more reason to celebrate the day, “… if we are enjoying peace today we have to be grateful to all stockholders, the UN, ECOWAS, AU, EU among others for their tremendous support.”
He stressed that the youth are involved in violence because of lack of jobs, pointing out that all of them have a responsibility to play by not allowing themselves to be given drugs.
Country Coordinator Master Peace Sierra Leone, Charles S. Boye, said their goal is to see that they attain peace. He called on all to use the method of dialogue to attain peace in any community.
The two days celebration climaxed on the 21st September 2012 at the National Youth Commission National Stadium swimming pool where youths gave their commitment and plans for all political parties to sign a ballot card as agreement for peaceful 2012 elections while One Family People’s brass band thrilled the audience with their peace songs.
Sesay Ibrahim Joenal, Freetown
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