As the nation observed National Remembrance Day, the Lapa Movement Development Organization joined Sierra Leoneans in mourning those who lost their lives during the civil war. Last weekend in Kailahun District, Madam Zainab Ya Yeabu Shrieff was warmly welcomed at the Kailahun Court Barray by hundreds of people who gathered with open hearts to commemorate the day in the very place where the war began.
Speaking during the event, Madam Zainab Shrieff reflected on the historical significance of Kailahun District, which borders Bomaru—where the first gunshots of the war were fired on March 23, 1991. She noted that this marked the beginning of Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war. She explained that people dressed in white and wore ribbons to mark the National Remembrance Day, which was declared by President Julius Maada Bio following recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
According to Madam Shrieff, the day is meant to reflect on the causes of the war, honor the victims, and serve as a lesson to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. She asked whether anyone truly benefited from the war and pleaded with all Sierra Leoneans to love one another so that their children would never experience what the current generation endured.
“Our children will remember 18 January 2026 as a remarkable day for all Sierra Leoneans,” she said. “Some of us who lived through the war may not be alive in the future, but we must continue to remind them that war must never return. We, the elders, paid the price for peace and democracy so that our children can enjoy it.”
Mr. Idriss, a war survivor, also testified that war is never worth it, having witnessed its horrors firsthand.
Madam Neneh, Chairlady of the Wi Duti Organization, said she was deeply impressed by the large turnout at the midnight candlelight parade held at the Kailahun roundabout. She thanked Madam Zainab Shrieff for traveling from the city to Kailahun to support the commemoration. She also prayed for the wounded, those who lost their lives, and amputees to have strength and courage.
The Chairman of the We Duty Lapa Movement Organization, Mr. Shieka Kamara, explained during the candlelight parade at the Kailahun Clock Tower that during the war, parents were forced to watch rebels kill or rape their loved ones without being able to help. He prayed that such a war would never happen again and urged Sierra Leoneans to unite and rebuild the country. He thanked the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah for declaring the war officially over on 18 January 2001 and commended President Bio for recognizing the date as a National Remembrance Day.
Mr. Chalie Haffner of the Freetown Players said the declaration of 18 January as Remembrance Day was long overdue. He praised President Bio for honoring not only war victims but also national heroes who contributed to the country before and after the war. He expressed hope that the initiative would promote peace and unity. He added that members of the Freetown Players traveled from different parts of the country, through the initiative of Madam Zainab Ya Yeabu Shrieff, to celebrate the day in Kailahun. He emphasized the important role artists have played in preserving Sierra Leone’s history.
Idriss Kelleti Lamin, a native of Dodowulo Junction in Kailahun District, recounted the history of the infamous “Slaughter House.” He explained that the building was once a private home owned by a prominent businessman, Pa Laihai Mansaray, popularly known as “Laihai Thousand.” During the war, a rebel commander known as Mosquito seized the house and used it as a base. Surrounding houses were demolished, including Mr. Lamin’s family home, leaving many displaced.
According to Mr. Lamin, anyone taken into the Slaughter House never came out alive, as rebels used the rooms to kill people brutally. He said bloodstains can still be seen inside the building today. He further explained that Pa Mansaray’s daughter was later killed in Liberia during the conflict. The house was eventually burned down, and many family members lost their lives, with only one survivor who had gone to the market at the time. He said this history is why the site remains significant to the people of Kailahun.
Chief Alpha Ndoleh of Laiwa Chiefdom emphasized that many young people were not born during the war and may not fully understand its devastation. He recalled several killing sites in Kailahun, including near the police station where about 60 Kamajors were executed and dumped, and areas around the Clock Tower where people were burned alive. He noted that during the war, civilians were trapped with no escape routes to Liberia or Guinea, as they were often mistaken for rebels.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Alpha Sesay, said he was pleased that Madam Zainab Shrieff chose Kailahun to host the National Remembrance Day. He noted that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission had long recommended such a day and praised both the late President Kabbah and President Bio for their roles in promoting national healing. Speaking on behalf of the government, he thanked everyone for their participation and urged Sierra Leoneans to focus on what unites them rather than what divides them.
Madam Esther Moi Tawallie also expressed appreciation to the We Duty Organization for organizing the commemoration in Kailahun, describing it as the most appropriate place for such an event. She noted that nearly every Sierra Leonean was affected by the war in one way or another. She praised the Lapa Movement, a women-led organization, for empowering women and advocating for leadership and peace. She prayed for the souls of the departed and for continued peace in the nation.
Finally, the Youth Leader of Luawa Chiefdom in Kailahun District praised Madam Zainab Shrieff for bringing the celebration to their chiefdom and appealed to President Bio to establish vocational centers to help young people acquire skills and build better lives.
