Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio issued a heartfelt apology on Sunday to victims of the country’s 1991-2002 civil war, which claimed over 100,000 lives.
Speaking during the first National Day of Remembrance, Bio said, “On behalf of the nation, I ask for forgiveness for what was done in those dark years.”
He acknowledged his past role as a soldier and junta member during the conflict, emphasising the need for humility, honesty, and courage in facing the nation’s painful history.
“To all victims and survivors, I cannot ask you to forget,” Bio added, urging citizens to find the grace to heal, restore dignity, and move forward together.
The president also called on Sierra Leoneans to “weigh their words carefully, especially on social media,” stressing the importance of rejecting incitement and hatred.
Earlier, a small group of war amputees and survivors gathered at Freetown’s Peace Museum to honour those lost during the decade-long conflict.
Dressed in white and wearing white ribbons, they laid wreaths on symbolic graves following prayers and a minute of silence, marking the solemn occasion.
The civil war, which ended officially on January 18, 2002, left thousands more wounded, maimed, and traumatised, with scars still felt across the country.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission had previously recommended that the government dedicate a day to remember victims and encourage national healing after decades of suffering.
Bio’s apology and the inaugural remembrance ceremony signal Sierra Leone’s effort to confront its past while fostering unity, forgiveness, and collective recovery.