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The Government of Sierra Leone has announced that the country will observe its first National Remembrance Day on Sunday, January 18, 2026, as a national moment for remembrance, reflection and peace.
The announcement was made in a public notice issued on January 12, 2026, by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone. According to the notice, National Remembrance Day is not a public holiday, and all government offices, schools, markets and businesses will remain open across the country.
The Government said the day has been set aside to honour victims and survivors of the civil war, reflect on the cost of conflict, and reaffirm Sierra Leone’s commitment to peace, unity and democratic coexistence.
As outlined in the official notice, the observance will begin with a presidential address to formally inaugurate National Remembrance Day. The address, the Government stated, will honour victims and survivors and reaffirm national unity and peace. A two-minute traffic stop will be observed during the civic moment.
The Government further announced that a National Moment of Silence will be observed at exactly 12:00 noon on January 18. During this period, activities across the country will pause for two minutes of silence. The moment will be observed in schools, workplaces, markets where feasible, places of worship, public gatherings, and on radio and television broadcasts nationwide.
The Government also encouraged citizens to wear a white ribbon or a piece of white cloth from January 14 to January 21 as the official symbol of remembrance, peace and national cohesion. This, according to the notice, applies to students, public servants, private sector workers, religious bodies and communities nationwide.
The public notice also encourages communities, schools and public spaces to create memorials or Walls of Remembrance. These are expected to feature the names of victims, messages of reflection and pledges for peace, and may include candle-lighting, flower-laying, kola nut sacrifices and similar practices.
The Government, through the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, described National Remembrance Day as a solemn national observance aimed at fostering collective reflection and strengthening the country’s commitment to lasting peace.
