Catholic Priest Urges Sierra Leoneans to Remain United Despite Peace Threats

The Caritas official, “We, the people of Sierra Leone, strongly condemn any attempts to sow discord and division among us. It is through unity and a shared sense of purpose that we can overcome adversity and build a brighter future for our nation.”

He appealed to Sierra Leoneans to develop “a deep sense of patriotism and love for our country, recognizing that our collective well-being is intrinsically tied to the prosperity of Sierra Leone as a whole.”

“We must prioritize the interests of our country above personal ambitions and individual gains. By embracing a mindset that places the welfare of our nation at the forefront, we can collectively work towards a future that embodies the principles set forth in our national pledge,” he said. 

ACI Africa received reports of sporadic gunfire and the general atmosphere of unrest in Freetown, even as the government said it had arrested the Sunday morning security breach in the city.

Media reports indicate that 13 officers in the ranks of the army loyal to the government died in the military barracks attack.  

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The Sierra Leonean government declared a nationwide curfew, advising the citizens to stay at home after the attack. The government updated its directive on an indefinite curfew on Monday, advising the citizens to instead adhere to 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew hours.

The new curfew hours, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah said, “will be in effect until further notice.”

However, the curfew has reportedly been lifted partially in some parts of Freetown as daily life began to resume on Monday amid heavy security presence.

On November 28, Minister Bah said the military barracks attack was a failed coup attempt whose intention was “to illegally subvert and overthrow a democratically elected government."

In his message, Fr. Konteh called on Sierra Leoneans to seek divine protection for their nation.

“Amidst these trying times, we must also acknowledge the importance of seeking divine protection for our beloved nation,” he said, adding that “it is often easy to overlook the significance of spiritual guidance in addressing the myriad challenges we face, whether they be economic, political, or social in nature.”

He said, “Let us put the security of our country in the hands of God and seek religious direction as we work towards solutions that benefit all citizens.”

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.