Sam-Sumana Honours Nigeria’s Sacrifices for Sierra Leone’s Peace

 

By Atlantic Reports

Former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Mr Samuel Sam-Sumana, has said Nigeria’s sacrifices in helping restore peace to his country must never be forgotten.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), Sam-Sumana expressed gratitude to Nigeria and other countries for their contributions during Sierra Leone’s civil war.

His remarks were contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by DECAN President, Mr Sunday Odita.

Sam-Sumana acknowledged the sacrifices of Nigerian troops and civilians, describing their contributions as an enduring part of Sierra Leone’s history.

“As a Sierra Leonean, I wish to express my profound gratitude for the role Nigeria and other countries played in helping Sierra Leone regain peace and stability,” he said.

He described Nigeria as a big brother in West Africa whose stability and prosperity mattered to the wider subregion.

“When Nigeria catches a cold, the rest of us sneeze,” he said.

Lessons From Conflict

Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s civil war, Sam-Sumana said the conflict was influenced partly by the war in neighbouring Liberia and competing interests over diamond resources.

He recalled the enormous loss of lives and property and urged West African countries to strengthen collective efforts to prevent further violent conflicts.

The former vice-president warned political leaders against allowing personal ambitions to undermine national stability. He described peace as a collective achievement that should transcend political parties and individual interests.

His appeal placed peaceful political competition and regional cooperation at the centre of efforts to protect communities from the devastation of war.

Journalism and Public Accountability

Sam-Sumana urged journalists to hold political leaders accountable through fair, accurate and constructive reporting.

“Constructive criticism is essential to improving public institutions and ensuring that those entrusted with public responsibilities remain accountable,” he said.

He cautioned public officials against treating critical reporting as hostility and called on journalists to maintain professional standards, particularly when covering defence and national security.

He also encouraged reporters to challenge negative narratives about Africa through credible reporting that examines the continent’s development priorities and opportunities.

Turning Resources Into Jobs

On economic development, Sam-Sumana called for greater African economic independence through industrialisation, local processing of resources and mutually beneficial international partnerships.

He urged countries to reduce their dependence on exporting raw materials and importing finished products by investing in domestic industries and creating jobs for young people.

In his assessment, the failure to fully harness Africa’s natural resources had contributed to economic hardship and migration, including dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea.

He also called for stronger African representation in international decision-making institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council.

“Africa must be present at the tables where decisions about its future are made,” he said.

Correspondents Recall the Human Cost of War

Odita said the visit was organised to thank Sam-Sumana for participating in DECAN’s 2026 Conference and Awards.

He reaffirmed the association’s commitment to professional defence reporting, credible information and constructive engagement with security institutions.

During the visit, veteran defence correspondents Kingsley Omonobi and Molly Kilete recounted experiences covering the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

According to the statement, they reflected on deaths, community displacement and the difficulties of reporting from conflict zones.

Their recollections brought the discussion back to the people who bear the consequences of armed conflict, reinforcing Sam-Sumana’s call to preserve peace beyond political and national interests.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.