By Mariama Bundu
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education on Tuesday the 31st of March, 2026. Held its weekly press conference, focusing on efforts to strengthen religious tolerance and safeguard national unity in Sierra Leone.
Addressing the media, the Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Melrose Karminty, outlined the rationale behind a recent communiqué signed between the Government and religious leaders, describing it as a critical step toward reinforcing peaceful coexistence across the country.
She explained that the agreement, signed on March 26, 2026, at the Miatta Civic Centre, is aimed at promoting national cohesion and preserving Sierra Leone’s long-standing tradition of religious harmony.
Minister Karminty expressed concern over what she described as troubling rhetoric from some religious clerics, warning that such narratives could signal emerging extremism if left unchecked. She noted that the high-level dialogue was convened to directly address issues of hate speech and growing intolerance.
“The engagement concluded with a firm commitment from religious leaders to uphold peace and unity, and to reject all forms of hate speech and extremism,” she stated.
The communiqué establishes clear mechanisms to address hate speech, ensuring that individuals found culpable will face the full force of the law, without interference from any religious body.
Highlighting the key thematic areas of the agreement, Minister Karminty listed peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, responsible and accountable leadership, and the rejection of hate speech and extremism as central pillars.
She further called on religious leaders to play a proactive role in monitoring social media activities within their communities, urging them to guide their followers on the responsible use of digital platforms in the interest of national unity.
The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to maintain stability and strengthen inter-religious collaboration across Sierra Leone.
