Police Headquarters, Freetown, Thursday, 23 July 2026 – The President of Artists for Peace, Hassan Daramy, popularly known as CJ Mark, along with members of his executive team, paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr William Fayia Sellu, to explore a strategic partnership aimed at promoting peace, non-violence, and national unity ahead of Sierra Leone’s upcoming elections.
The meeting, held at Police Headquarters in Freetown, centred on fostering collaboration between the Artists for Peace initiative and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to encourage peaceful coexistence before, during, and after the electoral process.
During the engagement, CJ Mark explained that the visit was intended to establish a framework through which artists could utilise their influence to educate the public on the importance of peaceful coexistence, while discouraging political violence and other forms of conflict.
He emphasised that Artists for Peace was founded on the principle of political neutrality, stressing that the organisation is not affiliated with any political party or interest group but is solely committed to promoting peace, national cohesion, and unity.
“Our objective is to harness music, entertainment, and public engagement to encourage Sierra Leoneans to reject violence and embrace peaceful dialogue. We believe our message has greater impact when people trust that it is free from political influence,” CJ Mark said.
He further noted that the organisation’s non-violence campaign targets political actors, traditional leaders, young people, women, civil society organisations, and community stakeholders, with the overarching goal of safeguarding the country’s peace and stability.
CJ Mark also highlighted that a partnership with the Sierra Leone Police would strengthen nationwide efforts to prevent conflict, promote responsible citizenship, and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.
In response, Inspector General William Fayia Sellu welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and aligned with the Sierra Leone Police’s community-oriented policing philosophy.
The IGP acknowledged that collaboration with community-based organisations and other stakeholders has long been central to the SLP’s approach to strengthening public trust and maintaining national security.
He explained that the Police’s public awareness campaigns have expanded beyond election security to include peacebuilding, public safety, crime prevention, the fight against illicit drugs, and other social challenges impacting national development.
The Inspector General encouraged Artists for Peace to sustain its public education campaigns beyond election periods, emphasising the need for ongoing civic engagement.
“Sierra Leone is the only nation we have, and we must all work together to make it better,” IGP Sellu stated.
To further strengthen the proposed partnership, the IGP suggested organising Peace and Non-Violence Concerts at strategic locations across the country. He proposed that these events would provide a platform for the Police and artists to jointly engage citizens, particularly young people, on the importance of peaceful coexistence, respect for the rule of law, and national unity.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to working together to promote lasting peace, enhance public safety, and ensure that Sierra Leone’s democratic processes continue to be conducted in a peaceful, secure, and inclusive environment.
SLP Media Team.
