By Olayinka Nafisatu Deen
Freetown 18th November 2025 — More than a week after global leaders gathered in Belém, Brazil for COP30, the echoes of Sierra Leone’s own climate march continue to resonate. On November 8, 2025, the streets of Freetown became a stage for youth, women, civil society leaders, and community members who joined a Caravan Foot Walk to demand that climate justice reach the frontline communities most affected.
Organised by the Youth Alliance for Sustainable Development (YASDev) in partnership with the Network Movement for Youth and Children’s Affairs and supported by ActionAid Sierra Leone, the march was not just a local demonstration but a deliberate act of solidarity with global climate actions. Its message was clear: decisions made in international conference halls must translate into real change for those living daily with the impacts of climate change.
As leaders in Brazil debated adaptation, loss and damage, and resilience, Sierra Leone’s marchers reminded the world that promises mean little unless they reach the ground. Their peaceful procession carried urgency and authenticity, rooted in the lived experiences of communities facing floods, rising seas, and the relentless pressures of a warming planet.
“This march is a call to action and a compelling reminder to our leaders that the time for bold, meaningful climate action is now,” said Mohamed Jalloh, Executive Director of YASDev.
Participants echoed his words. Kadiatu Koroma, one of the marchers, described the walk as a way to amplify voices too often overlooked. “This walk is more than a journey; it’s a powerful way to elevate the voices of communities bearing the brunt of climate change,” she said.
The event culminated in the public reading of the Sierra Leone People’s Declaration on Climate Action, a document shaped by the National Climate Dialogue forum that brought together over 100 voices from across the country. The declaration captured both the pain and resilience of Sierra Leone’s communities, while demanding urgent action to protect livelihoods and safeguard the future.
In a symbolic gesture of hope, the Declaration was formally presented to the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change through the Deputy Secretary, reaffirming government’s pledge to listen, engage, and act.
