By Politico Staff Writer
The Sierra Leone government's plan to create a commission for peace and cohesion took a giant leap last week with the presentation of a bill to parliament for approval.
The Bill entitled: “The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion" is the blueprint for the establishment of a commission for promotion of peace, national cohesion and development in the country.
The Bill, which was presented to the House on Thursday, November 12, seeks to confer on the commission the power to take measures to prevent, manage and resolve conflict and to build, promote and maintain sustainable peace in the country.
Chief Minister Prof. David John Francis presented the piece of legislation to the House, where he stressed its strategic objectives and importance in light of conflict prevention and management.
Francis told lawmakers that without peace, there could be no development, noting that peace is necessary for the development and security of a society.
Dickson Rogers, Chief Whip of Parliament, hailed President Julius Maada Bio and the Chief Minister for the initiative he described as “positive”, which would address issues relating to peace.
Hon. Rogers said the Bill will not only create history, but that it will put Sierra Leone on the map in respect of certain benchmarks relating to peaceful co-existence. Rogers said the bill represented the President’s commitment to unify the country by attempting to bridge ethnic and political divide in the society.
Hon. Shiaka Sama, an Independent MP from Pujehun, expressed delight at the development, calling on Sierra Leoneans to denounce tribalism and discrimination. Sama, a human rights activist, cited land rights concerns as a factor of conflict, calling for government to pay attention to it.
Opposition lawmakers reportedly declined to participate on the day one of the debate, citing late receipt of the bill. But the also promised to make their contributions later, according to a news release from the House.
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