By Politico staff writer
Stakeholders in the districts of Falaba, Koinadugu, Karene, Bombali, Kono and Tonkolili have discussed how best to foster peace in their various communities, during town hall meetings facilitated by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion(ICPNC).
Also the engagement was to also formally introduce the commission to the people, and talk about the 20th anniversary of the attainment of peace in the country.
Stakeholders, including paramount chiefs, other local authorities, reoresentatives of political parties, youths and religious leaders, and civil society activists stressed on the consolidation of peace and the development of the country.
The Director of Communications, Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Fatmata K Jalloh gave a background to the establishment of the commission, highlighting the pronouncement by President Julius Maada Bio during his inauguration in 2018 on the need for a permanent and effective infrastructure for peace.
She said that and nationwide consultations, provided the framework for the composition, mandate and operations of the of the commission, which were further deliberated and agreed on at the Bintumani 111 conference, leading to the establishment of the commission in 2020 through an Act of Parliament. She said its mandate is to devise strategies and measures to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts and to build, promote and maintain sustainable peace and national cohesion.
She catalogued some of the activities undertaken by the commission including the development of a three year Strategic Plan; a road map for the implementation of the commission’s activities, with six key pillars namely Peace Promotion, Mediation Resolution, Early Warning and Early Response, Enhancing National Cohesion, and Coordination.
She added that the ICPNC has held consultations and engagements with various stakeholders including the transport sector, women’s groups, religions leaders, civil society organizations, youth groups and political party leaders, on mediation and peace education, as well as media engagements.
She acknowledged that the staff alone cannot achieve the objectives of the commission but needed the active participation of all, and called on the people to take ownership of the commission by being peace ambassadors in their various communities.
Jalloh reflected on the eleven years civil conflict and its devastating consequences on the country and its people, and stressed the need for Sierra Leoneans to put aside their differences and work together to ensure sustainable peace and development.
The commission’s Deputy Executive Secretary, Moses Magao, in his presentation, spoke about the post-war disarmament, reintegration and resettlement processes and the creation of institutions to consolidate peace and promote good governance and democracy, for which Sierra Leone has earned very good ratings in the global peace index.
However Magao noted that these gains have been reversed recently due to the August 10 violent protests, which saw the country drop from 2nd to 3rd in West Africa, from 4th to 5th in Africa and from 145 to 150 in the world. This he noted has greatly affected the country’s image with investors pulling out. He urged the people to desist from actions that may disrupt the peace of the country and endanger the lives of the citizens.
He admonished the people in the different districts to embrace peace and not allow themselves to be used in perpetuating acts of violence
In Falaba district, the Mammy Queen of Mongo Bendugu expressed gratitude to the commission saying it was the first time for the people there to have received such education on the importance of peace and its impact on the development of the district, adding that they will give all their support to the commission, as they have nowhere to go in the event of a conflict.
Paramount Chief Alhaji Fenda Modu Kamara 11 of Folosaba Kamba Chiefdom reiterated the importance of peace to the development of the country. He said Sierra Leoneans are one people irrespective of tribe or region and commended the team from ICPNC for including Falaba as part of their tour.
He called on the commission to take the bottom-top approach with their peace education, targeting the grassroots, slums and vulnerable communities, whom he noted are easily swayed, and prone to violence.
The other Falaba district paramount chiefs were unanimous in their call to the authorities to fix the roads leading to the district, noting that it will be really challenging for the much need development to reach the district.
Other stakeholders, made it clear that they are not that tribalistic, but that it is the politicians who during electioneering use tribal sentiments to manipulate the people for their selfish gains.
In Karene, the local leaders condemned what they called the unfortunate incident that occurred in the district on August 10, during which the police station and quarters were completely destroyed.
They said there is an uneasy calm especially in Kamakwie town, with rumours making rounds of more arrests. He called on the government to address the situation, adding that the town is almost deserted with residents staying in the bush throughout the day and only returning in the evening
In Makeni, Bombali district, the Executive Secretary of the commission Hawa Samai said the country could only flourish and reach its full potentials in a stable and peaceful atmosphere. To achieve that, she added, there has to be unity, regardless of region, culture or religion and at the same time to respect the laws governing the country.
Samai said their team was determined to reach out to every stakeholder across the country to not only interacting and sharing the importance of peace with them, but that they know they have a stake in maintaining harmony.
She disclosed plans by the commission in collaboration with the government, to launch a yearly Most Peaceful District Award, adding that each winner will receive a very big package that will benefit the entire district.
A member of the board representing the Northern Region, Joe Turay told the people that they are all peace commissioners as peace starts with the home. He urged them to take peace promotion into their hands, adding that there are alternate dispute resolving mechanisms to be adopted when people are aggrieved rather resorting to violence.
In Kono, Samai spoke of the need for people to respect cultural values and start listening to elders and teach their children same,as it will help guide the in life.
She told the gathering that the commission operates an open- door policy and because of this has gained the trust and confidence of all the political parties. She also spoke about the commission’s Toll Free line to the launched soon, as well as plans to set up a Peace Situation Room, adding that the commission’s work is not limited to the elections, and that all systems and structures being put in place are going to be permanent. She also informed them of plans to conduct conflict analysis in every chiefdom using the global peace index, to identify the root causes of conflicts to ensure a lasting solution.
She advised people to be mindful of what they share on social saying: “Let’s also share the good things about the country, only that will bring investors and create jobs’’. She also called on parents to be to be careful about what they say to their kids and avoid creating political divide.
Key among the reasons participants raised as responsible for unrests was people’s loyalty to political parties instead of country, for self-satisfaction.
War victims present spoke of their awful experiences during the ten years civil war and the sufferings they are going through, and claimed that most of the provisions in the TRC especially those dealing with their welfare have not been fully implemented. They called on citizens to embrace peace for development.
Similar sentiments were expressed in all the other places visited by the commission in the week-long tour.
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