By Saio Marrah
The g7+ fragile countries made up of 20 member states have concluded a two day experience learning of conflict prevention with the aim of implementing the knowledge gained in their various member states.
The meeting launched by Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh (PhD) was held in Freetown between 30th April to 1st May 2024.
At a press briefing just after the conclusion of the meeting, the General Secretary of the g7+, Helder da Costa said Sierra Leone was chosen to host the said meeting because the country had manifested strong leadership for the past 10 years to the organization as Chair and that Sierra Leone being a member of the UN Security Council non- permanent category shows it has a voice on the global stage.
He said the meeting of member states saw knowledge sharing on consolidating peace in member states.
Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, he said they agreed that each member should galvanize the ideals of the g7+ (conflict prevention) to their different countries at different government levels. The General Secretary also disclosed that each member state should ratify the g7+ charter.
In her statement, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, who is the Chair of the g7+, Kenyeh Barlay, talked about how the organization was formed in 2010 and since Sierra Leone’s 10 years of leadership, the grouping has been engaged in advocacy against conflict, and consolidating peace across all the member states.
Commenting on why Sierra Leone was the ideal place for experience learning for conflict prevention, she made mention of how the country had gone through a brutal civil war to reconciliation, and that the country is now on the path of sustainable development.
According to Ms. Barlay, at g7+, they believe that there is no development without peace and that peace cannot be sustained where problems exist.
Responding to the question of what makes them unique, Ms. Barlay said conflict prevention is among their key objectives that had been neglected by other international organisations.
The g7+ is an inter-governmental organisation of 20 conflict affected countries helping to achieve peace and stability through advocacy in the context of specific policies at global level and facilitating peer learning among countries.
Participants from 16 out of the 20 countries attended the knowledge sharing meeting.
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