By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of its continuous efforts towards engaging all sectors of society in relation to the draft of a strategic plan for the promotion of peace and national cohesion in the country, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, which was established by an Act of Parliament in December 2020 has on Tuesday 1st February 2022 held a one-day consultative meeting with key stakeholders within the security sector on its proposed three (3) years Strategic Plan (2022-2024) for the promotion of peace and national cohesion.
The meeting was geared towards giving the opportunity to these key stakeholders within the security sector to make their inputs to the formulation of the proposed strategic plan of the Commission.
In his presentation, the Consultant of the proposed strategic plan, Magnus Mordu Conteh, revealed that the meeting was part of the Commission’s continuous consultations on the validation of its Strategic Plans, adding that the strategic plan is being developed in line with the Commission’s mandate which is, “to devise strategies and measures to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts, and to build, promote and maintain sustainable peace through national cohesion is Sierra Leone”.
He maintained that the Commission started the consultation process in November 2021 with a three- day Strategic planning retreat at Occasion Lakkah, which brought together some civil society groups, development partners, other key stakeholder including the Judiciary and staff.
Magnus Mordu Conteh pointed out that the aim was to identify and develop key thematic areas that will enable the Commission undertake measures to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts and to build, promote peace ad national cohesion.
Underscoring key pillars within the Strategic Plan, he said, they include Peace Promotion, Mediation and Resolution, Early Warning and Early Response, Enhancing National Cohesion, Advisory to Government and Programme Support and Operations.
The Consultant concluded by stating that during this process they will give the opportunity to these stakeholders to make their inputs to the document and after which they will now have the official draft of the Strategic Plan which will further lead to validation.
On her part, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Madam Hawa Samai disclosed that the Commission has its mandate which includes proffering advise to Government on all aspects of conflict resolution and peace, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations and adopt measures to promote and facilitate full implementation of the
recommendations, promote peace, reconciliation, and unity in Sierra Leone, build peace cultures, enhance tolerance, and support peaceful resolution of conflicts throughout Sierra
Leone etc.
Madam Hawa Samai continued that the consultative meeting will provide an opportunity for the various stakeholders around the country, including the security sector, political parties, local authorities and even ordinary Sierra Leoneans to make inputs into and be part of the process, furthering that such will give the document a national outlook and make it the “people’s strategy”, as promoting peace is everyone’s business.
