By Millicent Senava Mannah
Dr. Isata Mahoi, National Network Coordinator for the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding – Sierra Leone (WANEP-SL), in an engagement with the media, recently disclosed that the organization has been playing a crucial role in building peace in Sierra Leone. She disclosed that WANEP-SL is one of the national peacebuilding networks in the region and has been working with other partners to manage pre-election conflicts to maintain and build peace in the country.
She furthered how as part of its efforts to prevent violence before, during and after the 2023 elections, WANEP-SL has embarked on a project to operationalize the National Election Response Group (NERG) and Insider Mediation and Negotiation Council.
“This project is being supported by the United Nations Peace Building Fund (UNPBF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),” she revealed.
According to her, the National Election Response Group (NERG) is a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together various actors, including civil society organizations, traditional leaders, political parties, media, security agencies, and election management bodies to work towards preventing election violence.
“The Insider Mediation and Negotiation Council is a group of eminent personalities who will serve as mediators and negotiators in case of any election-related conflicts,” she also disclosed.
Dr Mahoi also shared that WANEP-SL’s new strategic plan for 2021-2025 aims to build the capacity of citizens, civil society, citizen groups, research institutions, ECOWAS, AU, and all relevant stakeholders towards ensuring, “an enhanced citizenry and State capacity for sustainable peace.”
She explained that the plan includes six strategic objectives, including enhancing the use of Early Warning and Conflict Prevention, building the capacity of women to enhance their roles in peacebuilding and conflict transformation, and supporting youth participation and voices on issues of governance, peace, and security.
She concluded by underscoring that WANEP-SL’s efforts to operationalize the National Election Response Group (NERG) and Insider Mediation and Negotiation Council during the 2023 electioneering process is a significant step towards ensuring peaceful and credible elections in Sierra Leone. She called on all stakeholders to support the project to ensure its success and promote peace and stability in the country.
