Statement by the Resident Coordinator at the launch of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I would like to commend His Excellency the President, Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio, on behalf of the UN Country Team in Sierra Leone, for launching the Independent Commission on Peace and National Cohesion.

This is certainly an important initiative, which started with the development of the green paper, which was prepared by the Government through an independent consultant with support from the United Nations Development Programme.

In April 2016 the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council adopted resolutions on peace-building, introducing the concept of “sustaining peace”, which encompasses activities aimed at preventing the outbreak, escalation, continuation and recurrence of conflict.

In January 2017, the Secretary-General of the United Nations placed conflict prevention for sustaining peace at the heart of the United Nations agenda, stating that the best manner to prevent societies from relapsing into crisis is to strengthen their resilience through investment in inclusive and sustainable development.

In a major 2018 report, ‘Pathways for Peace’, the United Nations and the World Bank underscored the close relationship between peace and development, highlighting that some of the most acute risks of violence today stem from exclusion, marginalization and injustices rooted in inequalities across groups. These risks are frequently compounded by exogenous economic shocks, climate change, and competition for resources.

The report also indicates that there is no one single prevention solution, as causes of violence are complex and interrelated and require managing short-term imperatives, while mitigating longer-term risks.

Recognizing such complexities, the Government of Sierra Leone articulated its prevention vision in the new Medium-Term National Development Plan (2019-2023), which included the creation of the National Peace Commission, which is launched today.

Sierra Leone has been acclaimed as one of the most peaceful countries in the world.  As we move towards the June national elections, however, we continue to be concerned about tensions among political parties, as well as among various groups in society.  Such tensions, if not addressed in the appropriate manner, risk becoming an obstacle to national development and creating an atmosphere of insecurity.

Therefore, the UN, certainly, subscribes to any effort that contributes to reducing violence and to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, while promoting social inclusion, addressing the justice needs of people and reducing polarization and distrust, particularly in this crucial period for the country’s democracy.  

Thank you.