An Independent Commission for peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) is set to be established by the Sierra Leone Government in July this year.
The commission shall be charged with the responsibility of complementing government effort in maintaining peace in the country.
The Office of Chief Minister (OCM), in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, is spearheading the establishment of the commission.
The OCM therefore keeps the public constantly informed on the latest progress of the peace commission which sierra Leoneans are eager to see.
“In fulfillment of Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to peace and national cohesion, Office of Chief Minister wishes to inform the general public that on 18th March 2020, cabinet approved the establishment of the ICPNC,” an OCM press release reads.
A draft bill for the establishment of the ICPNC being worked out by the OCM will be laid before parliament for approval before the end of July, this year.
After parliamentary approval for the establishment of the peace commission, the OCM says, may have been achieved, the President will appoint its key officers for the business of running the commission.
“Upon the transition of the ICPNC bill into law, His Excellency, the President will appoint a Chairman, commissioners and Executive Secretary before September, 2020 as this will signal the full operationalisation of the ICPNC,” the document also reads.
Back in 2018 campaign, President Julius Maada Bio promised the people of Sierra Leone to enhance peace and national cohesion in the country.
In various fora the President Bio attended, he laid emphasis on the establishment of the peace commission being a crucial tool in the governance of the state.
Following his victory in March, 2018, President Julius Maada Bio and his government convened Bintumani 111, a platform he hoped to foster unity and cooperation in the country especially with the main opposition.
It was a beautiful attempt by the ‘New Direction’ Government to realise the objective of peace consolidation in a politically charged country.
The proposed establishment of the peace commission will be viewed by many as a fulfillment of a key campaign promise and one of the success stories of the ‘New Direction’ dispensation.
It is also a response to calls made by the international community as well as several organisations in Sierra Leone.
Government is also fully aware that the objective of national development could hardly be realised if there is no peace in the country.
Government To Set Up Peace Commission
