NCD to activate Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance

The National Commission for Democracy (NCD) Western Region Office has announced plans to launch a nationwide Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance, with the goal of reducing political tensions, strengthening democratic culture, and addressing the growing problem of illicit drug use among young people. The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the NCD Western Region Headquarters in Jui, Freetown, during a stakeholder engagement that included 50 people from across the region.

Representatives from civil society organisations, the Office of National Security, media practitioners, students, political parties, youth and women’s groups, security agencies, and traditional and religious leaders from Hastings, Kossoh Town, Jui, and the surrounding communities were present. The meeting was called to map out the next steps for establishing and institutionalising the Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance, as well as to solicit commitments from a wide range of stakeholders who will be critical to its success.

NCD Western Region Commissioner Benjamin Macfoy explained the rationale for the new platform, stating that Sierra Leone’s democratic landscape is still plagued by political intolerance and heightened partisan tensions, which frequently spill into communities. He also mentioned the growing problem of illicit drugs among young people and stated that the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations on electoral reforms and governance provide an appropriate framework for public dialogue and citizen engagement.

The NCD aims to promote civic education and democratic participation by activating the Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance, a neutral and inclusive space for citizens, political actors, and civil society to discuss issues, debate reforms, and collaborate on problem-solving. “The Tripartite recommendations require that citizens have access to platforms where they can understand and debate reforms constructively,” he said, emphasising that the platform would allow for frank, informed discussions about reform and reconciliation.

The Commissioner emphasised that the initiative will take lessons from Sierra Leone’s civil war (1991-2002). He observed that the conflict was fueled by governance failures, corruption, youth marginalisation, weak institutions, and illicit resource trade. The platform aims to address root causes and promote prevention measures like inclusive governance, civic education, youth empowerment, and community-based conflict resolution to reduce the risk of recurrence.

“Rising drug abuse among youths endangers peace, security, and democratic participation,” Macfoy stated. The civil war was driven by exclusion, injustice, corruption, and weak democratic institutions. To prevent history from repeating itself, citizens must be reminded of these lessons. Strengthening civic education, promoting tolerance, empowering youth and women, and constructing resilient institutions are critical to maintaining peace.”

The engagement outlined several specific goals for the Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance. The goals are to activate and institutionalise the platform, create a neutral forum for substantive dialogue among political parties, civil society, and ordinary citizens, educate communities on the dangers of illicit drugs and their impact on democracy, and integrate war-prevention mechanisms into ongoing civic dialogue. Participants were also encouraged to ensure that citizens understand the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations and their implications for electoral and governance reform.

Another important goal is to obtain documented pledges and commitments from stakeholders to promote tolerance, support reform, and contribute to peacebuilding. The platform is expected to reduce political intolerance and conflict through consistent dialogue, raise awareness and advocacy for drug abuse, and strengthen regional civic platforms to allow for long-term engagement between election cycles.

During the meeting, the NCD Western Region Commissioner presented a paper on political tolerance, the Tripartite recommendations, illicit drugs, the causes of the civil war, and prevention strategies. Stakeholders held open discussions, identified tensions, proposed practical solutions, and reflected on historical lessons that should guide current and future actions. The meeting concluded with a Q&A session to clarify the platform’s structure, outreach to grassroots communities, and ongoing coordination with security agencies, traditional leaders, and civil society.

The NCD stated that the Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance will be activated at both the Commission’s headquarters and regional offices, allowing it to serve as a national convener for peace, tolerance, and democratic engagement. The Commission hopes that by incorporating lessons from Sierra Leone’s past and prioritising prevention mechanisms, the platform will raise civic awareness, strengthen community resilience, and inspire citizens and stakeholders to publicly commit to creating a more cohesive, resilient, and peaceful nation.

As the initiative progresses from planning to implementation, the next steps will be to finalise the platform’s governance arrangements, expand stakeholder outreach beyond the initial participants, and launch tailored civic education and youth empowerment programmes at the community level. The NCD’s announcement represents a concerted effort to create long-term, inclusive dialogue spaces that address both political polarisation and social challenges to Sierra Leone’s democratic stability.