Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh has congratulated the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) for its crucial role in the development of peace, accountability and national cohesion during a courtesy visit to State House where the Commission presented its 2025 Annual Report and Strategic Plan.
The ICPNC delegation was led by Board Chair Rev. Shodankeh Johnson, Executive Secretary Hawa Sally Samai and key members of the Commission’s management team. The visit provided the Commission with an opportunity to brief the Chief Minister on its mandate, key achievements, ongoing programmes, institutional priorities and interventions towards conflict prevention and enhancing social cohesion in Sierra Leone.
Rev. Johnson presented the report and strategic plan, noting that the submission is an indication of the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability and statutory compliance. He cited Section 22(1) of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion Act that requires the Commission to submit a report on its performance, policies and programmes to the Minister within three months after the end of each fiscal year. The 2025 Annual Report is the legal requirement and provides a snapshot of ICPNC’s activities, accomplishments, challenges and strategic direction, said Rev. Johnson.
Chief Minister Sengeh received the submission and used the occasion to stress the contribution of strong institutions to national development and peacekeeping. He said the current national discussions on reforming the Constitution and improving governance must include the establishment of independent bodies to monitor progress and ensure accountability. Such institutions, he said, are vital for ensuring that promises of development and stability are kept.
In their briefing, ICPNC officials highlighted the Commission’s national peacekeeping and early warning systems. Executive Secretary Hawa Sally Samai explained how the structures bring on board a diverse network of peace monitors, civil society organisations, media practitioners, security institutions, traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders from across the country. Information collected through these networks is verified by ICPNC monitoring teams, and then analysed in the Commission’s Peace Situation Room, which operates 24/7 to monitor emerging issues and support timely responses.
Madam Samai said the Commission regularly produces situation reports and shares them with relevant institutions such as the Sierra Leone Police and other security agencies to support evidence-based decision-making and early intervention. She also told the Committee about the ICPNC’s contribution to the promotion of peaceful democratic participation, saying that the Commission oversaw the internal elections of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC), at the lower levels. “These monitoring activities are part of efforts to promote tolerance, dialogue and peaceful political participation across party lines,” she said.
During the meeting, the Commission reaffirmed its neutrality. Officials of the ICPNC said they work with all political parties, civil society actors, community and religious leaders and other stakeholders to promote issue-based dialogue and prevent conflicts from escalating. They said that the mandate of the Commission also covers conflict prevention, mediation, early warning and response to any issue that may threaten peace and national unity outside electoral processes.
Chief Minister Sengeh also called on the ICPNC to continue to improve its communications and public outreach efforts. He stressed the importance of effective communication to ensure that citizens, policymakers and other stakeholders understand the work of the Commission and the interventions being implemented to promote peace and address national challenges. He said that expanded outreach would help sustain public confidence in institutions tasked with safeguarding national unity.
The engagement highlighted the significance of cooperation between ICPNC and government institutions in strengthening Sierra Leone’s peace architecture. Both sides recognised the need for continued dialogue, accountability and collective action to preserve and build on peacebuilding gains. The ICPNC’s Strategic Plan and ongoing interventions were shared as a roadmap for maintaining and expanding these efforts.
Finally, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to impartial peacemaking and to working with all sectors of society to prevent conflict and promote social cohesion. Through its monitoring networks, Peace Situation Room and targeted programmes, ICPNC intends to be a key actor in Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to achieve a peaceful and united future.
