The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion on Wednesday held a meeting with leaders of the various political parties in the country, at the ONS conference room in Freetown.It was the first ever such meeting to be organized by the ICPNC and it provided the opportunity for the commission to be formally introduced to the parties and for the those present to learn more about the commission’s mandate and operations.

The executive secretary peace commission , Hawa Samai made a presentation on the commissions mandate, functions and its activities so far including the development of a three -year strategic plan as well as an elections preparedness. Plan. She highlighted the series of interventions undertaken by the commission with various interest groups including Bike and Kekeh drivers and the motor drivers’ union, Women’s groups and the market women’s Association with the objective of de-escalating tensions and promoting peace and cohesion.

The Executive Secretary spoke of plans to conduct a fragility study in all the 190 chiefdoms to as to identify potential hotspots, which information, will aid the commission in its work in peace promotion, mediation and conflict resolution, as well as a stakeholders mapping to identify institutions already working on peace promotion, that the commission can work with. The Events 0f August 8-10 was also discussed, with each party condemning the loss of lives and destruction of properties and reiterating their support for an investigation in to the matter.

They commended the Peace Commission for organsing such a meeting, which provided them opportunity for them to discuss freely on issues affecting them and the a whole. They also spoke of the need for more dialogue between the government and the people, and for regular meetings between the political parties and the peace commission.