AYV News, October 19, 2026
The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) is seeking concrete measures to strengthen national unity, rebuild public trust and prevent conflict as it prepares to convene the National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference 2026 on October 26–27.
The conference, scheduled for the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown, will bring together government officials, political stakeholders, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, women, young people, the media, persons with disabilities and international development partners to discuss practical approaches to sustaining peace.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Defence on Friday, October 16, ICPNC Executive Secretary Hawa Samai said the gathering was intended to move national dialogue beyond promises and towards measurable action.
“Our purpose is not simply to hold another conference or produce another document. Our purpose is to create space for honest reflection, respectful dialogue, practical decisions and renewed collective responsibility for the peace and future of Sierra Leone,” Samai said.
Held under the theme “From Commitment to Action,” the conference will focus on translating existing peacebuilding commitments into practical steps that strengthen relationships among citizens and institutions.
A major issue on the agenda will be the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity, signed on October 18, 2023, following dialogue between the Government of Sierra Leone and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), facilitated by the ICPNC.
Samai said participants would assess progress under the agreement, with particular attention to Resolution 6, and identify measures to improve conflict prevention and promote constructive engagement among stakeholders.
She explained that the conference would seek proposals identifying priority actions, responsible institutions and indicative timelines to support implementation after the meeting. A Freetown Declaration is also expected to emerge from the discussions to guide continued national engagement.
“The value of any agreement is ultimately measured by its implementation and by the difference it makes to relationships, public confidence and the lives of citizens,” she said.
Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s civil war and subsequent peacebuilding efforts, Samai highlighted the importance of dialogue, justice, inclusion and accountability in preventing a return to violence.
She referenced the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Special Court for Sierra Leone as significant elements of the country’s post-war peacebuilding experience.
However, she cautioned that unresolved grievances, exclusion, inflammatory language and the spread of rumours could create tensions if not addressed early.
According to her, sustaining peace requires continuous efforts to resolve disagreements peacefully and ensure that citizens feel heard and included in national decision-making.
“Peace must be nurtured, defended through dialogue, strengthened through justice and inclusion, and sustained through the choices we make every day,” she said.
Samai further stressed that women, young people and persons with disabilities must have meaningful opportunities to participate in discussions and decisions affecting the country’s future.
Deputy Director of Communications at the ICPNC, Hawa Barrie, described the conference as an opportunity for Sierra Leoneans to engage in a broader national conversation about rebuilding trust, strengthening relationships and managing differences peacefully.
She emphasised the role of the media in communicating the conference’s discussions, recommendations and outcomes to citizens throughout the country.
“Sierra Leoneans across the country deserve to know what is being discussed, why it matters and what outcomes they should expect,” Barrie said.
She added that public awareness and access to information would be important in ensuring that the conference’s outcomes extend beyond the meeting venue.
The ICPNC says the ultimate measure of success will be the actions taken after the conference, rather than the number of speeches delivered or participants in attendance.
With national stakeholders expected to gather in Freetown later this month, the conference is set to provide another platform for examining Sierra Leone’s peacebuilding commitments and identifying practical ways to strengthen national unity and social cohesion.
