AYV News, July 16, 2026
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha SesayEsq., has urged government institutions, civil society organisations, and development partners to strengthen efforts to fully implement the recommendations of Sierra Leone’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), stressing that sustainable peace, justice, and democratic governance depend on confronting the nation’s past with sincerity and decisive action.
Speaking at the Review Meeting on the Implementation of the TRC Recommendations in Freetown on Tuesday, Mr. Sesay reflected on his personal experience as a survivor of Sierra Leone’s civil war, describing how the conflict shaped his lifelong commitment to justice, human rights, and national reconciliation.
He described the TRC’s landmark final report, Witness to Truth, as a blueprint for national healing, noting that its recommendations address critical issues including reparations for victims, governance reforms, access to justice, and the protection of women and children.
While acknowledging significant progress over the years, including the establishment of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and the enactment of key legislative reforms, the Attorney General noted that several recommendations, particularly those relating to victim reparations and institutional reforms, remain outstanding.
To accelerate implementation, Mr. Sesay announced that the Ministry of Justice will undertake a comprehensive review of all legislative recommendations contained in the TRC report and will regularly provide the public with updates on progress. He also pledged stronger collaboration with the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion to improve monitoring, coordination, and accountability.
The Attorney General further linked the implementation of the TRC recommendations to the ongoing constitutional review process, emphasising that both initiatives seek to address the governance failures, institutional weaknesses, and systemic challenges that contributed to Sierra Leone’s civil war. He maintained that the TRC’s recommendations should continue to serve as a guiding framework for the country’s democratic and institutional reforms.
Calling for greater transparency and accountability, Mr. Sesay urged all stakeholders to openly report on their progress, make measurable commitments, and remain actively engaged in implementing the Commission’s recommendations.
Concluding his address, the Attorney General emphasised that Sierra Leone must move beyond commitments on paper to tangible action that honours the victims of the conflict and safeguards future generations.
“Let this meeting, and the updated report it produces, be witness to action,” he said, echoing the title of the TRC’s landmark report, Witness to Truth.
