The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has urged political parties and their supporters to desist from violent conducts.

The ICPNC has expressed its deep appreciation to the leadership of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party for extending an invitation to the Commission to make a statement at their recently concluded National Delegates’ Conference held in Makeni from 17th to 19th February, 2023.

An official statement from the Commission said: “The Commission is pleased with the generally peaceful conduct demonstrated by the APC leadership and its general membership it is concerned about the violent incidents between supporters of opposing factions and aspirants after the convention”.

The Peace Commission stated how some APC supporters engaged in hate speech and hurled invectives and provocative comments against individuals, including His Excellency the President and his wife, which, it maintained, is unacceptable and has the potential to incite violent conflicts.

The Peace Commission noted that it acknowledges that the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) has taken punitive measures against the APC Party for the same conduct but urged all political parties’ leadership to discourage their supporters from engaging in any such conduct that may disturb public peace and threaten national security.

During their respective party conventions, the Commission stated, the flagbearers of both the SLPP and the APC pledged to promote peace and social cohesion.

It therefore expressed hopes that political leaders and leaders of all other political parties will encourage their supporters to behave peacefully in line with their commitments, as such will foster a peaceful society for a peaceful election process.

The Peace Commission underscored that the stability of Sierra Leone depends largely on how peaceful and socially cohesive we are as a nation admonishing all work together to build a better and more peaceful country.