Freetown, 26th October 2026 – Sierra Leone’s National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference opens today at the Bintumani International Conference Centre, bringing together political leaders, traditional authorities, civil society groups, women, young people, development partners and the media in a renewed effort to strengthen peace and national cohesion.
Convened by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), the two-day conference is being held under the theme:
“From Agreement to Action: Strengthening Unity, Advancing Social Cohesion and Building a More Peaceful Sierra Leone Through Conflict Prevention.”
The gathering comes three years after the signing of the National Unity Agreement and is expected to assess progress made in implementing its resolutions while identifying practical steps to address persistent divisions and promote lasting national unity.
Organisers say the conference is intended to move beyond dialogue and focus on concrete actions that can help deepen trust, tolerance and cooperation across political, regional and social lines.
For many Sierra Leoneans, the event represents an opportunity for the country’s leaders to demonstrate a collective commitment to peace at a time when political tensions and national debates continue to test social cohesion.
The conference is expected to place particular emphasis on Resolution 6 of the National Unity Agreement, which focuses on strengthening mechanisms for dialogue, reconciliation and conflict prevention.
In a message ahead of the conference, the ICPNC described the event as a national platform for reflection and action, stressing that peacebuilding is a shared responsibility that extends beyond government institutions.
“Peace is not made by a Commission alone. Peace is made by all of us,” the Commission stated.
Ahead of the conference, a delegation from the ICPNC visited former President Ernest Bai Koroma at his residence in Makeni to discuss the initiative.
Koroma welcomed the conference, describing it as timely and relevant to Sierra Leone’s current circumstances. He said one of the strongest messages the event could send to the public would be the sight of leaders with differing views sitting together and engaging in constructive dialogue.
“Leadership matters,” Koroma said, adding that peace and national cohesion should be viewed as a continuous process rather than a one-time event.
He further argued that regular engagement between national leaders, including former and current office holders, would send a powerful signal of unity to citizens across the country.
ICPNC Executive Secretary Hawa Sally Samai echoed that view, saying the conference is intended to be the beginning of a broader national process rather than a standalone event.
“We do not want to see unity only at the conference,” she said. “We want to see the President, former Presidents and former Vice Presidents sitting together to discuss peace and social cohesion for the country.”
As discussions begin today, expectations are high that the conference will produce recommendations capable of translating the spirit of the National Unity Agreement into tangible actions that strengthen national reconciliation, prevent conflict and promote peaceful coexistence.
For ordinary Sierra Leoneans, the significance of the conference extends beyond the meeting halls of Bintumani. It represents a test of whether the country’s political and civic leaders can work together to address differences, build trust and secure a more united and peaceful future.
The conference concludes on Tuesday, with participants expected to outline a roadmap for advancing national unity and social cohesion across the country.
