ICPNC Revamps Community Peace Network as Mediators Receive Fresh Training to Prevent Grassroots Conflicts

 WATERLOO, Sierra Leone – As Sierra Leone continues efforts to strengthen peace and national cohesion, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has launched a renewed drive to revitalise its Community Peace Mediators Network, equipping local peace actors with the skills needed to prevent conflicts before they escalate.

The Commission's latest reactivation and capacity-building programme was held on 5 August 2026 at the Women's Advocacy and Agricultural Development Organization (WAADO) office on Carmont Street in Waterloo. The initiative brought together Peace Mediators drawn from community leadership, civil society organisations, youth groups, market women, the Inter-Religious Council, and other key stakeholders committed to promoting peace at the grassroots level.

According to the ICPNC, the programme is designed to strengthen local peace infrastructures by replacing inactive mediators, recruiting new representatives, reconnecting with existing members, identifying emerging conflict trends, and improving coordination in responding to community disputes.

Speaking during the engagement, Acting Director of Conflict Prevention Titus Mohamed Kallon said the initiative forms part of the Commission's wider strategy to reinforce peace structures across the Western Urban and Western Rural Districts. He noted that strengthening the knowledge and practical skills of Peace Mediators would improve their ability to facilitate dialogue, resolve disputes, and support peaceful coexistence within their communities.

The training session, led by Deputy Director of Conflict Resolution Francis Mustapha Sengeh, focused on the roles, responsibilities, and ethical standards expected of Peace Mediators. Participants were encouraged to act as trusted community leaders capable of resolving tensions through dialogue while promoting peace and national cohesion.

The programme also provided an opportunity for participants to discuss challenges affecting their communities and propose measures to strengthen the Peace Mediators Network.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, District Youth Chairperson Madam Marie Bangura called for sustained collaboration between the Commission and Peace Mediators to keep the network active and effective. She appealed for the issuance of official identification cards to enhance the credibility of mediators and highlighted transportation and logistical constraints as key obstacles to their work.

As part of the revitalisation process, the ICPNC also restructured the composition of the Peace Mediators Network by replacing inactive members and expanding community representation to improve its effectiveness.

The Commission said the initiative reflects its ongoing commitment to empowering community peace actors and strengthening grassroots mechanisms for conflict prevention, dialogue, and national cohesion in line with its statutory mandate.