GPPAC Consultation in sierra Leone

See Consultation in Pictures

National context

Sierra Leone and the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC)
The efforts of the United Nations (UN) to sustain peace in war-ravaged Sierra Leone cannot be overemphasized. The country has benefited from UN peacekeeping mission, humanitarian and development assistance as well as support for transitional justice mechanisms. Though Sierra Leone is experiencing relative peace there are challenges that need to be addressed to sustain peace and enhance development. High unemployment rates coupled with lack of basic amenities in the face of increasing perception of corruption within government and the private sector have created public discontent as well as lack of confidence in the government. The implementation of the Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has been hindered by government’s inability to set up relevant structures to address the material needs of war victims. Inadequate funding for the UN Special Court threatens its operations and the continuity in post-conflict Sierra Leone. The fragile situation in the sub-region especially Guinea remains a potential destabilizing factor that makes Sierra Leone vulnerable. Many other challenges makes it imperative for the UN Peacebuilding Commission to ensure a transition from peacekeeping through post-conflict reconstruction to development not just in Sierra Leone but the entire sub-region.

The Peacebuilding Commission is an instrument to develop more coherent, consistent and better founded strategies for sustained political attention to a country as it makes the transition from conflict to sustained development.

The consultation
Thirty CSOs working in diverse areas of peacebuilding and human security throughout the country participated in the training. In addition, a number of representatives from Government agencies, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, UNIOSIL, and other International Agencies also participated.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Oury Traoré, Program Manager of WANEP, congratulated Sierra Leone for being selected as one of the first two focus countries for the Peacebuilding Commission.  She stated that “This step is indeed very positive, because we are making progress toward nation-building.  Today, we gathered here not to talk about violent conflict and wars, but to build synergy and address common challenges that face Sierra Leone and our sub region.  We need to keep this momentum going by harnessing our collective strengths to effectively carry out this process.”  The Keynote speaker, Hon. Pascal Egbenda, Minister for Internal Affairs, commended WANEP for organizing the timely consultation. He emphasized that government recognized the important and complementary role of CSOs in the peacebuilding process in Sierra Leone.  The Minister mentioned its partnership with civil society for community policing as a demonstration of government’s commitment to effective collaboration.

Participants were given an overview of the GPPAC process and the significant role it played in advocating for civil society participation in the PBC operation.  UN Resolutions 1645 and 60/180 were discussed, in order to highlight the functions of the PBC in the Sierra Leonean context. In order to build on existing structures and initiatives, participants mapped out the existing peacebuilding initiatives by both government agencies and CSOs, which helped in identifying gaps in the peacebuilding process.  

GOVERNMENT AND CSO INITIATIVES IN PEACEBUILDING
The government of Sierra Leone has undertaken various initiatives for post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding in the country. These initiatives include: the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), the Special Court, and the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Resettlement (RRR) processes.  These initiatives constitute the key efforts of the government for peacebuilding and reconciliation. Public Commissions and Secretariats including: the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Law Reform Commission, the Decentralization Secretariat, the Human Rights Commission, the National Commission for War Affected Children, and the National Commission for Social Action have been set up to strengthen the public sector, address the social impact of the war, and enhance good governance. The restructuring and capacity building of the security forces especially the establishment of the District Security and Provincial Security Councils has ensured the maintenance of law and order; thus promoting partnership with civil society through their involvement in the development and implementation of community policing policy. The decentralization process has devolved power to the Councils in order to promote inclusion of marginalized groups including women, youth, and the disabled in decision making processes. Almost a year before the 2007 election, plans are underway to prepare for the election with a major focus on civic voter education.

The government of Sierra Leone developed a national Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), which is currently being implemented.   The PRS focuses on basic education and vocational skills in order to develop human resources within the country.  In partnership with donor agencies, the government also embarked on the reconstruction of basic infrastructure in the community including electricity, water, communication and health services.   Other initiatives are underway on security reform and youth empowerment. Furthermore, the private sector investment is being encouraged in the mining and agricultural sector.  In order to cushion the public against unintended economic hardships, the government established mechanism to provide social security safety nets such as National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT).  Efforts are also being made in other sectors to build social threads.  Community solidarity events such as festivals and carnivals facilitated social reintegration and contributed significantly to the prevailing peace and stability in Sierra Leone.

In addition to all these initiatives, it is important to highlight the critical roles of CSOs in Sierra Leone.  They have always played an important role in fostering democracy, popular participation and good governance. They mobilized the citizenry for cooperative action.  Typical examples are: the 1998 civil disobedience, Bintumani I & II, and the May 8^th Mass Demonstration. These activities contributed to the peaceful elections in 2002. However, shortly thereafter this impressive civil society movement disintegrated due to political infiltration and weak institutional infrastructure. In order to assert their influence and lend their expertise in peacebuilding practice, CSOs have formed umbrella organizations including the NCP-SL, PICOT, SLANGO to advocate, lobby and undertake activities pertaining to a and issues of  peace and human security, human rights and democratic issues.

CSOs have developed a variety of programs to build the capacity of communities on peace and security.  They provide paralegal services and assistance to communities, as well as training in areas such as conflict transformation and management, and peace education. CSOs also provide psycho-social care delivery (trauma healing) alternative livelihood support initiatives for youth and women. In collaboration with the government, CSOs are involved in security issues through District Security Councils (DISEC) and Provincial Security Councils (PROSEC).

In spite of the wide array of initiatives geared towards fostering sustainable peace and development, the efforts of these CSOs and other actors have yet to make a maximum impact on the socio-economic and political development of the country.  This can be attributed in part, to the absence of an integrated approach to peacebuilding practice, and a failure to foster collaboration between the diverse actors and efforts. Several of these challenges are discussed as follows:

GAPS IN PEACEBUILDING INITIATIVES

Piecemeal implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations: 
Although the TRC was established through an Act of Parliament, its recommendations are yet to be implemented effectively by the government. Government is under no legal obligation to execute them. The piecemeal approach adopted by government in their implementation has created gaps in the realization of the impact of the recommendations on the social and economic development of the country.

Lack of an effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism:
Intervention by government, international agencies and CSOs are often designed without factoring in monitoring and evaluation.  At times, these tools might exist, but are not taken seriously as a strategy to assess impacts and make recommendations for follow-up.

Lack of adequate resources for effective performance of public institutions:
Public institutions face serious human, financial, and logistical resource constraints. Personnel are inadequate, and conditions of services are poor. These resource constraints hamper the effective functioning of the various sectors in spite of the infrastructural reforms.

Lack of integrated and sustained donor support:
This approach looks at timeline instead of the process of peacebuilding and long term impacts.   Projects by CSOs and government are often suspended or abandoned due to a shift in donor interests.

Weak national research capacity:
Both government and CSOs operated mostly on assumption without preliminary research to inform their intervention. This approach has led to inappropriate strategies being applied to critical development needs. Sound research is fundamental and should inform effective policy formulation and implementation.

Weak partnership between government and CSOs:
Partnership between government and CSOs is still weak and characterized by mistrust.  CSOs accuse the government of not involving them in policy process. In situation where CSOs do have the opportunity to contribute, their inputs are often not reflected in the final policy outcomes.

Diverse thematic focus:
CSOs cover a wide variety of themes with little programmatic or institutional collaboration.  This lack of coordination inhibits the establishment of a collective agenda for programs and activities.  The absence of synergy among fields and actors doing similar and complementary work pose serious challenges for both program implementation and fundraising.

Following the discussion on these challenges, participants agreed that effective peacebuilding in Sierra Leone requires a rethinking in the peacebuilding process and the adoption of collaborative and integrative approaches.

After thorough discussion and analysis, seven priority areas/issues emerged for consideration by the PBC Organizing Committee during the in-country meeting. 

PRIORITIES & RECOMMENDATIONS 

1. Implementation and Dissemination of TRC & PRS

1. TRC: Government should legalize TRC document through legislative instruments and implement the recommendations therein as foundation for peacebuilding in Sierra Leone. The abridged and other simplified versions[1] of the document should be widely disseminated and also translated into Krio.  CSOs in partnership with government and development partners should embark on public awareness and sensitization on the TRC. 

Government and CSOs, especially the media, should take concrete steps to raise awareness and sensitize the population on the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). There must be an evaluation of Pillar One of the PRS (focuses on peace and security) to measure its impact and make amendments where necessary.

2. Building effective Partnership among government, CSO, inter-governmental organizations and donors

1. Peacebuilding CSOs should form part of government representation during PBC in-country meeting
2. The national government and the international community should support the empowerment of peacebuilding umbrella organizations and its membership through human resource development, institutional strengthening and program funding.
3. The national government, UN country team and other agencies, and international community should involve CSOs in policy discussions as well as in the design and implementation of national development programs.
4. The national government and CSOs should establish a joint framework to enforce transparency and accountability in their operations
5. A national Peace Platform should be established to enhance consultation among all stakeholders.
6. Promote an information, communication and documentation mechanism- for all actors

3. Human resource development: skills training for youth and economic empowerment for women

1. A needs assessment should be conducted on human resource development needs of youth and women at the district level to inform interventions. Based on identified needs, formal and informal training should be organized to develop income generating skills. Starter kits should be provided to enhance learning.
2. Guidance and counseling services should be provided to support and guide youth in choice of career.
3. Government should invest into quick livelihood opportunities e.g. small scale industries, transportation etc. and should create awareness on accessibility.
4. Best practices of youth empowerment at regional level should be documented.

4. Gender mainstreaming in peacebuilding

1. Fast-track the review process of the laws and legislations on women.
2. Harmonize laws with constitution.
3. Advocacy to include women and youths through legislation

                - Lobbying parliament
                - Sensitization; grassroots (chiefdoms)

1. Engaging opinion and traditional leaders
2. Monitoring mechanism at District/chiefdom level
3. Research and documentation of best practice
4. Representation of women and youth in key decision-making

5. Establishment of research units

1. Capacity of existing research institutions should be built to promote research activities and provide empirical evidence to inform policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation.
2. The government and CSOs should support the development of skills in research and analysis in order to gather baseline data on the Sierra Leone peace process.

6. Strengthen the capacity of national CSOs and Public Institutions

CSOs:

1. Support the institutional strengthening of CSOs through the provision of infrastructure, equipment.  Resources should be committed to the training of personnel in program design and implementation as well as skills in policy analysis, advocacy, lobbying, reporting, information packaging and dissemination
2. Support and promote CSO networks and coalitions
3. Monitor and evaluate the activities of CSOs.

7.  Public Institutions

1. Reform of the legal system:

• The Justice Sector, Human Rights Commission. Law Reform Commission should be resourced with qualified and adequate numbers of personnel; adequate funding, modern infrastructure and logistics as well as improved conditions of services.
• The offices of the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice should be separated

2. Provide the necessary logistics, capacity development interventions and improved conditions of services to the security sector, local government, agriculture and education should be provided with the necessary to ensure quality service delivery and enhanced performance.

8.  Establishment of a monitoring and evaluation mechanism

1. National CSOs should design a framework to monitor and evaluate the impact of the PBC in Sierra Leone with particular reference to its functions.
2. CSOs should conduct a “shadow review” of government and the international efforts in strengthening the various public sectors of the economy
3. Establish district level CS monitoring mechanisms and evaluation
4. Civil society monitoring themselves at district and chiefdom level (CS Report cards)
5. Coordinate specialized training on analysis and monitoring for CSOs.
6. Experience sharing and debriefing sessions through exchange visits by CSOs at district and chiefdom level.

In order to ensure follow-up on the execution of these recommendations, a nine member working committee was set up. Selection criteria focused on organizations and not individuals to ensure continuity in the committee’s work.