MPs at the launch (Photo: Gladys Kpukumu)“Healing Wounds, Building Trust and Moving Forward Together” 

On 3rd October 2008 the Hon. Vice President of Sierra Leone, Chief Samuel Sam-Sumana, officially launched the first of eight dialogues before more than 100 MPs in the Chambers of Parliament, Freetown. After two dialogues in Freetown, six more will take place in key centres across the country. The last one will end on 7th December.

This series of dialogues has come about through close collaboration between Hope-Sierra Leone, an NGO affiliated to IofC-International, and UNDP which has given financial support to the project. Mr Edward Kamara, Head of Governance, UNDP, Sierra Leone, told the audience that “this was one of many innovative programmes towards which UNDP had been working.” The Founder of Hope-Sierra Leone, Mr John Bangura, described UNDP as “one of the credible international partners that have helped to transform the lives of Sierra Leoneans and rebuild the country since the war ended in 2002.”

Senior Army Officers attend the launch (Photo: Gladys Kpukumu)In his statement the Vice-President said: “The theme for this ialogue ‘Healing Wounds, Building Trust, Moving Forwards Together’ has been carefully chosen by Hope-Sierra leone, bearing in mind that our country faces a huge challenge to sustain peace and development. The most urgent moral challenge the nation faces today is the need to heal the bitterness of the past and create the conditions necessary for reconciliation between opposing factions at every level of society. It is hoped that the inspired leaders needed to achieve this situation will emerge from this dialogue.” He ended by asking the audience to bear in mind these axioms: “When people listen, God speaks; when people obey, God acts; when people change, nations change.” 

In a moving statement on behalf of Sierra Leone’s children, a 10-year old primary school girl challenged the leadership of the country: “We don’t want those dark days of the war. We want reconciliation, cohesion and sustainable peace in our beloved MAMA SALONE. This, Hon. Vice-President, Sir, is only possible if you and His Excellency the President make it your priority to lead the country towards a common goal. This is only possible if our parliamentarians and traditional leaders work hand in hand for a better Sierra Leone. We struggle to understand why we see each other as enemies just because we belong to different political backgrounds. This is a challenge to all of us. We encourage our politicians to put the interest and welfare of the people, and our country, above other interests.” 

Following the launch, a group of thirteen MPs from the three main political parties convened at Hotel 5:10, Kissy, in the East end of Freetown, for the commencement of the first dialogue session. During their two-and-a-half days at the hotel, the MPs shared rooms, ate together, and had fun together irrespective of political affiliations, ethnicity or religious beliefs.

MPs from opposing parties share experiences at Hotel 5:10 (Photo: Gladys Kpukumu)Facilitators from the Moral Foundations For Democracy (MFD) programme of Hope-Sierra Leone, enabled the participates to deliberate on issues such as standing against corruption, the search for moral values, trust building, teamwork and political tolerance. The fact that the faculty comprised a ‘tripartite team’ drawn from serving members of the police, army and the teaching profession, added to the spirit of co-operation that was a hallmark of the dialogue.

In a radio interview, a member of the governing APC party, Hon. Ibrahim Sorie, said that the dialogue was important and maintained that he would be committed to serving his people judiciously. He called on all Sierra Leoneans to be tolerant. Hon. Neneh Lebbie, member of the opposition party, the SLPP, added that the dialogue had “improved their thoughts” on development and political tolerance. All the MPs commended UNDP and Hope-Sierra Leone for this innovative programme.

Victor Foh (left) and Brima Koroma at the launch ceremony (Photo: Gladys Kpukumu)The APC National General Secretary, Victor Foh, and SLPP Administrative Secretary, Brima Koroma, served lunch and dinner to the parliamentarians at Hotel 5:10. They also shared their experiences of Caux, Switzerland, in July 2008, where they attended the Initiatives of Change international conference entitled ‘Tools for Change’.

After the launch in parliament, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service (SLBS) television showed the entire programme on its regular evening broadcast. It was headline news on several radio stations and UN Radio’s popular ‘Tea Break’ programme on 6th October gave prominence to the Dialogue.

Following the closing ceremony on Sunday, 5th October, reporters from 98.1 and CTN radio stations conducted a live interview with participants from each of the three main political parties, APC, SLPP, and PMDC and an interview with a paramount chief.

Meanwhile, the second dialogue has taken place at Hotel: 5:10, Freetown, from 11th – 13th October and the third dialogue in the strategic town of Bo in Southern Province from 17th – 19th October.

Edited from a report by Patrick Jakema