The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has launched a three-day training programme on mediation and conflict management for junior and mid-level Foreign Service Officers.

Speaking at the opening, the Deputy Director General of Operations, Mr. Franklyn B. Fawundu, said mediation and conflict management remain essential pillars of diplomacy in today’s fragmented global environment.

He noted that despite growing pressure on multilateral systems and strained relations among states, mediation continues to play a key role in preventing escalation and promoting lasting peace through dialogue.

Mr. Fawundu further highlighted the importance of mediation in resolving conflicts across Africa, noting that while it has limitations, it remains one of the most effective tools for peacebuilding.

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The Director General of the Ministry, Mr. Alan C. Logan, described the training as timely, given the increasing complexity of modern conflicts.

He recalled Sierra Leone’s experience with civil war, stressing that the country’s recovery through mediation, reconciliation, and peacebuilding stands as a model of post-conflict recovery.

Mr. Logan also commended Foreign Service Officers for their contributions to national peace efforts, including support for negotiations that led to the Abidjan Peace Accord and the Lomé Peace Agreement. He highlighted the Ministry’s collaboration with the United Nations and other partners in developing the Peace Consolidation Strategy.

The Ministry further noted Sierra Leone’s role in regional mediation efforts, including dialogue with Guinea over the Yenga border issue and engagement in countries experiencing unconstitutional changes of government, describing diplomacy as a vital tool for regional stability.