The Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) has completed a thorough management functional review of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), presenting a series of vital recommendations aimed at enhancing the Commission’s operational efficiency and safeguarding its independence from political influence.

This review underscores the necessity of depoliticizing the recruitment process, a critical step toward ensuring that the Peace Commission fulfills its mandate in an unbiased and effective manner.

The PSRU’s report places a strong emphasis on the regularization of staff appointments within the Peace Commission.

The review highlights the need to limit political appointments strictly to the role of the Executive Secretary, as outlined in the ICPNC Act of 2022.

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To enforce this, the review recommends that all current staff members, except the Executive Secretary, reapply for their positions under a newly proposed organizational structure.

This step is intended to address political interference by ensuring that the Commission’s staff are appointed based on merit and competence rather than political affiliations.

One of the review’s pivotal recommendations is that the Board of the Commission should formally endorse the appointment of the Executive Secretary, aligning this process with the legal provisions set out in the ICPNC Act of 2022.

This measure seeks to reinforce the rule of law within the Commission and foster public trust in its operations.

The establishment of the Peace Commission reflects the President’s commitment to fostering national harmony and stability. The PSRU commends the President for his visionary leadership in setting up the Commission and acknowledges the Commission’s significant strides in promoting peace across Sierra Leone.

Since its formation, the Peace Commission has undertaken several impactful initiatives, including the successful negotiation of the Unity Agreement, the organization of the Peace Festival, and the training of paramount chiefs in mediation and conflict resolution techniques.

These efforts have been instrumental in cultivating a culture of peace and dialogue, preventing conflicts, and addressing underlying tensions within communities. Additionally, the establishment of the Peace Situation Room has provided a proactive mechanism for monitoring and responding to potential threats to national cohesion.

The PSRU identified several irregularities in the administrative processes, particularly concerning the appointment of the Executive Secretary. The report notes that this appointment did not follow the procedure outlined in the ICPNC Act of 2022, which mandates that the Board should be involved in the process.

To rectify these issues, the PSRU recommends revising the ICPNC Act to eliminate ambiguities and developing comprehensive regulations to guide its implementation.

The review highlights the fragmented approach to peace and national cohesion across various public institutions.

To address this, the PSRU recommends establishing a National Platform for Peace and National Cohesion, chaired by the Vice President, with the Peace Commission serving as the secretariat. This platform would ensure a coordinated effort in promoting peace and would streamline the government’s response to potential conflicts.

The review underscores the importance of maintaining the Commission’s independence. Stakeholder perceptions indicate a degree of mistrust in the Commission’s autonomy, largely due to politically influenced appointments. To rebuild trust, the PSRU recommends that the recruitment process be strictly apolitical, with appointments based on professional qualifications and integrity.

The PSRU’s findings reveal that the Commission is currently understaffed, with several key positions vacant. Moreover, the conditions of service for middle and lower-tier staff are substandard, negatively impacting morale and productivity. The review recommends adopting a new organizational structure to fill these critical vacancies and improving staff conditions to enhance performance.

The current staff strength, consisting of 43 members, is insufficient for the Commission to effectively execute its mandate. The review suggests that the recruitment process be aligned with the guidelines of the Public Service Commission and relevant labor laws to ensure transparency and fairness.

The PSRU’s review offers a comprehensive blueprint for the Peace Commission to strengthen its independence and operational capacity. By implementing these recommendations, the Commission can eliminate political interference, foster a culture of meritocracy, and ensure that it remains a neutral entity dedicated to promoting peace and national cohesion in Sierra Leone.

There is a widespread public expectation that all recommendations provided during the Management Functional Review should be implemented fully without the interefearance of political actors and to uphold the integrity and effectiveness of the Peace Commission.