The Hon. Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has officially opened the Constellating Peace Conference, organized by Fambul Tok International and Catalyst for Peace, at Tokeh, Freetown.

In his keynote address, the Vice President praised the gathering for bringing together peace leaders from around the world, noting Sierra Leone’s significant journey from a post-war state to a nation committed to building sustainable peace.

“Our country has progressively rebuilt itself after the devastation of civil war, yet the work of peacebuilding is ongoing, driven by the spirit of community engagement and development at the grassroots level,” Jalloh stated.

He also reemphasized the importance of citizenship and community development in Sierra Leone’s peace process, noting that the country has shifted from being a conflict zone to a global peace model.

The conference opened with remarks from Manty Tarawalli, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, who applauded Fambul Tok’s community-based peace model and highlighted the critical role women play in sustaining peace across communities.

“Women have been at the heart of this process, ensuring that peace remains not just an agreement but a way of life,” she said.

A film on the Fambul Tok Peace Process was shown, followed by a joint presentation by John Caulker, Executive Director of Fambul Tok, and Libby Hoffman, President of Catalyst for Peace. Caulker shared the evolution of the People’s Planning Process, which underpins the Wan Fambul National Framework, highlighting how the answers to peacebuilding lie within the communities themselves.

Hoffman reinforced this, stating, “Real power is in lived goodness, and the resilience built in Sierra Leone can inspire the world.”

Tamba Lamina, Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs, further praised the collaboration between the government and Fambul Tok, acknowledging the model’s transformative impact on development planning across the country.

“This process has not only restored peace but also strengthened governance at the community level, shaping how we plan for the future,” he said.

Throughout the conference, participants will engage in workshops, discussions, and community visits to explore traditional peace practices, governance models, and how local engagement can be integrated into national strategies.

The Vice President’s keynote emphasized the collective role of Sierra Leone and its communities in advancing peace, while John Caulker noted that this gathering represents a “celebration of hearts dedicated to peace,” as Sierra Leone continues to serve as a beacon of hope and resilience for the global community.