The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has commenced a five-day Peace Mediation Training for staff of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC). The training runs from December 9–13, 2024, at the New Brookfield’s Hotel in Freetown.
Olushogo A. David, PPRC’s Executive Secretary, expressed gratitude to UNDP and KAIPTC for organizing the initiative, emphasizing its importance in equipping PPRC staff to address political conflicts effectively. He highlighted that the training follows tensions observed during the 2023 national elections and aims to strengthen the Commission’s conflict resolution mandate.
Mustapha Abdallah, Head of Peace Support Operations at KAIPTC, noted Ghana’s ongoing support for Sierra Leone’s peace processes, citing previous efforts to train various stakeholders in conflict resolution. Abdallah underscored the significance of mediation in preventing political disagreements from threatening national stability.
George Baratashvili, UNDP’s Chief Technical Advisor, stressed the training’s alignment with the Inter-Party Dialogue Framework, aimed at fostering political cooperation and dialogue. He encouraged participants to maximize the opportunity, stating it was informed by a thorough needs assessment.
Electoral Commissioner Abubakarr Koroma highlighted the critical role of mediation in managing election-related tensions, describing the training as essential to sustaining Sierra Leone’s democratic stability.
This training represents a vital step toward enhancing PPRC’s capacity to mediate conflicts, promoting peace, and ensuring the integrity of the country’s democratic processes.
