President Dr Julius Maada Bio outlined his vision for strengthening peace, rebuilding public trust and advancing national unity while delivering the keynote address at the National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference on Monday, 26 October 2026, at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown.
The two-day conference, organised by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), will bring together political leaders, government officials, traditional authorities, civil society representatives and development partners to examine practical measures for promoting reconciliation, strengthening democratic governance and consolidating lasting peace across Sierra Leone.
According to a statement issued by State House on Sunday, 25 October 2026, President Julius Maada Bio will deliver an address titled “Sierra Leone’s Next Chapter of Peace and National Unity,” setting the tone for national discussions on overcoming political divisions and translating commitments to reconciliation into meaningful action.
The conference is held under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Rebuilding Trust, Strengthening National Unity and Advancing Social Cohesion,” reflecting growing recognition of the need to move beyond political declarations towards practical initiatives capable of strengthening relationships among citizens, political institutions and communities.
The gathering comes five years after the establishment of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, and three years after the Government and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) signed the Agreement for National Unity (ANU).
The Agreement for National Unity was intended to address political tensions, promote dialogue and establish a framework for cooperation between the Government and the opposition following the disputed June 2023 general elections.
Against this background, the conference is expected to provide an important opportunity for national stakeholders to assess progress in implementing commitments to peace and reconciliation, while identifying outstanding challenges requiring collective attention.
President Julius Maada Bio’s keynote address contributes to discussions on strengthening democratic institutions, encouraging constructive political engagement and ensuring that national development remains anchored in peace, stability and mutual respect.
Participants will include current and former national leaders, representatives of political parties, traditional and religious authorities, women and youth organisations, persons with disabilities, civil society groups, media practitioners and regional and international development partners.
The broad participation is intended to ensure that discussions reflect different political, social and community perspectives while encouraging shared responsibility for safeguarding Sierra Leone’s peace.
During the second day of the conference, participants will examine practical approaches to conflict prevention, community peacebuilding, social inclusion, justice, the rule of law and responsible media communication.
Particular attention will be given to identifying priority actions, recommending institutions responsible for implementation and establishing indicative timelines for achieving agreed objectives.
A major anticipated outcome of the conference is the adoption of the Freetown Declaration on National Unity and Social Cohesion 2026, which is expected to provide a framework for advancing commitments made during the discussions.
The proposed declaration is also intended to support institutional follow-up, strengthen accountability and provide a basis for monitoring progress towards greater national cohesion.
The conference comes at a time when Sierra Leone continues to confront the challenge of building confidence across political and social divides while consolidating democratic governance and preserving the peace achieved after years of national reconstruction.
For the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, the gathering represents an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among political actors, state institutions and citizens in addressing issues capable of undermining national stability.
President Julius Maada Bio’s address therefore, places renewed emphasis on dialogue, tolerance, reconciliation and collective responsibility as essential foundations for Sierra Leone’s democratic and developmental future.
Ultimately, the success of the conference will depend not only on the commitments made by participating stakeholders, but also on their willingness to translate agreed recommendations into concrete and measurable actions.
As national attention turns to the Bintumani Conference Centre, the central expectation is that the gathering will produce practical commitments capable of rebuilding trust, reducing political tensions and ensuring that peace and national unity remain enduring pillars of Sierra Leone’s future.
