For much of the 1990s, Sierra Leone was embroiled in a violent civil war. The country is now at a defining moment in its history. Its people have considerable expectations of the current government and parliament to implement reforms following the decade-long civil war. Sierra Leone has come a long way over the years since the conflict, but it is on a fragile middle ground where the violence of war has ended, while the ways of peace have yet to be fully restored.
In response to this compelling situation, the IPU has been working closely with the United Nations, including the newly established Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), in its efforts to support the institution of parliament in Sierra Leone. Shortly after the August 2007 presidential and legislative elections, the IPU, in cooperation with the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone, PBC and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), sent a needs assessment mission to Sierra Leone.
The objective of the mission was to review the functioning of the parliament, identify bottlenecks and needs, and propose viable solutions that could be implemented in support of a strong and effective legislative body. Clearly, the parliament has a key role to play in consolidating the peace process. A parliament that is fully representative of all components of society and that offers a national platform for a free and open exchange of views is an embodiment of reconciliation. Parliamentary debate and action can pursue the course, meaning and objectives of reconciliation, particularly regarding transitional justice mechanisms, such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The IPU mission held wide-ranging discussions with members and staff of the parliament, as well as with other international partners in the field, and proposed a series of activities designed to overcome the current difficulties, helping the parliament to better perform its functions and thus increase its ability to contribute to good and effective governance.
Soon after the IPU mission to Sierra Leone took place, Speaker Abel Stronge travelled to the United Nations Headquarters in New York to attend the Annual Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations, which this year focused its deliberations on reinforcing the rule of law in international relations. In addressing the substantive session on the legacy of the international tribunals and the future course of the international criminal justice regime, Speaker Stronge highlighted lessons learned and progress made by his country in the truth and reconciliation process. In further meetings with senior UN officials, he stressed the need for a sustained commitment by the international community in support of the new Parliament of Sierra Leone, which will be called upon to play a key role in the process of peace-building and sustainable development.
