By: Saidu Jalloh
In a significant development, the long-standing boundary dispute between the Kpetema and Benduma communities in Malegohun Chiefdom, Kenema District, has reached a peaceful resolution.
On Friday, October 18, 2024, key stakeholders from both communities convened at the Peyama Town Barry to sign the historic Peyama Peace Accord (PPA), effectively ending a conflict that has persisted for over six decades. The agreement, facilitated by Augustine Foday Ngobie, Deputy Commissioner of Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission, followed extensive trust-building efforts that began on September 13, 2024.
This conflict, which has resulted in significant violence and destruction in recent years, arose from unresolved boundary issues despite deep ancestral and familial ties between the two communities. Ngobie, regarded by many as “the Moses of his people,” played a crucial role in brokering the peace deal, leveraging his experience as a former senior police officer to gain the trust of both communities, as well as the support of local authorities, the Office of National Security (ONS), and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP).
During the signing ceremony, Ngobie underscored the necessity of prioritizing peace over ongoing conflict. “We are not here to determine who is right or wrong,” he stated to the hundreds in attendance from both communities. “The cost of not choosing peace far outweighs the price of reconciliation.”
The Peyama Peace Accord outlines six fundamental principles: Mutual Respect and Dignity, Non-Violence, Reconciliation and Healing, Commitment to Dialogue, Respect for Cultural Differences, and Shared Prosperity. Additionally, it includes an action plan for conflict resolution, community engagement, and monitoring of progress. A Peace Committee, composed of representatives from both communities alongside mediators, has been established to oversee the implementation of the accord.
The PPA is viewed as a critical step toward ending decades of unrest, with community leaders, religious figures, and local authorities pledging their commitment to uphold peace and resolve remaining issues through dialogue.
