By: Tommy Sidikie
October 21, 2024 Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Honorable Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, officially opened the Constellating Peace Conference at The Place Resort, Tokeh Beach. The event is organized by Fambul Tok International and Catalyst for Peace.
In his keynote address, Vice President Jalloh commended the conference for uniting peace leaders from around the world, highlighting Sierra Leone’s remarkable transformation from a post-war state to a nation committed to 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 underscored the significance of citizenship and community development in Sierra Leone’s peace process, noting the country’s evolution from a conflict zone to a global model of peace.
The conference began with remarks from Manty Tarawalli, Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, who praised Fambul Tok’s community-based peace model and emphasized the crucial role women play in sustaining peace within 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.
Following the opening remarks, a film depicting the Fambul Tok Peace Process was screened, leading to a joint presentation by John Caulker, Executive Director of Fambul Tok, and Libby Hoffman, President of Catalyst for Peace. Caulker highlighted the evolution of the People’s Planning Process, which underpins the Wan Fambul National Framework, emphasizing that the answers to peacebuilding lie within the communities themselves.
Hoffman echoed this sentiment, 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 commended 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 noted.
Throughout the conference, participants will engage in workshops, discussions, and community visits to explore traditional peace practices, governance models, and ways to integrate local engagement into national strategies.
Vice President Jalloh’s keynote emphasized the collective role of Sierra Leone and its communities in advancing peace, while John Caulker described the gathering as a “celebration of hearts dedicated to peace,” reinforcing Sierra Leone’s position as a beacon of hope and resilience for the global community.
