President Bio said on Monday the move is in line with his commitment to maintain the peace of the country as it has been all these years. As a presidential aspirant, Mr Bio repeatedly spoke about the need for national cohesion, which he said was crucial given the divisive nature in which his predecessor had governed the country which had gone through eleven years of civil war (1991-2002).
After his election, Bio again reiterated the promise during his first State Opening of Parliament.
The process of development can never progress without that (peaceful) environment, he said on Monday.
“What I want actually is a national infrastructure for peace…, one that we maintain and keep it going, not just a one off thing,” Mr Bio added as he received documents to set up the commission.
The documents were officially presented to the presidency by Chief Minister, Dr David Francis, whose office is charged with the task of setting up the Commission.
The president noted that Sierra Leone is one of the countries that forced the international community to understand the “inextricable link” between security and development.
According to the presidency, a national consultation has been planned on the idea, to be followed by a cabinet paper approving the formation of the Commission. The president called on the office of Chief Minister to ensure every Sierra Leonean participates in process of consultation.
Sierra Leone will be the first country to have a Commission on peace and national cohesion, according to UN Resident Coordinator, Sunil Saigal, who said the world body is determined to support government to ensure it happens.