The National Commission for Democracy (NCD), Western Region Office on Tuesday 24th February 2026 disclosed plans to activate its Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance.
The disclosure was made at the NCD Western Region Headquarters at Jui in Freetown at the engagement organized for 50 participants including representatives from Civil Society Organizations, the Office of National Security, the media, students, Political Parties, Youth and Women’s Groups, Security Agencies, Traditional and Religious Leaders drawn from Hastings, Kossoh Town, Jui and surrounding communities to discuss and the chart the way forward for the establishment of the Citizens’ Platform for Political Tolerance.
According to the NCD Western Region Commissioner, Mr. Benjamin Macfoy, Sierra Leone’s democratic landscape continues to grapple with political intolerance, heightened tensions among parties and the growing menace of illicit drugs adding that the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations on electoral reforms and governance provide a timely framework for dialogue and citizen engagement.
He informed that the NCD, mandated to promote civic education and democratic participation, seeks to activate the Citizens Platform for Political Tolerance as a nationwide initiative to foster dialogue, reduce conflict and strengthen democratic culture.
Mr. Macfoy intimated that the initiative also draws lessons from Sierra Leone’s civil war (1991–2002), which was fueled by governance failures, corruption, marginalization of youths, weak institutions and illicit trade in resources underscoring that by revisiting these causes, the platform would emphasize mechanisms to prevent recurrence—such as inclusive governance, civic education, youth empowerment and community-based conflict resolution.
Highlighting the rationale for the Citizens Platform for Political Tolerance, the Commissioner catalogued political tensions, disclosing that the electoral cycles have revealed deep divisions among political parties, often spilling into communities and that the Tripartite Recommendations require citizens need to access platforms to understand and debate reforms constructively.
He affirmed, “rising drug abuse among youths threatens peace, security, and democratic participation. Exclusion, injustice, corruption, and weak democratic institutions drove the civil war. Citizens must be reminded of these lessons to avoid repeating history. War Prevention Mechanisms: Strengthening civic education, promoting tolerance, empowering youths and women, and building resilient institutions are critical to sustaining peace. Furthermore, a structured platform will empower citizens to engage in dialogue, tolerance and collective problem-solving.”
The objectives of the engagement with various stakeholders are to activate and institutionalize the Citizens Platform for Political Tolerance, provide a neutral space for political parties, civil society and citizens to discuss substantive issues, sensitize communities on the dangers of illicit drugs and their impact on democracy, highlight the causes of Sierra Leone’s civil war and embed prevention mechanisms into civic dialogue in addition to secure pledges and commitments from stakeholders towards tolerance, reform, and peace building.
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The engagement is to also ensure that citizens gain better understanding of the tripartite recommendations and their implications, reduce the level of political intolerance and conflict through frank dialogue, increase awareness and advocacy against illicit drug abuse, document pledges and commitments from stakeholders to uphold tolerance, strengthen regional civic platforms for ongoing engagement and for citizens to gain historical awareness of war causes and prevention strategies, reinforcing resilience against future conflict.
The NCD Western Area Commissioner delivered a substantive paper on political tolerance, tripartite recommendations, illicit drugs, causes of the civil war and prevention mechanisms.
The activation of the Citizens Platform for Political Tolerance is a strategic intervention to bridge divides, promote reforms, and combat illicit drugs. By anchoring this initiative at both headquarters and regional offices, the NCD will strengthen its role as a national convener for peace, tolerance, and democracy.
Also, by integrating lessons from Sierra Leone’s civil war and emphasizing prevention mechanisms, the platform will ensure that citizens and stakeholders alike commit to building a more cohesive, resilient, and peaceful Sierra Leone.
Highlights of the engagement were open dialogue among stakeholders to address tensions, propose solutions, and reflect on historical lessons, pledges and commitments as they made public commitments to tolerance, reform, and peace building and the question and answer session.
