By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
In a landmark step toward strengthening youth inclusion in peace and security initiatives, the Ministry of Youth Affairs (MOYA) on August 21, 2025, hosted the inaugural meeting of the National Steering Committee and National Technical Working Group on Youth, Peace, and Security at the Sierra Palms Hotel on Lumley Beach Road in Freetown.
Organized in collaboration with key international development partners—including the European Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) the meeting marked a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people and promoting national stability.
Co-funded by the European Union, the gathering brought together a wide array of stakeholders, including government ministries, civil society organizations, international agencies, and youth-led groups demonstrating a united front in prioritizing young people as essential actors in peace-building, governance, and national development.
Among the dignitaries present were the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, and senior representatives from government institutions, youth organizations, and development partners.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Youth Affairs Ibrahim Sannoh emphasized the urgent need to meaningfully involve young people in national decision-making processes, particularly in areas of peace and security.
“This inaugural meeting marks a turning point in our national strategy to enhance peace and security among Sierra Leonean youth. Young people are not just beneficiaries of peace they must also be drivers of it,” the Minister stated.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment, under the leadership of His Excellency the President, to ensuring that youth are fully engaged in shaping decisions that affect their future. The Steering Committee and Technical Working Group, he added, will serve as institutional frameworks for coordinated and inclusive action positioning youth at the heart of national stability, reconciliation, and sustainable development.
Minister Sannoh also outlined the Ministry’s efforts to address key drivers of youth vulnerability, including unemployment, social exclusion, and lack of skills development factors closely tied to unrest and insecurity. He assured participants that the Committee would act as a vital link between high-level policymaking and grassroots youth engagement.
UN Resident Coordinator, Madam Seraphine Wakanda, reiterated the United Nations’ commitment to supporting youth in peace and security efforts. With over 60% of Sierra Leone’s population under the age of 35, she stressed that the country’s long-term stability depends on how well it harnesses the energy, creativity, and leadership potential of its youth.
She referenced UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015), the first resolution recognizing the role of youth in peace-building, as well as follow-up resolutions 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2020), which further call for youth inclusion in conflict prevention and peace processes.
“Sierra Leone’s approach to youth, peace, and security aligns well with global frameworks, including the African Union’s Continental Framework on Youth, Peace, and Security (2020),” she noted. “I urge all member states to institutionalize youth inclusion in governance and peace processes as a foundation for strategic growth and development.”
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, David Fortune, called for robust cross-sectoral collaboration to ensure the success of the Committee. He stressed the importance of engaging youth in community policing, local governance, and public education as tools for building safer and more inclusive communities.
Civil Society Organizations and Youth Networks in attendance welcomed the initiative, calling it timely and essential. They expressed optimism that the platform would foster genuine youth participation in national dialogue and deliver tangible results in areas such as conflict resolution, civic education, and early warning systems.
Participants also emphasized the need for transparency, inclusivity, and sustained support from government and development partners to ensure lasting impact.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on a national roadmap for implementing the youth, peace, and security agenda. Key action areas include capacity building for youth and institutions, improved policy coordination and reform, reliable data collection and analysis strategic resource mobilization and development of a National Action Plan.
The event ended with a renewed sense of optimism and a shared commitment to ensuring that Sierra Leone’s youth are not sidelined but are empowered to lead in shaping a peaceful and prosperous future.