Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Sierra Leone have announced the launch of a strategic roadmap and the establishment of a National Coordination Platform aimed at advancing Security Sector Reform and Governance (SSRG) across the country.
This significant development follows a three-day workshop held in Freetown from July 14-16, 2025, which was organized by UNDP Sierra Leone in collaboration with the ECOWAS Peace, Security, and Governance (EPSG) Project.
The event gathered over 30 CSOs, alongside government representatives, development partners, and technical experts, to foster discussions on inclusive approaches to reform and sustainable security governance.
The newly established National CSO Coordination Platform on SSRG is designed to unify civil society efforts, enhance institutional capacity, improve coordination among civil society actors, and deepen constructive engagement with state institutions. Its primary goal is to promote accountability and ensure that security reforms truly reflect the needs and voices of communities throughout Sierra Leone.
Abdul Fartoma, Executive Director of the Campaign for Human Rights Development International (CHRDI), was elected as Chairman of the National Coordination Platform. He emphasized the platform’s importance, stating, “This platform marks a turning point for civil society’s role in security sector reform. Civil society organizations play a vital role in enhancing accountability and good governance by acting as watchdogs and amplifying public expectations.”
The platform will focus on five key thematic areas: capacity building, resource mobilization, coordination and networking, trust-building with state actors, and addressing legal, cultural, and traditional barriers to reform. A National Coordinating Team (NCT) has also been formed to guide the platform’s strategic direction, foster collaboration, and amplify advocacy on security governance issues.
Participants at the workshop developed a detailed engagement strategy and roadmap for operationalizing the platform, incorporating best practices and lessons learned from across West Africa. The discussions underscored civil society’s crucial role in monitoring reforms, advancing human rights, and promoting inclusive, community-responsive governance.
The initiative received joint support from UNDP Sierra Leone and the EU Support to ECOWAS in Peace, Security, and Governance (EPSG) Project. The EPSG Project, co-funded by the European Union and commissioned by Germany, is implemented by GIZ, Expertise France, and FIAP in partnership with ECOWAS, with a mandate to strengthen ECOWAS’s capacity in peacebuilding, security, and governance throughout West Africa.
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