Freetown: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation launched a three-day training program on mediation and conflict management for junior and mid-level Foreign Service Officers. It brings together junior and mid-level officers for intensive learning in preventive diplomacy, mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolutions, which commenced on the 15th June, 2026 at the Ministry Conference Room.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the Deputy Director General of Operations, Mr. Franklyn B. Fawundu underscored the importance of the initiative, saying mediation and conflict management are essential pillars of diplomacy in a fragmented global environment. He noted that despite pressure on multilateralism and strained trust among states, mediation remains a key tool for preventing escalation and securing lasting peace through dialogue.
He underlined that diplomacy has played a critical role in resolving crises across Africa. He said mediation has limitations, but it is one of the most effective approaches to preventing and resolving conflict. After decades of civil wars and instability, Africa’s future depends on its capacity to prevent and address conflict effectively. Equipping young diplomats with practical skills in preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution is crucial to preventing conflict relapse and promoting sustainable peace.
The Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Alan C. Logan described the training as timely and necessary, given the growing complexity and danger of modern conflicts. The Director General referenced that, Sierra Leone’s history demonstrates the devastating consequences of conflict and the enduring value of peace. He recalled the country’s emergence from civil war through mediation, reconciliation, and peacebuilding, now a strong example of post-conflict recovery and state-building.
He praised Foreign Service Officers for their role in national peace efforts, supporting high-level government delegations in negotiations that led to the Abidjan Peace Accord and the Lom© Peace Agreement. He also highlighted the Ministry’s collaboration with the United Nations and other development partners in formulating the Peace Consolidation Strategy, ensuring international support aligned with national priorities.
The Ministry has contributed to mediation efforts across the sub-region, including dialogue with Guinea over the Yenga border issue and broader diplomatic engagement in countries experiencing unconstitutional changes of government. These experiences demonstrate that diplomacy is not only relevant but also practical, strategic, and indispensable to peace.
However, he pointed to the crisis in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, as evidence of the changing nature of modern conflict. Governance challenges, insecurity, and political instability shape the region, while the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS and the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States have introduced new diplomatic pressures requiring sustained dialogue and engagement.
He urged participants to make full use of the training to strengthen their skills in mediation, negotiation, and conflict analysis, stressing that diplomats must be prepared not only to respond to crises but also to anticipate and prevent them. Sustainable peace depends on inclusive dialogue, trust-building, and long-term commitment.
The Director General thanked the United Nations Development Programme in Sierra Leone for supporting the initiative and acknowledged Ministry staff and contributors who helped develop the training modules. Declaring the training open, he expressed confidence that it would provide participants with valuable insights and practical tools to address conflict effectively and help shape a more peaceful and stable future for Sierra Leone and the wider region.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency