The Youth Partnership for Peace and Development (YPPD) reaffirmed its commitment to peacebuilding, human rights, and inclusive governance by participating in the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF) National Consultative Meeting held from 27–28 May 2019 at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
Representing YPPD at the high-level consultation was the organisation’s Executive Coordinator, Musa Ansumana Soko, who joined civil society organisations, government representatives, legal practitioners, researchers, academics, media professionals, donors, and development partners in shaping conversations around Sierra Leone’s transitional justice priorities and future interventions.
Creating Space for National Reflection
The consultative meeting formed part of ATJLF’s broader engagement across seven African countries aimed at understanding existing transitional justice initiatives, identifying gaps, and building partnerships to strengthen accountability, reconciliation, and sustainable peace.
For Sierra Leone, a country that endured an eleven-year civil war and continues to address its long-term social and institutional consequences, the consultation provided a timely opportunity to examine how justice, memory, and reconciliation can continue to contribute to national development.
The meeting sought to:
- Introduce the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund to stakeholders in Sierra Leone.
- Share its grant strategy and implementation approach.
- Identify funding priorities for transitional justice initiatives.
- Document ongoing and past civil society interventions.
- Assess existing gaps in transitional justice programming.
- Promote collaboration and stronger partnerships among stakeholders.
YPPD’s Contribution to the Dialogue
As an organisation founded on principles of youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and civic engagement, YPPD brought practical experience from years of working with young people and communities affected by conflict and social exclusion.
Through Musa Ansumana Soko’s participation, YPPD contributed perspectives on:
- The importance of youth participation in transitional justice processes.
- Community-based approaches to reconciliation and healing.
- The role of civic education in preventing future conflict.
- Strengthening collaboration between civil society and state institutions.
- Building sustainable peace through inclusive governance and citizen engagement.
Having emerged in the post-conflict period and worked extensively with young people across Sierra Leone, YPPD understands that transitional justice extends beyond courtrooms and commissions. It is equally about restoring trust, empowering communities, promoting dialogue, and ensuring that future generations learn from the past.
Learning from Regional and International Expertise
The two-day programme featured presentations and discussions led by distinguished experts and practitioners working across West Africa.
Participants explored topics including:
- The future of transitional justice in West Africa.
- Funding opportunities for human rights and justice initiatives.
- Lessons from ongoing civil society interventions.
- The legacy of transitional justice efforts in Sierra Leone.
- Existing gaps requiring greater investment and collaboration.
- Mechanisms for capturing learning and measuring impact.
Interactive group discussions enabled organisations to share experiences and collectively identify priorities that could shape future programming and funding decisions.
The Critical Relevance of Transitional Justice Till Now
Although Sierra Leone has made remarkable progress since the end of the civil war in 2002, many of the underlying issues that fuelled conflict, including inequality, marginalisation, governance deficits, and limited opportunities for young people, continue to require attention.
Transitional justice remains relevant because it seeks to:
- Promote accountability for past violations.
- Preserve historical memory.
- Support victims and affected communities.
- Strengthen democratic institutions.
- Prevent recurrence of violence.
- Foster national reconciliation and social cohesion.
For organisations like YPPD, these objectives align closely with ongoing efforts to empower youth as peacebuilders and active citizens capable of contributing positively to society.
“Transitional justice must remain a living national conversation, not only a memory of our past. For Sierra Leone, the real value of justice and reconciliation is seen when communities are empowered, young people understand the lessons of the war, institutions become more accountable, and citizens work together to prevent the recurrence of violence. YPPD remains committed to ensuring that the legacy of peace becomes a foundation for inclusive governance, human rights, and sustainable development.”
Musa Ansumana Soko | Executive Coordinator, YPPD
One of the most valuable outcomes of the consultation was the opportunity to strengthen relationships among organisations working across human rights, governance, peacebuilding, and justice sectors.
By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the meeting encouraged collaboration rather than duplication, creating space for joint advocacy, knowledge sharing, and coordinated programming.
YPPD recognises that sustainable peace requires collective action and that partnerships between civil society, government, donors, and communities are essential for addressing complex social challenges.
YPPD’s participation in the Africa Transitional Justice Legacy Fund National Consultative Meeting reflects its broader commitment to ensuring that the lessons of Sierra Leone’s past continue to inform its future.
Under the leadership of Executive Coordinator Musa Ansumana Soko, the organisation remains dedicated to advancing youth leadership, strengthening democratic participation, promoting human rights, and supporting initiatives that contribute to justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace.
As Sierra Leone continues its development journey, conversations around transitional justice remain not merely about remembering history but about building institutions and communities that are more inclusive, accountable, and resilient. YPPD is proud to have contributed to this important national dialogue and remains committed to working alongside partners to ensure that the legacy of peace becomes a foundation for future generations.
