With support from YPPD and Cordaid, representatives of the Youth Empowerment and Development Organization in Tonkolili District facilitated a mediation process consisting of a series of meetings and dialogue sessions between the Local Police, a Local Mining Company, Office of National Security and the Paramount Chief.
The objective of the mediation process was for a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the mining company and the local Police in that part of the country. This was done from October to November 2021, and this event aided the resolution of a major peace crisis in the community.
It all started when a mining company was operating in Mathonkara community in Tonkolili district. Mining work is the primary livelihood activity in this area and employs about 60% of the youth in the community. It was alleged that the mining activity became a serious environmental and health hazard due to its pollution a river which is the primary source of drinking water for the locals. In response to this health and environmental hazard allegation, the government of Sierra Leone banned mining activities in the community as a result of early warning signs on peace and security.
It was reported that mining activity continued to go on unlawfully by both the mining company and the artisanal miners (youths) since it is the only alternative livelihood for the youth.
They, therefore, had a keen interest in protecting this source of income. In a bid to enforce government regulations, Police imposed ban on mining, which led to conflict between the police and the youth. The conflict escalated and became violent. Unfortunately, at the height of the conflict, a police officer was killed.
It was at this point that the Youth Empowerment and Development Organization decided to intervene by facilitating a mediation process between the police and the mining company, together with the Paramount Chief. At the end of the process, it was ultimately agreed between all parties that the ban on mining activities be lifted, thereby allowing the youth to continue to earn income. To mitigate the environmental and health risk, it was agreed that the mining activity would be limited to specific locations so that the primary water source would not be polluted. So, even though this resolution is not consistent with government policy, they consider the outcomes of the mediation process to be a success as it proved to be vital for re-establishing peace in the community. According to the Director of Youth Empowerment and Development Organization, the Kolhat Barray the project contributed to these outcomes because of the skills gained from the training sessions provided by Cordaid and YPPD, specifically the training on conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and communication.
By Komba Fillie