Section 12, Cohesion Act, 2020

(1) The function of the Commission is to undertakemeasures to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts, to build, promote and maintain sustainable peace in Sierra Leone and to advise the Government of Sierra Leone on all aspects of conflict resolution and peace. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) the Commission shall have responsibility to - (a) promote peace, reconciliation and unity in Sierra Leone; (b) build peace cultures, enhance tolerance and support peaceful resolution of conflicts throughout Sierra Leone; 6 7 Disclosure of Interest. Immunity of members. Committees of Board. Functions of Board. Remuneration of members. Filling of Vacancies. Functions and powers of the No. 3 Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion Act, 2021 No. 3 Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion Act, 2021 (c) monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations and adopt measures to promote and facilitate full implementation of the recommendations; (d) advise Government on the formulation and implementation of policies relating to peacebuilding, conflict prevention and conflict resolution; (e) develop programmes and provide services that promote awareness activities in local communities,schools,and local administration to promote conflict prevention and conflict resolution; (f) conduct investigations or research on disputes and conflicts in order to identify - (i) the nature, scope, extent and causes of disputes and conflicts; or (ii) intervening strategies for the resolution of disputes and conflicts; (g) take into account, local stakeholders' interests in the management of crisis; (h) sensitise local communities on land conservation needs and socioeconomic issues; (i) address causes of all forms of discrimination, intolerance, negative ethnicity, perceptions; (j) promote respect for religious, cultural and linguistic diversity; (k) develop procedures and mechanisms at the national level to facilitate dialogue among political parties, communities, organisations and other groups in order to prevent conflict; (l) receive complaints from the public on violence, inequality or injustice and take appropriate measures for redress; (m) develop mechanism for early warning signs and take preventive measures to abort, abate or redress intending threats; (n) provide amicable resolution to conflict through Alternate Dispute Resolution, including indigenous dispute resolution; (o) foster Governmental and non-governmental partnerships among institutions and organisations in conflict prevention, management and resolution; (p) provide a framework for mainstreaming national cohesion and integration into national development programmes; and (q) perform any other function that the Commission may be required or permitted to perform by or under this Act or any other enactment or carry out such other functions and programmes as necessary for the attainment of the object stated thereto. (3) For the purposes of an investigation under this Act, the Commission shall have such powers, rights and privileges as are vested in the High Court in a trial, in respect of - (a) enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise; (b) compelling the production of documents and any other relevant piece of evidence; and (c) the issue of a commission or request to examine witnesses abroad. 8 9 No. 3 Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion Act, 2021 No. 3 Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion Act, 2021