LocationsBike Riders Union & State Authorities sign landmark peacebuilding agreement.
October 7, 2024
Representatives of the Bike Riders Union and the Sierra Leone Police and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority in flanked by the Resident Representative of UNDP , Fredrick Ampiah to the left and the Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orma Banguara to the right
In a significant move toward peace-building and youth empowerment, a National Agreement was signed today between the Bike Riders Union and state authorities, represented by the Sierra Leone Police and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA).
The signing ceremony marks a milestone in the Peacebuilding Fund-supported project "Empowering Youth Bike Riders as Sustainable Agents of Peace," implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs.
The project aims to empower young bike riders socially, legally, and financially in the Western Area Rural and Urban, Bo, Makeni, and Kenema districts, with a special focus on safeguarding female bike riders from sexual harassment and abuse.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative Fredrick Ampiah emphasized the importance of trust-building between bike riders and state authorities. "One of the most important pillars of this project is to support building trust between bike riders and state authorities and to forge collaborative partnerships among the Bike Riders Union, the Sierra Leone Police, and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority," he said.
He also referenced the successful National Dialogue held in June 2024, facilitated by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center, which provided an opportunity for open discussions among the parties. The dialogue focused on resolving tensions and preventing potential conflicts between bike riders and authorities, a group often seen as marginalized and vulnerable.
"I commend all the parties for their constructive approaches during the Dialogue and their willingness to strengthen important collaboration and partnerships among each other. This Agreement in front of us reaffirms their strong commitment to jointly build and sustain peace in the country," Mr. Ampiah added
Fredrick Ampiah , Resident Representative of UNDP Sierra Leone
The Agreement, is built on months of dialogue and collaboration, represents a commitment from all parties to work together for the betterment of Sierra Leone. The Bike Riders Union, the Sierra Leone Police, and the SLRSA have agreed to cooperate on issues affecting the safety, legal standing, and operational conduct of the bike riders, aiming to reduce conflict and foster a safer, more regulated environment.
This initiative is particularly significant, as the youth-led bike rider industry is a major economic driver in Sierra Leone, employing tens of thousands of young people across the country. By empowering bike riders with the necessary skills and support, the project not only promotes peace but also encourages economic growth and sustainable livelihoods.
Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura, highlighted the transformative potential of bike riders in fostering peace and social change in Sierra Leone. He said, “with over 1.25 million members, he emphasized that empowering bike riders with skills and resources can unlock their role as key agents of peace and stability, leveraging their vast network to drive positive impact nationwide."
The Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority acknowledged the challenges in managing the large number of bike riders but reaffirmed his agency's commitment to fully implementing the agreement. He emphasized, "These resolutions will guide our operations as law enforcement officers, helping us to uphold road safety while promoting internal peace and security in Sierra Leone.
President of the Bike Riders Union, Ishmael Sandy, called for further collaboration to prevent tensions and misunderstanding through dialogue. He was hopeful the agreement will foster mutual trust and a respect among the three parties.
As part of the agreement, the Sierra Leone Police committed to establishing joint national and decentralized dialogue platforms for ongoing engagement, advocacy, and sensitization on road safety management. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Aiah Edward Samadia, stressed that sustaining peace requires collective effort. He reaffirmed the Sierra Leone Police’s dedication to fully implementing the terms of the agreement.
A group photo of participants at the agreement signing ceremony.
Update on the "Empowering Youth Bike Riders as Sustainable Agents of Peace" project!
The "Empowering Youth Bike Riders as Sustainable Agents of Peace" project, funded by the Peacebuilding Fund and implemented by UNDP and UNCDF in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs, aims to empower young bike riders while fostering trust socially, legally, and financially in society. So far, the project has made steady progress in Western Area Rural and Urban, Bo, Kenema, and Makeni. Key activities include five mass awareness campaigns led by bike rider "Peace Ambassadors," training on conflict resolution, bail regulations, and sexual offenses law, and establishing helpdesks to provide licensing information and legal support.
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