Geneva, Switzerland, October 13, 2026: President Julius Maada Bio has outlined five key priorities for securing lasting peace across Africa, emphasizing stronger democratic institutions, preventive diplomacy, regional cooperation, people-centred security, and sustainable financing for African-led peace operations.
Delivering a keynote lecture titled “Building Lasting Peace in Africa: The Catalytic Role of ECOWAS” at the Geneva Graduate Institute as part of its Director’s Global Leadership Series, President Bio said lasting peace goes beyond ending conflicts and requires addressing the root causes of instability.
“The absence of war is the beginning of peace. It is not its guarantee,” the President stated.
Drawing from his experience as a former soldier, Sierra Leone’s post-conflict recovery, and his tenure as immediate past Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority, Bio highlighted the country’s transformation from a recipient of international peacekeeping support to a contributor to peacekeeping missions abroad.
He stressed that while international and regional partnerships can help create conditions for peace, durable stability depends on national ownership, justice, and strong institutions.
The President underscored the importance of preventive diplomacy and early intervention, proposing the establishment of a Regional Prevention Compact that would trigger mediation efforts automatically when early-warning indicators emerge.
On governance, he called for stronger democratic institutions and accountability, noting that peaceful transfers of power and public trust in state institutions are essential for preventing conflict. He cited Sierra Leone’s peaceful transitions in 2007 and 2018 as examples of democratic resilience.
President Bio also advocated what he described as “cooperative sovereignty,” urging West African nations to work collectively in addressing shared security challenges. He reaffirmed the need for continued engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, while acknowledging that ECOWAS must improve its effectiveness and deliver meaningful benefits for citizens.
The President further emphasized a people-centred approach to security, calling for greater investment in youth opportunities and inclusion. He noted that sustainable peace remains elusive where insecurity, injustice, and economic exclusion persist.
Additionally, he called for sustainable funding mechanisms for African-led peace operations and renewed Sierra Leone’s support for reforming the United Nations Security Council to provide Africa with greater representation in global peace and security decision-making.
“The greatest achievements in peacebuilding are the wars that never began, the elections that passed peacefully, the young people who found work instead of weapons,” he said.
President Bio concluded by urging leaders to measure peace not by the absence of conflict alone, but by the extent to which citizens, especially young people, enjoy security, opportunities, and hope for the future.
