Parliament Takes Proactive Steps on Human Security
By John Kelly Marah
The Sierra Leone’s Parliament has enacted the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre Act, 2025, establishing a dedicated centre to monitor and provide early warnings on human security, disaster risks, and peace-related issues nationwide. Presenting the Bill to Parliament, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, underscored the centre’s significance in enhancing conflict prevention, data generation, technical oversight, and disaster response capabilities. She described the new law as a crucial step in strengthening national preparedness and creating a robust legal framework for crisis management. The Bill received broad cross-party support during parliamentary debate. Chair of the Planning and Economic Development Committee, Hon. Musa Fofanah, hailed the legislation as both timely and impactful. Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie emphasized the non-political nature of the Bill and its importance to national stability, while recommending deeper legislative oversight. Other Members of Parliament, including Hon. Joseph Williams Lamin and Hon. Mariama Bangura, expressed support but called for clarity on how the new centre would coordinate with existing institutions such as the Office of National Security (ONS) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA). Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma, endorsed the Bill but advocated for a review of board appointment procedures to promote gender inclusivity and ensure that policies are tailored to the local context, rather than borrowed wholesale from other frameworks. Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, closed the debate by reaffirming the critical role of early warning systems in disaster prevention and national protection. Following thorough parliamentary scrutiny, the Bill was passed into law and is expected to play a central role in Sierra Leone’s peacebuilding and disaster management strategies.
