Six Political Parties Demand Release of Tripartite Committee Report

Six political parties, including the National Grand Coalition (NGC), the National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP), and the National Democratic Party, have jointly called for the publication of the Tripartite Committee Report. This recommendation was made in a joint statement assessing the implementation of the National Unity Agreement, submitted to the ECOWAS-AU-UNOWAS Assessment Mission for consideration.

The call followed the submission of the draft report by government representative Dr. Emmanuel Gaima to Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh on June 24, 2024, at the State House in Freetown. The committee, formed to review election results, certification processes, observer reports, and the Public Elections Act of 2022, was established following a communiqué signed by the SLPP and APC in October 2023 after international mediation by the Commonwealth, African Union, and ECOWAS. The United States government funded the committee’s operations with $1.5 million.

The political parties, not signatories to the National Unity Agreement between the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC), convened a meeting to discuss the current political climate and its implications for peace and stability in Sierra Leone. They also addressed the invitation from the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) for senior political party leaders to meet with the joint ECOWAS/AU/UNOWAS follow-up mission, currently evaluating the implementation of the National Unity Agreement.

Key highlights from the meeting included concerns about the tense political climate following the June 24, 2023, multi-tier elections. The parties agreed that the political situation is strained due to multiple complex challenges. They recommended consolidating the mediation and implementation processes of the National Unity Agreement and developing a coherent implementation roadmap with clear benchmarks, monitoring and evaluation indicators, timelines, and defined roles and responsibilities.

In their statement, the parties emphasized their desire for future national elections to be peaceful, fair, transparent, and accountable. They requested that the draft report of the Tripartite Committee on the review of electoral laws, institutions, and processes be shared with the senior leadership of all registered political parties for their input and suggestions. They stressed that the concerns of all registered political parties and their supporters should be adequately reflected in the report.

Additionally, the parties called for strengthening the Inter-Party Dialogue Committee and urged the international community to assist the government in enhancing this committee, which they believe is crucial for fostering political cooperation and national unity among all registered political parties and other stakeholders.

The following parties and officials endorsed these recommendations:

• National Democratic Alliance (NDA) – Sheriff Barrie, Deputy Chairman
• National Grand Coalition (NGC) – Jesmed F. Suma, Chairman
• National Unity and Reconciliation Party (NURP) – Jonathan Sandy

Meanwhile, Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh announced that the committee has addressed 86 identified issues, successfully resolving 69 of them. After receiving the report on Monday, Sengeh wrote: “The Tripartite Committee on Electoral Systems and Management Bodies Review has done 6 months of great national service. As Chief Negotiator, I received draft findings and recommendations today. We will quickly review for final submission to President Bio.”