By Foday Moriba Conteh
Dr. Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara, the APC Flagbearer and presidential candidate for the 2018/2023 elections, addressed the nation on Sunday July 7, 2024 regarding the recently released Tripartite Committee Report.
In his address, Dr. Samura Kamara expressed profound gratitude and deep appreciation to the citizens for their unwavering patience and steadfast support during the Committee’s work. He praised their resilience and commitment to national peace, unity and security, emphasizing the importance of upholding the people’s will in the most transparent and credible manner.
He recounted the events leading to the formation of the Tripartite Committee, established to restore faith in Sierra Leone’s electoral processes. The Committee was formed following the contentious multi-tier elections held on June 24, 2023, where the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) declared incumbent President Julius Maada Bio the winner with 56.1% of the vote. This declaration was met with significant resistance and allegations of irregularities from the APC and various local and international election observers.
The APC and observers highlighted concerns about the electoral process, including the mid-term census, the District Block Proportional Representation system, the voter register, and operational challenges such as poor-quality voter identification cards and delayed delivery of ballot boxes. Allegations of bias and partisanship within the ECSL further fueled tensions between the ruling SLPP government and the opposition.
To address the political impasse, a mediated dialogue facilitated by the African Union, ECOWAS, the Commonwealth, and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) led to the signing of the “Agreement for National Unity” and the establishment of the Tripartite Committee. The Committee, co-chaired by the Government, APC and development partners, was tasked with reviewing the electoral systems, structures and processes of the 2023 elections and proposing reforms to enhance future election transparency and credibility.
Dr. Samura Kamara commended the APC team, led by Dr. Kaifala Marah, for their dedication and hard work, which resulted in significant progress and the presentation of the Committee’s report on July 1, 2024. Despite differing perspectives within the report, he emphasized the importance of addressing unresolved issues to ensure the transparency and credibility of electoral processes.
He expressed deep concern over the ECSL’s lack of transparency in the 2023 elections, citing the Commission’s failure to produce credible evidence of the vote counts and the SLPP party’s inability to substantiate their claimed victory. Dr. Samura Kamara highlighted the APC’s evidence, including Results Reconciliation Forms (RRFs) from 70.2% of polling stations, showing a commanding lead for him with 57.15% of the votes. He called for a rerun of the elections, facilitated by ECOWAS, to restore faith in the electoral process.
Addressing the APC comrades, he urged unity and a collective fight for electoral justice stressing the importance of continued international community support and the need for accountability and transparency to maintain public trust in the electoral system.
He concluded by emphasizing the ongoing dialogue and commitment to resolving electoral issues, calling for peace, unity, and hope among the citizens. Dr Samura Kamara reaffirmed the APC’s dedication to democracy and the rule of law, pledging to honor the people’s trust and fight for electoral justice.
“Together, we will continue to push for a resolution that reflects the true voice of the people and a shared prosperous future,” Dr. Samura Kamara stated. “We serve a Just God. He, and only He, can fight our battles.”
