The Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), Edmond Sylvester Alpha, has arrived in the Arab Republic of Egypt to lead Sierra Leone’s delegation to the 10th Annual Continental Forum of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and the 13th General Assembly of the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA), taking place from 6 to 8 July 2026 in Sharm El-Sheikh.
The Sierra Leone delegation, which also includes the Director of External Relations, Albert Massaquoi, Esq., was received by officials of the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Cairo on Sunday, 5 July 2026, ahead of the opening of the high-level continental gathering.
The delegation is participating in the forum following an invitation from the African Union Commission (AUC). The event is jointly organized by the AUC’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (DPAPS) in collaboration with the Association of African Electoral Authorities (AAEA) and is hosted by Egypt’s National Elections Authority.
This year’s forum is being held under the theme, “Diaspora (Residents Abroad) Voting: Progress, Gaps and Prospects,” reflecting growing efforts across Africa to strengthen electoral participation and democratic governance.
The annual continental meeting brings together Chief Electoral Commissioners, election management officials and electoral experts from across Africa to exchange experiences, share best practices and discuss innovative approaches to improving election administration, stakeholder engagement and public communication.
Participants are also expected to examine practical strategies for strengthening electoral governance, enhancing institutional capacity and promoting credible, peaceful and transparent elections across the continent.
Speaking on Sierra Leone’s participation, Director of External Relations, Albert Massaquoi, Esq., said the country’s presence at the forum demonstrates the Electoral Commission’s continued commitment to electoral excellence and democratic development.
“Sierra Leone’s participation underscores the Electoral Commission’s commitment to promoting electoral excellence, strengthening institutional capacity and contributing to continental efforts to advance democratic governance,” he stated.
He added that the ECSL delegation will actively contribute to discussions during both the Continental Forum and the 13th AAEA General Assembly, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s commitment to supporting credible, transparent and inclusive electoral processes throughout Africa.
The Forum and General Assembly are supported by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) and the Government of Italy through the PRO Electoral Integrity Project, which seeks to strengthen electoral integrity and democratic institutions across the African continent.
Sierra Leone’s participation in the annual gathering is expected to provide an opportunity for the ECSL to deepen collaboration with other Election Management Bodies, strengthen institutional partnerships and contribute to shaping policies aimed at advancing electoral integrity and democratic governance across Africa.
