By Foday Moriba Conteh
In furtherance of his commitment to deepen democracy on the continent, Sierra Leone’s former President, Ernest Bai Koroma, on 26th May, 2021 departed for the Republic of Somaliland to serve in an Elections Observer Mission which is scheduled to take place on 31st May, 2021.
Through the South African based Brenthurst Foundation, President Koroma’s outstanding democratic record and valuable political experience have been leveraged by the Government of the Republic of Somaliland.
It follows similar engagements he successfully carried out in Namibia, Togo and in Benin on behalf of the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) respectively.
Responding to the request of the President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Muse Bihi Abdi, the Sierra Leonean statesman said, “It is becoming increasingly critical to continue to inspire peaceful democratic transitions across the continent; to avoid a reversal in the gains we have made so far. I therefore stand ready to support especially home-grown efforts geared towards building on and consolidating peace and democracy in Africa”.
The thirty-member observer mission includes H.E. Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Former Deputy Chair of the African Union Commission, leaders of political parties and think tanks, researchers, policy, media and communications experts, as well as civil society activists.
During this Mission, President Koroma and team will hold consultations with Government officials, members of the Electoral Commission, political parties, civil society groups, the media, members of the diplomatic corps and other international observer groups.
