By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a historic three-day mediated dialogue held from October 16th to 18th, 2023 at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown, Sierra Leone, the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and the All Peoples Congress Party (APC) achieved a landmark agreement aimed at resolving the political impasse that followed the multi-tier elections held on June 24, 2023.
The dialogue, facilitated by mediators from the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Commonwealth, and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), brought the two opposing parties together with the goal of fostering national unity and addressing the post-election challenges.
The preamble of the agreement underscores the importance of respecting Sierra Leone’s constitution and the rule of law. It acknowledges legal cases filed in the Supreme Court against the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the APC’s demand for the release of polling station results, among other issues.
Key resolutions resulting from the dialogue include: A commitment from the President of Sierra Leone to make a ‘National Address’ focusing on unity, cohesion and peace, the APC’s decision to end its “non-participation in governance, the establishment of a cross-party Committee on Electoral Systems and Management Bodies Review. This Committee, with representation from the GoSL, APC and Development Partners, will examine electoral systems and processes, aiming to address contentious issues related to elections and result management to ensure credible future elections, agreements on the release of individuals arrested during election-related protests, the discontinuation of politically motivated court cases, and support for the resettlement of internally and externally displaced political party supporters, resolution of issues regarding the entitlements of elected APC officials, including Members of Parliament, Mayors, Chairpersons, and Councillors, commitment to address issues related to parliamentary leadership, Committee composition, and international representation, ensuring proportional representation according to the Constitution, the institutionalization of an inter-party dialogue framework between the APC, SLPP, and other political parties, facilitated by the Government, commitments to improve relationships within the national socio-political ecosystem and condemn any incitement of violence or hate speech, pledge to take action against citizens inciting violence or spreading hate speech online or offline.
The parties further committed to establishing an independent Committee of ‘Moral Guarantors’ to support and monitor the implementation of the agreement.
This historic dialogue and the resulting agreement mark a significant step toward national unity, political reconciliation, and the peaceful resolution of the political impasse in Sierra Leone. The implementation of these agreements is expected to contribute to a more stable and cohesive political landscape in the country.
The Leader of the All People’s Congress at the Dialogue, Dr. Samura Kamara expressed appreciation to the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Commonwealth, and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) for facilitating the dialogue between his party and the Government of Sierra Leone.
He said that as an opposition they are looking forward to the implementation of the agreement to the letter for the interest of peace and national cohesion in the country.
The Leader of the Government of Sierra Leone at the Dialogue, Dr. David Sengeh who doubles as the Chief Minister also expressed appreciation to the APC Party leadership for their commitment towards peace and national cohesion which he said they have manifested throughout the dialogue.
He also applauded the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Commonwealth, and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC)for their tireless role throughout the dialogue.
Dr. David Sengeh concluded by assuring all that the agreement will be ensure the implementation of the agreement between the APC Party and the Government of Sierra Leone.
The Chairman of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), Shodankeh Johnson, said the signing of the agreement between the APC and the Government is just a beginning of the process, adding that all parties need to ensure the implementation of the agreement.
He said that all should learn from the past and don’t return to the past, adding that Sierra Leoneans should match on with unity and national cohesion.
Shodankeh Johnson also concluded by commending the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Commonwealth for their intervention in resolving the impasse between the APC Party and the Government of Sierra Leone.
Closing the ceremony was the official signing of the agreement between the APC Party and the Government of Sierra Leone by the Leader of the All People’s Congress at the Dialogue Dr. Samura Kamara representing the APC Party and the Leader of the Government of Sierra Leone at the Dialogue, Dr. David Sengeh representing the Government of Sierra Leone followed by a vote of thanks by the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), Hawa Samai.
