By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
At the weekly Government Press Conference held on the 4th June, 2024 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Conference Room on Tower Hill, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), Hawa Samai, maintained that as an institution operating within the legal boundaries set by the High Court and adhering to the Constitution of Sierra Leone it facilitated the signing of a comprehensive unity agreement by all political parties involved. She said the agreement is not only inclusive but also underscores the importance of the resolutions contained within it.
According to her, one of the key components of the agreement was the establishment of a Tripartite Committee tasked with reviewing the electoral system and management body. She said the Committee includes representatives from the All People’s Congress (APC), Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLP), and the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) and its mandate is to examine electoral systems, structures and processes to ensure that future elections in Sierra Leone are free, fair and credible.
The Executive Secretary further stated that the Tripartite Committee is expected to consult with a wide range of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, civil society organizations and the media adding that those consultations aim to gather diverse recommendations to improve the electoral framework, enhancing the credibility and transparency of future elections in the country.
Hawa Samai emphasized the importance of the collaborative approach, noting that the involvement of multiple stakeholders is crucial for the enhancement of electoral credibility in Sierra Leone.
She also outlined the Commission’s inclusive and impartial approach in mediating political disputes in Sierra Leone.
The Peace Commission Executive Secretary detailed the mediation framework employed by the ICPNC, emphasizing its commitment in involving stakeholders from both the Government and opposition parties. This approach, she said, ensures that all parties are treated equally and fairly, fostering an environment conducive to good governance and sustained peace. She said before they commenced the mediation, the Commission secures consent from all involved parties, reflecting its dedication to an inclusive process.
According to her, the Commission’s efforts are bolstered by consultations with representatives chosen by the political parties themselves, as well as international partners such as the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Commonwealth. These consultations, she maintained , were conducted upon the recommendation and with the permission of the President, highlighting the high level of collaboration and support for the ICPNC’s initiatives.
She concluded that as Sierra Leone continues to navigate its political landscape, and as it waits for Tripartite Committes’s conclusion, the efforts of the ICPNC and its inclusive mediation framework represent a significant step towards fostering unity and stability in the country.
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