By Ibrahim Sesay
Sierra Leone’s democratic reform process has reached a critical milestone, with the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat (TSCS) reporting that 84 percent of recommendations from the Tripartite Agreement have already been put into action.
The disclosure was made during a Steering Committee session held on Thursday, September 11, in the office of Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh. Representatives from the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) and the Attorney-General’s Office delivered updates on institutional reforms and legislative progress.
The Steering Committee, chaired by the Chief Minister, brings together a wide range of actors to ensure transparency and accountability in the process. Members include city Mayors, Ministers, Parliamentarians from both ruling and opposition parties, Paramount Chiefs, Civil Society representatives, professional associations and the media. This broad-based representation, officials say, is designed to guarantee that every reform reflects the collective will of the nation.
Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, stressed that the initiative goes beyond statistics, describing it as part of Government’s broader mission to “rebuild democracy, strengthen governance and foster national cohesion.” He noted that President Julius Maada Bio remains committed to delivering on all pledges within the Unity Agreement, citing the release of 37 detainees and the resumption of salaries for opposition MPs and Councillors as examples of progress.
He also clarified that corrective measures had been taken to ensure SLPP Councillors in the North and North-West, who were affected by the 2023 political standoff, received their entitlements.
Institutional Progress Reports
- ECSL has introduced consultation policies and new regulatory powers, while hiring a consultant to modernize voter registration and results management.
- Attorney-General Alpha Sesay presented a preliminary legislative draft and described the constitutional review as “fantastic,” incorporating both White Paper outcomes and tripartite recommendations. He emphasized that none of the suggested constitutional amendments are entrenched clauses.
- PSRU completed functional reviews of SLBC, IMC, PPRC and IPCB. Director Foray Musa confirmed that an implementation matrix is being developed to guide reforms.
Information and Civic Education Minister, Chernor Bah, expressed concern over “toxic misinformation” circulating on social media about the tripartite process. He labelled it anti-democratic and destabilizing assuring that his Ministry will expand outreach and engagement with citizens to ensure accurate information is shared nationwide.
During discussions, committee members including the Mayors of Freetown and Makeni, APPA and opposition representative Hon. Nfa raised issues around the composition of the Search Committee for ECSL Commissioners. They advocated for political parties to be included and requested longer deliberations with adequate reading materials provided beforehand.
Despite those concerns, the meeting concluded on a positive note, with participants acknowledging the momentum gained. The Chief Minister reiterated that Government is determined to enshrine the reforms into law, institutionalize the role of Electoral Management Bodies and safeguard democratic governance in Sierra Leone.
