The Government of Sierra Leone and the main opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC), have issued a joint statement following the presentation of the Tripartite final report to President Julius Maada Bio.
The ceremony, held at State House, was attended by government officials, leaders from the APC and SLPP, other political parties, public institutions, the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, media members, civil society organizations, and development partners. The joint statement noted that the committee faced significant challenges, with instances of outright disagreement. However, Chief Negotiators, Co-Chairs, and Committee members consistently prioritized the country’s well-being, signifying that Sierra Leone’s interests were at the forefront of their efforts.
The report addresses various issues related to elections from 2007, 2012, 2018, and the most recent general elections in 2023. There are differing opinions between the Government of Sierra Leone and the APC on the report’s outcomes. While the report includes areas of general agreement, it also highlights marked disagreements. In the spirit of prioritizing the country’s good, both parties agreed to document these disagreements in the report and its annexes, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
The statement emphasized that implementing the recommendations will be crucial in demonstrating the parties’ commitment and sincerity. Successful implementation will justify the investment of time and resources and is eagerly anticipated by many Sierra Leoneans and development partners.
Despite a bumpy journey with moments that nearly led to a breakup, the statement expressed hope and motivation, attributing their progress to the commitment of their partners. The parties thanked their partners and requested their continued engagement as they move into the implementation phase.
