By: Joseph Momoh, Reporter
The Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat (TSCS) is intensifying efforts to implement key recommendations outlined in the Tripartite Report and Unity Agreement, signaling a renewed momentum towards democratic reform and national unity.
In a recent briefing with Attorney General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay, TSCS Coordinator Ngolo Katta likened the ongoing reform process to “driving on a highway,” commending the speed, commitment, and collaboration among institutions involved in fulfilling the pledges of the Unity Agreement. The briefing highlighted significant progress and ongoing initiatives related to institutional reforms and transitional justice.
Katta revealed that the Independent Management and Functional Review of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) has been completed and is scheduled for an official launch in April 2025. Similar reviews are currently underway for the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), the Independent Police Partnership Board (IPPB), and the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), all facilitated by the Public Service Reform Unit (PSRU). This comprehensive review process aims to rectify operational inefficiencies, administrative challenges, and subpar working conditions and is expected to last three months.
During a review session at the SLBC, PSRU officials highlighted the station’s outdated equipment, particularly non-functional transmitters, as a major hindrance to signal reach and quality. These issues reflect broader structural challenges facing national institutions and underscore the urgency of reform.
Katta also noted that the Law Reform Commission is nearing the completion of its review of the Police Act. In relation to Recommendation 78, the Attorney General has proposed a concept note for a national dialogue on electoral systems, debating the merits of proportional representation versus first-past-the-post systems for the upcoming 2028 elections.
TSCS’s recent briefing with development partners—including representatives from the EU, Iceland, Ireland, the U.S. Embassy, International IDEA, DAI, and UNDP—received commendations for the progress thus far. Partners requested documentation on Cabinet approvals for the reviews of the PPRC and Elections Act, as well as updates on the establishment of a dedicated parliamentary oversight committee on electoral matters.
On the legal front, Attorney General Sesay confirmed that 10 court cases related to the political crisis in Makeni have been dropped in accordance with Resolution 4 of the Unity Agreement. Of three individuals tried in Freetown, one has been acquitted while two have been convicted and are awaiting sentencing. The Attorney General’s Office is investigating appropriate measures to resolve these matters in the spirit of national reconciliation.
Additionally, 17 recommendations from the Tripartite Report align with provisions in the Constitutional Review White Paper. A Cabinet paper is being prepared for review and approval this week. A dedicated legal team, supported by an international legal expert through International IDEA, is being assembled to lead stakeholder consultations and draft legislative proposals, aimed at amending key laws, including the IMC Act, Cyber Security Act, SLBC Act, and Police Act.
Resolution 20 of the Tripartite Report underscores the necessity of establishing a standing committee to monitor electoral cycles, assess electoral preparedness, and contribute to legislative reform.
Meanwhile, TSCS continues to engage with national institutions and civil society. On March 11, the Secretariat hosted the Moral Guarantors of the Unity Agreement, led by Hawa Samai of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC). Briefings are also being prepared for the international moral guarantors, including the AU, ECOWAS, Commonwealth, and EU.
On March 18, Joseph Munda Bindi, Chairman of the National Council for Civic Education and Development (NaCCED), visited TSCS to coordinate civic education campaigns aligned with the Tripartite recommendations, ensuring consistent public messaging on critical reform issues.
Looking ahead, upcoming meetings are scheduled with the All Peoples Congress (APC), the All Political Parties Association (APPA), the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), and various civil society leaders to enhance awareness and participation in the implementation process.
As the nation navigates this pivotal moment in its democratic journey, the coordinated rollout of reform initiatives by the Tripartite Secretariat reflects a renewed national commitment to reconciliation, institutional accountability, and electoral integrity.
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