The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has warned that Sierra Leone’s long-term democratic stability could be threatened by what it describes as a persistent “implementation deficit” affecting the country’s peace, justice, and governance reforms.

In a newly released policy brief titled “Closing the Governance Gap: A Strategic Policy Framework for Transitional Justice in Sierra Leone,” the human rights organisation argues that successive reform efforts have often prioritised political convenience over comprehensive justice and institutional transformation.

CHRDI maintains that Sierra Leone has developed a strong framework of rights, agreements, and reform recommendations over the years, but has struggled to translate these commitments into sustained action through laws, budgets, institutions, and public accountability mechanisms.

According to CHRDI, Sierra Leone’s major peace and reform milestones including the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement, the 2004 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations, constitutional amendment processes, the 2023 Agreement for National Unity (ANU), and the 2024 Tripartite recommendations—should be viewed as part of one continuous transition from conflict resolution to democratic constitutionalism.

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The organisation noted that while these initiatives have helped establish a national language around human rights, accountability, and governance reform, their implementation has remained fragmented.

CHRDI highlighted that the Lomé Peace Agreement created important state structures but relied heavily on an “amnesty logic” that postponed critical justice issues.

The organisation further stated that the TRC provided a comprehensive roadmap covering reparations, gender justice, and institutional accountability, but has largely remained a reference document rather than an active government programme.

It added that while the 2023 Agreement for National Unity and subsequent Tripartite recommendations helped reduce political tensions following the 2023 elections, the reform agenda became narrowly focused on electoral processes while broader issues such as social justice and survivor reparations received limited attention.

“Sierra Leone has no shortage of reports, recommendations or negotiated texts; it lacks a durable implementation compact linking law, budget, institutions and public oversight,” CHRDI stated.

The policy brief also criticised what it described as a pattern of “political selectivity,” where reforms that serve immediate political interests move faster, while deeper structural changes are delayed.

CHRDI argued that reforms aimed at redistributing power, strengthening accountability, limiting state abuse, and requiring long-term investment have repeatedly faced setbacks.

The organisation identified post-war reparations as one of the major areas affected by these delays, warning that inadequate funding and fragmented delivery have weakened public confidence in transitional justice.

CHRDI said survivors lose trust in reform processes when they see government institutions negotiating political and constitutional changes while reparative commitments remain unfulfilled.

To address the governance gap, CHRDI has proposed a 24-month roadmap aimed at improving legislative progress, institutional transparency, and protection of civic space.

Among its key recommendations, the organisation is calling on the Government of Sierra Leone to publish a Cabinet-approved implementation roadmap within 90 days, combining outstanding TRC commitments with Tripartite recommendations and supported by dedicated budget allocations.

Parliament, CHRDI said, should establish a Select Committee on Constitutional, Electoral, and Transitional Justice Reform, chaired by the opposition, with civil society representation and mandatory quarterly hearings to monitor progress.

The organisation also urged the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to publish a comprehensive electoral-cycle plan within six months, while calling on the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) to strengthen campaign-finance oversight.

It further recommended that the Human Rights Commission establish a permanent election-rights monitoring unit and that the Sierra Leone Police and Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) develop and publish a joint election-security protocol focused on political neutrality and civilian complaint mechanisms.

As part of efforts to ensure sustained monitoring, CHRDI announced plans to establish a National Transitional Justice and Constitutional Reform Observatory over the next 24 months.

The initiative will track progress on reparations, inclusion, electoral reforms, and civic space through a public accountability scorecard.

CHRDI said the observatory will combine institutional assessments, community testimonies, and documentary evidence to move national discussions away from crisis-driven responses toward measurable and accountable governance.

The organisation concluded that Sierra Leone’s future does not require a choice between peace and justice or electoral stability and constitutional reform.

“The policy choice before Sierra Leone is not between peace and justice, or between electoral stability and constitutional depth,” CHRDI stated. “It is between fragmented reform and coherent reform.”