The Civil Society Consortium on Community Accountability and Service Delivery has released a detailed report on the progress and observations of the Tripartite Committee, a body formed as part of the Bintumani Unity Agreement.

This committee includes representatives from the Sierra Leone government, the main opposition party, All People Congress (APC), and the international community.

The committee’s mandate, as defined by the Bintumani Unity Agreement, is to review past elections and recommend reforms for future electoral processes. Notably, the committee does not have the authority to audit the 2023 elections, call for a rerun, or remove commissioners from the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL). Only the Supreme Court has the constitutional power to order an election rerun.

Despite participating for six months, the APC recently announced a boycott, potentially jeopardizing the progress made. The ECSL had already responded to all inquiries and provided the requested documents, undermining the APC’s rationale for withdrawal.

The consortium’s observations include:
The committee strictly adhered to its Terms of Reference, focusing on reviewing the elections of 2007, 2012, 2018, and 2023. It emphasized electoral reforms, not the replacement of the current government.

The committee conducted inclusive discussions with various stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, local councilors, political parties, civil society organizations, and the media, ensuring broad-based participation.

The committee was transparent about its activities and cautioned against misinformation that could cause public confusion.

Concerns were raised regarding the role of some international community members, who have allegedly communicated conflicting information to the different parties involved, potentially undermining the peace and stability of Sierra Leone. Additionally, the United States Government provided $1.5 million for community engagement, yet the contracted organizations (NDI, IRI, and IFES) have reportedly not utilized these funds effectively.

Specific issues were also noted with the APC’s participation:

The APC has been accused of misinforming their supporters about the committee’s scope and objectives, raising false hopes for a rerun of the 2023 elections, contrary to legal guidelines.

The APC has not adequately informed their supporters about the true purpose of the Tripartite Committee, contributing to public misunderstanding.

The Civil Society Consortium calls on the international community, interreligious council, and traditional leaders to engage with APC leadership, urging transparency and adherence to constitutional processes. It also urges all civil society organizations to remain neutral, uphold the constitution, and ensure objective observations.

The Tripartite Committee is advisory and not an audit body. It operates within the framework of the 1991 Constitution and the 2012 Public Elections Act. The consortium pledges continued monitoring to ensure accountability and quality service delivery.