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The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has facilitated a high-level roundtable discussion between the executive of the All Peoples Congress (APC) and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Alpha Sesay, as part of ongoing efforts to address electoral reform concerns.
The meeting, convened by the Commission, was held at the New Brookefields Hotel and brought together government officials and APC representatives for what participants described as frank and constructive engagement. The discussions focused on concerns raised by the APC following the 24 June 2023 Presidential Election.
According to the ICPNC, the issues discussed stem from concerns that culminated in the formation of the Tripartite Committee and the development of its recommendations.
Deliberations centred on the implementation of those proposals, with particular attention to census credibility, transparency in electoral processes, voter registration challenges, and cartographic exercises.
The APC delegation also raised concerns over the recent appointment of Mr. Edmund Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone. Mr. Alpha was sworn into office on 3 March 2026 by President Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown.
Hon. Alpha Sesay reiterated what he described as the Government’s commitment to dialogue as the primary means of resolving political differences. He emphasized that boycotts are not a sustainable solution and underscored the importance of continuous engagement to promote peaceful resolution and national unity.
International partners attended the meeting as observers, reflecting wider global interest in Sierra Leone’s democratic stability. Representatives from the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Economic Community of West African States were present.
Ms. Hawa Samai, Executive Secretary of the ICPNC, stressed the need to sustain what she described as the current momentum through structured follow-up dialogues and engagement mechanisms.
She noted that the Commission would facilitate additional discussions with relevant institutions and committees to address specific concerns, with the aim of ensuring inclusivity and transparency in the ongoing electoral reform process.
The ICPNC reaffirmed its commitment to preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts while fostering sustainable peace and national cohesion nationwide.
Through its mediation efforts, the Commission said it will continue to serve as a neutral bridge between political actors to prevent the escalation of disputes and strengthen the country’s democratic institutions.
