Dr. Samura Kamara, the 2023 presidential candidate of Sierra Leone’s opposition party, the All Peoples Congress (APC), has urged his party to formally request intervention from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding delays in the deployment of its Stabilization Troop to Sierra Leone.

Speaking in an interview with an online media outlet, Dr. Kamara encouraged the National Secretary General of the APC to write to the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria, seeking clarity on the delay. He further emphasized the need for ECOWAS to lead efforts in ensuring electoral justice in the country.

“If the party’s Secretary General refuses to act, I will personally write to ECOWAS to remind them about this delay,” Dr. Kamara declared.

The former presidential candidate also called on the APC’s leadership to engage ECOWAS representatives in the regional parliament to raise concerns over the delay in deploying the stabilization forces. He cited the necessity of such intervention to protect Sierra Leone’s democratic processes and stability, particularly in light of rising military coups and counter-coups across West Africa.

It is worth recalling that ECOWAS announced its plans to deploy a Stabilization Troop to Sierra Leone as part of a broader strategy to safeguard member states amid recent political upheavals in the sub-region. However, progress on this deployment has reportedly stalled, raising concerns among opposition parties and civil society groups.

Dr. Kamara’s statement comes amid broader debates on ECOWAS’ role in ensuring stability and accountability in the region, as Sierra Leone navigates post-election tensions. His call is likely to resonate with citizens and stakeholders advocating for peace and democratic integrity