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Sierra Leone’s opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has agreed to end its non-participation in governance following a peace post-election dialogue in Freetown on Wednesday.
This also indicates that there will be no re-run of the 2023 general elections in Sierra Leone, as previously demanded by the party supporters.
According to a signed agreement released after the three-day dialogue, the APC will end its non-participation in governance, and the President, in consultation with the APC, will constitute a cross-party committee on electoral system and management bodies review.
The agreement also states that the government will release any persons arrested, detained, or imprisoned for alleged election or civil protest informed by the list to be submitted by the APC. Similarly, the government will discontinue all politically motivated court cases against the APC, other parties, and their supporters based on a list to be submitted by the APC and other parties. Read the full agreement here.
It would be recalled that the APC had previously rejected the June 24 election results, citing significant irregularities and breaches of electoral procedures. As a result, they opted out of participating in governance across various tiers, including the legislature and local councils.
The dialogue was facilitated by the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Commonwealth, following the request of Sierra Leone’s Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC).
This is a developing story. More details later…
The recent conclusion of the dialogue between the All Peoples Party and the government of Sierra Leone signifies a monumental achievement for our nation. It is in these moments of dialogue, compromise, and unity that the true winners emerge—the people of Sierra Leone. This dialogue has prevented the looming specter of unrest and anarchy that could have cast a dark shadow over our land.
President Bio deserves commendation for his astute leadership, characterized by a willingness to engage in dialogue rather than resorting to heavy-handed measures. This approach has proven to be a beacon of hope for our nation. His ability to navigate the turbulent waters of political stalemate and bring about peace, law, and order deserves applause not only from Sierra Leoneans but from the international community as well.
The international community is likely to give President Bio a high grade for his efforts. His success in resolving the political impasse and reestablishing stability will undoubtedly reflect positively on Sierra Leone’s standing on the global stage. With this newfound stability, President Bio can now focus on executing his agenda with minimal distractions, providing a promising path for our great country’s development.
It is essential to reflect on the precarious situation Sierra Leone teetered on the edge of. Uncertainty and distraction loomed large, threatening to erode the progress we had made. In this context, the tireless efforts of the representatives of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) at the dialogue were instrumental. They skillfully navigated a complex and potentially scandalous situation, effectively averting a catastrophe that would have done more harm than good to our country, particularly concerning our relationships with donor countries and the international community.
In the wake of this success, it is paramount for all Sierra Leoneans to heed a call for moderation and responsibility. Our collective focus should extend to the realm of communication, especially on social media and in our reporting mechanisms. Let us refrain from rhetoric that can fan the flames of discord and opt for responsible discourse that champions unity, peace, and progress. This newfound era of stability is a precious gift to our nation, and we must cherish and safeguard it.
The dialogue has showcased our resilience as a nation, our ability to come together, and our dedication to the well-being of Sierra Leone. Let this be a turning point, where we build upon the foundation of dialogue, collaboration, and responsible communication to propel our country forward. Sierra Leone’s future is bright, and it is our collective duty to ensure it remains so.
Pete Menjor
We’re saying a big thanks to them. We hope now for better change to our sweet mama salon. Better is ahead of us now.
Alhamdulillah for that.
Aaah APC this is just a waste of national revenue
Based on the list in this article, they are not getting anything. Is this how they negotiate? Did they at least get the government to have ECSL release polling data? This is crazy. They should have gotten a statement from Bio and the ECSL that the election tabulations were not credible. Now, I bet you at some point in the future, Bio will say he won, even the APC accepted the results, which is proof.
They are are taking up their positions, but parliamentary elections were also stolen and they are such a minority, they have no voice in parliament.