The newly established Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat has emphasized the need for urgent action in implementing the 80 recommendations outlined in the Tripartite Report.

Ngolo Katta, the Coordinator of the Secretariat, made a series of courtesy calls on Tuesday and Wednesday to the heads of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the Office of National Security (ONS) to familiarize himself with their roles in the implementation process.

In his address, Katta stressed the importance of quick and decisive action, stating, “Time is not on our side; we must walk fast, take long jumps if necessary, but follow the necessary processes to address all the 80 recommendations, especially those requiring administrative, operational, and legal reforms.”

He further explained that the Secretariat was developing trackers to monitor the implementation of the recommendations and ensure timelines were met.

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The ECSL has been tasked with implementing 57 recommendations, some of which involve collaboration with other key agencies such as the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), the Office of the Attorney General, and the ONS.

These efforts are coordinated by the Tripartite Secretariat, which is located on the ground floor of the Public Service Reform Unit office on Wesley Street, Freetown.

The Secretariat, established by Recommendation 80 of the Tripartite Report, reports to the Steering Committee (SC) chaired by the Chief Minister. The SC includes government institutions, civil society organizations, political parties, mayors, paramount chiefs, and Members of Parliament (MPs).

During the meeting, Chief Electoral Commissioner Mohamed Konneh welcomed the Secretariat’s visit and highlighted that ECSL had already started implementing some recommendations.

He revealed that the Commission had developed a spreadsheet to track 57 recommendations specific to ECSL, with many requiring joint efforts with other agencies. Some of the ongoing initiatives include a capacity-building training for 25 staff supported by International IDEA and the European Union, and the development of policies on information and consultation with the help of a local consultant. Additionally, a management and functional review of the ECSL, conducted by the Public Service Reform Unit (PSRU), is expected to be published in March 2025.

National Security Coordinator Abdulai Caulker also pledged ONS’s full cooperation with the Secretariat and confirmed that progress was being made on their recommendations. Of the 10 recommendations for ONS, a key project includes District Risk Mapping, which is contingent on securing funding.

Training programs for security sector personnel, including prison officers and chiefdom officials, are also underway to ensure adequate coverage of polling stations during elections.

Katta further discussed the importance of training manuals and policies to guide communication and professional responses to electoral violence. Consultants will be hired to develop these resources, ensuring well-defined procedures for security personnel.

On Thursday, February 20, Katta briefed international partners at the Irish Embassy on the Secretariat’s establishment and its relationship with the Office of the Chief Minister. He highlighted the government’s provision of seed money to support the Secretariat’s operational setup, including office supplies and utilities. However, international partners expressed concerns about time-sensitive recommendations that have yet to be implemented, as well as the funding challenges that have slowed the Secretariat’s work.

The Secretariat continues to collaborate with key partners such as UNDP, IDEA International, NDI, and embassies including Iceland, Irish, and US, to access funds necessary for the implementation of the recommendations and for informing the public on progress made.

In a follow-up meeting with the Chief Minister, David Sengeh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the process. “This process is at the heart of government; it is a function of democracy and a testament to the resilience of our political governance,” Sengeh stated. He urged Katta to expedite efforts, keep the public informed about progress, and ensure the coordination of all relevant agencies.

The Secretariat is set to continue its work with regular tracking exercises and will meet with civil society organizations, political parties, paramount chiefs, MPs, and the public to ensure broad engagement in the implementation process.