Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh has clarified some of the terms laid by Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC) in the Tripartite Recommendations.

The Chief Minister, in an audio, addressed some of the terms made by the main opposition including the release of all political prisoners from detention.

“The APC (party) submitted a list of 318 members (in detention), but later resubmitted 15 people who are on trial, 10 are in Makeni and are being represented by government lawyers and 5 are in Freetown,” the Chief Minister said.

He also stated that most of the names given by the APC party contained detainees being tried for criminal rather than political offences. Sengeh said leaders and senior members of the ruling and opposition parties are nevertheless working together to achieve peace and national cohesion.

“One year has elapsed since the tripartite and all the resolutions have been met with the aim of bringing peace and unity to Sierra Leone,” he said.

The Tripartite Committee was set up by the international committee in the aftermath of Sierra Leone’s 2023 elections which saw the incumbent, Julius Maada Bio declared the winner. Leaders and supporters of the main opposition APC criticised the results citing malpractice and ballot stuffing in some polling stations. Political tension and disagreement between the ruling and opposition party led to heightened political tension in the West African nation.

However, both parties earlier in June this year came to an agreement to participate in governance after the approval of a recommendation in the Tripartite agreement.

Although both parties are in agreement with the recommendations, some members with the leadership of the APC are still in disagreement with the ruling party with experts fearing further tension in the future.