By Alimamy Lahai Kamara
The Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat (TSCS) has announced that 84% of the recommendations outlined in the Tripartite Agreement have been successfully implemented, marking a significant milestone in Sierra LUeone’s democratic reform agenda.
The update was presented during a high-level Steering Committee meeting on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Chief Minister’s conference room. Key governance stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), Attorney General’s Office, and representatives of civil society, attended the meeting.
Chairing the session, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh emphasized that the meeting provided a platform to review progress on all 80 recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, we track the implementation of the recommendations, analyze the work of the technical committees, and determine the next steps for building our democracy, strengthening governance, and fostering social cohesion,” he noted.
The Tripartite Steering Committee is a multi-sectoral body comprising mayors of Freetown, Makeni, Bo, and Kenema; representatives of Paramount Chiefs; key government ministers; opposition leaders; and representatives from SLAJ, CSOs, the Bar Association, APPA, APPWA, among others. Its mandate is to oversee full implementation of the recommendations, which aim to reform electoral governance and promote national unity.
Dr. Sengeh reaffirmed President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to executing all resolutions under the Unity Agreement. Notable achievements include the pardon of 37 detainees and payment of salaries to opposition MPs and councillors who boycotted their seats after the 2023 elections. Additionally, SLPP councilors in the North and North-West who were previously unable to assume office due to the political standoff have now been paid.
The ECSL has made progress by developing new consultation frameworks and regulation-making policies, while a consultant has been engaged to improve voter registration and results management systems critical areas identified in the Tripartite findings.
The Attorney-General’s Office presented a preliminary legislative draft addressing key recommendations, with legal consultant Alpha Sesay praising the flexible, non-entrenched constitutional review process. Meanwhile, the PSRU reported the completion of management and functional reviews for institutions including the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), Independent Media Commission (IMC), Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), and the Independent Police Complaints Board (IPCB). Director Foray Musa confirmed that an implementation matrix is being developed to guide the rollout of reforms.
Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, condemned the spread of disinformation about the Tripartite process on social media, describing it as inhuman, anti-democratic, and offensive to public conscience and stability, he pledged to intensify public education campaigns and launch nationwide outreach programs to strengthen civic understanding of the reforms.
Participants, including the mayors of Freetown and Makeni and Honourable Nfa representing the opposition, raised concerns about political party involvement in the Search Committee responsible for appointing ECSL leadership. They also called for longer meetings and early distribution of documents to enhance informed participation.
With 84% of the Tripartite recommendations now implemented, Sierra Leone is steadily advancing toward a more inclusive, transparent, and democratic governance framework. Stakeholders, however, emphasize that sustaining momentum, increasing transparency, and strengthening public trust will be essential as the country moves toward the final stages of implementation.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 15th September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
