20 March 2025 Today, I chaired the quarterly Steering Committee meeting for the implementation of the Tripartite Report. The meeting was well attended by members of APPA, APWA, the Mayor of Bo, the National Council of Paramount Chiefs, Sierra Leone Bar Association, and representatives from two CSOs—the CHRDI and Women’s Forum. While we had a quorum, unfortunately, the mayors of Freetown, Bonthe, Bombali, and Kenema were absent, as were the leaders of the majority and minority parties in Parliament (the latter sent a representative).
At these meetings, we review progress updates, assess roadmaps, and assign new responsibilities.
A major update today: the Government of Sierra Leone continues to support the Secretariat by seconding staff and providing essential start-up operational capital. Some development partners have also stepped in with valuable technical assistance to governance institutions to bolster their implementation efforts.
I’m particularly pleased to announce that we now have a preliminary synthesis report on the Independent Management and Functional Review of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
Why is this so important? Since its inception (as INEC in 1995 and later NEC in 2002), political leaders and parties have consistently called for an independent review of the ECSL. Thanks to the leadership of President Bio and the steadfast support of our development partners, especially USAID, this transformational review is finally underway. The closest we’ve come to this was a restructuring before the 2007 elections supported by IFES. We eagerly anticipate the full report.
As Chair, I have instructed the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) to ensure the Final Management and Functional Review Report of the ECSL is submitted to me by the 25th of March, 2025—fully aligned with commitments made to the President, Cabinet, and the people of Sierra Leone.
Equally important, the PPRC has commenced support and reviews of other independent election management bodies, including itself, the Independent Police Complaints Board, and the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation.
On governance reform, together, #WeWillDeliver.
