By Sallieu S, Kanu
Sierra Leone – December 18, 2025: The Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, has updated international development partners on progress made in implementing the Tripartite recommendations, underscoring government’s commitment to constitutional order, political inclusiveness, and transparency.
The Tripartite in Sierra Leone is a reform initiative born out of post-election tensions in 2023, designed to strengthen electoral credibility through collaboration between government, opposition, and international partners. Its 80 recommendations, now under implementation, aim to reshape electoral laws, institutions, and practices to ensure fairer, more transparent elections in the future.
Speaking at a meeting held at State House with representatives of the United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, and ambassadors or envoys from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Ireland, the Chief Minister highlighted the active involvement of political actors, including the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC), in the process.
“This government places importance on constitutional order. Its democratic credentials are principled upon consulting with political actors for the administration of the state, and partnering with development partners for building and strengthening our democracy,” Sengeh said. He noted that meetings with APC negotiators and female parliamentarians, as well as engagements by the Attorney-General with senior APC members, demonstrated inclusiveness and collaboration.
Progress on Recommendations
Sengeh explained that Steering Committee meetings had adopted new procedures, including distributing reading materials in advance and extending sessions to allow for deeper discussions. He described the engagements as deliberate and fruitful, leading to the sharing of documents related to implementation.
Development partners used the meeting to monitor progress, clarify issues, and assess the status of recommendations. They raised questions on voter registration and the results management system, for which UNDP has engaged two international consultants to advise the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).
One key issue discussed was Recommendation 36, which calls for the establishment of a Search and Nominating Committee for appointing the ECSL Chairman and Commissioners. Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay explained that election-related legislation proposed by the Tripartite and Constitutional Review Reports had been drafted into a bill currently with the Government Printer for gazetting before submission to Parliament. He added that the President had withheld exercising his constitutional mandate to appoint a new ECSL leadership, allowing an acting chairman to serve for over seven months, pending passage of the new law.
Community Engagements
Tripartite Secretariat member Ngolo Katta briefed partners on the popularization of the 80 recommendations across all 16 districts. He reported strong participation, particularly from political parties, with attendance exceeding budgeted expectations. He noted that implementation status is now categorized as “not started,” “ongoing,” or “partially completed.” For example, the election-related bill is considered partially completed until it receives presidential assent.
Katta also disclosed that Management and Functional Review (MFR) reports on institutions such as PPRC, SLBC, IMC, and IPCB would be presented to the Chief Minister, with full implementation to follow.
Steering Committee Outlook
Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Chief Minister, Kinnie Lamin, informed partners that the final Steering Committee meeting for the quarter would be held in early January 2026, with members provided all necessary reading materials beforehand.
Development Partners’ Response
Partners expressed satisfaction with the level of progress, noting that implementation was ahead of schedule. They also discussed funding mechanisms for 2026 to sustain the process.
The meeting reflected a strong mood of partnership and reaffirmed the commitment of both government and development partners to advancing democratic reforms through the Tripartite framework.
Background and Origins
- Post-election tensions (June 2023): Following the general elections, the APC raised concerns about electoral credibility, voter registration, and result management. To ease tensions and preserve democratic stability, dialogue was initiated between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), the APC, and international guarantors.
- Formation of the Tripartite Committee: The committee was designed to include three key actors:
- The Government of Sierra Leone (SLPP)
- The main opposition APC
- Moral guarantors and development partners (including ECOWAS, UN, and other diplomatic stakeholders).
- Mandate: To review electoral systems, laws, and institutions, and propose reforms that would enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility in future elections.
Key Recommendations
- In July 2024, the Tripartite Committee submitted its final report to President Julius Maada Bio, containing 80 recommendations on electoral reforms.
- These recommendations cover:
- Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL): Establishing a Search and Nominating Committee for appointing commissioners (Recommendation 36).
- Election laws: Drafting new legislation based on constitutional review reports.
- Result management system: Improving transparency and reliability, with UNDP hiring consultants to advise ECSL.
- Institutional reforms: Management and Functional Reviews (MFR) of oversight bodies like PPRC, SLBC, IMC, and IPCB.
⚖️ Significance
- Political inclusiveness: The Tripartite process is notable for involving both ruling and opposition parties in structured dialogue.
- Democratic strengthening: It represents a collaborative effort to address electoral disputes through reform rather than confrontation.
- Transparency: Regular updates, district-level engagements, and public dissemination of recommendations have helped build trust in the process.