By Sallieu S. Kanu
Sierra Leone — March 3, 2026: The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has successfully convened a landmark roundtable discussion between the Government of Sierra Leone and the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC), aimed at easing political tensions and advancing electoral reforms.
The meeting, held at the New Brookefields Hotel in Freetown, brought together senior APC executives and Hon. Alpha Sesay, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, alongside his team. Discussions centered on recommendations from the Tripartite Committee established after the disputed June 24, 2023 Presidential Election, with focus areas including census credibility, voter registration challenges, transparency in electoral processes, and cartographic exercises.
Electoral Concerns Raised: APC representatives voiced concerns over the credibility of census data and transparency in voter registration.
Appointment of Electoral Commissioner: The recent swearing-in of Mr. Edmund Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner was debated, with APC questioning the timing and process.
Government’s Position: Attorney General Sesay emphasized dialogue as the most effective path forward, warning that “boycotts should not be a solution.”
International Observers Present: Representatives from the United Nations, UNDP, and ECOWAS attended as observers, underscoring the global importance of Sierra Leone’s democratic stability.
ICPNC’s Role
Ms. Hawa Samai, Executive Secretary of ICPNC, stressed the need to sustain momentum through follow-up dialogues and inclusive mechanisms. The Commission pledged to facilitate further engagements with relevant institutions to ensure transparency and inclusivity in reform processes.
The ICPNC’s mediation is seen as a crucial step in preventing political disputes from escalating, while reinforcing Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions. By fostering dialogue between government and opposition, the Commission continues to uphold its mandate of promoting peace, national cohesion, and conflict resolution.