Tripartite Reforms Reach 84% Completion
Freetown, September 11, 2025 – Sierra Leone’s democratic reform process under the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat (TSCS) has reached a major milestone, recording 84 percent progress in the implementation of the tripartite recommendations. The update was formally presented during a Steering Committee meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh at the conference room of his office.
The report, presented jointly by TSCS, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), and the Attorney-General’s Office, tracked the level of progress made by key governance and oversight institutions, including ECSL, PPRC, ONS, the Attorney-General’s Office, SLBC, IMC, IPCB, HRC, and NCRA. The data was translated into statistical evidence to provide an accurate measure of reforms.
Chief Minister Sengeh, in his opening remarks, emphasized that the tripartite process was not just a technical exercise but a political and social commitment to democracy.
The meeting is discursive. We track the implementation of the 80 recommendations, analyze the work of the technical committees, and determine next steps. This is how we navigate building our democracy, strengthening our governance architecture, and fostering a cohesion that reflects our social reality and political culture,” he said.
Broad-Based Oversight and National Unity
The Steering Committee serves as the supervisory body of the Tripartite Secretariat and includes a wide-ranging membership. Alongside government ministers, its composition features the mayors of Freetown, Makeni, Bo, and Kenema; the Council of Paramount Chiefs; representatives from the ruling party and opposition; professional bodies such as the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the Bar Association, and civil society organizations (CSOs). This multifaceted structure, according to the Chief Minister, was deliberately designed to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.
President Julius Maada Bio, through the Chief Minister, reaffirmed his commitment to delivering every resolution of the Unity Agreement. Dr. Sengeh highlighted concrete actions already taken:
The pardon of 37 detainees;
Payment of salaries to opposition MPs and councillors who boycotted parliament and local councils following the 2023 elections;
Correction of earlier oversights in processing payments for SLPP councillors in the North and North-West.
“These steps,” he stressed, “show that the government’s commitment is not rhetorical it is practical and measurable.”
Progress Across Key Institutions
Significant institutional progress was reported at the meeting:
ECSL: Developed policies on consultation and regulation-making powers. A consultant has been recruited to reform voter registration mechanics and results management systems.
Attorney-General’s Office: Produced a preliminary report on draft legislations in line with the recommendations. According to Alpha Sesay, the constitutional review process is at an advanced stage, integrating both the White Paper and the Tripartite Report. Importantly, the proposed constitutional changes are non-entrenched, making them easier to adopt through parliamentary procedure.
PSRU: Completed Management and Functional Reviews on SLBC, IMC, PPRC, and IPCB. Director Foray Musa announced that an implementation matrix will soon guide the roll-out of recommendations from these reviews.
Addressing Disinformation
Despite the tangible progress, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, expressed concern over “injurious disinformation” spreading across social media platforms regarding the tripartite process.
This act is inhuman, anti-democratic, and offensive to public conscience and stability,” he said, promising intensified public engagement. His ministry will increase outreach, circulate verified information, and gather citizen feedback to reinforce peace, unity, and cohesion.
Stakeholder Concerns and Next Steps
Committee members, including the Mayors of Freetown and Makeni, the All Political Parties Association (APPA), and Honourable Nfa representing the opposition, raised important concerns. They called for:
Political party inclusion in the Search Committee for the ECSL Chairperson and Commissioners;
Longer meeting durations to allow for deeper deliberations;
Distribution of key documents in advance to ensure better preparation and informed debate.
The Chief Minister welcomed these recommendations, noting that “our democracy grows stronger when all voices are heard, and when oversight is conducted in good faith.”
With the tripartite process now past the halfway mark, momentum appears to be building toward finalizing reforms that could transform Sierra Leone’s electoral governance. The government and its partners pledged to sustain the pace of work until all recommendations are delivered, positioning the reforms as a cornerstone for peace, inclusivity, and national development.
