Moral Guarantors Mount Pressure on Government to Establish Electoral Steering Committee in Parliament
The International Moral Guarantors have called on the Government of Sierra Leone to urgently work with Parliament to establish a Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, describing the move as a critical step toward implementing reforms under the Agreement for National Unity.
In a press statement, the Guarantors urged the government to engage parliamentary leadership to constitute the committee in line with Recommendation 20 of the Tripartite Report. The proposed body would be tasked with reviewing the electoral cycle, assessing preparedness, and guiding legislative reforms ahead of the 2028 general elections.
They further emphasized that Parliament should develop clear Terms of Reference for the committee within the framework of Section 32(11) of the Constitution, ensuring its work is legally grounded and effective.
According to the Guarantors, the establishment of the committee is essential for strengthening transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the country’s democratic process. They noted that early action would lay the foundation for credible and widely accepted elections in 2028.
The statement also called for broader reforms to the implementation framework of the unity agreement and Tripartite Recommendations. These include the creation of a High-Level Oversight Mechanism to provide strategic direction to the Tripartite Steering Committee, and the expansion of the committee to include additional representatives from the All People’s Congress, other political parties, and civil society groups to ensure inclusivity.
In addition, the Guarantors recommended the formation of a team of legal experts on constitutional and legislative reforms, with representation from the government, the APC, and other relevant stakeholders.
On national peace and election security, they noted that an existing framework involving security agencies and civil society is already in place and should be strengthened to support a stable electoral environment.
The Mission reiterated its call for all stakeholders to build trust through sustained and inclusive dialogue as a pathway to lasting peace and national stability. It acknowledged the contributions of both delegations led by Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for the government and Dr. Kaifala Marah, Chief Negotiator for the APC.
The Guarantors also expressed appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio, the government and people of Sierra Leone, as well as international and local partners, for their cooperation during the assessment process.
They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s efforts to strengthen participatory democracy, inclusive governance, and long-term national stability.
