Freetown, 1st November 2023 - On behalf of H.E. Julius Maada BIO, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and current Chairperson of the APR Forum, Sierra Leone Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, officially launched the Targeted Review Report of the Republic of Sierra Leone on Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCG).
In his opening remarks, H.E. Amara Kallon, Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, APRM National Focal Point for Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the APRM Committee of Focal Points, expressed his profound gratitude to APRM, the Lead APR Panel Member for Sierra Leone and the CEO of the APRM Continental Secretariat for their continued support, which has strengthened the governance systems in the country since its accession to the Mechanism. He further applauded the team of experts for a well elaborated report whose findings are relevant, factual and fit for purpose for a country that “has survived several military coups, shocks and disasters”. According to the Focal Point, although UCGs hinder socio-economic development, Sierra Leone has significantly learned from them as evidenced by the conduct of five democratic elections and peaceful transfer of power.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the APRM Continental Secretariat, Prof. Eddy Maloka, congratulated the Republic of Sierra Leone and His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada BIO, President of the Republic of Sierra and current Chairperson of the APR Forum, for their unwavering support to the APRM over the past two years. He also commended the insightful work done by the team of experts under the leadership of H.E. Amb. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, Lead APR Panel Member for Sierra Leone, for ensuring the integrity, independence, professionalism and credibility of the APRM review process leading to the production of the Targeted Review Report of Sierra Leone.
According to the CEO, Sierra Leone is the first of a series of five countries to launch their Targeted Review Report on UCG, a testimony to the country’s confidence in the Mechanism as well as its preparedness and commitment to implement the National Plan of Action with a view to improving the welfare of the people who have renewed their confidence and trust in the APR Forum Chairperson’s administration.
In his keynote address, the Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh indicated that H.E. President Maada BIO, the Government, and the people of Sierra Leone are honoured to launch the Targeted Review Report on UCG. “Sierra Leone is committed to development, peace and democracy”. He underlined that as a catalyst for action, the Government will ensure the Targeted Review Report is disseminated widely. “We are committed to implementing the recommendations of the report. We have already started to work on some of the recommendations, particularly around dialogue and constitutional review.”
The Chief Minister further indicated that the Government had just held a dialogue with the main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC) following the 2023 elections, and that the review of the country’s national Constitution was underway. He also assured that the other recommendations will be implemented in accordance with Sierra Leone’s laws. In this regard, the government is expediting judicial and justice sector reforms, which will allow to expedite trials and judgments, and subsequently lead to the decongestion of the country’s correctional centres.
Furthermore, Dr Sengeh announced the establishment, as recommended in the Targeted Review Report, of the National Elections Trust Fund (NETF), which served to fund the 2023 general elections. Sierra Leone has achieved a minimum 30% women representation in governance and is planning to establish a committee to review the elections management bodies, which was one of the outcomes of the three-day peace dialogue with the main opposition.
The Targeted Review Report of Sierra Leone was finally handed over to the Chief Minister by H.E Amb. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika.
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About the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is a mutually agreed instrument for member countries to voluntarily self-monitor their compliance with agreed international and continental governance standards. The APRM's vision is to build an Africa that is prosperous, peaceful, democratic, and sustainable. It aims to foster the adoption of policies, standards, and practices that lead to political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development, and accelerated regional and continental economic integration.
