As Sierra Leone moves closely toward the 2028 general elections, growing concerns continue to surround the fate of the 80 recommendations produced by the Tripartite Committee.
While development partners, Civil society Organizations (CSOs), and citizens have repeatedly and persistently emphasized the importance of implementing these reforms, both the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Members of Parliament have come under criticism for failing to sustain meaningful pressure on the issue.
The recommendations, which emerged from the Tripartite Committee established under the Agreement for National Unity (ANU), were intended to address concerns arising from the disputed June 24, 2023 elections, providing a roadmap for strengthening democratic governance, electoral transparency and political stability in Sierra Leone.
However, nearly or roughly three years after the agreement was signed, many Sierra Leoneans are asking a simple question what has become of the recommendations, and why has Parliament not treated their implementation as a matter of national urgency?
Critics argued that while APC politicians frequently raise concerns about electoral reforms in public statements and media engagements, their Members of Parliament have not consistently used the parliamentary platform to demand updates, timelines and concrete implementation measures or mechanisms from the Executive.
As the principal opposition party, many citizens expected APC lawmakers to maintain relentless pressure on the government to ensure that the recommendations did not remain merely a political document.
At the same time, concerns are mounting over what many perceive as indifference from SLPP Members of Parliament. Despite the government’s role in the Agreement for National Unity and its commitment to the reform process, ruling party MPs have largely remained silent on the status of the recommendations.
Their apparent lack of urgency has fueled perceptions that electoral reform is not a priority for those currently occupying the government benches.
The silence from both sides of the aisle is particularly troubling because the Agreement for National Unity was never intended to be a partisan arrangement. It was presented as a national commitment aimed at reducing political tensions, restoring confidence in democratic institutions and preventing future electoral disputes. The agreement facilitated the return of opposition elected officials to Parliament and local councils and received strong support from the international community.
Development partners, including the United Nations, European Union, Commonwealth, African Union and ECOWAS, have repeatedly stressed the importance of implementing the recommendations. These institutions continue to view the reforms as critical to strengthening Sierra Leone’s democracy and ensuring credible future elections.
Yet, despite these repeated calls, progress remains unclear. The absence of sustained parliamentary debate on the matter has left many citizens wondering whether elected representatives fully appreciate the significance of the reforms. Parliament as the nation’s supreme law making body, should be at the forefront of driving accountability, ensuring that national commitments are honored.
The APC cannot credibly claim to champion reform if its MPs fail to aggressively and robustly pursue the issue within Parliament.
Equally so, the SLPP cannot profess commitment to democratic reforms while its lawmakers appear unconcerned about the pace of implementation. Both political parties share responsibility for ensuring that the recommendations are translated into meaningful action.
Reports suggesting that December 2026 is a crucial benchmark for consideration of key reforms have further heightened public interest. With that deadline approaching, citizens deserve clear answers regarding what recommendations have been implemented, what remains outstanding and what timetable exists for completing the process.
The people of Sierra Leone deserve more than political rhetoric. Sierra Leoneans deserve action. The credibility of the 2028 elections may well depend on whether the recommendations are implemented in a timely and transparent manner.
The question therefore remains, if development partners, CSOs and ordinary citizens recognize the importance of the Tripartite recommendations, why have both APC and SLPP Members of Parliament failed to make their implementation a central issue of parliamentary oversight?
The coming months will determine whether the Tripartite process becomes a landmark democratic reform initiative or yet another missed opportunity in Sierra Leone’s political history.