By Musa Paul Feika
The Chief Minister of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, has strongly defended former presidential candidate of the All People’s Congress (APC), Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, over controversies surrounding the post-election Tripartite Committee process, insisting that Dr. Kamara “did nothing wrong” and was instead misled by senior figures within his own party.
Speaking during a recent interview on Radio Democracy Gud Morni Salone Program, Dr. Sengeh said the Tripartite Committee established after the 2023 general elections to ease political tensions and restore confidence in democratic governance was initially approached in good faith by Dr. Samura Kamara.
According to the Chief Minister, Dr. Kamara was prepared to take constructive steps that could have positively shaped the post-election environment and national reconciliation.
However, Dr. Sengeh alleged that certain influential figures within the APC hierarchy undermined those efforts by discouraging Dr. Kamara from taking decisive actions at critical moments of the process.
“Dr. Samura Kamara meant well and had good intentions throughout the Tripartite engagement. Everything he built around the process was geared toward achieving a positive outcome for the country. Unfortunately, some individuals around him kept advising him against taking necessary steps, and in the end, the process suffered,”Dr. Sengeh stated.
The Chief Minister specifically named senior APC figures, including Abdul Osman Timbo, Richard Conteh, and Kaifala Marah, among those he claimed repeatedly cautioned Dr. Kamara against certain decisions during the Tripartite negotiations.
According to Dr. Sengeh, these interventions weakened the APC’s ability to present a coherent and constructive position, ultimately leading to what he described as a failed opportunity for progress.
Dr. Sengeh rejected claims circulating in some political circles that Dr. Kamara was responsible for the breakdown of trust surrounding the Tripartite recommendations. He described such narratives as “misleading” and “unfair,” stressing that the former APC flagbearer should not be blamed for decisions driven by party hardliners.
“I hate lies, and I will always say the truth. Dr. Samura Kamara should not carry the blame for what went wrong. The truth is that others scattered what he was trying to put together,”Dr. Sengeh said.
The Chief Minister also addressed allegations surrounding proposals to exclude smaller political parties from participating in elections, a matter that generated public concern during post-election debates.
He further claimed that the idea did not originate from the government or the Tripartite Committee, but rather from discussions influenced by elements within the APC itself.
“Some of the same people who are now accusing others were the ones pushing narratives about removing smaller political parties from the electoral process,” Dr. Sengeh said. “Today, they are telling the public a different story.”
Dr. Sengeh warned that such contradictions risk damaging Sierra Leone’s democratic fabric and further eroding public trust in political leadership. He emphasized that inclusive participation remains a cornerstone of democracy and that any attempt real or perceived to marginalize smaller political parties would be detrimental to national unity.
Additionally, while acknowledging that the APC has capable and patriotic members, the Chief Minister was candid in his criticism of what he described as persistent internal challenges within the party. “I am not saying there are no good people in the APC. But the reality is that it has been difficult for constructive voices to prevail when internal divisions and conflicting interests continue to dominate decision making,” he noted.
Dr. Sengeh concluded by calling on political actors across the divide to place national interest above party loyalty, especially in moments requiring dialogue and compromise. He reiterated that Sierra Leone’s democracy can only be strengthened when leaders act with honesty, responsibility, and a genuine commitment to peace.
The Tripartite Committee, comprising representatives of the government, opposition, and international partners, was widely seen as a critical mechanism for post-election stabilization. As debate continues over its outcomes, Dr. Sengeh’s defence of Dr. Samura Kamara adds a new dimension to ongoing discussions about leadership, accountability, and the future of political engagement in Sierra Leone.