PRESS STATEMENT
SLAM-GLOBAL’S REACTION TO THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. KAIFALA MARAH AS CHIEF NEGOTIATOR ON THE TRIPARTITE COMMITTEE
The Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-Global), speaking on behalf of citizens at home and abroad, expresses profound disappointment and a deep sense of betrayal over the All People’s Congress (APC) Party’s recent leadership decision. The APC’s abrupt move to replace its own 2023 Presidential Candidate with Dr. Kaifala Marah as Chief Negotiator in the post-election Agreement for National Unity dialogue has sent shockwaves through the nation. No official explanation was given for sidelining the very individual who had come to symbolize the opposition’s hope for change. This lack of transparency and consultation has left supporters stunned and disillusioned. We, as citizens, deserve consistency and principled leadership – not sudden political maneuvers that prioritize internal party politics over the people’s mandate and trust.
Let it be clear: the Tripartite Committee’s mandate has already been fulfilled. Its final report, submitted months ago, provided 85 recommendations and a clear roadmap. What Sierra Leone needs now is implementation – not another round of political theatre disguised as negotiation. The appointment of a new ‘chief negotiator’ is therefore not only redundant but deeply suspicious. It signals not progress, but paralysis by design.
Sierra Leoneans are weary of recycled faces masquerading as reformers. Dr. Kaifala Marah, alongside figures such as Dr. Alimamy P. Koroma and Dr. Richard Konteh, presided over a chapter of inconsistency and opportunism that eroded public confidence in our electoral fight. Their sudden reappearance as ‘experts’ insults the intelligence of our people and mocks the sacrifices of citizens who endured violence, hunger, and imprisonment for democratic truth. These are not architects of reform – they are relics of the very dysfunction they now claim to fix.
Hon. Chernor Maju Bah (Chericoco) and Joseph F. Kamara (JFK), now presented as ‘experts’ in unity, both bear responsibility for the very legal distortions that compromised it. Chericoco, as a leading voice in Parliament, helped shepherd through electoral laws that centralized power in the executive and weakened safeguards around vote counting. These were the same laws that paved the way for the June 24, 2023 manipulation – laws that disenfranchised thousands and silenced oversight institutions. To now see their names reemerge as reform advocates is both cynical and cruel.
True reform demands courage – not convenience. The path to unity is not paved by recycled politics or backroom calculations but by moral clarity and service to truth. The APC leadership must decide whether it stands with the people’s will or hides behind elite consensus. Expediency builds temporary peace; only principle builds lasting nations.
Betrayal of the People’s Trust: The decision to appoint Dr. Marah in place of the opposition’s Presidential Candidate is viewed by many Sierra Leoneans as a betrayal of the people’s trust. That 2023 Presidential Candidate – twice a contender for the nation’s highest office – had been widely seen as the face of the APC’s “electoral justice” struggle. He embodied the millions of voters who yearned for change and believed their voices were not being heard. By removing him from the forefront of the unity negotiations, the APC leadership has, in effect, marginalized the very mandate of those voters. This unsettling change appears to sacrifice principled resistance for political expediency, sending a demoralizing message to supporters who expected their leaders to hold the line.
Citizens and political observers alike are asking: “Why now, and to what end?” The APC has offered no clear justification for this shake-up. Instead, party insiders coyly suggest it is an effort to “strengthen negotiation strategy” – a rationale that is meaningless on the streets of Freetown and across the country. To the ordinary Sierra Leonean who cast a vote for change, such backroom reasoning only confirms fears that party elites are prioritizing their own calculations over the people’s will. It is a bitter pill for loyal supporters to swallow. The same party that once rallied the public to protest a flawed election result is now seen to be conceding ground by shuffling its leadership in the unity process without accountability. This is a recipe for disillusionment: how can the populace maintain faith in a leadership that alters course without listening to its base?
Moreover, Dr. Marah’s own history with the unity process raises questions. It has not been forgotten that Dr. Kaifala Marah initially declined to endorse the final accord when it was first signed. He was part of the APC’s negotiating team, yet at the critical moment he withheld his signature – a telling indication of the serious reservations even within the opposition about the terms of that agreement. For such a figure to now accept the mantle of “Chief Negotiator” seems contradictory. If Dr. Marah once stood in principled opposition to the accord’s shortcomings, what has changed? The people worry that rather than the accord improving, it is the APC’s resolve that has weakened. This dramatic about-face in Dr. Marah’s stance – from objecting to the unity deal to now championing it – heightens the sense of betrayal. It suggests that political convenience, not conviction, may be guiding the APC leadership. Sierra Leoneans are left wondering whether anyone is truly standing up for the sanctity of their vote in those closed- door meetings.
The Unaddressed Truth of the 2023 Elections: At the heart of this public outcry is the unresolved truth of the June 2023 General Elections – a truth that the people of Sierra Leone refuse to let be swept under the rug. Those elections were marred by controversy from the very start. When the Electoral Commission announced Mr. Julius Maada Bio’s victory with 56.17% of the vote, the opposition vehemently cried foul. It was, in the words heard across the nation, “a sad day for our beloved country… a frontal attack on our fledgling democracy,” with the announced results deemed “NOT credible” and categorically rejected. The APC declared it “will not accept these fake and cooked up results,” reaffirming that it believed it had won. These were not empty claims of a sore loser – they echoed the genuine sentiments of millions of Sierra Leoneans who felt their voices had been stolen. The outcry that followed was not just partisan posturing – it was a democratic alarm bell ringing loud and clear.
It was in the aftermath of this disputed election that the Agreement for National Unity was born. Signed on 18 October 2023 after a three-day dialogue mediated by the African Union, ECOWAS, the Commonwealth, and Sierra Leone’s own Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, the accord was presented as a path to resolve the political impasse. Its stated goals included easing post-election tensions, reviewing the electoral system, and promoting inclusive, implementable, and actionable governance reforms. On paper, these were noble objectives aimed at healing the country’s divides. The agreement led to the establishment of a Tripartite Committee tasked with examining the electoral process and recommending reforms for the future. Many hoped this framework would foster dialogue between the ruling SLPP and opposition APC, and indeed it opened channels that had been closed amid the acrimony.
The people of Sierra Leone cannot simply forget the unanswered questions of June 2023. Unity without truth is a fragile unity. The wounds from that election remain raw because the fundamental dispute was never resolved: who truly won, and were the principles of democracy upheld? By ducking these questions, the unity process risked becoming a Band- Aid on a deep wound.
This is why the APC’s recent actions cut so deep. By replacing its “Chief Negotiator” (the very face of the fight against a rigged outcome) and embracing the accord’s implementation without securing any accountability for 2023, the APC leadership appears to be conceding the core issue of electoral justice. The party that once championed the cry of “we were robbed” now seems eager to press forward under a deal that explicitly cannot correct that robbery. How can the people not feel betrayed? The truth of the 2023 elections is the people’s truth – an unforgotten truth that lives in the hearts and minds of ordinary Sierra Leoneans. It is the truth of market women who braved long lines to vote, of young first-time voters who believed in change, of communities that saw results that did not add up. This truth cannot be negotiated away in conference rooms; it must be acknowledged and addressed in the open.
Standing Firm for Justice and Democratic Integrity: Despite the discouraging developments of recent weeks, SLAM-Global and the people of Sierra Leone remain
unwavering in our resolve to uphold democratic integrity and fight for electoral justice. We want peace and national unity as much as any citizen or international partner – but we know that genuine peace is built on justice and truth. National unity cannot be attained by sweeping legitimate grievances under the carpet. The stability of Sierra Leone in the long run depends on restoring the people’s faith that their votes truly count and that leadership will not sacrifice truth for political convenience.
To that end, our stance is clear and resolute:
1. Electoral Justice First: Any political dialogue or reform process must acknowledge and address the irregularities of the 2023 elections, not brush them aside. We insist that the findings of international and domestic observers be taken seriously. The truth of what transpired at the polls is an unforgettable truth worth fighting for, and healing our democracy requires confronting it head- on – whether through an independent inquiry or other transparent mechanisms. Pretending 2023 never happened is not an option.
2. Accountability in Leadership: We call on the APC leadership, and all political leaders, to remember that their mandate flows from the people. Major decisions – such as changing negotiators or altering the party’s stance on a national crisis – should not happen in smoke-filled rooms without the input of those who entrusted them with votes. The APC’s grassroots, its supporters across the country, deserve to be heard and respected. We urge the party to rebuild trust by being forthright about why this change was made and how it serves the cause of democracy. Going forward, let there be open communication, internal democracy, and accountability within the party ranks. Only then can the APC credibly champion national democracy.
3. Inclusivity and Transparency in Reforms: The Agreement for National Unity and the Tripartite Committee it created must not become tools for political theater. If these forums are to have any legitimacy, they must operate with full transparency and welcome input from civil society and ordinary citizens – especially those who feel disenfranchised. Reforms of our electoral system are indeed necessary to prevent future crises, but those reforms must be shaped by the will of the people, not just the calculations of a few. We demand that all recommendations emerging from the unity process be debated publicly and subjected to the scrutiny of the people of Sierra Leone. No more closed-door deals that the public has to accept without question.
4. Principled Unity and Peace: We affirm our commitment to peace and national cohesion, but we stress that peace built on lies or omissions will not hold. True unity requires justice as its foundation. We therefore call on our international partners
– the African Union, ECOWAS, the Commonwealth, the United Nations, and all friends of Sierra Leone – to support a path forward that includes truth-telling about the 2023 elections. The moral guarantors of our democracy must understand that
stability is not achieved by forcing the populace to “move on” while their legitimate concerns fester. Stability is achieved by doing right by the people. We seek their continued engagement to ensure all parties uphold the highest standards of democracy and rule of law in Sierra Leone.
Conclusion: A Call to Conscience and Courage
SLAM-Global stands with the people of Sierra Leone in rejecting any political settlement that comes at the expense of truth and justice. The events surrounding Dr. Kaifala Marah’s appointment have been a wake-up call, reminding us that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. We will not become complacent. We will continue to monitor the actions of the APC leadership and hold them to account, just as we hold the ruling SLPP government to account for its conduct. Our advocacy will persist on all fronts – in the media and in the international arena – until the fundamental issues from the 2023 elections are adequately addressed.
To our fellow citizens: do not lose hope, and do not let your voices be silenced. The fight for democracy is never an easy one, but it is a noble and necessary one. Our country has endured great challenges before, and we have always emerged stronger when we stood united on principle. Let this betrayal be a rallying point for renewed unity among the people – not behind any one politician, but behind the core values of democracy, justice, and accountability. We urge all Sierra Leoneans to remain peaceful yet vocal, determined to pursue change through nonviolent means and the rule of law. We urge the youth to stay engaged, the elders to share their wisdom, and the entire nation to remember that sovereignty belongs to the people.
SLAM-GLOBAL therefore calls on civil society, the international community, and every citizen of conscience to remain vigilant. Implementation of the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations must happen now – in full, without distortion or delay. Sierra Leone’s democracy cannot afford another cycle of negotiation without consequence. The people’s will was expressed on June 24, 2023, and reaffirmed in their patience through 2024 and 2025. That patience is not weakness. It is warning.
In the spirit of our Movement’s motto – Trust, Unity, and Social Justice – we reaffirm that the truth of the 2023 elections will remain unforgettable, and it is indeed a truth worth fighting for. We call on the conscience of the APC and every stakeholder to correct this course. It is never too late to do the right thing. History will judge our leaders not by how quickly they patched up political feuds, but by how faithfully they upheld the will of the people. Sierra Leone deserves leaders who are courageous enough to stand by the truth. We, the people, guided by SLAM-Global and other voices of conscience, will accept nothing less.
P.S. We invite you to explore our recently published analysis in a book, “Building a Nation: Good Governance and Democratic Principles in Sierra Leone.” As we unite for change in 2025, this resource provides valuable insights for activists, policymakers, and concerned citizens committed to Sierra Leone’s transformation. Find it here: link.
Signed By:
Dr. Alfred A. Veenod Fullah
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
CC:
” State Dept Press Operations
” Office of Press Operations, U.S. State Department
” Office of the Chairman, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
” Office of the President of Sierra Leone
” Office of the Vice President of Sierra Leone
” Speaker of the Sierra Leone House of Parliament
” Office of the Chief Minister of the Government of Sierra Leone
” Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL)
” Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police
” Chief of Defence Staff, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF)
” Office of National Security, Sierra Leone
” Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion
” Leonardo Santos Simao, Representative of the Secretary-General & Head of UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)
” African Union (AU)
” Amnesty International
” Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State
” Vice President, Congressional and Public Affairs
” The Commonwealth Secretary-General
” Karim Ahmad Khan, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC)
” Richard YOUNG, Chief de Division, Afrique de l’Ouest
” Ms. Ursula Von Der Lyen, European Commissioner
” The United Nations Representative in Sierra Leone
” H. E. Oumar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission
” Madam Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, former VP of The Gambia
” H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
” H.E John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana
” H. E. Bassiru Faye, President of Senegal
” H.E Adama Barro, President of The Gambia
” H.E. Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea
” H.E. Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia
” H.E Alassane Ouattara, President of Ivory Coast
” H.E Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove, President of the Togolese Republic
” David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Dev Affairs, UK
” Neil Alan John Coyle, MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark, UK
” Ambassador Aly Diallo, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to the UK&I
” Ambassador Mohammad Maidugu, Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in the UK&I
” Her Excellency Dr Fatou Bensouda, Head of Mission, The Gambia high Commission, UK&I
” H.E Fatimata Dia, Ambassador of Senegal to the UK&I
” H.E Gurly T. Gibson-Schwarz, Ambassador of Liberia to the UK&I
” Her Excellency Josephine Gauld, British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of the United States of America to Sierra Leone
” Head of the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone
” General Consul of Canada in Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of China to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Germany to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Lebanon to Sierra Leone
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” Ambassador of Brazil to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Sweden to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Libya to Sierra Leone
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” Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Guinea to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone
” High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Sierra Leone
” High Commissioner of Ghana to Sierra Leone
” High Commissioner of The Gambia to Sierra Leone
” General Consul of Italy in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul-General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul-General of Ireland in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul-General of India to Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Senegal in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Sierra Leone
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” Honorary Consul of Belgium in Sierra Leone
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” Honorary Consul of Denmark in Sierra Leone
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” Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of South Africa in Sierra Leone
” Civil Society Movement – Sierra Leone (CSM – SL)
” Media Reform Coordinating Group of Sierra Leone (MRCG)
” Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO)
” Civil rights Defenders – Sierra Leone
” National Elections Watch (NEW) – Sierra Leone
” Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) – Sierra Leone
” Women’s Forum – Sierra Leone
” Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD)
” Sierra Leone Legal Aid Board
” Faith-Based and Interfaith Organizations – (Interreligious Council of Sierra Leone)
” Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL)
” Fourah Bay College – University of Sierra Leone
” Institute of Governance Reform (IGR)
” Youth Partnership for Peace and Development (YPPD)
” Children’s Forum Network
” Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) – Sierra Leone
” Awoko Newspaper – Sierra Leone
” Liberty TV Online – Sierra Leone
” Radio Democracy 98.1 FM Station – Sierra Leone
” The New York Times
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” The MicroSoft National Broadcast Corporation (MSNBC)
” The Fox News
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” The Times
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