Freetown, Sierra Leone – October 14, 2024 – A joint monitoring mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations will visit Sierra Leone from October 15-18, 2024, to assess the progress of the National Unity Agreement signed between the Sierra Leonean government and the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) party in 2023.
The mission, co-led by H.E. Leonardo Santos Simão, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and H.E. Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, former Vice President of The Gambia, will engage with key political stakeholders, including government officials, the APC, civil society organizations, and the judiciary. The agreement, which was signed on October 18, 2023, seeks to foster national unity following the 2023 general elections.
“The mission is a critical step towards ensuring that the principles of the Agreement for National Unity are fully implemented. We encourage all political actors and citizens to continue supporting efforts for peace and stability in Sierra Leone,” said President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Omar Alieu Touray, in a statement.
As part of their visit, the mission will meet with President Julius Maada Bio and hold consultations with other key national institutions such as the Electoral Commission and the country’s Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC). They will also review the recommendations from the Tripartite Committee’s Report, which focuses on the ongoing reconciliation process.
The international delegation includes experts from ECOWAS, the Commonwealth, and UNOWAS, signaling the high level of international attention on Sierra Leone’s path toward peace and unity.
“The mission is a demonstration of the international community’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone in maintaining peace, unity, and stability,” noted H.E. Leonardo Santos Simão.
The monitoring mission’s conclusions will likely play a key role in shaping the next steps for Sierra Leone as it continues to navigate post-election political tensions.
