Freetown, Sierra Leone — March 3, 2026: The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has facilitated a high-level roundtable meeting between the Government of Sierra Leone and the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) in an effort to reduce political tensions and promote dialogue on electoral reforms.
The meeting, held at the New Brookefields Hotel, brought together senior officials from the APC and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, along with members of his legal team.
Discussions largely focused on recommendations made by the Tripartite Committee formed after the disputed Sierra Leone Presidential Election. Key issues examined during the dialogue included concerns surrounding the credibility of census data, challenges in the voter registration process, transparency in electoral management, and the ongoing cartographic exercises related to electoral boundaries.
During the session, APC representatives expressed reservations about the reliability of census figures and called for greater transparency in the voter registration system.
The meeting also addressed the recent appointment of Edmund Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner. APC officials raised questions about the timing and procedure surrounding the appointment.
Responding to the concerns, Attorney General Sesay emphasized the importance of constructive engagement, stating that dialogue remains the most effective approach to resolving political disagreements. He cautioned that political boycotts should not be considered a viable solution to electoral disputes.
Representatives from the United Nations, United Nations Development Programme, and the Economic Community of West African States were present at the meeting as observers, highlighting the international community’s interest in maintaining democratic stability in Sierra Leone.
Speaking after the engagement, ICPNC Executive Secretary Hawa Samai underscored the need to sustain dialogue and build trust among political stakeholders. She noted that the Commission plans to organize additional consultations involving relevant institutions to promote transparency and inclusivity in the reform process.
The Commission’s mediation is widely viewed as an important step toward preventing political disagreements from escalating and strengthening Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions through continued dialogue between the government and the opposition.
