On August 1, 2023, a significant step towards promoting peace and national cohesion in Sierra Leone was taken as the National Security Coordinator, Abdulai Caulker, and representatives from Civil Society organizations gathered at the Radisson Blue Hotel to sign a fourteen-point Communique.
The document highlights the vital role of the security sector, civil society, political parties, and citizens in de-escalating post-election tensions and fostering unity.
The dialogue session, convened by Fambul Tok International, focused on the security sector’s responsibility in safeguarding civil liberties and addressing abuses, particularly in the post-election context.
Among the Communique’s recommendations were calls for genuine dialogues between political parties, citizens, and Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to build trust and condemn threats against EMBs and election observers.
The signed recommendations included measures to enhance CSO engagements with elections, such as engaging with security committees at various levels across the country.
The Security Sector committed to proactive investigations of reported threats of violence during political events, ensuring public awareness on the legal framework and the roles of election observers in credible elections, and establishing public complaint centers across the nation.
Furthermore, the Communique emphasized the importance of political parties working with and building trust in Election Management Bodies, while also reactivating the Constitutional Review Process to address gaps in the 1991 Constitution.
The Security Sector will also consider measures for witness protection and capacity-building for CSOs on cyber legislation and handling misinformation.
Overall, this Communique signifies a significant step forward in strengthening the nation’s security, democracy, and fostering an environment of peace and unity among its citizens.