By Comrade A. Wise – Koinadugu District
In a well attended meeting held on Friday 15 December 2023 at the APC National Headquarters in Freetown, The Co-Chair of the Tripartite Committee for Electoral Systems and Management Bodies Review, Dr Kaifala Marah and team engaged stakeholders and members of the All Peoples Congress Party on a briefing with regards progress made so far since they were selected to serve and represent the party in the Tripartite committee which consist of APC, SLPP and the International Community.
In his opening statement, the Co Chair Dr Kaifala Marah did express his profound thanks and appreciation to all members present (especially considering the short notice given to them).
On behalf of the committee, the Co-Chair went further to extend gratitude to the leadership of the APC for entrusting them with such a responsibility. He affirmed that they are willingly and ready to do all they can in protecting the APC.
Ibrahim Prince Tholley, National President of the APC Young Congress and a member of the seven man committee in the tripartite committee gave a detailed explanation on the proposed Terms Of Reference (TORs ) of the committee which the APC has presented to the Government and the Development Partners for consideration.
Hon Alimamy Petito Koroma who is also a member of the seven man committee in his statement gave a clear explanation of the mandate of the committee (as established in the communique that was signed in Bintumani during the Peace dialogue). He laid emphasis on resolution three (which has to do with Electoral Reforms).
Dr Richard Konteh, a member of the seven man committee, made a comprehensive presentation on the next steps. In his statement, he explained to members present that the Committee together with the party leadership has selected a technical sub committee (headed by Dr Sam Sesay). He added that the sub committee will be responsible for other technical assignments. Aside the technical committee, he added that there is another strategic committee that is headed by the deputy leader of the party, Hon Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah.
This strategic committee, Dr. konteh said will be responsible to handle some aspects of the communique (especially the one dealing with political prisoners and politically motivated cases).
Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament spoke on behalf of the current MPs. In his statement, he expressed his profound thanks and appreciation to Dr Kaifala Marah and Team for standing the test of time and by extension thanking the APC Leadership for choosing a competent, focus and well determine team to represent the party in the Tripartite Committee, he went further to reassure all comrades present that they as members of parliament are fully ready to support the team and that the team is on top of the game so the membership should trust them.
Dr Kaifala Marah, Co-Chair of the Tripartite Committee, stated in his closing remarks that the mandate of the committee is purely on electoral reforms and they will do all they could within the confines of the law (guided by the TOR), to ensure that the tripartite committee do that which is right for the betterment of Sierra Leone. Dr Marah updated the party members present about the committee’s engagements with development partners in making sure the committee commence work to match up with the stipulated timelines. He concluded his statement by thanking the Party’s Leadership for entrusting confidence in him and his team. He did urge all members of the APC to have confidence and trust in the Party’s Leadership because they are doing so much for the benefit of all.
Comrade Minkailu Payamba Koroma, gave a wonderful statement and raised series of concerns during the interactive session (ranging from addressing information gap, to the status of a certain “Institutional Nominees” in the tripartite committee, the correspondences from statehouse regarding the operations of the committee) etc. upon concluding his statement, the born orator did receive a thunderous round of applause and showers of praises by members present.
Lawyer Hassan Kamara, National Coordinator of the party’s Internal Elections Management body (IEMC) and a member of the technical sub committee, did make a very salient contribution on the legal implications of certain concerns raised by other comrades.
Dr. Kaifala Marah, Dr. Alimamy Petito Koroma and Richard Konteh were able to address all the concerns raised and questions asked.
