Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio affirmed on Tuesday evening his commitment to the complete implementation of an accord reached with the opposition through international mediation.
During a national address, Bio reiterated the importance of conducting a review of the electoral system, a key component of the agreement that was recently reached by the two political parties.
“Reviewing our election systems is critical to strengthening our democracy”, he said.
Bio, who initially took office in 2018, secured his re-election in June with 56.17 percent of the vote, according to the results released by the electoral commission.
The margin was slightly above the 55 percent threshold required to prevent a runoff.
Nevertheless, international observers criticized the electoral process, highlighting inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in the vote count, along with incidents of violence and intimidation.
The leading opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), contested the outcomes of the presidential, legislative, and local elections held on June 24. In response, they have refrained from participating in any levels of government.
The government and the APC recently entered into an agreement after negotiations facilitated by the Commonwealth, the African Union, and the West African bloc ECOWAS.
In exchange for an end to what they perceived as politically motivated detentions and legal proceedings, the APC has consented to discontinue their boycott and resume their involvement in the government.
The APC has additionally agreed to establish an inter-party committee, in collaboration with development partners, to assess the June elections.
“As we move forward, I urge all Sierra Leoneans to embrace the spirit of unity and reconciliation”, Bio said on Tuesday evening.
He urged citizens to set aside differences and work together.
“The provisions in this mediated dialogue agreement will receive the highest consideration from my government”, he said.
“The government will work with the main opposition party and all other political parties to ensure that it is fully implemented”.
