By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), through its European Union-funded Sierra Leone Democracy Strengthening Project, held a high-level partnership coordination meeting on February 28, 2025. The meeting brought together all 15 project partners to discuss the implementation of democratic reforms and electoral governance in Sierra Leone.

The Sierra Leone Democracy Strengthening Programme is a three-and-a-half-year initiative aimed at fostering credible and transparent elections while strengthening political processes post-2023. Originally designed as a two-year intervention to support the 2023 elections and subsequent reforms, the programme was recently extended for an additional 18.5 months by the EU. This extension focuses on electoral and governance reforms, including the implementation of recommendations from the Tripartite Committee and the EU Election Observation Report.

The meeting, held in Freetown, was attended by key stakeholders, including Ambassador Jacek Jankowski, EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone; Dr. Roba Sharamo, International IDEA’s Regional Director for Africa and West Asia; Hon. Alpha Sesay, Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice; as well as the Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission and the Political Parties Regulation Commission. Representatives from key institutions such as the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and other civil society organizations were also present.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Roba Sharamo expressed appreciation for the collaboration between International IDEA, its partners and the EU, emphasizing that the success of the project is rooted in effective partnerships. “The support provided by our partners and donors is fundamental to achieving the goals of the Sierra Leone Democracy Strengthening Programme,” he noted.

Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Mohammed Konneh, commended International IDEA’s contributions, particularly the Risk Electoral Management Tool, which was instrumental in identifying risk factors during the 2023 elections. He further stated, “As part of my legacy, I will facilitate and ensure that International IDEA is fully registered in Sierra Leone.”

EU Ambassador, Jacek Jankowski, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting electoral reforms, emphasizing that their goal is to promote trust, social cohesion and the successful implementation of the Tripartite Agreement. “The EU is fully engaged in providing both technical and financial support to ensure that Sierra Leone holds peaceful, free and fair elections in 2028,” he stated.

In his keynote address, Attorney General and Minister of Justice,  Alpha Sesay, reiterated the Government’s dedication to implementing the Tripartite Committee Recommendations. He highlighted ongoing and future interventions aimed at strengthening the rule of law and electoral processes. “We want justice to be seen as a service owed to the people of Sierra Leone. Our collaboration with International IDEA will help us achieve this goal,” he asserted. Alpha Sesay also revealed plans to convene a national dialogue on Sierra Leone’s electoral system, using that as a platform for broader governance reforms.

A significant highlight of the meeting was the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between International IDEA and new partners under the project. The first MoU, signed with the Parliament of Sierra Leone, aims to strengthen legislative capacity in implementing the Tripartite Committee Recommendations. The second MoU, signed with the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, focuses on enhancing national unity and peace-building efforts.

The meeting underscored International IDEA’s continued efforts in fostering democracy, transparency and electoral integrity in Sierra Leone, reinforcing the country’s commitment to democratic governance and national cohesion.