US Applauds Sierra Leone Peace Dialogue
The Bureau of African Affairs of the United States Department of State has expressed its support and encouragement for the successful peace dialogue that just ended between the Government of Sierra Leone and the main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC).
On the Official Twitter account of the Bureau of African Affairs, led by Assistant Secretary of State Molly Phee, posted a statement concerning the dialogue: “I welcome the Agreement for National Cohesion between the Government of Sierra Leone and the All People’s Congress. This courageous first step begins an inclusive process to strengthen Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions and create the conditions to enable future free and fair elections. Sierra Leone’s leaders should continue to move forward together to implement this agreement fully in letter and in spirit. The United States stands with the democratic aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone.”
The Bureau of African Affairs of the United States Department of State is advancing trade and commercial ties with key African states to increase U.S. and African prosperity; protecting the United States from cross-border health and security threats; and supporting key African states’ progress toward stability, citizen-responsive governance, and self-reliance.
The US Bureau of African Affairs tweet stressed the United States’ support for the peace dialogue and its commitment to fostering democracy and stability in Sierra Leone as it highlights the pivotal role of the agreement in strengthening democratic institutions and setting the stage for forthcoming free and fair elections in the Country.
The three-day peace dialogue was aimed to foster peace consolidation and strengthen interparty relations in the Nation.
The mediated peace dialogue was facilitated by the African Union, the Commonwealth, and ECOWAS, and highlighted the crucial role played by Her Excellency Madam Haja Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, the mediation facilitator.
At the end of the dialogue, an agreement was signed between the Government of Sierra Leone and the APC to denounce any individuals who incite violence, whether online or offline. The party pledged to collaborate closely with the Government to ensure that those responsible for such actions face justice.
In accordance with the agreement, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) will provide a comprehensive list of its affected supporters to the Government for consideration. Similar lists will be prepared and submitted for other matters covered in the agreement.
In a press release on the 20th October, 2023, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) extended its thanks to diplomatic missions in Sierra Leone and development partners who participated in the process and committed to supporting the implementation of the signed Agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the APC.
Excerpt of the release “the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) welcomes the just ended concluded mediated dialogue between the Government of Sierra Leone and the All People’s Congress (APC). The SLPP notes, in particular, the commitment of the Government of Sierra Leone to support interparty engagement in the interest of peace consolidation and strengthening good interparty relations.
The SLPP applauds the Government of Sierra Leone for committing to help resettlement individuals who were displaced due to election violence during the June 24th, 2023 multi-tier elections. As agreed, the SLPP will prepare and share a comprehensive list of all its affected supporters to the Government of Sierra Leone for consideration. Similar lists will be prepared and submitted for consideration for the other matters covered in the agreement.
The SLPP joins the Government of Sierra Leone and the All People’s Congress Party in condemning all individuals who incite violence in our Country (online and offline) and the SLPP will work closely with the Government of Sierra Leone to bring those people to justice”.
Figo Mansaray is a Liberian Journalist for over 10 years and currently working with Kukatonon Media Inc and AYV Media Empire.
Figo, a prospective Graduate at the University of Liberia can be contacted via +231777489052/+231881734014 and mfmansaray2015@gmail.com