President
Bio's National Address on Tripartite Committee and Unity Agreement
President Bio’s National Address to The Nation on Tripartite
Committee and Unity Agreement
I
bring you Eid greetings in advance and wish our Hajj pilgrims successful final
days in the Holy City of Makkah and a safe return home to their loved ones.
Today, I stand before you to address matters of utmost importance: continued
national peace and cohesion. I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support
and patience as we navigate these crucial times together.
Following
the June 2023 Multi-tier elections, where I secured the popular vote for a
second mandate, my government, in collaboration with the main Opposition Party
and other key stakeholders, embarked on a comprehensive review of our electoral
process. This was a significant step towards institutionalizing political dialogue
and fostering inclusive governance. We also demonstrated our commitment to
deepening democracy with our unwavering support and work with all stakeholders
through the Agreement for National Unity.
Since the signing of the Agreement for National Unity, my administration has ensured the establishment of the Tripartite Committee on Electoral Systems Review, operationalization of the Inter-Party Dialogue, invited institutions for the formation of a team of Moral Guarantors, and worked on a framework to review legal cases.
My administration will continue working on outstanding issues. My
administration continues to appeal to its International Partners, whose support
is crucial and deeply valued, to continue accompanying the rollout of the
Agreement for National Unity so that it delivers on the prospects of
facilitating systems and processes supportive of a national climate for
critical reforms, unity, and national cohesion.
FELLOW
SIERRA LEONEANS,
Today, I stand before you not only as your President but as a fellow Sierra Leonean, deeply committed to the progress and prosperity of our beloved nation. Our journey towards a united and cohesive Sierra Leone is not just a vision; it is a shared mission that includes everyone.
Your role as citizens is integral to
this mission, and your contributions are deeply valued. Our history, rich with
diverse cultures, traditions, and experiences, is a testament to our strength.
However, we are also aware of the challenges we have faced and continue to
face challenges that have tested our unity and progress.
Elections everywhere are often critical moments of contention due to the obvious divides created by party affiliations, ideologies, and opposing views. This is the beauty of democracy the minority will have their say, but the majority will have their way. Almost a year after the General Elections, my government remains focused on the critical phase of nation-building as the time for politicking is firmly behind us.
Building Sierra Leone into a more peaceful,
inclusive, and prosperous country requires our collective input. I implore
every citizen of our great nation not to be passive bystanders to
nation-building but to engage actively in our national development efforts. Your
voice, ideas, and actions are not just important but vital to our progress. You
are the backbone of our nation’s development. Your aspirations are at the heart
of our government’s commitment, and we will continue to work tirelessly to
fulfill them.
FELLOW
SIERRA LEONEANS,
My government has always prioritized inclusivity and participation for improved governance of our country. I am pleased to inform you that the challenging task of developing comprehensive Terms of Reference and other Operational Documents necessary for the functioning of the Tripartite Committee on Electoral Systems Review has been making steady progress on a weekly basis since January 8, 2024.
This consistent advancement clearly indicates our unwavering commitment to
transparency and good governance, which we hold dear and will continue to
uphold. I am reliably informed that the bulk of the work has been undertaken.
The Tripartite Committee is at the concluding stage of agreeing on the findings
and recommendations following the substantive review. This will inform the
drafting of a comprehensive Report for onward submission to my Office.
Once received, the Report will initiate actions for the other processes required to ensure the effective rollout and implementation of the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations. I recognize the challenges on the path to getting this far. However, I am encouraged by the efforts of the 14 well-meaning Members of the Tripartite Committee. I hope that the Committee will stay focused and maintain a commitment to completing the Task by finalizing the Report and submitting it by the due date of June 19, 2024.
We are well aware that while the Tripartite
Committee is committed to reviewing and evolving workable solutions to
strengthen electoral democracy, some ill-formed people, who are individuals
with malicious intent and a disregard for our nation’s peace and progress, are
bent on exploiting the Committee’s platform to foment trouble in the country.
We would like to sound a note of warning to all involved to cease or be met
with the full weight of the law.
FELLOW
SIERRA LEONEANS,
As we eagerly await the Tripartite Committee’s Report, which will help build the framework for efforts to enhance institutional reform of our Election Management Bodies (EMBs) and subject our electoral laws to the much-needed review and amendments, I urge us all to embrace unity and shun divisive rhetoric.
We must strive to put Sierra Leone first above partisan politics. Peace is the cornerstone of progress, and a nation divided cannot prosper. It is imperative that we adopt the principle of “politics without bitterness,” which entails engaging in political discussions and activities with respect, empathy, and a focus on the collective welfare rather than personal or party interests. I call on every Sierra Leonean to commit to fostering peace in their daily lives.
Let us resolve conflicts through constructive dialogue and
understanding. Let us teach our children the values of tolerance and respect so
that they may grow up in a society free from hatred and division and full of
love for our nation.
FELLOW
SIERRA LEONEANS,
Reviewing our electoral systems is critical to strengthening our democracy. In that spirit, during my last address to the Parliament, I proposed the establishment of a National Elections System Review Committee as a first step to improving the electioneering process in Sierra Leone. I thank our Diplomatic and Development Partners, who have wholeheartedly supported this pathway to peace and progress in our country.
I also thank the leadership of the APC and the
SLPP for their continued support and commitment to peace in Sierra Leone. Most
importantly, I thank every Sierra Leonean citizen for your continued patience
and unwavering hope in our continued efforts to build a stable democratic
society.
In our collective journey towards national unity and cohesion, I call upon every citizen to embrace the values of tolerance, respect, and solidarity. Let us work together to build a nation where every individual feels valued and included. I re-echo my call for us all to resolutely unite, set aside our differences, and work towards a brighter future for Mama Salone.
We must
remember that we are all stakeholders in Sierra Leone’s progress and
prosperity. Together, we can build a nation that is strong, peaceful, and
prosperous. As I stated during my address to the Sixth Parliament of the 2nd
Republic in August last year, proactive engagement and compromise are
indispensable hallmarks of good governance and fostering national unity.
To that end, I urge the main opposition, the APC, to demonstrate leadership and, in clear conscience, speak out frankly to their supporters that we must embrace each other and ensure peace and stability in Sierra Leone. My SLPP Government remains resolute in its commitment to promoting peace and stability in our nation.
I reiterate my call to our supporters to embrace peace, unity, and
progress in Sierra Leone. My government is working tirelessly to address our
citizens’ concerns and aspirations. We will focus on fostering economic growth,
improving education, healthcare, agriculture productivity, and infrastructure,
and ensuring that all Sierra Leoneans feel the benefits of our national
development efforts.
It
is our collective responsibility to safeguard our democratic values and further
strengthen national cohesion. We must eschew bitterness, political bickering,
hate speech, and disunity. We must work together, harnessing our energies,
ideas, and collective will toward a national agenda that delivers Food Security,
provides jobs for our youth, empowers our women, develops our infrastructure,
and propels our country into a Middle-Income Economy. Together, our vision of
an inclusive, peaceful, and thriving Sierra Leone is possible. It is a vision
we all deserve.
LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE, AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.