Sierra Leone is edging closer to its most comprehensive set of political reforms in recent memory, with the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat (TSCS) confirming that 77 percent of the recommendations from the Unity Agreement have now been implemented.
Established after the disputed 2023 elections, the Tripartite Committee was tasked with reviewing the country’s electoral system and recommending changes to prevent future irregularities. Its implementation arm, the TSCS, is responsible for overseeing the execution of those recommendations.
At a press briefing on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Freetown, TSCS Coordinator Ngolo Katta described the milestone as a “critical achievement.” He explained that nationwide consultations and institutional reviews, including those of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), Independent Media Commission (IMC), Office of National Security (ONS), and the Ministry of Justice, are well under way and that most of the recommendations categorized “green” in their progress dashboard have been fully delivered. The remaining “red” recommendations, mainly those needing legislative changes, are still pending.
Katta said many of these will soon be submitted to Cabinet and Parliament, where ratification via a two-thirds majority is expected. Since no changes involve entrenched clauses in the constitution, public referendums aren’t required.
Progress also includes recent legal and institutional assessments. A full functional review of the ECSL has been completed and is scheduled for launch, while similar reviews for the PPRC and other agencies are ongoing. These steps aim to remove inefficiencies, update outdated systems, and reinforce governance frameworks.
One notable outstanding recommendation is Recommendation 78, which calls for a national dialogue on whether Sierra Leone should retain its District Proportional Representation system or revert to First-Past-the-Post voting ahead of the 2028 elections. Katta confirmed that consultations are underway and the public will have a chance to weigh in.
To keep things moving, the Secretariat has also launched a monthly inter-agency forum, bringing together stakeholders, from government and opposition figures to civil society and traditional leaders, to ensure consensus and drive the process forward.
Once finalized, the full report will be presented to the bipartisan Tripartite Steering Committee for sign-off. This body includes representatives from the government, opposition parties, mayors, paramount chiefs, and constitutional authorities. The final document will then be submitted to the President for formal adoption and implementation.
