Sierra Leone’s Bio calls for harmony after divisive polls

By Rédaction Africanews with AFP

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio has issued a call for "harmony" and "discussion" in order to address the deep divisions stemming from the contested elections held on June 24. He made this appeal while inaugurating the new National Assembly, an event boycotted by the government.

"In this Parliament, where no single party has secured a two-thirds majority, the urgency of engaging in dialogue and negotiations cannot be overstated. We must discover common ground that spans the spectrum of political differences," stated the president, who was re-elected at the end of June for a second term in the initial round of voting.

The opposition All People's Congress Party (APC) opted for "non-participation in any form of governance, including both the legislature and local councils." The party deemed the outcomes of the presidential, legislative, and local elections as "manipulated" to favor President Bio and his party. On Thursday morning, only one out of the 54 opposition deputies was present in the parliamentary chamber.

With 81 seats in total, the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) holds a majority of 54% of the total votes. Even with the anticipated backing of the 14 traditional chiefs who hold seats in parliament, the SLPP would still fall short of the requisite two-thirds majority required for certain types of legislation enactment, such as constitutional amendments or the election of the parliamentary speaker.

However, there's uncertainty regarding whether the APC members who haven't taken their oaths would be considered in these scenarios.

President Bio assured that Members of Parliament (MPs) should prioritize "the nation's interests first, surmounting partisan boundaries, and forming alliances that transcend political affiliations."

In addition to pointing out "inconsistencies in statistical data," international observers criticized the "absence of transparency" during the vote tally following the June elections.

President Bio acknowledged on Thursday the presence of "logistical limitations" during these elections. He revealed plans to establish a committee comprising representatives from the government, civil society, and development organizations. This committee will assess the conduct of the electoral process and put forth recommendations for improvements.