His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has tweeted that his Government would continue to pursue a common ground for the advancement of our country and therefore invited the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party “to work with us in strengthening our democratic State Institutions.”

According to President Bio, the main opposition APC can work with his Government in strengthening the democratic State Institutions “by: (1) Encouraging their elected officials, including Members of Parliament, Councillors, Chairs, and Mayors, to take their rightful seats and responsibilities entrusted to them by our citizens; (2) Participating in the comprehensive and independent review of all Election Management Bodies and subsequent implementation of recommendations, to be conducted with the support of our national and international partners; and (3) Participating in broader governance improvements for State Institutions, including the justice sector reform and our constitutional review processes.”

“I also call on all the security sector personnel to protect the right to life and freedom of all citizens,” President Bio said, noting that as the Commander-in-Chief, “I remain committed to our national values of peace, unity, freedom and justice. May God protect Sierra Leone and its citizens.”

President Bio disclosed that he had fruitful discussions with the delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat and the good offices of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) on his Government’s commitment towards deepening democracy, the rule of law and enhancing peace in Sierra Leone.
“I’ve reassured the mediating parties, including ECOWAS, that my Government is open to working with all Sierra Leoneans, including the main opposition APC,” President Bio reassured, adding, “We believe that though we may have chosen different paths, our collective interest is the peace and progress of our country.”