The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) led by Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh has reiterated its commitment to dialogue with the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) within the framework of the nation’s laws.

The Chef Minister made the statement at the ongoing post-election peace dialogue at the Bintumani Hotel ballroom in Aberdeen, Freetown, spearheaded by the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Commonwealth of Nations at the request of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC).

It would be recalled that the APC had previously rejected the Saturday 24th June, 2023 multitier election results on the grounds of irregularities and breaches of electoral procedures. Consequently, they opted out of participating in governance at all levels, including the legislature and local councils.

In his speech at the dialogue, the APC Leader and 2023 presidential candidate, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, mentioned that the ongoing post-election dialogue must produce a path to restoring democracy and the people’s ‘stolen votes’.

“Until our demands are met and the disaggregated data released by the ECSL, there is currently no winner or loser. For this dialogue, therefore, we are meeting with colleagues of the illegitimate administration.

“The question which all of us – meaning Sierra Leoneans are asking Mr. Konneh and his team are: Why is the ECSL refusing to publish the disaggregated data by polling stations? What are they hiding and who are they working for? What audacity do they have to deny the request of the people of Sierra Leone?

“Let me state clearly that our people are curiously waiting to see the outcome of this dialogue, that has to be path to restoring democracy and the people’s votes. To bring him back the stolen votes.

This is what our leadership (APC) stands for,” Dr. Samura Kamara said.
In a direct response, Chief Minister Sengeh assured that all parties, including the APC, already possess the disaggregated results they are seeking.

He emphasized the importance of adhering to the nation’s laws throughout the dialogue and expressed regret for any hurtful comments previously made by the government.

“I shall not speak on behalf of ECL. Disaggregated results exist in all of our hands. That’s what the RRF forms are, that’s what we signed up for as a party. As a party, everybody had representatives at polling stations, everybody signed RRF forms. Those are the disaggregated results.
They exist in our hands. As I said, I will not speak for ECSL.

But I will speak for us that we’re satisfied with the disaggregated results that we have. And I’m sure that the other parties who were there have their own disaggregated results.

“It is important that the words that we use for our members out from the public, or rather the words that the members use, do not shape our leadership roles. We are leaders and it is important that we lead. And I don’t say this because as an aspersion, I say this to reaffirm our commitment as leaders.
“We believe that in spite of our own varying understandings and perceptions of the reality, we will converge and be united at the end of this dialogue for this land that we love.
Finally, we care a country of laws, defined by the Constitution and all other laws that have come out of the parliament of our country. You all know about that and I want to urge all of us that during these debates, during this dialogue, we must never, never, over speak outside of the laws of the country,” Chief Minister stressed.