By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
The recent decision by the All People’s Congress (APC) to resume its participation in the Tripartite Committee on 18 June 2024 has raised both expectations and concerns. The Tripartite Committee was established to facilitate negotiations for reforms aimed at promoting democracy and stability in the country. The committee has been plagued by disagreements and mistrust, making it difficult to reach a consensus.
The resumption of talks with the APC is a welcome development for many stakeholders who hope that this move will pave the way for a resolution of the issues that have divided the country. The APC is one of the biggest opposition parties in the country and has been pushing for electoral reforms that it claims will enhance transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
The decision by the APC to re-join the negotiations has also raised concerns among some stakeholders who fear that the party’s participation could lead to further delays and stifle progress. Some see this move as a political manoeuvre by the APC to gain more influence in the committee and further its own agenda.
The APC has been accused of attempting to use the negotiations as a platform to challenge the legitimacy of the ruling party and undermine the credibility of the electoral process. The ruling party, on the other hand, has accused the APC of being obstructionist and refusing to engage in constructive dialogue.
In light of these concerns, it is crucial for all parties to approach the negotiations with a spirit of compromise and cooperation. The resumption of talks presents an opportunity for all stakeholders to put aside their differences and work towards a common goal of strengthening democracy and promoting stability in the country.
To achieve this, all parties involved in the negotiations must be willing to listen to each other’s concerns and ideas and engage in constructive dialogue. They must be prepared to make concessions in order to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that will benefit all parties involved.
There must be a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability in the negotiations. All decisions made by the committee must be based on merit and guided by the interests of the country and its citizens. The public must be kept informed of the progress made in the negotiations and given the opportunity to provide input and feedback.
The resumption of negotiations with the APC is a positive development that raises hopes for a resolution of the issues dividing the country. There are also valid concerns that must be addressed to ensure that the negotiations are successful and lead to tangible results. All stakeholders must approach the negotiations with a spirit of compromise, transparency, and accountability, and be committed to working towards a common goal of promoting democracy and stability in the country
