The Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA) has at recent held a maiden strategic meeting with election bodies and the security sector institutions.
The meeting was held at the conference room of the Ministry on 9th Floor Youyi Building in Freetown, and in attendance was the Deputy Minister MoPAPA, the Deputy Secretary MoPAPA, representatives from the Office of National Security (ONS), Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), Elections Observers Network (EON), the Civil Society, the media, and a host of other senior officials of government.
On the purpose of the meeting – Hon. Philip Tetema Tondoneh who is the Deputy Minister MoPAPA, underscored the significance of the meeting, disclosing that it is the first ever strategic meeting conveyed with concerned elections authorities committed to not only promoting but creating the enabling environment for the conduct of peaceful elections and strengthening social cohesion.
The Deputy Minister further informed that MoPAPA amongst its responsibilities is to coordinate government activities – serving as liaison between the public, traditional authorities, civil society, political parties and the international community – all on the path of operating, monitoring public opinion on best practices for good governance.
Hon. Tondoneh stressed on the need for frank conversation on issues related to the forthcoming 2028 multi-tier elections and further stated that going forward, MoPAPA should be fully involved on ONS meetings, ECSL, PPRC, and CSOs meetings, amongst others.
Deputy Minister Tondoneh appealed to ECSL to not accredit CSOs and other elections observers for the forthcoming Elections but however, he informed that accreditation shall come to light when vetted and attested by the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs – to be done following signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the issuance of a Letter of Attestation.
