Dr. Samura Kamara, the leader and Presidential candidate of the main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), has proposed a direct meeting with President Julius Maada Bio in an effort to ease the growing political tensions in Sierra Leone following the contentious 2023 general elections.
In an interview with Voice of America (VOA), Dr. Kamara revealed that the meeting is expected to take place soon, with the aim of discussing key issues, including the comprehensive implementation of the national unity agreement and the final recommendations of the Tripartite Committee on electoral reforms. The APC leader emphasized the importance of addressing the ongoing political unrest and ensuring that steps are taken to foster national cohesion.
One of the central issues on the agenda, according to Dr. Kamara, is the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone’s (ECSL) refusal to release the disaggregated data from the 2023 general elections, a move that has sparked widespread controversy and demands for transparency. Additionally, the planned deployment of the ECOWAS standby force in Sierra Leone is also expected to be discussed during the meeting.
Despite the significance of this proposed meeting, it has sparked internal disagreements within the APC. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Sidi Yayah Tunis, confirmed the upcoming talks, but expressed concerns that a section of the party’s national executive opposes the private nature of the meeting. While the party supports dialogue between the two leaders, Tunis stated that such discussions should be conducted openly and in the presence of other senior APC members.
Tunis also disclosed that this would not be the first meeting between Dr. Kamara and President Bio since the conclusion of the 2023 elections. However, the APC remains in the dark about the outcomes of previous engagements between the two leaders, further fueling internal calls for transparency in future talks.