Observers report no major incident as 3.4m Sierra Leoneans go to polls

June 25, 2023 News Editor

A count of 3,374,258 voters out of an estimated population of 8.7 million went to the polls on Saturday, June 24, 2023 to elect a new President, Members of Parliament and Local Councilors.

Thirteen candidates from 17 registered political parties are running for the Presidency, while 135 seats in Parliament and 493 in the Local Council are also in contention.

The participating International Observers from the African Union (AU), the European Union, the Commonwealth, the Carter Foundation, the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (RESEAO/ECONEC) and Sierra Leonean Civil Society reported no major incidents throughout the polls.

Voting took place in 11,832 polling stations in 3,630 polling centres across the country’s 16 electoral districts.

In the early hours of the day, a delegation led by Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission in Sierra Leone, visited several Polling Centres in the nation’s capital, to observe the electoral process.

Centers visited, included Aberdeen Municipal Primary School, Logos Academey Primary Secondary School” and Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown Western Urban Area.

Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas accompanied by Amb. Ansumana Ceesay, Deputy Head of Mission, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissionner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Harouna Moussa, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, Amb. Joao Ribeiro Butiam Co Honorable and Edwin Melvin Snowe, member of the ECOWAS Parliament, also visited the ECOWAS Situation Room where they received initial briefing from the ECOWAS technical team responsible for compiling reports from observers deployed in the field.

The Head of Mission his delegation observed the slow start of the electoral process but noted the the process would pick up during the day.

The Mission observed the large number of voters on the queues and commended them for their discipline and orderliness.

The Mission noted that no major incidents had been reported and appreciated the “peaceful climate” despite the delay in the commencement exercise in some polling centres.

Dr Chambas reiterated his appeal to Sierra Leoneans to persevere on the path to democracy and urged the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), to conduct the elections with dedication and professionalism.

The ECOWAS Observation Mission is expected to issue its preliminary Report on the elections on Monday. June 26, 2023.

Sierra Leone Elections: AU, ECOWAS express concerns

June 23, 2023 News Editor

The Elections Observation Missions (EOM) of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) have expressed concerns over what it observed as incidents of violence and intimidation in some parts of the Sierra Leone.

The Missions noted that such occuring incidents, ahead of the June 24, 2023 General Elections, have the potential to mar the peaceful conduct of the polls.

The ECOWAS and the AU Missions, in a joint statement released on the night of June 22, 2023, urged for the preservation of the peace and stability in the country before, during and after the elections.

The ECOWAS and AU Missions, in their joint statement, recommended that in order for political parties, candidates and their supporters be guided by the spirit of consensus building based on the rule of law and adherence to the political parties’ code of conduct, security forces must remain apolitical and maintain professionalism in the discharge of their duties towards all citizens, cognizant of the rights of all under the constitution of Sierra Leone.

The joint statement also read: “The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone must continue to remain impartial in the execution of its mandate, in the greater interest of all Sierra Leoneans; and citizens and civil society groups must continue the pursuit of initiatives aimed at promoting peaceful elections and national cohesion.”

The ECOWAS and AU EOMs assured of continued efforts to avail their offices and stations to all stakeholders in the elections in a bid to ensure that the polls are conducted in conformity with national, regional and international standards.

ECOWAS debates thorny issue of marketing authorization for veterinary medicines in region

June 22, 2023 News Editor

The Economic Community of West African States has initiated efforts to address the thorny issue of marketing authorisation for veterinary medicines in region.

Given that the liberalization of the veterinary medicine sector in the West Africa has sometimes had negative consequences and therefore revealed the need for regional intervention to regulate their marketing and guarantee their quality, a workshop has been organized on the operationalization of the regional marketing authorization system for veterinary medicines.

The workshop, which opened in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on June 20, 2023 was organised by the Regional Animal Health Center (RAHC), through the “Improvement of animal health and control of veterinary medicines” component of the Regional Support Project for Pastoralism in the Sahel (PRAPS), Phase 2.

Funded by the World Bank, the workshop, which ends on Thursday June 22, 2023, is expected to enable ECOWAS member States agree on an approach leading to a single, harmonized, and centralized system.

While the issue has been addressed for years within the UEMOA space, this is not yet the case for the other 7 non-UEMOA member States. The unified framework for marketing authorisation for veterinary medicines is not yet effective in all Member States, despite the various efforts undertaken.

The three-day meeting aimed at enabling resource persons and members of the Regional Veterinary Committee (RVC) from the 15 ECOWAS Member States plus Mauritania and Chad, namely directors of veterinary services and presidents of veterinary associations focused on discussing practical arrangements to facilitate the operationalization of the regional system.

For Mrs Fadiga Haida Diarrassouba, Technical Advisor, who opened the workshop on behalf of the Ivorian Minister for Animal and Fisheries Resources, “the control of veterinary medicines is a vital concern, given the proliferation of counterfeit medicines or medicines of poor quality, the uncontrolled development of informal drug distribution networks and the growth in antibiotic resistance. We, therefore, need concerted action and a coordinated regional approach to curb this scourge, as most diseases are cross-border in nature”.

Her recommendation is fully in line with ECOWAS’s desire to be at the forefront of public health and public protection. Studies have concluded that it is feasible to harmonize national veterinary pharmaceutical regulations, through establishing a unified framework for marketing authorisations, quality control and the orientation of policies and regulations for veterinary medicines.

To this end, the ECOWAS Commission adopted several texts in November 2010, namely Regulation C/REG. 22/11/10 relating to Community procedures for the management of veterinary medicinal products and Directive C/DIR.1/11/10 relating to veterinary pharmacy.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of RAHC, Mr Savadogo Joseph of ECOWAS, Coordinator of the “Improvement of animal health and control of veterinary medicines” component of the PRAPS 2 regional project, reinforced Mrs Fadiga’s remarks by pointing out that “most countries have legislation and regulations on veterinary medicinal products. Unfortunately, these regulations are insufficiently enforced. It is therefore necessary to envisage regional integration of animal health and welfare regulations, including the management of veterinary medicines, among ECOWAS member Countries”.

Specifically, the resource persons, the directors of veterinary services and the presidents of the veterinary associations attending this second meeting of the Regional Veterinary Committee will (i) report on the implementation of the recommendations and action plan of the last Regional Veterinary Committee, (ii) review the national legislative and regulatory texts governing the veterinary medicines sector, (iii) review the national marketing authorisation, management and quality control systems for veterinary medicines, (iv) review the regional regulatory framework for veterinary medicines and (v) formulate technical opinions and/or recommendations for the operationalisation of the regional marketing authorisation system for veterinary medicines.

The Regional Veterinary Committee (RVC) was set up by the ECOWAS Commission by Regulation C/Reg.23/11/10. It brings together the Directors of Veterinary Services and the Presidents of the Veterinary Associations of ECOWAS Member States, etc.

The role of the RVC is to assist the ECOWAS Commission, through formulating technical opinions and recommendations, in the drafting of Community texts and the harmonisation of legislation in the fields of aquatic and terrestrial animal health and welfare, food safety of animal origin, veterinary pharmacy, zoonoses and the veterinary profession, to achieve the Community’s livestock farming objectives.

African, ECOWAS Courts to sign agreement for cooperation on human rights

June 22, 2023 News Editor

A 14-member delegation of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, led by its President, Honorable Edward Amoako Asante is in Arusha on a five day working visit to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights that will culminate in the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both courts towards strengthening their collaboration in deepening respect for human rights in Africa.

The new MOU to be signed by the delegation, which includes the five judges of the Court, Directors, Registrars and Heads of Department of the Court, will replace the inaugural MOU signed between both courts on 1st March 2018 in which they agreed to cooperate in areas of common interest within the context of their constitutive instruments.

These identified areas of cooperation include staff exchanges, publications, particularly of their respective jurisprudence, reciprocal representation, knowledge and information sharing, research and training.

They also agreed to cooperate, as far as possible and where the working conditions permit, to cooperate in capacity building and resource mobilization for the execution of joint projects.

At the ceremony held Thursday June 22, 2023 to mark the beginning of the visit, Justice Asante urged the technical officials involved in articulating the successor document to ensure it benefits from the experience gained with the implementation of the previous MOU while taking cognizance of current realities.

“In this way, you will be ensuring that it becomes a better tool for deepening the co-operation between both courts towards the attainment of the objectives that informed this arrangement for the overall benefit of our people, particularly those who see in both courts, the only hope for the protection of their human rights,” the President said in his opening statement.

He noted that the preamble to the 2018 MOU succinctly underscored the inspiration behind the collaboration, “which is basically to enhance the promotion and consolidation of our common goals in a way that brings added value to human rights on the continent.

“Although there is a divergence in our jurisdictions, the underlying value is our joint commitment to the discharge of our mandates which will invariably contribute to deepening the tenor of human rights on the continent with implications for political stability, peace and security,’ he added.

Justice Asante said that the intervening years since the signing of the MOU have seen momentous changes on the International scene, some of which are the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in radical changes in our mode of doing things, including the injection of technology that facilitates the application of virtual technology for court sessions which has improved citizen access, ensured the expeditious disposal of voluminous cases while reducing the cost of litigation for the benefit of indigent citizens.

He noted that “in the face of the recent political upheavals in West Africa, it has become imperative to employ this emergency technological situation to further strengthen our courts as bulwarks for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, both of which are under threat by the latest political developments.”

During the technical session of the visit, legal officers of both courts are expected to make presentations that will focus on the peculiarities of both Courts in relation to case management, handling of applications and the enforcement of their decisions as well as an overview of their mandates.

The delegation is also expected to visit the headquarters of the East African Court of Justice and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MICT), both of which are based in the city

Head of ECOWAS Observation Mission Engages Stakeholders ahead of Sierra Leone Elections

June 22, 2023 News Editor

Ahead of the Sierra Leonean elections, Head of Electoral Observation Mission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, met with several stakeholders on Wednesday, on preparations for the presidential and legislative elections on Saturday, 24th June in Sierra Leone.

He was accompanied by the Deputy Head of Mission Ambassador Ansumana Ceesay, the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Moussa Harouna, and Ambassador Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

At a meeting with the Chief Commissioner of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mr. Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, in Freetown, Dr Chambas commended the Commission for its efforts and commitment to a credible, transparent and inclusive electoral process.

He also encouraged the Commission to resolve all outstanding issues, especially with the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) and ensure that all stakeholders were carried along for a peaceful and successful electoral process.

The Head of Mission also met with representatives of the Political Party Regulations Commission (PPRC) to discuss the commission’s activities including security and the participation of political parties for the elections.

He praised the Commission for encouraging the political parties to the sign the Peace Pledge on elections and helping to address the complaints by the APC against the Electoral Commission towards ensuring peaceful elections.

Dr Chambas and his delegation also visited the National Centre for Early Warning and Response Mechanisms (NEWRM) where they received briefing by the Director of the Centre Mrs Francess Nyuma. The Head of Mission urged the Centre to continue its efforts of sharing vital information and the mobilization of all parties for the consolidation of peace in the country during and after the elections.

Dr Chambas, a former President of the ECOWAS Commission and Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to West Africa and the Sahel assured the stakeholders of ECOWAS’ support and determination to accompany Sierra Leone on the path of democracy in the country.

The Head of ECOWAS Election Observation Mission also met to compare notes with his counterparts the Head of the Commonwealth Observation Mission, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President of Nigeria, Hailemariam Desalegn Boshe, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Head of the African Union’s Observation Mission and Mr Babatunde A. Ahonsi, the Resident Coordinator of the UN System in Sierra Leone.

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ECOWAS Commits to Robust Dialogue on Peace, Security

June 17, 2023 News Editor

THE ECOWAS Commission, in its consistent effort, restated its commitment to fostering peace, security and stability in West Africa amidst the challenges currently facing the region.

The pledge was made by the Commission’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah at the opening of the 38th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ambassadorial Level of the ECOWAS on June 16, 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Commissioner Musah, encouraged about the relative stability of the region on the political scene as evidenced in the successes recorded in the electoral processes held in some Member States, remarked that inclusive, free, fair, transparent, and credible elections are critical for sustainable peace, security and stability of our region.

He further noted that the Commission is looking forward to the successful conduct of the upcoming general elections in Sierra Leone and Liberia scheduled for June 24, 2023, and October 10, 2023, respectively.

Commissioner Musah noted that insecurity across the region particularly in the Sahel, remains a matter of grave concern. He stated that the ECOWAS Commission, “remains committed to the fight against terrorism, violent extremism and trans-national organized crime in the region through the implementation of the ECOWAS Action Plan on Terrorism and other frameworks”

He solicited the support of the Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives in the implementation of recommendations from the meeting, in order to strengthen peace, security, stability and good governance in the region.

The Ambassador of Guinea Bissau and Chair of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ambassadorial level, Joao Butiam Co, in his opening address, noted that the Meeting is taking place against the backdrop of great uncertainties at the regional and international level.

These include the peace, security and governance challenges as well as dire humanitarian and forceful displacements that have affected community citizens, particularly children and women.

He reiterated the commitment of the Permanent Representative Committee members to work collaboratively with the ECOWAS Management, especially with the mobilisation of resources towards finding sustainable solutions to the numerous challenges and difficulties facing the region in order to achieve the 4×4 Strategic Objectives of the current Management and the Vision 2050 of a Community of people living in peace and shared prosperity.

Among the memoranda presented at the meeting were those on Political Transitions processes, Peace and Security Situation, the operationalization of ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF), the ECOWAS Stabilization Missions, Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing (online), the Humanitarian Situation in the Region as well as an update on ECOWAS Early Warning System.

The Meeting of the Mediation and Security Council at the Ambassadorial level signals the commencement of the ECOWAS statutory meetings that will climax with the summit of the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in July 2023.

ECOWAS holds 38th Ambassadorial Level Ordinary Meeting of the Mediation, Security Council

June 16, 2023 News Editor

The ECOWAS’ Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the Ambassadorial level will hold its 38th Ordinary Meeting today, June 16, 2023 in Abuja, Nigeria to deliberate on how to create a safer and more stable West African region.

The MSC’s agenda and work programme to be adopted during the meeting, as well as items for decision are fashioned to unearth ways of improving the security situation of the region.

At the meeting, memoranda expected to be presented include those on Transitions, Peace and Security Situation, the operationalization of ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF), the ECOWAS Stabilization Missions, Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing as well as the Humanitarian Situation in the Region. There will also be an update on ECOWAS Early Warning System.

Among others, discussions will also centre on consideration of Reports as well as a briefing on the Revision of the 2001 Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

ECOWAS leaders have continuously taken note of the fact that the region is confronted by complex peace, security, and governance challenges while terrorism, armed conflicts, unconstitutional changes in power, and transnational crimes are some of the most urgent factors contributing to state and human insecurity in the region.

These threats have multifaceted consequences in member states and the region at large. The MSC Ambassadorial is a preparatory meeting for the subsequent statutory assemblages of ECOWAS.

ECOWAS commits $500,000 in support of Sierra Leone elections

June 15, 2023 News Editor

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has provided Sierra Leone with US$500,000 in financial support towards the June 24 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The ECOWAS Commission, also, will deploy 95 Election Observers (Long and Short-Term – LTOs/STOs) to observe the elections. The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, approved the deployment of the Observers.

This is in line with provisions of Articles 12 to 14 of the 2001 regional Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance on assistance to Member States holding elections.

The ECOWAS Election Observation Mission will be led by Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas, a former ECOWAS Commission President and ex-Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office in West Africa and the Sahel, with Amb. Ansumana Ceesay, former ECOWAS Representative in Liberia and Guinea-Bissau to serve as Deputy Head of Mission.

The Mission will be assisted by a Technical Team to be led by Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

The deployment of the Election Observation Mission is a follow-up to the joint ECOWAS and African Union pre-election fact-finding Mission to Sierra Leone from 12th to 14th April 2023.

Fifteen Long-Term Observers (LTOs) have been deployed to Sierra Leone from 15th June, 2023. The team comprises experts in election administration, gender, conflict management, security, legal and constitutional issues, and the media.

From 20th June, the LTOs will be joined by 80 STOs drawn from the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives’ Committee, Member States’ Foreign Affairs Ministries and Electoral Management Bodies, the ECOWAS Council of the Wise, Community institutions (Parliament and Court of Justice), Civil Society Organizations, the Media, and election observers.

Thirteen candidates from 17 registered political parties are vying for the Sierra Leone presidency, including incumbent President H.E. Julius Maada Bio, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

The SLPP defeated the then-ruling All People’s Congress (APC), in the last presidential election in 2018.

Some 135 Parliamentary and 493 Local Council seats will also be in contention on 24th June.

Others seats in the spotlight of contest include the seat of the Mayor of Freetown to which APC’s Yvonne Aki-Sawyer is incumbent and SLPP’s Gento Mohammed Kamara also contesting.

The Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) registered 3,374,258 voters for the 2023 elections out of an estimated population of 8.7 million. Voting will take place in 11,832 polling stations within 3,630 polling Centers across the 16 electoral districts nationwide from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

ECOWAS deepens support to Private Sector to take advantage of the AfCFTA

June 15, 2023 News Editor

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), organized a regional capacity building workshop for Master Trainers from Business Associations on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) from 6 – 8 June 2023 in Abuja – Nigeria.

In her remarks, Madame Massandjé Toure-Litse, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, highlighted the need for West African businesses to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the African continental market.

She reiterated the commitment of the ECOWAS Commission to support the Private Sector to unlock investment, boost production and promote business linkages. Finally, she urged network of Trainers to accompany Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), especially women and youth entrepreneurs, to start trading under the AfCFTA.

In his remarks, Mr. Lealem Berhanu Dinku, the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, recalled that intra – African trade is driven by MSMEs, which form the majority of Africa’s private sector. As a result, the UNDP promotes MSMEs capacities to produce and trade for the African market through capacity building, market access and policy advisory services.

In his remarks, Mr. Ashish Shah, Director of the Division of Country Programmes at ITC, outlined how ITC’s AfCFTA trainings emphasize the importance of investment, trade, market intelligence, and value chain development. He highlighted the need to mentor MSMEs to robust business cases for potential financing, and the available tools for support such as ITC’s trade and market intelligence tools.

During the 3-day workshop, participants from Business Associations were trained on key elements of export readiness, including export market research, export strategy, as well as operational tools of the AfCFTA. The Masters Trainers were empowered to sensitize businesses on the benefit of the AfCFTA and help them start trading in the continental market.

The workshop was attended by representatives from Business Associations, the ECOWAS Commission, UNDP, ITC and the AfCFTA Secretariat. The ECOWAS – UNDP Capacity Building Programme was launched in April 2021 with the aim to support the Private Sector in the ECOWAS region to benefit market opportunities within the framework of the AfCFTA.