The All People’s Congress (APC) leadership meeting with the United Nations Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) in Freetown on June 16, 2025, focused on implementing the Tripartite Committee’s Report recommendations to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections in Sierra Leone’s 2028 general elections.

The NAM included representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), and other development partners. Below is a detailed breakdown based on the provided context and additional insights: key details of the meeting participants: The delegation comprised experts from UNDP, UNOWAS, and other partners, potentially including the Commonwealth and Sierra Leone’s Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC).Objective: The discussions centered on the progress of the Agreement for National Unity, signed on October 18, 2023, between the Sierra Leone government and the APC. The agreement aims to foster national cohesion and address electoral and governance issues.

Focus on Tripartite Report: The Tripartite Committee’s Report, a key focus, likely contains recommendations for electoral reforms and governance improvements to prevent irregularities seen in past elections, such as the 2023 voter fraud allegations.

The meeting explored how these recommendations could strengthen the electoral process for 2028. Context from Recent Developments: A related Joint Monitoring Mission (October 15–18, 2024) led by UNOWAS’s Leonardo Santos Simão and former Gambian Vice President Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang engaged stakeholders, including the APC, government, judiciary, security agencies, and civil society, on the same Agreement for National Unity.

This suggests the NAM meeting is part of ongoing international efforts to monitor and support Sierra Leone’s democratic processes. Relevance to 2028 ElectionsElectoral Integrity: The Tripartite Report likely addresses issues like voter registration, electoral fraud, and institutional transparency, critical for ensuring credible elections in 2028.

The APC, as a major opposition party, has raised concerns about past electoral irregularities, making these discussions vital. International Support: The involvement of UNDP and UNOWAS underscores international commitment to stabilizing Sierra Leone’s democracy. UNDP’s expertise in governance and electoral support (e.g., its work on climate data and recovery planning globally) could inform technical assistance, while UNOWAS focuses on regional peace and stability. Stakeholder Engagement: The NAM’s consultations with diverse groups aim to build consensus on reforms, ensuring that the APC’s perspectives, alongside those of the government and civil society, shape the implementation process.