The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has called on the Government of Sierra Leone to adopt a full implementation strategy, integrating transitional justice, constitutional reform, and electoral governance into a unified national agenda. CHRDI asserts that implementation, rather than diagnosis, represents Sierra Leone’s principal governance challenge. The organization states that implementation remains the country's greatest challenge. CHRDI is urging the government to publish a Cabinet-approved implementation roadmap within 90 days. This roadmap should combine outstanding Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations with priority Tripartite reforms, supported by clearly costed budget allocations and public implementation timelines. The organization emphasizes that this strategic approach is key for achieving lasting peace and stability in the nation.
CHRDI's Policy Framework
The recommendations are detailed in a policy brief titled: "Closing the Governance Gap: A Strategic Policy Framework for Transitional Justice in Sierra Leone – From Promises to Practice: Bridging Transitional Justice and Constitutional Reform in Sierra Leone." This document outlines CHRDI's approach to integrating various reform efforts. The policy brief serves as a full guide for stakeholders, detailing the specific steps and considerations necessary for successful implementation. The organization emphasized the need for a shift in focus for future advocacy efforts, moving beyond the mere identification of problems to the active pursuit of solutions.
CHRDI recommends that future advocacy should concentrate on monitoring actual implementation outcomes rather than generating additional reform documents. This perspective notes a perceived surplus of policy recommendations and a deficit in their practical execution within Sierra Leone. The organization suggests that continued production of new reform documents without corresponding implementation tracking could dilute efforts and delay tangible progress. This focus on practical outcomes is central to CHRDI's strategy for addressing the country's governance challenges. The policy brief argues that a strong monitoring framework is essential to ensure that reforms translate into concrete benefits for the populace.
The policy framework itself presents a detailed 24-month implementation roadmap. This roadmap includes specific, measurable milestones designed to guide the reform process. It aims to provide a clear pathway for the Government of Sierra Leone to integrate transitional justice mechanisms, constitutional amendments, and electoral governance improvements into a cohesive national strategy, as previously called for by CHRDI. The framework intends to offer a structured approach to move from policy pronouncements to concrete actions on the ground, ensuring that commitments are met with tangible results. This detailed plan is designed to leave no room for ambiguity regarding the steps required for effective reform.
Historical Context of Reforms
Sierra Leone’s democratic journey commenced with the 1999 Lomé Peace Agreement, which was followed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), subsequent constitutional reforms, the 2023 Agreement for National Unity, and the 2024 Tripartite Committee recommendations. The Lomé Peace Agreement formally ended the civil war, but its amnesty provisions delayed full accountability for wartime abuses, leaving many victims without justice. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations addressed a broad range of issues, including reparations, constitutional reform, gender justice, youth protection, security sector reform, and institutional accountability. These recommendations were intended to form the bedrock of a new, more equitable Sierra Leone.
Successive Governments have largely treated the TRC report as a reference document rather than a practical implementation framework, according to the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI). Politically expedient constitutional amendments have advanced more rapidly than broader structural reforms, often sidelining critical aspects of transitional justice. The 2023 Agreement for National Unity and the 2024 Tripartite Committee recommendations concentrated heavily on electoral processes without sufficiently addressing outstanding transitional justice obligations. Reforms continue to lag in areas such as inadequate reparations for victims of the civil war and limited financing for survivor-centred justice programmes, leaving a significant gap in the country's healing process. Sierra Leone possesses the essential foundations for reform through the Lomé Peace Agreement, the TRC, constitutional amendments, and the Tripartite process, yet the full potential of these initiatives remains unrealized due to implementation deficits.
Proposed Implementation Mechanisms
Sierra Leone currently lacks an effective mechanism that links legislation, budgeting, institutional responsibility, and public oversight, according to the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI). This systemic gap hinders the progress of critical reforms and limits accountability. CHRDI argues that Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) should be formally incorporated into governance and accountability mechanisms through specific legislation and structured public reporting. This inclusion aims to strengthen the oversight of reform processes, ensuring that diverse voices contribute to the national agenda and hold authorities accountable. By formalizing the role of CSOs, the country can leverage their expertise and grassroots connections for more effective governance.
CHRDI recommends that Parliament establish a Select Committee on Constitutional, Electoral and Transitional Justice Reform. This committee should feature cross-party participation from political groups and include representation from civil society. Such a body would provide a dedicated platform for reviewing and guiding reform efforts, fostering a more inclusive and collaborative approach to national development. The report further recommends that Parliament conduct quarterly public hearings to monitor the progress of implementation across these critical reform areas. These hearings would aim to ensure transparency and accountability in the execution of national strategies, allowing the public to track the government's commitments and achievements.
To complement these governmental initiatives, CHRDI proposes the establishment of a Transitional Justice and Constitutional Reform Observatory by civil society organizations. This independent observatory would serve to continuously monitor the implementation of reforms, providing an external layer of scrutiny and reporting on progress. The proposed mechanisms show a full approach to bridge the current implementation gap in Sierra Leone's governance, creating a multi-faceted system of checks and balances. This dual approach, involving both parliamentary oversight and independent civil society monitoring, is designed to ensure sustained momentum and accountability in the reform process.
Bridging Past and Future
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) states that post-election tensions in 2023 demonstrated how unresolved governance challenges can undermine democratic stability. These tensions served as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address underlying issues to prevent future unrest. CHRDI identifies inclusion as the strongest bridge connecting all previous reform initiatives, emphasizing that a truly stable and prosperous Sierra Leone must be built on the participation of all its citizens. Women, young people, and persons with disabilities are groups consistently recognized in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations, the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment framework, and the Tripartite recommendations, yet their full inclusion in national processes often remains aspirational rather than actual. Ensuring their meaningful participation is key for the success and legitimacy of any reform agenda. The organization stresses that a unified national agenda, incorporating these diverse perspectives, is not merely a policy choice but a fundamental requirement for the nation's long-term peace and development.