The fantastic news that emerged from the 66th Session of the ECOWAS Heads of States summit in Abuja, Nigeria, where it was unanimously agreed to urge all the stakeholders in Sierra Leone to implement the outstanding recommendations of the Tripartite is welcome news for suffering Sierra Leoneans. (Photo: UNOWAS boss Leonardo Santos Simão, left, reading the outcome while Sierra Leone’s seat was conspicuously vacant, circled, as Juldeh ignored).

Invariably, it is bad news for the illegal Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio, who was surprisingly absent in Abuja but shockingly represented by his VP Juldeh Jalloh. Bio was hoping and praying that ECOWAS supervised by the United Nations through its office in West Africa and the Sahel UNOWAS would loosen the screws in his SLPP regime.

Instead, the international moral guarantors reiterated its commitment to urge all stakeholders to implement the outstanding issues on the tripartite recommendations. What does that mean? Simply put, it means that ECOWAS and UNOWAS want the 84 recommendations, including the 4 divergent areas, to be put into practice.

It is obvious Maada Bio does not like the inclusion of the four contentious issues inserted in the document by the APC party engineered by genius Dr Samura Kamara. What are the four areas? First, the APC made it clear that Dr Samura Kamara had a commanding lead in the June 24, 2023 elections by netting 57.15% votes out of the 71% RRFs available. (Photo: ECOWAS Chair Tinubu greets ECOWAS President Omar Alieu Touray).

Second, if the Bio SLPP refuses, then APC suggested Re-run elections as an alternative. Thirdly, any future elections must be conducted by ECOWAS. And last but not the least, is that all the current Elections Commissioners must resign because of incompetence. These four divergent issues are the hurdles presently unsettling Bio’s illegal regime.

In whatever way you look at it, the unelected President Bio is trapped. SLPP could not understand why they appended their signatures in all the documents leading up to the last one that is born the 84 recommendations. Today, the SLPP/Paopas have regretted why they signed these documents that have the blessing of the global community.

Factually, documents signed cannot be unsigned. This is the dilemma facing Maada Bio. If he agrees to implement, he is out of power. If he continues to be stubborn, he is out of power as ECOWAS Stabilisation Forces are next door to pounce to implement the 84 recommendations by force. Right now, Sierra Leone is at a standstill, bankrupt and completely crippled due to the economic and financial sanctions.

Caged like a powerless lion, Bio was afraid to attend the 66th session of the ECOWAS meeting, knowing full well the fruitlessness of his attendance. Today, ECOWAS and UNOWAS have spoken, making clear their determination to see the implementation of the 84 recommendations realised in Sierra Leone. Bio and ECSL stole last years’s elections and Sierra Leone voters are thankful that global partners are supporting democracy. (Photo: Leonardo Santos Simão greets Bio as Fatoumatta, 2nd right, and UN Rep Wakana, left, look on).

Up to press time, no democratic nation or institution has congratulated Maada Bio. No one has sent messages of recognition which is affecting the smooth governance of Maada Bio. The embattled Bio is really trapped as he could not carry out any inauguration under these circumstances. The implementation is likened to a suicide mission for poor Bio.

Yesterday, there was a joint communique released in Abuja after the meeting. On Sierra Leone, it reads thus: “The Authority urges stakeholders to commit to the continued implementation of the ‘Agreement for National Unity’ and the recommendation of the Tripartite Committee in good faith and to persevere in resolving all differences by de-escalating tensions through peaceful and inclusive dialogue.

“In this regard, the Authority directs the Commission to continue to accompany the Government and people of Sierra Leone in the implementation of commitments for the consolidation of democracy, peace, and stability, including through regular follow-up visits by the International Moral Guarantors on the status of implementation of the Agreements. (Photo: Dr Samura Kamara and Bio).

“The Authority commends Member States for their commitment to the stabilisation of the Republic of Sierra Leone through the pledges made to the deployment of a planned ECOWAS Mission in Sierra Leone ECOMISIL. The Authority takes note of the proposed ECOWAS Security Mission to the Republic of Sierra Leone.”

Leonardo Santos Simão, the head of UNOWAS, had this to say a day before: “Efforts to ensure peace, stability and social, economic development in the sub-region. By the way, for example following our joint venture to Freetown in June with Excellency Fatoumatta-Jallow Tambajang, former Vice President of Gambia, UNOWAS and ECOWAS tried a follow-up mission to the country from 14 to 18 October, 2024 in support of the implementation of national unity signed by the government and All Peoples’ Congress on 18 October, 2023.

“This agreement remains on track with all stakeholders committed to addressing outstanding issues, including those recommendations in our reports. I want to commend the commitment of the government of Sierra Leone and the APC and all stakeholders in maintaining the implementation of the agreement. We encourage the continuation of the same spirit until the conclusion of the political process.

“As ECOWAS celebrates its 50^th anniversary in 2025 the United Nations stands ready to share its experiences in large institutional reform processes as we continue to reflect internally on how to best position ourselves for the future in the spirit of the pact of the future,” UNOWAS Chief Santos said. The implementation is likened to a suicide mission for poor Bio. Meanwhile, the financial and economic sanctions imposed on Bio by the global partners are biting the poor Sierra Leoneans.