Local councillor Agnes Marah, whose district covers more than 45,000 residents in Freetown’s Western Urban district, discusses local issues with constituents. Marah, known locally as the “Iron Lady” is part of an International IDEA-backed initiative, along with the 50-50 gender rights group that has trained hundreds of elected women on issues from campaigning on social media to writing grant applications.After two years of dedicated support for Sierra Leone’s democratic processes, International IDEA is poised to usher in a new era of political stability and civic engagement in the West African nation.
From mediating political-party conflicts to empowering women lawmakers who face both familial opposition and online harassment, to implementing plans for monitoring over 200 radio stations and 12 television channels for inflammatory rhetoric, International IDEA has been instrumental in nurturing Sierra Leone’s young, fragile, yet vibrant democracy. Abdul Rahman Conteh, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Democracy, a government body that champions democratic governance and citizen participation, expressed the profound impact of International IDEA’s involvement.
“International IDEA’s support has been a turning point for us; it has injected life into the commission and catapulted us in terms of visibility,” he stated. He proudly noted that President Julius Maada Bio referenced the commission for the first time in a parliamentary speech this year, highlighting the growing recognition of the organization’s role in fostering democracy. Emerging from an 11-year civil war, Sierra Leone has held five elections since the conflict ended in 2002. The most recent election, held in 2023, was notably the least violent, a testament to the concerted efforts of International IDEA and its partners in promoting governance and civil discourse among political parties, election officials, and the electorate. However, challenges persist.
The 2023 election was marred by disputes from the main opposition party, and a failed coup attempt by some military officers underscored the fragility of the democratic process. Despite these challenges, democracy advocates are optimistic that the groundwork laid over the past two years with International IDEA will provide a sturdy platform for future growth. “Our hope now is that International IDEA stays with us for the next election cycle,” said Abubakar Koroma, the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone’s Northern Region Oversight Commissioner. International IDEA has been actively engaged in a two-year project funded by the European Union aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s democratic framework. This initiative includes promoting reforms within political parties and encouraging the participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities in electoral processes.
The EU has recently agreed to a new 19-month project to build upon the progress made. However, the path forward is fraught with obstacles. The nation’s aspirations for a post-civil war economic recovery were severely hampered by the Ebola outbreak from 2014 to 2016, which claimed thousands of lives, including health workers, and deterred potential investors. The subsequent COVID-19 pandemic further strained household incomes in a country where over two-thirds of the population relies on subsistence agriculture.
The achievements thus far are particularly remarkable given the limited resources available to pro-democracy institutions. Many struggle to cover basic expenses like rent, and meetings are frequently disrupted by power outages, with generators humming incessantly in the background. The physical conditions of these institutions reflect the harsh realities they face, with peeling paint and faded posters lining darkened corridors, all under the relentless tropical heat and humidity. One of the most compelling stories of resilience comes from local councillor Agnes Marah, who represents over 45,000 residents in Freetown’s Western Urban district. As she navigated the dirt streets littered with rubbish and open sewers under the scorching midday sun, Marah engaged with constituents who were voicing their concerns about access to clean water. As a participant in an International IDEA-supported initiative alongside the 50-50 gender rights group, she has received training on various issues, from campaigning on social media to writing grant applications. Known locally as the “iron lady,” Marah shared her journey of overcoming familial resistance to her political ambitions, as well as the online bullying she faced and incidents of vandalism directed at female councillors.
Despite these challenges, she has earned a reputation as a diligent politician, dedicating much of her time to securing training opportunities for young women, many of whom fund their education through her road-sweeping project. “International IDEA and 50-50 support have been key for me,” Marah stated. “They have given me the confidence and the training to be a good councillor.” Progress in stabilizing political parties has also been noteworthy. International IDEA assisted the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) in developing a guide for political parties to establish conciliation mechanisms.
This reform, while seemingly dry and nuanced to outsiders, has had significant repercussions throughout the political landscape. Previously, internal conflicts within parties would often escalate into lengthy, polarizing, and costly court battles. “Not only were the elections the most peaceful in recent memory, but intraparty conflicts have declined,” noted Olushogo David, the Executive Secretary of PPRC. “It was International IDEA that helped us gather approximately 1,200 political leaders to train them in conflict resolution.” For Rev. Lahai, the National Chaplain of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party, these conflict resolution mechanisms have played a vital role in reducing national political tensions. “Intraparty conflicts can quickly escalate into national issues, and the conflict resolution guide has been instrumental in mitigating these risks,” he remarked. Sheriff Barrie, Chairperson of the National Democratic Alliance, shared that he successfully applied lessons from the guide to resolve an internal party conflict that had been tied up in the courts since 2012, as well as a long-standing land dispute among leaders of his tribe. “This training has undoubtedly impacted the political system and improved civil discourse,” said Ibrahim Sorie Sesay, an official with the opposition Citizens Democratic Party (CDP). Yet, challenges remain. “We need to institutionalize what we have learned about conflict resolution,” Sesay emphasized, “but we have the training guidance that International IDEA provided. It is now up to us to follow through.” At the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, Koroma outlined various initiatives supported by International IDEA, including a tool that enables the commission to identify, manage, and mitigate electoral risks.
Smaller-scale initiatives, such as organizing football matches among youth to promote community cohesion rather than polarization ahead of elections, have also been implemented. “We are still vigilant; things can be volatile,” cautioned Khalil Kalon, Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission. The commission must monitor around 200 radio stations, which remain the primary source of news for Sierra Leonean voters, despite the rise of social media, for inflammatory speech and misinformation. “However, we are growing in professionalism. There is more stability now, and we are ready to leverage these successes,” Kalon concluded. In summary, the contributions of International IDEA to Sierra Leone’s democratic landscape have been transformative, fostering resilience, promoting civil discourse, and empowering marginalized voices. As the nation looks toward future elections, the hope is that these efforts will continue to bear fruit, ensuring that democracy remains a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s governance.
