By Melvin Tejan Mansaray, Free Town, Sierra Leone
The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament who doubles as a ranking member in the National Assembly of Sierra Leone, Hon. Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis is part of ongoing talks with the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) over the post 24th June, 2023 -elections dispute in Sierra Leone.
It could be recalled that the main Opposition APC party rejected the outcome of the June, 24th , 2023 general elections citing lack of transparency by the Electoral Commission Sierra Leone (ECSL).
They have called for the reversal of the results and the sacking of the Chief Electoral Commissioner among other government officials.
Hon. Tunis who has just been overwhelmingly reelected in a District Block electoral system representing Pujahun District, Southern Region of Sierra Leone for the Fifth term.
Speaker Tunis is part of his Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) peace brokers who met with the former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma who is the erstwhile Chairman of the APC and a towering figure.
Giving little away to the media, Hon Tunis said the meeting was “exploratory,” noting that more meetings are underway aiming at “bringing the political temperature in the country down.”
“Everything should be done to maintain peace and national cohesion in Sierra Leone and for all political parties to play their part in the governance of the state,” Hon. Tunis said .
Hon. Tunis is a consensual personality that is respected among the political divide and has a track record of conducting successful political mediations over time.
Hon. Tunis is apparently a top contender for the Speaker of the Sixth National Assembly of Sierra Leone. He said that he is hopeful that by the grace of Allah he will get his party’s nomination for the House’ top-job.