By Julius Mustapha Harding, Freetown, Sierra Leone. October 27, 2023.

The U.S. Embassy in Freetown extended warm congratulations to the All People’s Congress Party (APC) on the occasion of the oath-taking ceremony for their elected councilors.

The ceremony, which took place in Freetown and the Western Area on the 26th October 2023, and is set to continue in the Northern and Northwestern regions 27th and 28th October 2023, marks a pivotal step in the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity.

The US Embassy remarked, “Congratulations to the elected APC councilors from Freetown and Western Area who took their oaths of office yesterday and to those from the Northern and Northwestern regions who will do so today and tomorrow. This critical step on the path towards implementation of the Agreement for National Unity helps ensure representation of all Sierra Leoneans in local government bodies and lays the groundwork for more inclusive and responsive policies and service delivery. We applaud leaders from both government and the APC whose collective efforts have created the conditions to make this victory for democracy possible, and we look forward to continued partnership as remaining commitments under the Agreement move forward.”

The U.S. Embassy’s message highlighted the significance of this event in promoting representation for all Sierra Leoneans in local government bodies. This development is seen as a crucial foundation for more inclusive and responsive policies and service delivery, a testament to the strides taken towards strengthening democracy in the nation.

The U.S. Embassy expressed its appreciation for the collaborative efforts of leaders from both the government and the APC that have fostered the conditions necessary for this significant democratic achievement. They also emphasized their commitment to continued partnership as the remaining commitments under the Agreement progress.

This congratulatory message underlines the importance of cooperation and unity in promoting democracy and ensuring the welfare of Sierra Leone’s citizens in local governance.