Freetown, 13th April 2026 — The Commonwealth has announced its participation in a high-level mission to Sierra Leone, aimed at supporting dialogue and restoring inclusive governance amid the country’s ongoing political stalemate.
Deputy Secretary-General Tanmaya Lal will represent the Commonwealth in the mission, which is convened by the International Moral Guarantors for the Agreement for National Unity in collaboration with the Commonwealth. The initiative reflects mounting international concern over Sierra Leone’s fragile political consensus and the challenges surrounding the implementation of the post-election peace agreement.
The mission will be facilitated by Ms. Fatoumata Tambajang, former Vice President of The Gambia and Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS). Consultations are set to begin this week, with a focus on restoring the participation of all political actors in parliament and local councils, advancing electoral reforms, strengthening inter-party dialogue, and engaging civil society to support sustainable peace.
The Commonwealth, alongside partners such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, played a key role in the dialogue process that led to Sierra Leone’s post-election peace agreement.
Reaffirming the Commonwealth’s commitment, Lal stated: “Through our participation in this joint high-level mission, the Commonwealth seeks to support national stakeholders in rebuilding trust, advancing reforms, and upholding both the spirit and the letter of the 2023 Agreement of National Unity. In this regard, we appeal to all stakeholders to exercise restraint, refrain from actions or rhetoric that may heighten tensions, and engage constructively in dialogue to advance peace, stability and the well-being of the people of Sierra Leone.”
