RC Recommendations Yet to Be Implemented

By Shadrach A. Kamara

 Since the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in July 2002, numerous key recommendations have been proposed to address the enduring legacy of the eleven-year civil war in Sierra Leone. However, many of these crucial recommendations remain unimplemented, raising concerns about the country’s commitment to healing and reconciliation.

Among the TRC’s recommendations are the following:

• Justice: Holding perpetrators accountable through both criminal and restorative justice processes.
• Reparations: Providing financial and material compensation to victims of the civil war.
• Memory and Truth: Establishing a national memorial and promoting education about the conflict.
• Strengthening Human Rights Institutions: Preventing future abuses through enhanced protections.
• Reconciliation: Fostering dialogue, forgiveness, and social healing.
• Addressing Root Causes of Conflict: Focusing on poverty reduction and sustainable development.

While some progress has been made in implementing these recommendations, significant challenges persist. Limited resources, a lack of political will, and ongoing societal tensions have impeded efforts to fully realize the TRC’s goals.

The constitutional review process in Sierra Leone has also faced hurdles. Although some progress has been made since former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma established the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) from 2013 to 2017, key recommendations remain unaddressed. The committee, led by the late Justice Edmond Cowan, achieved several milestones, including:

• The establishment of a CRC to assess the 1991 Constitution and propose amendments.
• The development of a draft constitution incorporating many of the CRC’s recommendations.
• The passage of several constitutional amendments related to the judiciary and local government.

Despite these advancements, pivotal recommendations such as the abolition of the death penalty and the introduction of presidential term limits have yet to be implemented due to a lack of political consensus. Stakeholders have expressed concerns that their voices were not adequately represented during the CRC’s consultations, which were further hampered by limited funding and technical expertise.

Overall, while progress has been made, the constitutional review process in Sierra Leone remains incomplete. The government and civil society must work collaboratively to ensure that the country’s constitution reflects the needs and aspirations of its citizens.

In an upcoming publication, I will delve deeper into each of these TRC recommendations to assess their current status and implementation progress.