A high-level delegation led by Dr. Michelle Scobie, Head of the Commonwealth Good Offices Section within the Governance and Peace Directorate has made a courtesy visit to former President Ernest Bai Koroma at his Makeni residence over the weekend.

The former president welcomed the delegation and expressed hope that the mediation efforts would serve the best interests of the people of Sierra Leone.

Despite being held in closed door, the Delegation’s visit was in connection with the ongoing electoral dispute in Sierra Leone, which has seen the international community intensifying efforts to mediate the impasse.

The All People’s Congress (APC) Party has rejected the election results, thereby refusing to participate in the governance of Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio. This has led to some APC Members of Parliament and Councillors boycotting their seats in both Parliament and local councils.

The Commonwealth delegation’s meeting with former President Koroma was facilitated by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC).

The ICPNC is set to act as co-arbiters alongside international arbitrators in a constructive dialogue between the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the APC.