The Inclusive National Conversation (TINC)
and the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) announce their partnership to
support Sierra Leoneans in making informed choices as we undertake a constitutional
review process.
The Government of Sierra Leone intends to
hold a Referendum for the people of Sierra Leone to decide on a new
Constitution. President Koroma called
in December 2012, for a Constitution that overcomes “the challenges of ethnic divide in the political life of the country”.
TINC wants Sierra Leoneans to be given two Constitutions to choose
from at the Referendum i.e. a reviewed Unitary Constitution and an alternative
Confederal Constitution. TINC exists to
advance the case for Confederalism. The procedures of the Constitution Reform
Commission should follow best international practices for transparent,
effective and efficient consultation on both constitutions.
CGG exists to increase citizen participation in governance through
advocacy, capacity building and civic education in order to build a more
informed civil populace and a democratic state. CGG is convinced that the case
for a Referendum Choice between a Confederation and a revised Unitary
Constitution is strong. CGG intends to actively support the process of
information, education and communication of the merits and demerits of a
Confederation relative to the existing Unitary constitution to the Government,
Parliament, Judiciary, any Constitutional Reform Commission and the general
citizenry of Sierra Leone.
CGG and TINC share a Common Interest in the advocacy for Sierra
Leoneans to have an informed Referendum Choice, between adjusting the existing
Unitary Constitution or switching to a Confederal Constitution at the 2017 elections.
Under the agreement, CGG will be
responsible for managing the finances and the activities of their joint
programme which will seek to inform decision makers and the general public
about the objective evidence in favour of retaining the existing Unitary
constitution and the evidence that supports a change to a Confederation.
Dr Omodele Jones, Founding Promoter of
TINC, expresses his satisfaction that CGG, a highly reputable governance
advocate, will be working to communicate both sides of the argument for the
existing style of Constitution and for a Confederation. “It is important that our people understand the choice that is
available to them, which will affect the lives of generations to come”, he
concluded.
Valnora Edwin, National Coordinator of
CGG, asserts that her organisations’ interest is in having our people hear the
case for both systems, without bias or prejudice “to enable us all make informed choices as to the best workable system
that would support the nation into becoming a middle income economy”.
Joe Abass Bangura,
Co-Promoter of TINC, expresses his confidence that the partnership will serve
the national interest of our country.
Released
28 June 2013
End
of Document.
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