By: Audrey Raymonda John
Sierra Leone officially launched its Second-Generation African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Country Review Mission on Tuesday, 25th November 2025, at the Foreign Service Academy Hall in Freetown. The event was presided over by Isatu Konneh, who introduced the mission, noting the significance of this brief but impactful exercise in national governance assessment.
The ceremony saw the presentation of Sierra Leone’s Self-Assessment Report, marking a key milestone in the country’s APRM journey. Mr. Ambrose James, Development Secretary at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MOPED), welcomed dignitaries and highlighted the APRM’s role in promoting peer learning, transparency, and accountability. He reflected on Sierra Leone’s APRM achievements since joining in 2004, including the 2012 foundational Country Review, the 2020 COVID-19 and Health Governance Targeted Review, and the 2023 review on Unconstitutional Changes of Government.
Mr. James emphasized that the Second-Generation Review represents a new chapter in good governance, providing an opportunity for Sierra Leone to reflect on progress, address challenges, and strengthen institutions to better serve its citizens. He stressed that the repositioning of APRM under MOPED ensures citizen voices are directly linked to national planning and budgeting.
Executive Secretary of the APRM Secretariat, Mr. Mohamed Sheshu Sheriff, praised Sierra Leone’s courageous journey since the civil war, highlighting how the country has embraced the APRM process to heal, reflect, and strengthen democratic governance.
H.E. Dr. Abdoulie Janneh, lead panel member of the APRM Continental Secretariat, commended Sierra Leone for its consistent leadership in advancing APRM principles. He highlighted the country’s progress in governance, socio-economic development, and institutional resilience, despite challenges such as the Ebola epidemic, COVID-19, natural disasters, and economic shocks. The Second-Generation Review, he said, would assess Sierra Leone across five thematic areas democracy and political governance, economic governance and management, corporate governance, socio-economic development and state resilience to Shocks and disasters
The Review aims to generate practical, actionable recommendations to strengthen governance systems, enhance citizen participation, and support sustainable development.
Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and APRM Focal Point, officially presented the Self-Assessment Report, describing it as a product of rigorous consultation, introspection, and inclusive participation. He noted that the report reflects the voices of citizens, private sector actors, development partners, and civil society, capturing achievements, challenges, and the path forward.
The launch signifies Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and reform as central pillars of democratic governance. The Second-Generation Review will culminate in a peer review by the APR Forum of Heads of State and Government in 2026, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s role as a continental leader in governance, development, and regional collaboration.
