Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Members of Parliament who moved and seconded a motion to investigate the finances of the National Elections Watch (NEW) have announced that they will not make any further public statements on the matter, citing procedural rules that require such matters to be resolved within the House.
In a press release issued on April 1, 2026, Hon. Mustapha Musa Sellu, who moved the motion, and Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebby, who seconded it, informed the public that they are “procedurally bound by provisions in the Standing Orders of Parliament (S.O. 75) to refrain from making public statements on the matter already before Parliament.”
The MPs stated that during this period, “no interview will be granted for any reason whatsoever, so as to allow the responsible committee in Parliament to look into the matter before the House and present a report to Parliament on the same.”
The motion, introduced on March 30, 2026, called on Parliament to examine and scrutinize the financial flows, funding sources, expenditures, and accountability mechanisms of NEW from January 2016 to date. It was anchored on Section 93, subsection 4, of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which empowers Parliament to appoint committees to investigate matters of public interest.
Presenting the motion, Hon. Sellu informed the House that the initiative was based on a letter from the National Consortium on Public Accountability, which urged Parliament to investigate the operations of NEW, particularly regarding the management of donor funds. He stressed that the motion was not related to electoral processes but rather focused on financial accountability and transparency.
Hon. Lebby, seconding the motion, described the proposed investigation as “timely and necessary,” noting that it falls within Parliament’s oversight responsibilities. He also clarified that the intent was not to examine electoral matters but to promote accountability within civil society organizations.
However, on March 31, 2026, Speaker of Parliament Sengepoh Solomon Thomas ruled to temporarily suspend the establishment of the proposed parliamentary committee, citing the sensitivity of the issue and the need for “proper judgment”.
Opposition lawmaker Hon. Mohamed Bangura had expressed reservations about the formation of the committee, arguing that the proposed inquiry could be perceived as election-related. He urged the Speaker to suspend the motion pending further consultation.
Despite the motion receiving significant support in the House, Speaker Thomas ruled that, given the sensitivity of the matter and potential public perception, the establishment of the committee would be put on hold until further notice.
NEW is a coalition of civil society organizations that has played a prominent role in monitoring elections in Sierra Leone. In June 2025, NEW signed a sub-grant agreement with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), facilitated through the European Union, amounting to €335,000 for democracy strengthening programs.
The organization has previously faced criticism from political figures. In February 2026, Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Tawa Conteh accused election observer missions of actions he claimed risk undermining national stability and called on Parliament to investigate NEW’s democratic credentials, funding sources, and operational standards.
In response, a coalition of civil society organizations condemned what they described as “mischaracterisation and misinformation” directed at NEW, emphasizing that the organization has played a pivotal role in promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in Sierra Leone’s electoral landscape.
In their April 1 statement, Sellu and Lebby appealed to the press and the general public “to respect the sanctity of Parliamentary proceedings.”
“We will inform the public of any resolution regarding the said matter through our official channels in due course,” they said.
The MPs expressed appreciation for public understanding and cooperation as the House continues its deliberations on the matter.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
