By Freda Kai Kai
Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All Peoples Congress (APC), has declared the country’s post-election unity agreement effectively dead, accusing the government of undermining democratic reforms and warning of possible nationwide protests.
In a sharply worded press briefing on Wednesday, the APC said the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity (ANU) and recommendations from a tripartite reform committee had “collapsed under the weight of bad faith, delay, and deliberate obstruction.”
“What is at stake is far greater than political disagreement,” the party said. “It is the future of credible elections, the rule of law, and the very foundation of democratic governance in Sierra Leone.”
The ANU was signed in October 2023 following a political impasse after disputed elections, with mediation from international partners including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union and the United Nations.
A tripartite committee—bringing together the opposition, government and development partners—was tasked with reviewing the elections and proposing reforms. It submitted more than 80 recommendations in July 2024.
However, the APC says nearly two years later, little progress has been made.
“The government has stalled implementation through deliberate delays, refusal to engage, and unilateral actions,” the party said, adding that the process had been stripped of transparency and credibility.
The opposition outlined a series of grievances, including the government’s handling of electoral reforms, the role of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), and proposed constitutional changes.
It rejected moves toward proportional representation, insisting that public consultations favored retaining the current first-past-the-post system. It also raised concerns about delays to the national census, warning these could undermine preparations for the 2028 elections.
The APC further accused authorities of failing to establish parliamentary oversight mechanisms for electoral reforms and of sidelining the opposition in key decision-making processes.
Tensions have been heightened by the appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as chief electoral commissioner, a move the APC strongly opposes.
The party described Alpha as complicit in the disputed 2023 elections and said his appointment violated earlier reform recommendations aimed at ensuring independence in the electoral body.
The APC said it has withdrawn its elected officials from parliament and local councils and will not return until its demands are met, including changes within the electoral commission.
It also warned that it could escalate its response.
“Should the government disregard our legitimate concerns, the APC will stage a nationwide peaceful demonstration,” the statement said.
Beyond electoral issues, the APC accused the government of Julius Maada Bio of weakening democratic institutions, harassing opponents and mismanaging the economy.
It cited rising fuel prices and economic hardship as evidence of governance failures, saying ordinary citizens were increasingly bearing the brunt.
The party called on international partners to step in and facilitate dialogue, urging immediate restructuring of reform bodies and greater transparency in the implementation process.
Analysts say the deepening standoff could pose a serious challenge to Sierra Leone’s political stability if unresolved, particularly as the country looks ahead to the next election cycle.
For now, the opposition’s message is uncompromising: it will not support what it describes as a broken reform process.
