Sierra Leone’s Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has fined the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) party for allegedly making provocative and inciting statements during a party rally last month in Freetown.
The commission imposed fines of 200,000 Leones ($15) on APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya and 150,000 Leones ($11) on party official Zainab Sheriff for violating sections of the Political Parties Act 2022. The statements were made at the APC “Mammoth Meeting” held at Atouga Mini Stadium on Jan. 31.
The PPRC said it had previously warned the APC in November 2025 about contravening the law, describing the remarks as “profane, obscene, provocative and inciting.” The party has seven days to pay the fines, after which the commission may take further action under the law.
The APC, once the ruling party, is now Sierra Leone’s main opposition, while the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) holds power. The Political Parties Act 2022 was enacted to regulate political speech and ensure peaceful campaigning ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts say fines and sanctions by the PPRC are part of ongoing efforts to curb inflammatory rhetoric that could heighten political tensions in the country.
Attempts to reach APC officials for comment were not immediately successful.
By Donald Frazer
