By June Koroma
Sierra Leone’s Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has suspended the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) from all political activities for failing to pay fines imposed under the Political Parties Act No. 25 of 2022, the commission said on Tuesday.
In a letter dated Feb. 11 and addressed to the party’s national secretary general, the PPRC said the APC had violated Section 39(1) of the Act and failed to comply with penalties previously communicated to the party, including a payment deadline of Feb. 10.
“Despite the expiration of the deadline … and in spite of several reminders, the APC has failed, refused, or neglected to comply with the directive to pay the imposed fines,” the commission said.
The suspension, which takes immediate effect, bars the APC from carrying out political activities including meetings, rallies, elections and administrative or operational actions, according to the statement.
The PPRC said the suspension would remain in force until the party settles the outstanding fines and receives written clearance from the commission restoring its operational status.
The APC, which governed Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018, has not yet publicly responded to the suspension.
The Political Parties Act grants the PPRC powers to enforce compliance by registered political parties, including the imposition of sanctions for violations.
The move comes amid heightened political tensions in the West African nation, where relations between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party and the APC have been strained in recent years.
