By Foday Moriba Conteh
The All People’s Congress (APC) has on March 18, 2026 issued a strong statement expressing deep concern over what it describes as the collapse of the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity (ANU) and the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, warning of serious implications for Sierra Leone’s democratic stability ahead of the 2028 elections.
Addressing the Press on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the leadership of the APC outlined a series of grievances against the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP)-led Government, accusing it of failing to demonstrate commitment to electoral reforms and the agreed roadmap for national cohesion.
According to the APC, the briefing was convened to update the nation on what it termed a “deepening political standoff” between the opposition and the Government, rooted in delays, lack of transparency and alleged deliberate obstruction of reform processes critical to restoring trust in the country’s democratic system.
The party recalled that tensions escalated following the 2023 general elections, which it claims were widely discredited by both local and international observers. The situation was further aggravated by the refusal of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to publish disaggregated election results as required by law, prompting the APC to initially boycott governance structures.
The deadlock was temporarily eased after the signing of the Agreement for National Unity on October 18, 2023, facilitated by international and regional partners, including ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion. The agreement aimed to promote stability, democratic integrity and peaceful political engagement.
Central to the agreement was the establishment of a Tripartite Committee tasked with reviewing the 2023 elections and proposing actionable reforms. The committee reportedly produced over 80 recommendations after six months of deliberations, but disagreements persisted, particularly regarding electoral transparency and governance accountability.
The APC stated that nearly 20 months after the submission of the Tripartite Committee report in July 2024, the Government has failed to meaningfully implement the recommendations. The party accused authorities of bypassing agreed timelines, refusing engagement and undermining the collaborative spirit of the agreement.
It further alleged that the roadmap for implementation was abandoned shortly after its presentation, with the Government instead establishing a steering committee dominated by its own appointees, a move the APC claims lacked inclusivity and transparency.
The opposition also criticized what it described as the Government’s non-responsiveness, citing unanswered communications, lack of dialogue between negotiating parties and failure to provide documentation necessary for meaningful participation in reform processes.
Among the major issues raised by the APC are:
- Failure of Parliament to Act: The party accused Parliament of ignoring calls to establish an oversight committee on electoral matters.
- Census Controversy: It claimed delays in the 2025 census could undermine electoral timelines and credibility.
- Electoral System Dispute: The APC opposed moves toward proportional representation, insisting that national consultations favored the first-past-the-post system.
- ECSL Transparency Issues: The commission was criticized for failing to publish key documents and implement agreed reforms.
- Management and Functional Review (MFR): The APC expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of institutional reviews, alleging exclusion from the process.
- Security Sector Concerns: The party raised fears over lack of transparency in electoral security reforms.
Additionally, the APC rejected proposed constitutional amendments that would alter the threshold for presidential elections and expand executive powers over electoral appointments, arguing that such changes undermine democratic principles.
Beyond electoral issues, the APC highlighted broader governance challenges, including alleged human rights concerns, political intimidation and economic hardship affecting citizens. The party pointed to rising fuel prices and the cost of living as evidence of deteriorating socio-economic conditions.
In response to the current situation, the APC announced that it has withdrawn its elected officials from parliamentary and local council activities until its concerns are addressed, particularly regarding the appointment of the Chief Electoral Commissioner.
The party is calling for:
- The restructuring of the steering committee to ensure balanced representation;
- Greater transparency through public access to implementation documents;
- Immediate high-level dialogue between stakeholders;
- Independent monitoring of the reform process.
It further warned that failure to address those issues could result in peaceful nationwide demonstrations, emphasizing its commitment to lawful and constitutional means of engagement.
Concluding the briefing, the APC maintained that it remains open to genuine dialogue but insisted that engagement must be grounded in good faith, transparency and respect for the rule of law. The party also called on the international community to take note of developments, placing responsibility for the current impasse on the Government.
The statement underscores growing political tensions in Sierra Leone as the country approaches another critical electoral cycle, with both sides under increasing pressure to ensure credible reforms and safeguard democratic stability.
