The High Court of Sierra Leone on Monday, August 31, 2026, issued a fresh interim order permitting Osman Foday Yansaneh and Lansana Dumbuya to exercise limited executive functions within the All People’s Congress (APC).
The court reportedly authorized the two officials to facilitate specific ongoing party activities, including financial disbursements, payments to polling staff and matters directly connected to the conduct of internal party elections.
The limited authority is intended to ensure the completion of ongoing electoral activities and should not be interpreted as the permanent reinstatement of Yansaneh and Dumbuya as heads of the APC.
Other members of the party’s executive remain suspended from performing their functions pending the final determination of the substantive leadership dispute before the court.
Justice Adrian Fisher directed that all outstanding APC internal elections and related petitions must be concluded within 21 days, beginning Monday, August 31, 2026.
According to the order, party activities outside the ongoing elections, petitions and other matters specifically authorized by the court are not permitted during the interim period. The directive effectively restricts the officials’ authority to the completion of the processes already underway.
The court also warned all affected officials to comply strictly with its directives. Any violation could result in contempt-of-court proceedings and serious legal consequences, including possible imprisonment or the seizure of assets, subject to the court’s determination.
The latest ruling provides a temporary arrangement designed to prevent disruption to the APC’s ongoing internal elections while maintaining restrictions on the broader functions of its executive members.
The decision comes amid an ongoing legal and leadership dispute within the main opposition party. The case has now been adjourned to October 19, 2026, when the court is expected to continue hearing the matter.
