By Foday Moriba Conteh
The opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) has reaffirmed its decision to withdraw its elected officials from participation in governance processes, citing concerns over the Government’s handling of electoral reforms and the recent appointment of the Chief Electoral Commissioner.
In a Press Statement issued on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the APC disclosed that its leadership and negotiating team attended a meeting convened by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) at Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, representatives of ECOWAS and other international and development partners to assess progress on the implementation of recommendations made by the Tripartite Committee under the Agreement for National Unity.
According to the APC, the central focus of the engagement was to review the status of electoral reform commitments outlined in the Tripartite Agreement. During the deliberations, the party expressed strong dissatisfaction with what it described as persistent disregard by the Government in implementing the agreed reforms.
The APC specifically pointed to the appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), arguing that the decision contradicts the spirit and sequence of reforms outlined in the Tripartite framework. The party maintained that the appointment has raised serious concerns about the credibility of the electoral management body and could undermine public confidence in future elections.
In its statement, the APC asserted that Edmond Sylvester Alpha is widely associated with the contested 2023 electoral process, a development the party believes could further erode trust in the Electoral Commission if left unaddressed. The party therefore reiterated that its withdrawal from parliamentary and local council participation remains in force until Edmond Sylvester Alpha vacates the position of Chief Electoral Commissioner.
The APC leadership emphasized that the decision to withdraw from governance structures was not motivated by partisan interests but by what it described as a principled stance aimed at safeguarding electoral integrity and democratic legitimacy in Sierra Leone. According to the party, its actions are intended to encourage adherence to constitutional principles and to ensure that reforms agreed upon under the national unity framework are implemented faithfully.
Furthermore, the party underscored its commitment to the democratic process and reiterated that it remains open to constructive engagement once credible steps are taken to restore public confidence in the electoral reform agenda.
“The party remains ready to re-engage constructively in the governance process once meaningful steps are taken to restore confidence in the electoral reform process and uphold the commitments contained in the Agreement for National Unity,” the statement noted.
The APC also reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful and lawful means of political engagement, stressing that its approach is guided by a desire to defend the sovereign will of the people while maintaining stability and democratic order in the country.
The statement was signed by the APC National Secretary-General, Lansana Dumbuya, who reiterated the party’s dedication to democratic principles and its continued pursuit of electoral reforms through legitimate and peaceful channels.
The meeting at Brookfields Hotel forms part of ongoing national and international efforts to monitor and facilitate the implementation of the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s democratic institutions and restoring confidence in the country’s electoral processes.
