Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), has announced the withdrawal of its elected representatives from Parliament and local councils across the country. The decision comes as a protest against the appointment of Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha as the new Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
The announcement was made during a high-level meeting held on March 3, 2026, at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. The meeting was organized by the National Peace and Cohesion Commission (NPCC) and brought together key political stakeholders, including members of the APC leadership and its Negotiating Team.
Also present
were the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, along with representatives
from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), international
organizations, and development partners.
The main
objective of the meeting was to evaluate the progress made in implementing the
recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, which were established following
the Agreement for National Unity. The committee’s recommendations focused on
electoral reforms intended to improve transparency, credibility, and public
confidence in Sierra Leone’s electoral system.
During the
discussions, APC representatives expressed strong dissatisfaction with what
they described as the government’s continued failure to fully implement the
agreed reforms. According to the party, the situation has now escalated with
the appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner.
In a press
statement issued after the meeting, the APC argued that the appointment
contradicts both the spirit and the sequence of reforms outlined in the
Tripartite Committee recommendations. The party stated that Alpha has been
widely associated with the disputed 2023 general elections, which many
opposition supporters believe lacked transparency and credibility.
APC leaders
said the decision to appoint him to lead the Electoral Commission undermines
public trust in the institution and raises concerns about the fairness of
future elections. As a result, the party declared that its elected officials
will suspend their participation in both parliamentary proceedings and local
council activities nationwide.
The APC
emphasized that the withdrawal will remain in effect until Edmond Sylvester
Alpha steps down from the position of Chief Electoral Commissioner. Party
officials described their action as a principled stance aimed at protecting
electoral integrity and strengthening democratic governance in Sierra Leone.
According
to the statement, the party’s decision is not intended to serve narrow
political interests but rather to safeguard the legitimacy of the country’s
democratic institutions. The APC argued that restoring confidence in the
electoral system is essential for maintaining public trust in governance and
the rule of law.
Despite the
withdrawal, the opposition party indicated that it remains open to dialogue and
engagement. It said it would be willing to return to active participation in
governance once meaningful steps are taken to address its concerns and ensure
the proper implementation of electoral reforms outlined in the Agreement for
National Unity.
The press
release announcing the decision was signed by Lansana Dumbuya, the National
Secretary-General of the APC. The party maintains that its stance is part of a
broader effort to push for transparency, accountability, and credible electoral
processes in Sierra Leone.