Sierra Leone – January 31, 2026: The All Peoples Congress (APC) has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to implementing electoral reforms, warning that progress on the Tripartite Committee Recommendations (TCRs) remains far below expectations.
Speaking at a massive grassroots meeting held at the Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown, the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Alhaji Dr. Osman Foday Yansaneh, delivered a detailed update on the Agreement for National Unity and the TCRs. The event drew thousands of party members, supporters, flagbearer aspirants, and stakeholders.
Dr. Yansaneh noted that 18 months after the submission of the TCRs, only modest gains have been achieved. These include:
- Gazetting of a Constitutional Amendment Bill with selected reform proposals
- A management review of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).
- Release of some detainees and return of a limited number of displaced persons.
- Discontinuation of a few politically motivated cases.
However, he expressed serious concern over missing appeal case files involving APC members at the Commissions of Inquiry Secretariat, describing the situation as a denial of justice.
Criticism of the Government Approach
The Acting Chairman accused the government of driving the reform process unilaterally, in violation of the Tripartite Roadmap. He described the current Steering Committee and Support Secretariat as “dysfunctional and lacking inclusiveness,” adding that engagement with the Government’s Chief Negotiator had broken down due to persistent non-responsiveness.
He further objected to several government actions, including:
- Parliament’s refusal to establish a dedicated electoral committee.
- ECSL’s failure to reconstitute the Political Parties Liaison Committee.
- Constitutional provisions granting presidential appointment powers contrary to the TCRs.
- Postponement of the 2025 Census and reliance on the disputed 2021 Census.
Rejection of Electoral System Changes
The APC strongly rejected proposals to impose a Proportional Representation system and alter the presidential winning threshold, warning that such measures could deepen division and undermine electoral stability.
Dr. Yansaneh demanded immediate restructuring of reform bodies, full transparency in the implementation process, and urgent intervention by development partners. He cautioned that if the government continues on what the APC views as a path of unilateralism and intimidation, the party would mobilize peaceful, democratic actions nationwide to defend democracy and the will of the people.
© The APC Strategic Communications Unit