The All People’s Congress has issued a strongly worded statement following its engagement with international moral guarantors, declaring the meeting a turning point in its push for justice, transparency, and democratic integrity in Sierra Leone, while rejecting recent developments it described as politically troubling.
In the official communication dated April 14, 2026, the opposition party said its high-level interaction with international partners was “substantive and frank,” noting that it provided an opportunity to clearly articulate concerns over governance, constitutional order, and electoral integrity in the country.
According to the statement, the APC presented what it described as fact-based arguments supported by credible evidence and rigorous legal and political analysis, particularly highlighting the continued failure to fully implement the Agreement for National Unity and recommendations from the Tripartite Committee.
The party also pointed to what it termed the erosion of electoral integrity and growing governance concerns, warning that these issues pose significant risks to democratic stability if left unaddressed.
While expressing confidence that its position was clearly received by the international guarantors and partners present at the meeting, the APC raised serious objections to the sentencing of Zainab Sheriff, which occurred on the same day as the engagement.
The party described the timing of the sentencing as “deeply troubling” and politically charged, arguing that it contradicts the spirit of dialogue, reconciliation, and good faith engagement that the ongoing discussions are meant to foster.
According to the APC, the development undermines confidence in the mediation process and sends a negative signal both domestically and internationally about the government’s commitment to justice, fairness, and democratic accountability.
“This action represents a serious affront to the integrity of the State,” the statement noted, adding that it raises broader concerns about the sincerity of ongoing reconciliation efforts.
The party further declared that it rejects both the handling and outcome of the matter and would escalate its position through all available national, regional, and international mechanisms.
Beyond the immediate concerns, the APC framed the engagement as a critical juncture in Sierra Leone’s political trajectory, stating that it has now clearly defined key national issues and placed the concerns of citizens at the centre of both national and international discourse.
Addressing its members and supporters, the party acknowledged the heightened political tension across the country, including reactions to recent developments such as the appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha and remarks attributed to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party leadership.
It assured supporters that its actions are being guided by strategy, legal frameworks, and national responsibility, emphasising that future decisions will be communicated in due course.
The APC reaffirmed its commitment to justice, democracy, and the rule of law, stating that it remains prepared to take all lawful and necessary actions—including mass mobilisation if required—to defend the will of the people and safeguard the country’s democratic future.
At the same time, the party urged calm among its supporters, calling for discipline, unity, vigilance, and readiness to respond to its next directive.
Framing the current moment as decisive, the APC stressed that the struggle for democratic integrity requires patience and strategic action rather than impulsive reactions, noting that it has “set the tone” and is now preparing for the next phase.
The statement was signed by Lansana Dumbuya, the party’s National Secretary General, and reflects what analysts describe as a hardening of the APC’s stance amid ongoing political tensions and international scrutiny of Sierra Leone’s governance landscape.
As engagements with international partners continue, attention is expected to shift toward the APC’s next steps and how the broader political environment evolves in response to mounting concerns over justice, accountability, and national reconciliation.