Freetown, Sierra Leone — April 2026 — The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has expressed strong reservations over the implementation of the Agreement for National Unity (ANU) and the Tripartite Committee recommendations during high-level talks with the Moral Guarantors’ mission.
“This is the last window for credible action,” APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya declared as he opened the meeting, warning that failure to address outstanding concerns could derail the entire process initiated to resolve the post-election political impasse.
The APC delegation, led by Acting National Chairman Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh, met with the Moral Guarantors’ team headed by former Gambian Vice President Fatoumata Jallow Tambajang. The engagement follows ongoing efforts to restore trust and stability after Sierra Leone’s disputed 2023 elections.
APC Questions Progress on Key Agreements
In his remarks, Dumbuya argued that both the ANU and the Tripartite process have “collapsed in substance,” despite earlier interventions by the Moral Guarantors at Bintumani that encouraged the APC to re-engage with governance processes.
He maintained that the party made significant compromises in the interest of national peace but has yet to see reciprocal commitment, citing alleged unlawful detention linked to his criticisms of the electoral process.
Yansaneh revisited the political stalemate following the 2023 elections, which the APC continues to dispute, noting that the ANU and Tripartite Committee were established to address electoral concerns and recommend reforms.
However, he pointed to delays, lack of transparency, and what he described as unilateral government actions undermining the process. Among the concerns raised was the appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha, which the APC claims contradicts agreed recommendations.
He also questioned the appointment of Chief Electoral Commissioner Mohamed Konneh, alleging inadequate consultation with political parties as required by the Constitution.
Electoral Reforms and Governance Issues Raised
APC Chief Negotiator Kaifala Marrah criticized what he described as lapses in the reform process, including concerns over the work of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), transparency of the civil register, and the adoption of proportional representation.
Meanwhile, Leonard Balogun Koroma raised concerns over the postponement of the national census, warning that reliance on outdated data could complicate constituency boundary reviews ahead of the 2028 elections.
Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr provided updates on efforts by the Tripartite Steering Committee to maintain accountability, while Minority Leader Abdul Kargbo highlighted parliamentary concerns, including limited opposition representation in international bodies and the need for stronger oversight of electoral institutions.
Moral Guarantors Call for Continued Dialogue
Responding to the APC’s concerns, Tambajang acknowledged challenges in the implementation process, including the non-functionality of the Secretariat, and stressed the importance of addressing these gaps.
She described the ANU and Tripartite recommendations as “moral documents” requiring commitment and accountability from all parties, assuring the APC that the mission would review submissions from both the opposition and the government to establish a common path forward.
Tambajang reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to resolving the political impasse and urged all stakeholders to prioritize peace, stability, and national cohesion.
Next Steps
Both sides agreed to reconvene on April 16, 2026, in a smaller meeting aimed at addressing the most pressing issues and advancing the dialogue toward concrete outcomes.
