Freetown, Sierra Leone — The High Court of Sierra Leone has issued an interim injunction restraining Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh and Lansana Dumbuya from holding themselves out as executive members of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) or performing the functions reserved for the party’s National Chairman and Leader and National Secretary General, respectively.
The order was granted after an ex parte application was heard in the Judge’s Chambers on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
According to the court order, the two are also prohibited from holding or convening executive meetings, taking part in or superintending the affairs of the APC, carrying out functions associated with the day-to-day running of the party, and performing activities synonymous with the roles of National Chairman and Leader or National Secretary General.
The injunction remains in force pending the hearing and determination of the underlying application or further order of the Court.
The Court warned that anyone who disobeys the order may be found guilty of contempt of court, which could result in imprisonment, a fine, or the seizure of assets.
Yansaneh, a long-serving APC figure and former Sierra Leone Ambassador to Ghana, has served as Acting National Chairman of the party. Dumbuya, a barrister and solicitor with decades of practice, has held the position of National Secretary General. Both have been central to the APC’s activities in recent years, including responses to post-2023 election disputes and engagement with regulatory bodies.
The ruling comes amid prolonged internal leadership and tenure questions within the APC. The party’s National Executive term, originally set under its 2022 constitution, faced challenges around its February 2026 expiry. The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) earlier granted a six-month extension under Section 39(5) of the Political Parties Act 2022 to allow time for a National Delegates’ Conference. In mid-August 2026 the PPRC stated that the current executive would remain in place pending determination of a court challenge by a party member to aspects of its directives.
The APC, Sierra Leone’s main opposition, has operated in a tense political environment since the disputed 2023 general elections. Party officials, including Dumbuya, have faced separate legal proceedings related to public statements criticising the government and electoral process.
The latest High Court order adds a further layer of uncertainty to the party’s internal governance as it navigates preparations for future electoral contests.
Further details are expected as the legal proceedings continue.
