Freetown, Sierra Leone — Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown paid a visit this morning to Zainab Sheriff at the Female Correctional Centre, offering solidarity as the prominent opposition figure and activist awaits the outcome of her appeal against a four-year prison sentence.
In a social media post, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr, a prominent member of the All People’s Congress (APC) and advocate for transformative urban development in the capital, expressed optimism alongside Sheriff.
“She is hopeful, as am I, that her appeal will be successful and that she will regain her freedom soon,” the mayor wrote.
The visit comes at a particularly difficult time for Sheriff and her family, who are mourning the loss of her elder sister. The burial is scheduled for Thursday, 23 July.
Background on the Case
Zainab Sheriff, a musician, model, entrepreneur, and vocal political activist often linked to the opposition APC, was sentenced in April 2026 to four years in prison for incitement and two months for threatening language under the Public Order Act of 1965. The sentences run concurrently. Her conviction stemmed from social media videos and remarks critical of the government, which authorities viewed as inciting and threatening.
Critics, including activists and opposition voices, have described the case as part of a broader crackdown on free speech and dissent in Sierra Leone. Sheriff has become a symbol for many who allege selective prosecution of government critics. Her appeal hearing at the High Court has seen adjournments, with proceedings continuing into July 2026.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr, who has served as Freetown’s mayor (first elected in 2018 has used her platform to express support for Sheriff, tagging the post with #SelectiveJustice, a phrase that has resonated with those questioning the fairness of the judicial process in politically sensitive cases.
The mayor’s visit underscores ongoing political tensions in Sierra Leone ahead of future electoral cycles, with figures from the APC highlighting issues of justice and governance under the current administration. Supporters of Sheriff continue to call for her release, while the case remains a focal point in discussions about freedom of expression in the country.
