Freetown, Sierra Leone — In a significant step toward easing political tensions, Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), announced on Monday that recent high-level talks with the government have secured firm pledges to reform the country’s electoral system and rebuild public confidence ahead of future polls.
The discussions, held between April 14 and 19 and mediated by international moral guarantors, addressed longstanding APC concerns over what the party called serious risks to democratic stability — particularly unilateral moves affecting the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
After days of intensive negotiations, both sides reached agreement on several key measures:
– A comprehensive restructuring of the ECSL by December 31, 2026, including changes to its leadership structure aimed at ensuring greater transparency and restoring credibility.
– An inclusive process for handling data from the upcoming 2026 Population and Housing Census, with all stakeholders participating in decisions on how the figures will shape governance and electoral preparations.
– Advancement of broader parliamentary and legislative reforms, such as establishing review mechanisms for electoral laws, bolstering constitutional adherence, and creating stronger accountability systems. Progress on these fronts will be jointly assessed by national stakeholders and international guarantors at the end of 2026.
The APC described the outcome as a “structured and internationally monitored framework” with clear timelines and verifiable commitments. In a statement, the party called on its members and supporters to stay calm and disciplined while closely watching how the agreements are put into action.
“This process has now moved from negotiation to accountability,” the APC declared. It warned that the current timeline represents the “final opportunity” for meaningful reforms. Should the government fail to meet the agreed deadlines, the party said it would consult its membership and the broader Sierra Leonean public to chart the next lawful steps.
Party officials framed the engagements as conducted in good faith, placing the onus for delivery squarely on the government. “We are giving peace and reform one last chance, supported by vigilance, accountability, and firm resolve,” the statement read. “The integrity of Sierra Leone’s democracy is non-negotiable.”
The talks come amid ongoing efforts to implement aspects of the Agreement for National Unity and recommendations from the Tripartite Committee, with international facilitators playing a central role in bridging differences between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government and the opposition.
