Freetown, Sierra Leone – The main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) held high-level talks today with European Union Ambassador Jacek Jankowski and members of the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone, focusing on the country’s fragile political landscape and stalled electoral reforms.
The APC delegation, led by acting party chairman Ambassador Osman Foday Yansaneh, engaged in what the EU described as “a frank exchange on the current political developments in Sierra Leone, including the state of implementation of the Tripartite Committee recommendations,” according to an official message posted by the EU Delegation.
The meeting coincided with a dramatic boycott by APC Members of Parliament of this morning’s parliamentary session, which had been scheduled to approve the nomination of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
The APC has released no information on the outcome of the discussions or any immediate next steps.
Boycott Follows Ultimatum and Deep-Seated Reform Concerns*
The boycott forms part of the APC’s escalating protest against Alpha’s proposed appointment. On 24 February 2026, the party’s National Advisory Council issued a strongly worded press release giving President Julius Maada Bio’s government a 48-hour ultimatum to rescind the nomination. It described the move as “a direct assault” on the 2023 Agreement for National Unity and a “deliberate circumvention” of the binding Tripartite reform process.
The APC has repeatedly argued that proceeding with the appointment before completing key reforms undermines public confidence in future elections. Central to its objection is Tripartite Committee Recommendation 36, which calls for amending Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution to create an independent Search and Nomination Committee for vetting candidates for the top ECSL post. Although a Constitutional Amendment Bill has had its First Reading in Parliament, the APC insists the full process, including the required two-thirds majority, must be completed first.
Despite the APC’s absence, Parliament proceeded with the session and approved Edmond Sylvester Alpha’s appointment.
Background: Tripartite Reforms and 2023 Legacy
The Tripartite Committee was established under the October 2023 Agreement for National Unity following the highly disputed 2023 general elections. It produced 80 recommendations aimed at restoring democratic legitimacy, strengthening electoral institutions and rebuilding public trust. A dedicated Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat (tscssl.org) now tracks implementation, with some recommendations still under review or pending Cabinet approval.
Alpha, who has served at the ECSL since 2005 (including a stint as Acting Chairman) and lectured at Njala University, appeared before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee earlier this week. He pledged to professionalise the commission, ensure transparency and deliver election results within 72 hours of polling if confirmed.
The EU has consistently supported the Tripartite process and national dialogue efforts as part of its broader engagement in strengthening Sierra Leone’s democracy.
With the 2028 general elections on the horizon, today’s events highlight persistent divisions over the pace and sequencing of electoral reforms. The APC has warned it will withdraw all its elected officials from Parliament, local councils and other governance structures if its demands are ignored, reserving the right to pursue further lawful measures.
The government and ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) have not yet issued an official response to the boycott or the EU meeting.
