Freetown, Sierra Leone – March 23, 2026 – Prominent pro-democracy activist and lawyer Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah Esq. has called on the Sierra Leone Police to permit the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) to hold its planned peaceful nationwide protest, while providing full security and engaging in collaborative planning to ensure order.
Speaking in a recent interview with AYV on Sunday, Marrah stated: “If the opposition thinks protest can be more effective than dialogue, let the police allow them and provide them with the required security. The security sector should sit with the APC and map the style and areas of the protest, further agreeing on the rules of engagement for the protest.”
The APC announced its intention to stage the demonstrations following a press conference at its Freetown headquarters on March 18, 2026.
The protests demand the reversal of President Julius Maada Bio’s appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alphaas Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL). The appointment was announced on February 20, 2026, and Alpha was sworn in on March 3, 2026, after parliamentary approval.
The APC views the move as a breach of commitments under the Agreement for National Unity (ANU), signed in October 2023 between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government and the APC, with facilitation from the African Union, ECOWAS, and the Commonwealth. The agreement followed the disputed June 2023 elections and established the Tripartite Committee to address electoral mistrust and recommend reforms.
The Tripartite Committee delivered its final report in July 2024, containing approximately 80 recommendations. A focal point of contention is Recommendation 36, which calls for amending Section 32(3) of the 1991 Constitution to create an independent Search and Nomination Committee for vetting ECSL leadership candidates, rather than direct presidential appointment. The opposition argues that proceeding without these changes erodes trust in the electoral process.
Recent updates indicate limited progress on implementation: As of mid-March 2026, government reports highlight “significant progress” on some recommendations, but critics, including the APC, note that only about 10% of the Tripartite recommendations have been fully enacted since June 2024. A full review with international guarantors is slated for April 2026.
Marrah emphasized that resolving the impasse requires strict, line-by-line implementation of the Tripartite recommendations and the National Unity Agreement. He described the ECSL chairman’s appointment as widely questioned, urging all parties to return to negotiations and honor the framework.
Highlighting the broader implications, Marrah addressed President Bio directly: “If the president goes ahead to withdraw that appointment, he will be sending a clear message not only to the people of Sierra Leone, but the world that he is a listening president and that democracy is at work in Sierra Leone. If he does not do so, that will create early chaos for the 2028 elections.”
The activist’s remarks arrive against a backdrop of rising political friction, with the APC also pursuing a partial boycott of governance structures linked to the unity agreement unless demands are met. Marrah, a well-known human rights advocate who has previously litigated on protest rights, electoral transparency, and police conduct, positioned his advice as essential to upholding constitutional freedoms and enabling peaceful expression.
Sierra Leone’s security forces have faced past scrutiny over protest management, underscoring the importance of coordinated, secure arrangements as the nation approaches the 2028 elections. No decision on withdrawing Alpha’s appointment has been reported as of March 23, 2026, and tensions continue to build over electoral reforms and national unity commitments.
