Freetown, Sierra Leone – November 21, 2025
The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has stood firm on its decision to fine the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) for breaching Section 39(1) of the Political Parties Act No. 25 of 2022, which prohibits conduct likely to incite violence or undermine public order.
In a detailed response to the APC’s objections, the Commission invoked Section 39(2)(a), authorizing penalties upon establishing proof of violation, and emphasized its legal obligation to act independently.
The controversy stems from a high-level meeting convened by the PPRC on November 11, 2025, with leaders of both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the APC. The session addressed a surge in incendiary remarks by party members on media platforms, including radio, social media, and public broadcasts, which the Commission deemed capable of eroding national peace amid ongoing political tensions.
Both parties committed to restraint by signing a joint agreement at the meeting’s conclusion. However, the PPRC subsequently issued a formal warning and imposed a fine on the APC, reported in similar past cases to be around NLe120,000 (approximately $5,500 USD), under the Act’s provisions.
The APC challenged the sanction, demanding “verified evidence” of specific violations.
In its rebuttal, the PPRC clarified that Section 39 places the burden of proof squarely on the Commission, not requiring disclosure to parties during regulatory proceedings. It affirmed full compliance with Section 39(2)(a–d), which outlines graduated responses: warnings, fines, suspension of activities, or even deregistration in severe cases.
The Commission has given the APC until December 2, 2025, a 14-day window to comply, warning that non-payment could trigger escalated measures under the Act, potentially including restrictions on party operations.
The PPRC’s action reflects growing concerns over inflammatory language in Sierra Leone’s polarized political environment. The country, still healing from a brutal 1991–2002 civil war and recent post-election disputes in 2023, has seen recurrent clashes between SLPP and APC supporters. Similar PPRC interventions occurred in 2023, when the APC faced a NLe120,000 fine for public insults against President Julius Maada Bio and the First Lady.
The 2022 Political Parties Act strengthened the PPRC’s mandate (renamed from Registration to Regulation Commission) to enforce codes of conduct, promote inter-party dialogue, and prevent hate speech or tribal incitement. Critics, including some APC voices, have accused the body of bias toward the ruling SLPP, though the Commission insists on impartiality rooted in the 1991 Constitution.
Political analysts note that heated rhetoric has intensified in 2025, fueled by debates over electoral reforms, economic hardships, and internal party disputes, such as the ongoing PPRC hearings into former Vice President Alhaji Sam-Sumana’s complaints against the APC. Observers warn that unchecked inflammatory statements risk derailing Sierra Leone’s democratic gains, especially with local and national elections looming in 2028.
The PPRC reiterated its dedication to fostering a stable democracy, stating: “We remain committed to the rule of law and ensuring all parties contribute to a peaceful Sierra Leone.”
