Freetown, Sierra Leone – December 4, 2025 – In a swift move underscoring compliance with national electoral laws, the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has paid a NLe150,000 fine imposed by the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) for a recent breach of political conduct regulations.
The payment, confirmed by the PPRC on Thursday, resolves a penalty levied last month and highlights ongoing efforts to maintain discipline in Sierra Leone’s fractious political landscape.
The fine stemmed from inflammatory statements made by Wusu Dadiddah Jalloh, the SLPP’s Northern Region Public Relations Officer, on November 24.
Jalloh’s remarks were deemed a violation of Section 39(1)(d) of the Political Parties Act No. 25 of 2022, which prohibits political parties and their operatives from using abusive, insulting, or derogatory language against opponents, the government, or state institutions. This provision, part of the Act’s broader framework to regulate party registration, financing, and campaign behavior, aims to foster a “robust and responsible political environment” by curbing hate speech and incitement that could erode national cohesion.
Enacted in 2022 to bolster democratic pluralism ahead of the 2023 elections, the law empowers the PPRC to impose fines, warnings, or even deregistration for non-compliance, as seen in past cases against both the SLPP and its main rival, the All People’s Congress (APC).
PPRC Chairperson Dr. Abubakarr Kaifala, in a formal statement, acknowledged receipt of the payment from SLPP leadership, noting it was processed promptly following the November 25 directive.
“We commend the SLPP for their adherence to the Commission’s rulings,” Kaifala said. “This action reinforces the importance of self-regulation within parties to prevent escalation into broader unrest.”
The Commission urged the SLPP, and all registered parties to intensify internal training on lawful advocacy, emphasizing that violations undermine Sierra Leone’s post-2023 election recovery, where the Tripartite Committee highlighted irregularities that strained public trust in institutions.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened partisan friction. Just weeks ago, on November 12, the PPRC mediated a tense meeting between SLPP and APC leaders, issuing fresh cautions against inflammatory rhetoric amid accusations of electoral manipulation from the 2023 polls.
Opposition voices, including APC officials, have criticized the PPRC for perceived bias, pointing to a NLe120,000 fine slapped on their party in November for similar provocations against President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady Fatima Bio. Analysts note that while fines promote accountability, uneven enforcement risks deepening divisions in a nation still healing from civil war-era tribal and ethnic fault lines.
