The All People’s Congress (APC) has strongly condemned what it describes as attempts by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government to undermine the country’s democratic framework through the expansion of the Proportional Representation (PR) system, the introduction of executive power-sharing arrangements, and the unilateral creation of new districts.
In a statement issued this week, the main opposition party warned that these moves could pave the way for a de facto one-party rule in Sierra Leone, which it described as unconstitutional and a direct threat to the nation’s multi-party democracy.
According to the APC, Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution clearly establishes the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) constituency system as the primary mode of electing representatives, with PR reserved only for exceptional circumstances, such as a national crisis or when constituencies cannot be properly drawn. The party insists that no such crisis currently exists, and that constituency boundaries remain intact, making the push for PR “unlawful and unacceptable.”
The opposition also raised concerns over recent nationwide consultations led by the government under Resolution 78 of the Tripartite Committee. The APC maintains that despite government “manipulations,” the consultations showed overwhelming public support for the return to a constituency-based FPTP system.
The party further criticized the government’s proposal for executive power-sharing, warning that such arrangements could destabilize the country, citing Kenya’s past experience as a cautionary tale. “This is not genuine power-sharing for national cohesion, but a ploy to entrench one-party dominance,” the statement noted.
On the issue of new district creation, the APC accused the government of pursuing administrative restructuring without transparency, data, or proper community engagement. The party stressed that any such move must be backed by clear legal and demographic justification and broad public participation.
The APC also reminded the public of the Bintumani Agreement for National Unity and the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, which it said remain the only credible roadmap toward free, fair, and transparent elections in Sierra Leone.
As part of its position, the APC:
Rejected what it called the unconstitutional restructuring of the democratic system;
Condemned the planned imposition of PR as a tool for political manipulation;
Urged government to halt actions that undermine democracy and instead respect the will of the people;
Demanded the full implementation of the Tripartite Committee recommendations;
Called on civil society, religious leaders, and the international community to take note of “dangerous developments” threatening democracy.
The opposition concluded by vowing to mobilize all lawful and peaceful means to resist what it called the government’s unconstitutional maneuvers.
“Sierra Leone belongs to all its citizens, not to a ruling party desperate to cling to power through constitutional fraud,” the APC emphasized.
