A group of civil society organizations and media institutions have condemned a public statement made by former Member of Parliament and All Peoples Congress (APC) Chairman of Falaba District, Hon. Lahai Marah, describing his remarks as a threat to national security.

In a statement issued on 18th November 2025, the undersigned civil society and media institutions said they “strongly condemn the recent public statement made by Hon. Lahai Marah of the All Peoples Congress (APC), in which he declared his readiness to ‘fight,’ ‘resist,’ and engage private military actors, while suggesting the capacity to challenge state security institutions on 15th November 2025 in Falaba District.”

The groups called the remarks “reckless, inflammatory, and deeply irresponsible, particularly given Sierra Leone’s current fragile peace and ongoing efforts toward democratic consolidation.”

The statement added that a remark of that nature from a former Member of Parliament and APC Chairman of Falaba District “not only undermines peace and national stability but also endangers citizens and erodes public trust.”

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The civil society and media organizations called on the APC leadership to “promptly and publicly distance the party from Hon. Marah’s statements, take the appropriate disciplinary action, and establish measures to prevent a recurrence of such dangerous rhetoric.”

The groups also commended the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) “for its swift intervention and for invoking the law to institute disciplinary action against the APC.” They urged the Commission “to remain consistent, timely, firm, and impartial in exercising its regulatory authority to prevent escalations or retaliatory actions that could threaten national security.”

The statement described the utterances as “an attack on the principles of peace, non-violence, and lawful political engagement.” It added that at a time when Sierra Leone is working to strengthen democratic institutions and rebuild public confidence, leaders must model restraint, responsibility, and respect for the rule of law – not fuel fear, tension, or divisive narratives.

The organizations called on “all political leaders, party supporters, and public influencers to exercise caution, civility, and patriotism in their public statements.”

They affirmed their commitment “to promoting peace, upholding democratic governance, and ensuring that Sierra Leone continues to be a nation where political competition is never equated with threats, intimidation, or incitement to violence.”

The statement was issued on behalf of the Budget Advocacy Network, Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), The Lawyers Society, Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Institute of Governance Reform (IGR), African Women’s Leaders Network Sierra Leone Chapter (AWLN-SL), and 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone.