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The Government of Sierra Leone has signaled that it will not be swayed by planned protests from the main opposition, the All-People’s Congress (APC), regarding recent high-level electoral appointments.
In a recent interview with Liberty TV Online, Myk Berewa, the Director of Communications at State House, addressed the escalating political tensions. Berewa made it clear that the government views the planned demonstrations as ineffective in changing official executive decisions, specifically the appointment of Sylvester Edmond Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner.
“APC’s planned protest will not reverse Sylvester Edmond Alpha’s appointment,” Berewa stated firmly, underscoring the government’s commitment to its current administrative path despite opposition pushback.
The opposition APC party announced in late February 2026 that its Members of Parliament, mayors, councillors, and other representatives would boycott parliamentary sessions and council activities to protest the appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL).
The APC’s withdrawal from governance stems from longstanding grievances over the 2023 general elections, which international observers deemed flawed by “irregularities” and a “lack of transparency”. An Agreement for National Unity was brokered in October 2023 by ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Commonwealth, paving the way for the APC to end its initial boycott.
However, the appointment of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as Chief Electoral Commissioner in March 2026 prompted the APC to renew its boycott. The opposition has described the appointment as “a direct assault” on the unity agreement and has demanded Alpha’s immediate removal.
The APC has been vocal in its dissatisfaction, organizing boycotts and threats of street protests to voice grievances over the electoral process and leadership. However, the government maintains that its primary duty is to keep the machinery of the state moving.
“As a government, we have the moral responsibility to ensure that government is at work,” Berewa added, addressing the APC’s ongoing boycott of participation in governance. He further emphasized the importance of plurality in the democratic process, noting that “smaller political parties matter,” suggesting that the political landscape should not be dominated solely by the demands of a single opposition bloc.
The standoff comes at a sensitive time for Sierra Leone, as the nation navigates a complex post-election climate. While the opposition views the protests as a necessary tool for democratic accountability, the administration at State House appears prepared to stand its ground, prioritizing institutional stability and the fulfillment of executive mandates over political concessions.
