In a significant development today, Tuesday, November 7th, 2023, elected members of parliament representing the main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), were officially sworn in, ending their months-long boycott of parliamentary proceedings.

The APC had taken a bold stance by instructing their elected Members of Parliament, councilors, and mayors to boycott participating in the governance of Sierra Leone. This boycott was in direct response to their allegations of electoral misconduct during the multi-tier elections held on June 24th. The APC had accused the Sierra Leone Electoral Commission (ECSL) of rigging the elections in favor of the incumbent Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

The political impasse between the APC and the government had persisted, causing concerns about the functioning of the country’s democratic processes. To address this issue and foster a peaceful resolution, a series of dialogues were initiated, with facilitation from international entities such as the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), as well as involvement from the independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion.

These dialogues aimed to address the concerns raised by the APC and find common ground to ensure the smooth functioning of Sierra Leone’s democracy. The culmination of these discussions led to the decision to swear in the elected APC members of parliament, marking a significant step toward national reconciliation and political stability.

The resumption of the APC’s participation in parliamentary activities signals a renewed commitment to democratic processes and governance in Sierra Leone. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the political landscape and the future dynamics of the nation’s leadership.