The All Peoples Congress (APC) has declared what it describes as the collapse of the implementation process of the Sierra Leone Agreement for National Unity (ANU), citing alleged government obstruction and a breakdown in agreed procedures.

At a press briefing held at the party’s headquarters in Freetown, APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya presented a position paper outlining the party’s concerns.

He noted that the agreement, signed in October 2023 following disputed general elections, had initially been regarded as a framework for promoting peace, democratic stability, and national cohesion.

The ANU was supported by regional and international bodies, including the ECOWAS, African Union, and Commonwealth of Nations, as well as Sierra Leone’s Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion.

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A key component of the agreement, according to the APC, was the establishment of a tripartite committee to review electoral processes and recommend reforms.
However, the APC alleges that nearly two years after the signing, implementation has been undermined.

The party claims that government actions including ongoing court cases involving opposition figures, alleged intimidation of supporters, and the failure of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to publish detailed election results have eroded trust in the process.

The party further accused the government of bypassing agreed bipartisan mechanisms by appointing a steering committee dominated by cabinet ministers. According to the APC, meetings of this committee have been irregular, with limited transparency, and party representatives were selected without consultation.

“The agreement for national unity, once a symbol of hope, stability, and collective responsibility, has been systematically undermined,” Dumbuya stated, adding that the exclusion of the APC from key discussions raises questions about the government’s commitment to the accord.

Amid rising political tensions ahead of the 2028 elections, the APC has withdrawn its elected officials from Parliament and local councils. The party is also calling for the removal of Edmond Sylvester Alpha, whom it accuses of playing a controversial role in the 2023 electoral process.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader in Parliament Abdul Kargbo also raised constitutional concerns about the agreement. He argued that the implementation of the ANU without parliamentary ratification may contravene provisions of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, particularly where agreements carry legal or financial implications.

Kargbo emphasized that while the Constitution empowers the President to enter into international agreements, such agreements must be ratified by Parliament before they can be fully implemented. He maintained that responsibility for this process rests with the executive branch.

The APC has warned that failure to implement agreed reforms in good faith could heighten political tensions and risk instability. The party says it will continue to pursue what it describes as peaceful and constitutional means, including demonstrations, to press its demands.

As of now, there has been no official response from the government addressing the APC’s latest claims. Political observers note that the situation underscores ongoing divisions within Sierra Leone’s political landscape, particularly regarding electoral reforms and governance processes.