The National Publicity Secretary of Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), Sidi Yayah Tunis, has raised concerns about the current state of the country’s economy.

Tunis criticised the ruling Bio administration, claiming significant price increases for basic necessities like rice and electricity are negatively impacting citizens. He stated, “The country’s economy is in a very bad shape” and highlighted the rising cost of living, with the price of a bag of rice exceeding the average worker’s minimum wage.

“That is very difficult and if you look at electricity tariff it is high, in 2018 when you buy 100leones top up you may have 53 units as compared to now that you buy same 100leones top which may just give you about 12units.”

He said, that when the Bio administration came to power in 2018, they assured the people of Sierra Leone that they would make the lives and living conditions very appropriate for the people but their actions are not reflecting the statements.

He compared the current situation to the previous APC government, led by President Ernest Bai Koroma (2008-2018). Tunis argued that during their tenure, “the APC was able to generate enough revenue to even take on infrastructural projects” without relying on donor funds. He further contrasted the APC’s ability to generate revenue and address recurrent expenditure with the current government’s struggles.

Tunis called for a “national discussion on the economy,” suggesting that all stakeholders need to be involved in addressing the country’s worsening economic situation.