Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All Peoples Congress (APC), has distanced itself from recent protests that rumored for June 19th.

The party’s Strategic Communication Unit released a statement denying involvement and urging its members to refrain from violence and demonstrations.

The statement emphasizes the APC’s “unwavering commitment to peace, national security, the rule of law, and dialogue.”

“As a party of peace,” the statement continues, “we firmly believe that negotiation is far more effective than conflict.”

The APC leadership called on its members and supporters to avoid “all forms of protests, demonstrations, violence, and any action that could disturb the peace of the nation.”

The statement further encourages party members to abstain from “hate speech or messages in any form” that could potentially incite unrest, particularly surrounding the upcoming release of a tripartite committee’s recommendations.