By Mackie M. Jalloh
Former Minister of Justice under the Ernest Bai Koroma administration, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, has voiced his strong disapproval of the escalating internal conflicts within the All People’s Congress (APC) party. With the party already facing challenges since its 2018 defeat, Kamara’s remarks signal the increasing severity of the factional disputes tearing apart Sierra Leone’s main opposition force.
In a candid statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account earlier this week, Kamara expressed his deep concern over the recent infighting at the party’s headquarters, where growing divisions between political camps and the Executive Branch are threatening to cripple the party’s cohesion. He described the ongoing tensions as “uncalled for,” underscoring the urgency for the APC to resolve these internal issues swiftly to prevent further damage.
Kamara’s statement is a timely intervention, given that clashes between supporters from opposing factions within the APC have become more frequent in recent months. These violent altercations have fueled fears of an unraveling party just as the APC should be regrouping and strategizing for future elections. Rather than focusing on addressing national issues or preparing for governance, the party has been locked in a bitter internal power struggle, leaving it vulnerable and disorganized.
In his public address, Kamara called on party members to engage in constructive dialogue and urged them to remember that the APC belongs to the general membership, not to specific factions or individuals. “We must endeavor to accommodate and constructively engage,” Kamara insisted, emphasizing that the future of the party hinges on inclusivity and collaboration. His call for unity is a reminder that, without a collective approach, the APC risks self-destruction.
This infighting has been brewing since the APC’s loss in the 2018 general elections, a defeat that fractured the party’s leadership and ignited power struggles among its members. As party insiders seek to fill the leadership vacuum, tensions have escalated, leaving the APC at a crossroads. Competing camps have emerged, each claiming legitimacy and pushing for different strategies to revitalize the party. However, these efforts have been marred by accusations of betrayal, corruption, and personal ambition, further fueling discontent.
Kamara’s remarks come at a time when the APC should be focusing on its role as the primary opposition to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). With the 2023 elections behind them, and the APC having lost to President Julius Maada Bio for the second time, this period should be one of self-reflection and rebuilding. However, the ongoing in-fighting is not only distracting the party from its goals but also causing disillusionment among its supporters, who expected strong opposition to the SLPP’s governance.
By calling for immediate reconciliation, Kamara is hoping to shift the conversation away from divisive politics and towards the larger picture—ensuring that the APC remains a united and formidable political force. He stressed that the internal battles are not only harmful to the party but also detrimental to Sierra Leone’s democratic process, as a weakened APC could leave the ruling SLPP unchecked.
The former minister’s plea for peace highlights the gravity of the situation. If the APC continues to focus on internal disputes instead of healing its fractures, it risks losing relevance on the national stage. The party’s survival depends on finding a path toward reconciliation, one that prioritizes the interests of the people of Sierra Leone over personal ambitions and factional loyalties.
In closing, Kamara reiterated that the APC’s internal disputes should not overshadow its responsibility to the people of Sierra Leone. He urged party leaders to take bold steps toward unity, noting that the party’s future depends on its ability to rise above infighting and work collectively for the good of the nation. His words serve as a stark warning to the APC—either reconcile and rebuild, or face political irrelevance in the coming years.
