By Albert David
The decision by APC Members of Parliament to withdraw from parliamentary proceedings represents far more than a political gesture, it is a sober response to a governance environment that has become increasingly worrisome for anyone who values constitutional order and ethical leadership. When opposition figures, journalists, civil society advocates, and independent voices face intimidation, arbitrary detention, and the strategic misuse of state institutions, the integrity of democratic governance is fundamentally compromised.
What we are witnessing is not a routine political dispute, it is a troubling departure from democratic norms and a direct challenge to the principles of transparency, accountability, and lawful governance. The continued detention of the APC National Secretary General, alongside other party officials such as Mohamed Moriba, raises profound concerns about due process and the ethical application of state authority. Such actions create the perception of a government more invested in silencing dissent than in upholding justice. This is a deeply troubling signal, one that damages public confidence and casts a shadow over the nation’s reputation at home and abroad.
A healthy democracy cannot function where dissent is criminalized, where political competition is treated as a threat, and where state institutions appear compromised by partisan influence. This is not simply poor governance, it is a civic and constitutional failure. Sierra Leone deserves leadership that respects political diversity, protects the rights of all citizens, and upholds the rule of law without fear or favour.
The opposition’s stance is therefore not an act of rebellion, but a principled demand for accountability, fairness, and the restoration of democratic integrity. The international community is observing these developments closely, and the country cannot afford the instability and embarrassment that accompany perceptions of authoritarian drift. Sierra Leone’s progress depends on institutions that are impartial, transparent, and anchored in justice, not on coercion, intimidation, or political expediency.
At this critical moment, the nation requires ethical leadership, respect for constitutional rights, and a renewed commitment to democratic values. Anything less undermines the aspirations of the people and weakens the foundations of our collective future.
