By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The ongoing standoff between the All People’s Congress APC the Political Parties Regulation Commission PPRC and the Criminal Investigations Department CID marks a critical moment for Sierra Leone’s political environment. What started as a regulatory response to statements made at a party event has grown into a major political and legal confrontation with implications beyond one party.
The dispute began at the APC Mammoth Meeting held on 31 January 2026 at the Attouga Mini Stadium in Freetown. During the meeting statements attributed to the APC National Secretary General Lansana Dumbuya and party member Zainab Sheriff were widely circulated. After reviewing the comments the PPRC concluded that the remarks breached Sections 39 1 c and 39 1 d of the Political Parties Act 2022 which prohibit profane provocative and inciting language by political actors.
On 2 February 2026 the PPRC issued a press release imposing fines totaling NLe350000 on the APC. The Commission gave the party seven days to pay the fines and warned that failure to comply would lead to further action. The APC did not meet the deadline a decision that significantly worsened the situation.
At the same time the CID invited Lansana Dumbuya for questioning. This move shifted the matter from a purely regulatory issue to one with possible criminal consequences. The involvement of the CID raised public concern especially among political commentators and civil society groups who fear that political speech may increasingly be treated as a criminal matter.
The crisis escalated further on 11 February 2026 when the PPRC announced the suspension of the APC for failing to pay the fines. For one of the country’s major political parties the suspension is a serious setback. It limits the party’s ability to operate freely engage in regulated political activities and mobilize supporters through official channels.
For the APC the situation presents major challenges. The party must now focus on legal defense while also managing internal pressure and public perception. Supporters may view the actions as excessive or politically driven while others may see them as a lawful application of existing regulations. Either way the suspension weakens the party’s position in an already competitive and polarized political space.
The wider political impact is equally significant. The actions of the PPRC signal a firm approach to enforcing the Political Parties Act. Supporters of strict regulation argue that this could help reduce hate speech and political violence. Critics however warn that such enforcement if not applied evenly could be used to silence opposition voices and shrink democratic space.
The involvement of law enforcement adds another layer of concern. When political statements lead to criminal investigations it risks increasing fear and mistrust among political actors. In a democracy the line between maintaining public order and protecting freedom of expression must be carefully managed.
Ultimately this episode raises important questions about governance and democracy in Sierra Leone. How state institutions handle the APC case will influence public confidence in their independence and fairness. The outcome will not only shape the future of the APC but also set a precedent for how political competition and free expression are regulated in the country.
