5^th January, 2024

The APC is utterly disappointed with, and livid about the distasteful persecution of our former Chairman and Leader, His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma. The former president diligently and inspiringly served our nation as a two-term democratically elected President. At the end of his presidency, he gracefully relinquished power in a demonstrable respect for Sierra Leone’s constitutional term limit, and conducted peaceful, free and fair election which ushered in the then opposition candidate as president. Since he left power in 2018, he has dedicated his time and energy in promoting peace, democratic good governance and smooth transitions across Africa. It is therefore exceedingly hurtful and totally unacceptable for a noble statesman of such high repute and distinguished democratic credentials, to be tarnished with political vendetta and accusations of an involvement in a coup d’état. Those trumped-up treason and other charges represent a dangerous precedent and a credible threat to the peace and stability of Sierra Leone.

The APC has shown incredible restraint in respect of what is clearly a sustained political witch – hunt, intimidation, harassment and persecution, as promised by the president during his campaign. While we continue to condemn the events of 26^th November, 2023, and all forms of unconstitutional change of government, we also strongly abhor the deliberate democratic backsliding and imposition of the increasing tendencies of a one-party political hegemony in Sierra Leone.  Several of our supporters and members at constituency, district, regional and national levels have been arrested and detained for weeks and months without charge. This has been the pattern since 2018. We have reached a point where the APC would have to face its circumstances with all its strength and wherewithal. We stand firm with our former chairman and leader, as well as our National Organising Secretary, Comrade Bai Mahmoud Bangura.  With the country on the precipice, we strongly urge the SLPP to retract from this dangerous, unproductive path, and take concrete strides to promote peace, rather than hate and political divide. All we have is our beloved country, and it is our responsibility to work together to unify it.

In the meantime, let no one be afraid, the APC is confident about former President Koroma’s innocence. The APC will meet to consider our next actional steps, and we shall communicate them to the public.

SIGNED: Lansana Dumbuya

National Secretary General    –           APC