The opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) party has ignored the Sierra Leone Police warning not to protest and has instead called on its supporters to hold nationwide peaceful demonstrations. The police had previously issued a warning to the APC, stating that the Inspector General of Police has the power to disallow or impose conditions on any procession deemed a threat to public safety. However, the APC rejected the order and scheduled a peaceful demonstration, citing issues and anomalies in the electoral process.
In response to the APC’s request, the SLP invited the party’s leadership for a meeting to discuss the details of the peaceful march. While the APC did not honour the initial invitation on Monday June 19, major stakeholders, such as the Political Parties Registration Commission and the Peace Commission, have engaged with the APC and the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone to address their concerns. The APC has presented a position paper detailing their grievances, which include issues relating to the result management system, voter register, result reconciliation form, and the eligibility of the Commissioners.
Despite the ongoing discussions, the APC has called on its party supporters nationwide to assemble at strategic areas, which they will communicate, and hold peaceful marches to the offices of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone. The APC has urged the police to remain peaceful during the procession, and a video of the party’s Secretary General Lawyer Lansana Dumbuya circulating on social media shows him calling on their supporters to come out and protest peacefully.
