By Ragan M. Conteh

The All People’s Congress (APC) party has strongly condemned the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government’s attempt to impose constitutional reforms, particularly the adoption of a Proportional Representation (PR) System and Executive Power-Sharing.

According to APC, these moves are blatant subversions of democracy and the constitution, aimed at creating one-party-rule in Sierra Leone.

The APC argues that the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone clearly stipulates that the primary mode of electing representatives is through a constituency-based *First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) System.

The party believes that any attempt to permanently replace FPTP with the PR System is Unconstitutional and will be resisted.

Furthermore, the APC is concerned about the SLPP’s proposal for power-sharing, which includes allocating parliamentary seats and executive positions. This, the APC claims, is a ploy to entrench the ruling party as a one-party regime, citing Kenya’s catastrophic experience with similar experiments.

In response to the SLPP’s proposals, the APC demands that the government:

Cease Manipulative Actions: Immediately stop all actions that undermine democracy and respect the will of the people and the constitution,

implement Tripartite Committee recommendations, focus on implementing the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee to ensure free, fair, and credible future elections, respect democratic principles, refrain from restructuring the national map without the people’s consent and legal due process.

The APC has also called on patriotic Sierra Leoneans, civil society, religious leaders, and the international community to take note of these developments and join in demanding the implementation of the tripartite report.

The party has vowed to mobilize all lawful and peaceful means of protest to resist these undemocratic proposals and protect the country’s hard-won peace and multi-party democracy.

The APC’s rejection of the SLPP’s proposed constitutional reforms highlights the party’s commitment to democratic principles and its determination to protect the rights of Sierra Leoneans.

As the country moves forward, it is essential for all stakeholders to prioritize the will of the people and the Constitution, ensuring that any reforms are transparent, evidence-based, and inclusive.