Sierra Leone - October 2023

Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), has ended its boycott of the country’s governance institutions following an agreement struck with the government on 19 October. The APC began its boycott in the wake of the June general election, which it alleged had been rigged. The agreement was facilitated by the Independent Commission for Peace and Social Cohesion (ICPSC) and mediated by the Commonwealth, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States. Under its terms the APC members agreed to take up their seats in parliament and local councils in exchange for an end to the detentions and court cases that it claims are politically motivated. The parties also agreed to set up a cross-party committee to review the June election with development partners. The committee’s recommendations will be actionable and implementable. APC members of parliament were sworn in on 7 November.     

Sources: The Sierra Leone Telegraph, Barrons, Africa News, Associated Press News, Economic Community of West African States, Politico SL