Freetown, 9th August 2026– The opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) has formally outlined its stance on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, stressing support for reforms that advance inclusion and democracy, while firmly rejecting provisions it says undermine direct representation and national consensus.
In a statement issued ahead of parliamentary debate, the APC emphasized that it is not opposed to constitutional reform and recognizes that certain provisions in the Bill could strengthen democratic institutions, broaden political participation, and promote greater inclusion.
The party welcomed the proposed constitutional guarantee of a minimum 30% representation for women in political nominations, describing women as indispensable contributors to Sierra Leone’s political, social, and economic development. “Their meaningful participation in governance must therefore be protected and strengthened,” the APC noted.
The APC also backed provisions enabling Sierra Leoneans with dual citizenship to contest parliamentary seats and serve in government. The party argued that citizens in the diaspora should not be excluded from contributing their expertise and commitment to national development simply because they hold another nationality.
At the same time, the APC endorsed maintaining stricter citizenship requirements for the offices of President and Vice‑President, calling this distinction “a fair and reasonable balance” that preserves constitutional integrity while expanding opportunities for diaspora participation.
On the contentious issue of electoral systems, the APC reaffirmed its support for retaining the First‑Past‑the‑Post (FPTP) constituency‑based model. The party cited broad support from Paramount Chiefs, civil society, and the Inter‑Religious Council during consultations, warning that public opinion cannot be disregarded.
“The very purpose of consultation is to allow citizens to influence decisions that affect the constitutional order under which they are governed. Consultation must have consequences. The voices of the people must count,” the statement read.
The APC argued that FPTP preserves the direct relationship between citizens and their Members of Parliament, ensuring accountability and representation at the community level.
Equally, the APC insisted that the 55% threshold for electing a President must remain unchanged. The party described the threshold as vital for encouraging candidates to build alliances beyond their political strongholds, fostering dialogue, compromise, and national cohesion.
“In a country where peace, stability and progress depend heavily upon national cohesion, our Constitution should encourage politicians to build bridges across divides rather than retreat further into them,” the APC stated.
The party urged Members of Parliament from both the APC and SLPP to put Sierra Leone above partisan interests. It warned against amending the Constitution for “political convenience of the moment,” stressing that governments may change but the Constitution remains the supreme law.
“This is not simply an APC versus SLPP question. It is a national question,” the statement declared, appealing to MPs to respect the voices of Paramount Chiefs, religious leaders, civil society, and ordinary citizens.
“The Constitution does not belong to the APC. It does not belong to the SLPP. It does not belong to the President, the Government or Parliament alone. It belongs to the people of Sierra Leone,” the party concluded, pledging commitment to peaceful reform, inclusive governance, credible elections, and national cohesion.
