By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), has paid a fine imposed by the country’s political regulator after being briefly suspended from political activities over alleged breaches of national political conduct laws.
The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) confirmed on Wednesday that it had received 350,000 leones (Le350,000) from the APC. The fine was imposed on 2 February 2026 under Section 39(1)(c) and (d) of the Political Parties Act, 2022, the law governing the registration, regulation and conduct of political parties in the country.
In a statement, the Commission thanked the party for complying with the sanction and urged it to ensure that its members and supporters conduct themselves within the confines of the law.
Dispute over accountability
The enforcement action followed public remarks attributed to Zainab Sheriff, a member of the APC.
In correspondence signed by the party’s National Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya, the APC argued that Ms. Sheriff made the statements in her personal capacity and was not acting as an authorised spokesperson of the party.
The party said she had accepted individual responsibility for the remarks and had warned that she would pursue legal action if the APC assumed liability or paid the fine on her behalf.
However, the PPRC said the party’s letter was submitted after the 10 February deadline for payment had expired. According to the Commission, the fines were formally communicated on 2 February, with reminders issued before the deadline.
The regulator subsequently announced the suspension of the APC from all political activities, including meetings, rallies and internal administrative operations, pending payment and written clearance.
The Commission also warned that continued non-compliance could trigger additional sanctions, including possible referral to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Legal framework
Under Sierra Leone’s Political Parties Act, 2022 (Act No. 25 of 2022), political parties are legally responsible for ensuring that their activities and those of their members do not threaten public order, peace, security or national cohesion.
Section 39 empowers the PPRC to impose administrative sanctions — including fines and suspension of activities — where violations are established. The law forms part of broader post-war governance reforms aimed at strengthening political accountability and preventing incitement or instability.
Regional context
The incident comes at a time when several West African countries are facing heightened scrutiny over political regulation and democratic governance.
In recent years, military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as electoral disputes in parts of the region, have intensified debates about the balance between political freedoms and regulatory oversight. Across West Africa, governments and electoral bodies have increasingly invoked party regulation laws to enforce compliance, sometimes drawing criticism from opposition groups who argue that such measures can be used to restrict political activity.
Sierra Leone, which emerged from a brutal civil war in 2002, has since worked to consolidate democratic institutions. The enforcement action against the APC underscores the PPRC’s stated commitment to applying the Political Parties Act uniformly, while also highlighting ongoing tensions between political parties and regulatory authorities over institutional versus individual accountability.
The APC has not issued a separate public statement following confirmation of the payment.
