By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — The opposition All People’s Congress (APC) has announced a change in the scheduled arrival of the remains of its late National Chairman, Honourable Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray, citing unforeseen technical reasons.
In an update shared on Facebook, APC Leader in Parliament Abdul Kargbo informed party members, supporters and the general public that the remains of the late chairman will now arrive in Sierra Leone on Friday at 4:30 p.m., instead of Thursday as previously communicated.
“Please be informed that, due to unforeseen technical reasons, the remains of our late Chairman will now arrive on Friday 4:30 p.m., instead of Thursday as previously communicated,” Kargbo wrote. “We sincerely apologize for this change and any inconvenience or confusion it may have caused, and we appreciate your understanding and continued support during this difficult period.”
The revised schedule follows an update Kargbo posted on Tuesday detailing the efforts of the APC delegation in Senegal to facilitate the repatriation process.
According to Kargbo, he and Honourable Emerson Lamina met with Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Senegal at the Sierra Leone Embassy before proceeding to the mortuary where the late chairman’s body was being kept.
At the mortuary, the delegation met the deceased’s wife, affectionately known as “Aunty Kay,” and spent time with her as the family and party continued to mourn.
Kargbo said the delegation formally identified the remains and witnessed the sealing of the coffin to ensure that all the necessary procedures were duly observed.
“We formally identified the remains and witnessed the sealing of the coffin to ensure that all necessary procedures were duly observed,” he stated in the Tuesday post.
He added that the APC has been working closely with the Government of Sierra Leone and relevant authorities to ensure that the repatriation process is conducted smoothly and with dignity.
“The APC continues to work closely with the Government of Sierra Leone and all relevant authorities to ensure a smooth, respectful, and dignified repatriation process,” he wrote.
The death of Honourable Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray has plunged the APC into mourning, with tributes continuing to pour in from party supporters, political figures and ordinary Sierra Leoneans who remember him as a dedicated party stalwart and respected national figure.
The APC is expected to provide further details on funeral arrangements and public observances following the arrival of the late chairman’s remains in Freetown on Friday.
