The All People’s Congress (APC) has commended its Parliamentary Leadership and Members of Parliament for their conduct during the consideration of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, stating they prioritized "country above party and principle above expediency." The party also expressed its full support for introducing a minimum 30 percent representation for women in governance and public decision-making. The APC stated, "The suffering people of Sierra Leone deserve representatives who will defend their long-term democratic interests, regardless of the personal cost." They added that their "unequivocal" position aligns with the broader public's preference, asserting that "Posterity will remember those who chose principle over expediency."
Support for Progressive Provisions
The All People’s Congress (APC) has expressed support for progressive provisions within the Constitutional Bill, including measures that would recognize dual citizenship rights for Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora. The party stated its position remains "unequivocal" and aligns with the "preference of the broader public that has served Sierra Leone’s parliamentary democracy since Independence." According to the APC, these public voices "deserve to be respected in any genuine constitutional reform process," emphasizing that such reform "should unite the nation through consensus rather than divide it over a single contentious provision." The party affirmed its commitment to "placing country above party and principle above expediency," asserting that "the suffering people of Sierra Leone deserve representatives who will defend their long-term democratic interests, regardless of the personal cost." They concluded that "Posterity will remember those who chose principle over expediency and the enduring national interest over temporary personal advantage."
Opposition to Electoral System
The All People’s Congress (APC) has stated its principal point of disagreement in the Constitutional Bill centers on proposals to entrench Proportional Representation (PR) as the nation’s new constitutional electoral system for Members of Parliament, alongside the proposed threshold for the election of the president. The party maintains its "unequivocal" position aligns with the preference of the broader public, which it says has served Sierra Leone’s parliamentary democracy since Independence. According to the APC, these public voices "deserve to be respected in any genuine constitutional reform process" and that "Constitutional reform should unite the nation through consensus rather than divide it over a single contentious provision."
The APC emphasized that the preference for retaining the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system was overwhelmingly reflected during the Government’s own nationwide constitutional consultations. The party reiterated its commitment to "placing country above party and principle above expediency," asserting that "The suffering people of Sierra Leone deserve representatives who will defend their long-term democratic interests, regardless of the personal cost." The APC concluded that "Posterity will remember those who chose principle over expediency and the enduring national interest over temporary personal advantage."
Call for Consensus and Dialogue
The All People’s Congress (APC) has affirmed its commitment to fostering dialogue, consensus-building, and democratic constitutional reform. The party emphasized its dedication to "placing country above party and principle above expediency," stating that "The suffering people of Sierra Leone deserve representatives who will defend their long-term democratic interests, regardless of the personal cost." The APC noted its stance is "unequivocal" and aligns with "the preference of the broader public that has served Sierra Leone’s parliamentary democracy since Independence." The party stressed that "These voices deserve to be respected in any genuine constitutional reform process" and that "Constitutional reform should unite the nation through consensus rather than divide it over a single contentious provision."
Critical Chiefs, the Inter-Religious Council, and a wide consortium of Sierra Leone’s leading civil society organizations have also expressed support for retaining the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system during national consultations. The APC concluded that "Posterity will remember those who chose principle over expediency and the enduring national interest over temporary personal advantage."