Dear Esteemed APC Leadership,

Subject: An Urgent Call for Unity to Safeguard Electoral Justice and the Future of Sierra Leone

Dated October 2, 2024, – The Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM) writes with deep respect and a sense of urgency at this critical moment in Sierra Leone’s history. As you all are aware, our nation faces a challenge unlike any we have seen in recent years – a challenge not just to the integrity of the electoral process but to the very fabric of our democracy. In light of this, we passionately call on the Leadership of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party to stand united in the fight for “electoral justice”. Together, we must defend the future of Sierra Leone from the grave consequences of an election that many believe was stolen under the leadership of Mr Maada Bio. (Photo: Dr Samura Kamara, President-Elect).

The APC has a long and storied history of leadership in Sierra Leone, marked by significant contributions to the development of our nation. The success stories of the APC are countless — from advocating for Sierra Leone’s independence in 1961 to consolidating political stability and peace under the leadership of the Late President Siaka P. Stevens during tumultuous times. The APC has always been a stabilizing force, guiding our country through post-conflict recovery and development.

Under the leadership of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, the APC embarked on a new era of development, marked by the construction of critical infrastructure, economic reforms, and significant investments in healthcare and education. The Agenda for Change and Agenda for Prosperity laid the foundation for economic growth, job creation, and national unity. The Free Health Care Initiative reduced maternal and child mortality rates, while massive road and energy projects, including the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Dam, transformed Sierra Leone’s infrastructure.

In 2014, when Sierra Leone was ravaged by the Ebola epidemic, the APC government, despite initial challenges, took decisive action to bring the crisis under control, receiving international recognition for its leadership. Moreover, the peaceful transfer of power in 2018, when former President Koroma respected the two-term limit, remains one of the shining examples of the APC’s commitment to democratic governance. Now, once again, the APC is called upon to lead – this time, to lead the fight for “electoral justice”. But this fight cannot be won in isolation or in a fractured state. The APC must stand united, with every leader and member committed to the greater good of the nation. (Photo: Minkailu Mansaray, APC Chairman).

The stakes are too high to allow internal differences to distract us from the real enemy – “electoral injustice”. If this election result, perceived by many as fraudulent, is allowed to stand unchallenged, the consequences will be dire, not just for the APC, but for the entire Sierra Leone. The country will be left with a dangerous precedent that could erode the very foundation of our democracy. The Leadership of the APC has always been defined by its ability to bring people together, to transcend personal grievances, and to focus on the larger mission of national unity and development.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Siaka Stevens brought peace and stability to a nation in turmoil, and Ernest Bai Koroma revitalized the APC with policies that uplifted the nation after years of conflict and stagnation. Now is the time for the APC to once again rise to the occasion. We appeal to your collective ego and humanity, knowing that each of you has dedicated your life to serving Sierra Leone. Your efforts, your leadership, and your sacrifices have helped shape the future of this country. But today, Sierra Leone needs you to be more than individual leaders. – it needs you to unite as one, to put aside any personal or factional differences, and to stand together in this fight for electoral justice.

The people of Sierra Leone are watching, waiting, and hoping for leadership that will protect their democratic rights. This battle is not about APC versus SLPP. It is about preserving the future of Sierra Leone for generations to come. If this fight is not won, if we do not stand together to challenge these fraudulent elections, the damage will be far-reaching. It will not only harm the APC or the SLPP – it will harm the entire country. The legacy of democratic governance that the APC has fought so hard to uphold will be shattered, and the country will fall into a pattern of political manipulation and authoritarianism. We call on you to lead with the integrity and wisdom that the APC is known for. Now is not the time for division.

Now is the time for reconciliation, for unity, and for collaboration. The APC has always been a force for good in Sierra Leone, and with your leadership, it can continue to be the voice of hope, justice, and progress for all Sierra Leoneans. This is your moment to once again demonstrate the strength of the APC. Together, you can fight this injustice, restore faith in the democratic process, and ensure that the voice of every Sierra Leonean is heard and respected. The destiny of Sierra Leone is in your hands, and we trust that with your collective leadership, the APC can emerge stronger and more united than ever before. In unity, hope, and anticipation, we stand ready to support the APC in this critical fight for the future of our nation. (Photo: Maada Bio is the architect of the APC division).

Yours faithfully,

SIGNED Dr Alfred A Veenod Fullah DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Cc:

• Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of States
• Brian Forni, Vice President, Congressional and Public Affairs
• The Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General
• Leonardo Santos Simao, Representative of the Secretary-General & Head of UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)
• Karim Ahmad Khan, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC)
• Richard YOUNG, Chief de Division, Afrique de l’Ouest
• Ursula Von Der Lyen, European Commissioner
• The United Nations Representative in Sierra Leone
• E. Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria & Chairman of ECOWAS
• E. Oumar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission
• Madam Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, former VP of The Gambia
• Nana Akufo Addo, President of Ghana
• E. Bassiru Faye, President of Senegal
• E. Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea
• E. Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia
• David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Dev Affairs, UK
• Neil Alan John Coyle, MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark, UK
• Ambassador Aly Diallo, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to the UK&I
• E. Cyprian Terseer Heen, Acting Ambassador of the Nigeria High Comm. in the UK&I
• British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone
• Head of the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone
• General Consul of Canada in Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of China to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Germany to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Lebanon to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Iran to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Brazil to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Sweden to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Iran to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Libya to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Egypt to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Guinea to Sierra Leone Ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone
• High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Sierra Leone
• High Commissioner of Ghana to Sierra Leone
• General Consul of Italy in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul-General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul-General of Ireland in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul-General of India to Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Senegal to Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Syria in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Turkey in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Mali in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Romania in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Norway in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Hungary in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of France in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Belgium in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Spain in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Serbia in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Austria in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Denmark in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Russia in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Pakistan to Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of South Africa in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-Global) Motto: Trust, Unity and Social Justice Email: advocacy1@slam-global.org.uk Mobile:UK – +447725982424/+447564115946 EU – +46734836874/+34676768005 US – 01732-629-951/01518-253-0069 https://www.slam-global.org.uk.