The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has brokered a significant agreement between Sierra Leone’s two main political parties, compelling them to curb incendiary language following a surge in hostile rhetoric.
In a high-level meeting today, the leadership of both the All People’s Congress (APC) and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) were formally warned by the PPRC over their members’ use of “incendiary, inciting and inflammatory statements” on traditional and social media.
PPRC Chairman, Emmanuel Koivaya Amara Esq., addressed the gathering, stating the Commission was “deeply concerned” that the rise in such rhetoric has the potential to “bring chaos to the country” and “undermine our democracy.”
“As a regulatory body, we cannot sit and fold our arms while such incidences are unaddressed,” Chairman Amara asserted. He clarified that the conduct violates Section 39 (1) (d) of the Political Parties Act of 2022.
In a notable display of consensus, both parties acknowledged their contraventions of the Act and pledged to collaborate in preventing future occurrences.
The meeting culminated in the signing of a formal agreement by the party leaders, witnessed by the PPRC and the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), binding them to desist from such conduct.
