AYV News, March 26, 2026
The elected Mayor of Freetown, Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has firmly rejected the appointment of an acting mayor by councillors aligned with the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), describing the move as unlawful and procedurally flawed.
In a strong statement, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr made it clear that she would not hand over the official keys to her office, insisting that the individual appointed as acting mayor lacks legal authority.
“That is not possible. I will never hand over my office keys to the SLPP Acting Mayor because he is illegal,” she stated.
The Mayor also questioned the legitimacy of the process that led to the appointment, noting that the action has largely been defended by the SLPP Secretariat rather than the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs. According to her, this raises serious concerns about the legality and institutional backing of the decision.
Aki-Sawyerr further linked her return to active council duties to broader political concerns, particularly the controversy surrounding the removal of Edmond Sylvester Alpha as head of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL). She indicated that addressing these issues is key to resolving the current impasse.
She maintained that the creation of an acting mayoral position under the present circumstances does not conform to established procedures, warning that such actions could undermine local governance structures.
The Mayor also highlighted what she described as longstanding institutional challenges within the council, particularly tensions involving Chief Administrators during her tenure.
The development marks a deepening political and administrative standoff at the Freetown City Council, raising concerns among observers about governance continuity and adherence to legal frameworks.
