AYV News, April 29, 2026
Executive members and flagbearer aspirants of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party have held a high-level meeting with Shirley Botchwey, calling for sustained commitment to national unity agreements in Sierra Leone.
The engagement took place on Independence Day, coinciding with interfaith prayers at State House marking the country’s 65th anniversary. It was not immediately clear whether the opposition party had been formally invited to the official state ceremony.
During discussions, APC representatives expressed appreciation to the Commonwealth of Nations for its continued role in supporting Sierra Leone’s democratic governance and peacebuilding efforts.
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, who attended the meeting, said the party used the opportunity to commend the Commonwealth for its “instrumental role” as an international moral guarantor of the Agreement for National Unity. She also acknowledged the recent involvement of the Commonwealth’s Deputy Secretary-General in a guarantor mission.
Linking the meeting to the significance of Independence Day, Aki-Sawyerr stressed the importance of implementing agreed reforms to strengthen national cohesion.
“On this 65th Independence Day Anniversary, it is critical for national cohesion and unity to be strengthened by the timely, inclusive, and effective implementation of the Tripartite Recommendations,” she said.
Among the key proposals highlighted is the establishment of a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, which the opposition considers vital for strengthening democratic processes and enhancing political accountability.
The meeting underscores ongoing efforts by political stakeholders to reinforce dialogue and ensure the effective implementation of agreements aimed at promoting stability and unity in Sierra Leone.
