For several years, the All People’s Congress (APC), one of Sierra Leone’s oldest and most formidable political parties, has been plagued by internal wrangling, court battles, and bitter divisions that threatened its survival as a credible political force. From leadership tussles to questions of legitimacy, the APC has weathered storms that many believed would leave it permanently weakened. But as history has shown time and again, the APC is a party of resilience, one that has risen from worse crises before. The time has now come for the APC to put an end to its disarray and brouhaha, to bury the hatchet of factionalism, and to unite around a common vision: reclaiming political power for the people of Sierra Leone.
From Chaos to Clarity:
The turbulence within the APC did not arise overnight. After the party’s defeat in 2018, the cracks widened as factions emerged over leadership, direction, and the way forward. Legal challenges tied the party’s operations in knots, leaving its supporters disillusioned and its opponents gleeful. Instead of focusing on presenting itself as a government-in-waiting, the APC became consumed by infighting.
But every storm has an end. The internal confusion and public bickering have now run their course, and there is a renewed call for peace, unity, and focus. The APC cannot afford to remain a house divided at a time when Sierra Leoneans are yearning for a credible alternative to the current ruling party. The cries of ordinary people for economic stability, food security, and democratic accountability are too loud to be ignored. The APC’s survival and eventual return to power depend on whether it can heed these cries and present a united front.
Lessons from the Past:
The APC’s history offers valuable lessons on resilience. Founded in 1960, the party has always been known as a “grassroots” movement that speaks to the aspirations of ordinary Sierra Leoneans. It has faced repression, exile, and even temporary collapse, yet it has always found a way to re-emerge stronger. The crises of the last few years, painful as they were, should be viewed as another chapter in the party’s long story—a reminder that leadership without unity leads to failure.
What the APC must now do is transform those bitter lessons into a renewed sense of purpose. Leaders and supporters alike must understand that internal quarrels only empower the opponent. Every hour spent on division is an hour wasted in building strategies to win back the trust of the people.
The Imperative of Unity:
For the APC, unity is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. Unity is the glue that binds diverse groups, interests, and regions together under a single political mission. Without unity, the party risks alienating its strong support base, especially the young people who are increasingly impatient with politics-as-usual. Without unity, the APC cannot marshal the energy and resources needed to mount a credible campaign.
But unity does not mean uniformity. It means that differences can be managed constructively, and disagreements can be resolved without tearing the house down. The APC must create a culture of internal dialogue, compromise, and mutual respect. It must prioritize the bigger picture over narrow personal ambitions. Every member must now ask themselves: do I want to be right in my corner, or do I want the party to win power for the people?
Building for Power:
The end of disarray should not simply mark a return to business as usual. It must be the starting point for rebuilding, rebranding, and reenergizing the party. Sierra Leoneans are tired of empty promises; they want a party that understands their pain and offers credible solutions. This is the APC’s opportunity to rise above slogans and present a clear roadmap for economic recovery, job creation, agricultural revival, and educational transformation.
To achieve this, the APC must:
Rebuild Trust: Reassure its supporters and the wider public that the days of confusion are over. A united APC must demonstrate discipline, maturity, and responsibility.
Strengthen Grassroots Engagement: The APC’s strength has always been in its grassroots. The party must reconnect with communities across the country, listening to their needs and integrating their voices into its policies.
Empower Young People: With the majority of Sierra Leone’s population under 35, the APC must actively involve young people in leadership, decision-making, and campaigns. Youth are not just voters; they are partners in building the future.
Present Credible Leadership: Leadership should no longer be about personalities but about competence, integrity, and vision. The APC must rally behind leaders who inspire confidence both within the party and among the electorate.
Craft a People-Centre Agenda: The party’s manifesto must address bread-and-butter issues—jobs, food, healthcare, housing, and education. This is what will resonate with voters.
The Road Ahead:
The APC stands at a historic crossroads. On one side is the temptation to relapse into petty quarrels and selfish ambitions. On the other side is the opportunity to unite and reclaim its position as Sierra Leone’s strongest political movement. The choice is clear: if the APC is serious about returning to power, it must embrace unity and discipline as its guiding principles.
The ruling SLPP is deeply vulnerable, with mounting economic failures, governance challenges, and public discontent. The APC cannot afford to waste this moment. A divided party is the ruling party’s greatest weapon, but a united APC is Sierra Leone’s greatest hope.
The APC’s disarray and brouhaha must now be declared over. The time for finger-pointing is gone; the time for reconciliation is here. The time for personal ambition is gone; the time for collective mission is here. The time for chaos is gone; the time for building power has come.
Sierra Leone deserves a government that listens, serves, and delivers. For that to happen, the APC must rise from its ashes, shake off the dust of division, and march together as one family with one goal: to restore dignity, prosperity, and hope to the people.
The APC’s unity is not just about winning elections; it is about answering the call of history. And history is clear—the time to unite and build for power is now.