By Musa Paul Feika
A new chapter may be unfolding within Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), following a strongly worded but conciliatory response from the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Dr. Mathew Wilson Samura Kamara, to the APC Elders Council.
The letter, dated 29th April 2026, sheds fresh light on the growing internal tensions within the party and the ongoing debate surrounding the disputed June 24, 2023 general elections.
Addressed to veteran APC stalwart I. B. Kargbo, Executive Secretary of the Elders Council, Dr. Samura Kamara’s correspondence reflects both frustration and cautious optimism as senior party figures attempt to mediate what many observers now describe as an existential crisis within the APC.
At the heart of the dispute is the unresolved controversy over the outcome of the 2023 multi-tier elections, which the APC has repeatedly claimed were marred by irregularities. In his letter, Dr. Kamara reiterated his longstanding position on what he described as “Electoral Justice and Democratic Legitimacy,” arguing that the APC leadership failed to adequately defend what he believes was the party’s stolen mandate.
The former presidential candidate did not mince words in criticizing sections of the APC’s national leadership. He accused key stakeholders within the party of actions and pronouncements that allegedly weakened the APC’s position after the elections and ultimately allowed the ruling Julius Maada Bio-led government to consolidate power without sufficient resistance from the opposition.
According to Kamara, many APC supporters felt “betrayed” and “let down” by the conduct of the party’s executive leadership.
His remarks underscore the widening divide between factions within the APC, one advocating continued engagement with state institutions and implementation of the Agreement for National Unity and the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, and another insisting that the struggle for electoral justice remains unfinished.
Despite the sharp criticism, Dr. Kamara struck a measured tone by expressing willingness to participate in any “genuine efforts” aimed at restoring unity and confidence within the APC. He welcomed the proposed expanded meeting championed by the Elders Council and acknowledged the importance of inclusive dialogue in resolving the party’s impasse.
Importantly, he also emphasized that the discussions must go beyond superficial reconciliation and confront what he described as the “elephant in the room” the disputed presidential election and its aftermath. For many within the APC grassroots, this issue continues to define the party’s political identity and credibility.
Political analysts say the intervention of the Elders Council comes at a critical moment. Since the 2023 elections, the APC has struggled to maintain a unified front, with disagreements emerging over strategy, leadership direction, and relations with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
The party’s inability to fully heal internal divisions has raised concerns among supporters who fear prolonged fragmentation could weaken the opposition ahead of future electoral contests.
Dr. Kamara’s request for the report of the APC’s controversial Nine-Man Committee further suggests that unresolved internal investigations and accountability questions remain central to the ongoing tensions.
Yet, beneath the criticism and political grievances, the letter also carries a message of hope. By agreeing in principle to engage with the Elders Council initiative, Kamara appears to be leaving the door open for reconciliation and institutional reform within the APC. His insistence on inclusiveness, transparency, and restoration of public trust reflects broader demands being echoed across the party’s support base.
For Sierra Leone’s democracy, the stakes are significant. A fractured opposition weakens democratic competition and risks deepening political polarization in an already tense environment.
Conversely, a united and credible APC could strengthen democratic accountability and national cohesion.
Whether the proposed dialogue succeeds will depend largely on the willingness of all factions within the APC to place the long-term future of the party and the country above personal and political interests. For now, the Elders Council’s mediation effort may represent the best opportunity yet to prevent further division and chart a new course for Sierra Leone’s largest opposition movement.