Welcoming 37 Released APC Supporters… Electoral Campaign -SL Demands Publication Of Full 318 Political Detainees List
ELECTORAL JUSTICE CAMPAIGN – Sierra Leone
Press Statement – August 19th, 2025
The Electoral Justice Campaign welcomes the press statement issued by the Government of Sierra Leone on August 14, 2025, confirming the release of individuals who had been subjected to politically motivated detention and blacklisting. This development marks a positive step toward fulfilling the commitments outlined in the Agreement for National Unity (ANU).
However, the Campaign wishes to emphasize that the detention and blacklisting of opposition members by a sitting government, merely on the basis of political rivalry, represent a grave injustice and a clear violation of democratic principles. This practice has caused immense suffering to the victims and their families. While the government’s recent action is welcomed, it cannot erase the historical wrongs committed under the Julius Maada Bio regime, including the stolen 2023 Presidential Elections.
We further draw the attention of both the Government of Sierra Leone and the international moral guarantors to the fact that the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party had previously submitted a list of 318 political detainees reportedly held by the government (Source). We therefore urge the government to publish this full list so that citizens can compare it with the 37 names announced as either pardoned or removed from the blacklist.
In addition, we call on the APC Executive to make public the list of 318 names previously submitted to the government, in fulfilment of Resolution 4 (a) of the Agreement for National Unity.
Furthermore, the Electoral Justice Campaign is calling on Amnesty International, the United Nations Human Rights Commission, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to launch an independent investigation into this matter.
The Electoral Justice Campaign calls on citizens to remain vigilant. This action, while a step forward, must not be mistaken for the full restoration of democracy and justice. True reconciliation and peace will only be achieved through accountability, transparency, and respect for the will of the people.
The Campaign assures the general public, as well as the illegitimate regime of Julius Maada Bio, that upon the restoration of democracy, there will be no political witch-hunting. Our sole focus will be on uniting, reconciling, and rebuilding Sierra Leone for the benefit of all citizens. Releasing a few political detainees does not equate to building peace—justice must prevail.
The Electoral Justice Campaign remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring that the will of the Sierra Leonean people, as expressed in the June 2023 elections, is respected and upheld. We therefore call on all stakeholders, both domestic and international, to work together to guarantee a peaceful and democratic transfer of power.
Mohamed A Warisay
……………………………………….
Spokesman,
Electoral Justice Campaign – SL
