Event Summary
Attacks against activists and CSOs leader by politicians continued in Sierra Leone on 4 March 2026. Honourable Hindolo Moiwo Gevao, a Member of Parliament representing Kailahun District from the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), accused the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) of actively lobbying the international community to secure the appointment of Chief Electoral Commissioner to Chairperson of the National Elections Watch, Marcella Samba Sesay. Gavao made this known during an interview on Radio Democracy 98.1 FM, but did not provide any proof of his allegations, said that he heard it from friends and some of his contacts. Gavao framed the alleged lobbying effort as part of a broader political manoeuvring by the opposition regarding electoral leadership and institutional independence. He also alleged that Samba Sesay is a member of the opposition APC: an allegation she has vehemently denied. This is not the first time Samba Sesay has been linked to the opposition, as this was also the case when the SLPP was in opposition from 2007 to 2018 by APC politicians.
Samba Sesay has come out to condemn this slanderous allegation and has issued a 72-hour ultimatum for Hon. Gevao to retract his statement and apologise, otherwise she will seek legal redress. She reemphasized she has never been interested in the role of Chief Electoral Commissioner, and her service is driven by her love for Sierra Leone. The public has come out in Samba Sesay’s defence, condemning the statements from Gevao, including the re-emerged online attacks she has been exposed to in recent weeks by supporters of the ruling SLPP. This has also sparked the conversation about wider protection of activists and CSO leaders including a law to protect their work and safety. There is little trust by the public and other CSO leaders that Samba Sesay will get justice if she seeks legal redress in the courts, because the said MP is a member of the ruling SLPP, bring the integrity of the Judiciary under the spotlight. This highlights the shrinking civic space and continued pressure against activist, CSO leaders and journalist to muzzle and censor them by political leaders including from the ruling SLPP, as they demand for accountability, due process, and protecting democracy.