BETRAYAL AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR

Sierra Leone’s constitutional debate took a dramatic turn this week as a huge number of APC Executives, MPs and Members who once supported the 50+1 proposal during the engagement process suddenly reversed their position on the eve of the debate.

Instead of standing by the threshold they had earlier endorsed, they declared: “we don’t want 50+1, we want 55% to declare a president.”

The abrupt U-turn has sparked outrage across the political spectrum, with critics calling it a calculated move to shift the goalposts at the last minute. Supporters of the 50+1 model argue it ensures a president has broad national acceptance, while raising the bar to 55% could deepen division and undermine consensus-building.

Addressing the development, Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, did not mince words. “This is not leadership,” he stated. According to the AG, leadership demands consistency, principle, and putting national interest above partisan maneuvering, especially on matters that will shape the country’s democratic future.

The timing of the reversal has raised questions about good faith in the engagement process. Many citizens and civil society actors who participated in consultations say they feel misled, after months of discussions appeared to build agreement around 50+1.

As Parliament prepares to debate the proposal, the fallout continues. For many Sierra Leoneans, the moment represents more than a numbers game — it is a test of trust, integrity, and whether political actors can prioritize country over party.