SLPP Moves to Intervene in Freetown Governance as Mayor Rejects Legality of Action
By Osman Marah
The Sierra Leone People’s Party has revealed that they regained control over governance in Freetown following a high-level meeting with the Ministry of Works and Public Assets on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
The meeting, held at the ministry’s conference room, brought together SLPP leadership led by National Chairman Sir Jimmy Batilo Songa and the Minister of Works and Public Assets, Dr. Denis Sandi. Discussions focused on restoring functionality to the Freetown City Council amid an ongoing boycott by the Mayor and councilors affiliated with the All People’s Congress.
The boycott, led by Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has disrupted council operations and stalled service delivery across the capital, creating what officials describe as a governance vacuum.
SLPP officials indicated that, in the absence of the Mayor and APC councilors, the party is mobilizing its elected councilors alongside state institutions to sustain administrative operations and prevent further deterioration in essential public services.
However, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr has rejected the move, warning that any attempt by the SLPP to assume control of council functions is not supported by law.
In a public statement, she cited provisions of the Local Government Act 2022, stating that there is no legal basis for the appointment or recognition of an “Acting Mayor.” According to her interpretation, councilors may only elect a presiding councilor to chair meetings in the absence of both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, without assuming executive authority.
She further argued that SLPP councilors do not constitute the quorum required to hold valid council meetings, raising questions about the legality of any decisions taken without full council participation.
The standoff underscores a deepening political and legal impasse at City Hall, with both sides asserting competing claims over authority. As the boycott continues, residents of Freetown face mounting uncertainty over the continuity of basic municipal services.
