In Sierra Leone, Lansana Dumbuya, the Secretary General of the main opposition party, the All People's Congress (APC), was arrested and charged with incitement to violence and public insult following a speech made in January. During a party meeting, he alleged that President Julius Maada Bio had 'stolen' the 2023 elections and encouraged supporters to adopt similar rhetoric, which led to his charges. Dumbuya is now facing the possibility of a twelve-month prison sentence.

The legal action against Dumbuya has sparked widespread discussions about freedom of speech and political repression in Sierra Leone, especially in the context of an escalating political climate that has seen significant tensions between the ruling party and opposition groups. The timing of the charges, which come in the wake of tightened regulations on party conduct, raises questions about the government's commitment to democratic principles and the opposition's ability to freely express dissent.

Dumbuya has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his detention has been met with criticism from human rights organizations and political analysts who view this as a tactic to silence opposition voices. The regulatory crackdown on the APC prior to Dumbuya's charges indicates a broader chilling effect on political discourse in Sierra Leone, as the government seeks to maintain control amidst growing dissent and challenges to its authority.