Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray

Sierra Leonean politician who rose from youth activist to national chairman of the main opposition All People’s Congress

Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray, who has died aged 75 in Dakar, Senegal, was a veteran Sierra Leonean politician and one of the most respected figures in the country’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC). He served as the party’s national chairman until his death on 15 June 2026.

Minkailu Mansaray devoted more than four decades to the APC. He began his political life as president of the party’s National Youth League and steadily rose through its ranks, serving as western region chairman and later as deputy national chairman before being elected national chairman and chief executive officer in 2023. Colleagues often spoke of his calm authority and deep institutional knowledge, qualities that earned him the affectionate nickname “Uncle Minks.”

Beyond party politics, he held senior government positions during the administration of President Ernest Bai Koroma, leaving a lasting imprint on public service and national governance.

His passing marks the end of an era for the APC and Sierra Leonean politics. To many, he was more than a political leader; he was a mentor, bridge-builder, and custodian of institutional memory whose influence spanned generations of politicians and party supporters.

As tributes continue to pour in from across the political divide, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to public service, his loyalty to his party, and his enduring contribution to Sierra Leone’s democratic journey.

May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire future generations of leaders.