As Sierra Leone gradually approaches another decisive general election in 2028, the political lessons emerging from the United States midterm elections should serve as an important warning to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) as economic performance, particularly the rising cost of living, can become a powerful determinant of electoral success or failure.
For any government seeking re-election, political achievements, infrastructure projects, development promises and carefully crafted political messages may not be enough to convince voters when their everyday economic realities tell a different story.
The message is simple: voters may appreciate newly constructed bridges, roads, schools and other infrastructure, but when they struggle to afford fuel, rice, electricity, transportation and other basic necessities, their economic frustrations can easily overshadow those achievements.
This is a political reality the SLPP must take seriously as the country moves towards the next general elections.
The American midterm elections provide an important illustration of how economic concerns can shape voters’ decisions, even in a country with a powerful economy, established democratic institutions and significant infrastructure. Although the political circumstances of the United States differ considerably from those of Sierra Leone, the underlying lesson remains relevant: elections are not simply referendums on government announcements or completed projects; they are also judgments on how people experience governance in their daily lives.
For ordinary Sierra Leoneans, the most immediate measure of economic performance is not necessarily the number of roads commissioned or bridges officially opened. It is whether their incomes can sustain their families, whether food prices are affordable, whether transportation costs are manageable and whether businesses can operate without unbearable financial pressure.
A government may point to development projects as evidence of progress, but a struggling household may have a different assessment of national development.
One of the greatest challenges facing the SLPP administration is the economic pressure experienced by ordinary citizens. The prices of essential commodities, including rice, fuel and other household necessities, remain central to public discussions about economic conditions.
For many families, surviving from one month to another has become a daily struggle. Workers receiving salaries, small business owners, market women, commercial drivers and young people seeking employment all experience the effects of economic difficulties differently.
When fuel prices increase, transportation costs are affected. When transportation becomes expensive, the prices of goods and services often follow. When the cost of rice and other basic commodities rises, the purchasing power of ordinary citizens declines.
These are not merely economic statistics to be discussed at government press conferences. They are realities that directly influence how citizens evaluate the performance of those in power.
The SLPP must therefore understand that political communication cannot permanently compensate for economic hardship. Explaining government achievements is important, but delivering tangible improvements in people’s living conditions is even more important.
President Julius Maada Bio’s administration may point to investments in roads, bridges, education, agriculture and other development programmes as evidence of its achievements. Such projects deserve recognition where they have delivered measurable benefits to communities.
However, the existence of infrastructure does not automatically translate into electoral satisfaction.
A newly constructed road may improve connectivity, but a commercial driver struggling with fuel prices may still question the economic benefits of government policies. A bridge may reduce travelling time, but a family unable to afford basic food items may not consider it the most pressing achievement.
This does not mean infrastructure development is unimportant. Rather, it demonstrates that development must be measured not only by what government builds but also by how much people’s lives improve.
The SLPP should be particularly concerned about the gap that can emerge between official economic narratives and the experiences of ordinary citizens. When government celebrates economic progress while citizens continue to complain about declining purchasing power, public confidence can gradually weaken.
As the 2028 elections approach, the SLPP must recognise that voters will increasingly demand accountability for promises made and policies implemented during its time in office.
Political loyalty, party structures, campaign slogans and historical achievements may influence voting decisions, but they cannot entirely eliminate the importance of economic realities.
The opposition will undoubtedly use the cost of living, unemployment, economic management and other governance concerns to challenge the ruling party. Whether those arguments translate into electoral gains will depend partly on the government’s ability to address the concerns before voters make their decisions.
The SLPP should therefore prioritise policies that reduce the burden on households, strengthen the purchasing power of workers, create sustainable employment opportunities, support local businesses and improve agricultural productivity.
Government must also communicate honestly about economic challenges rather than presenting every development as an unquestionable success. Citizens are more likely to appreciate transparency and realistic solutions than political statements that appear disconnected from their experiences.
The American midterm elections should remind political leaders that occupying government does not automatically guarantee continued public support. Voters have the power to reward or punish political parties based on their assessment of governance.
For Sierra Leone, the lesson is particularly important. The 2028 general elections will provide citizens with another opportunity to assess the SLPP’s record in office, including its management of the economy and its response to the challenges confronting ordinary households.
The ruling party must not assume that the commissioning of bridges, roads and other infrastructure projects will automatically secure another electoral victory. Neither should it underestimate the political consequences of rising living costs and widespread economic dissatisfaction.
Ultimately, voters will not only ask what the government has constructed but also what it has done to make life more affordable.
The SLPP still has an opportunity to address these concerns, restore public confidence and demonstrate that its development agenda can translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
The 2028 elections may therefore be decided not only by political campaigns and promises, but by the economic experiences of ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
For the SLPP, the warning is clear: a government may build bridges and roads, but if citizens cannot afford to cross those bridges because transportation is too expensive, or cannot afford the basic necessities of life, the political consequences could be costly.