Politics in Sierra Leone has long been a contest not only of power but also of perception. Today, the All People’s Congress (APC), still smarting from its loss of power in 2018, finds itself in an unusual position—watching closely as the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) stumbles through a minefield of unfulfilled promises, systemic collapse, and growing public dissatisfaction. To many, the APC appears to be quietly taking notes, cataloging every blunder of the ruling party, and preparing to weaponize these failures for political gains ahead of the 2028 elections.
A Nation Tired of Broken Promises:
When President Julius Maada Bio and the SLPP came to power, Sierra Leoneans were promised Free Quality Education, food security through “Feed Salone,” economic revival, and institutional reforms. Six years on, much of that optimism has withered away. Parents complain that so-called “free” education still comes with heavy hidden charges. The economy is suffocating under inflation and joblessness. Institutions meant to protect democracy are crumbling under partisanship.
For ordinary Sierra Leoneans, the narrative is one of betrayal. For the APC, however, it is an opportunity. Every grievance of the people becomes a note in their political playbook. Every blunder of the SLPP strengthens their campaign arsenal for the battles to come.
APC’s Silent Strategy:
Unlike in the past, when opposition parties would launch aggressive campaigns long before elections, the APC seems to be practicing restraint this time. Its leaders are strategically silent, allowing the SLPP to dig deeper into its own failures. The logic is simple: why interrupt an opponent who is destroying himself?
This approach is deliberate. By staying relatively quiet and avoiding constant criticism, the APC is positioning itself as the “alternative” without appearing desperate. Its strategists understand that public anger against the SLPP is a stronger campaign message than anything they could manufacture.
The Education Gamble:
The SLPP’s flagship “Free Quality Education” policy was supposed to cement Bio’s legacy. Yet, it has instead exposed the government’s weaknesses. Parents still pay for levies, uniforms, and exam fees. Teachers are frustrated by low or delayed salaries. Schools lack proper resources, and the quality of teaching is questionable.
The APC is quietly documenting these failings. Come campaign time, they will not need to say much—the people’s own experience of disillusionment in the classroom will be the evidence.
Economic Hardship as Campaign Fuel:
The economy remains the biggest thorn in SLPP’s side. Food prices are soaring, unemployment is high, and the cost of living unbearable. The “Feed Salone” project has become a punchline rather than a policy.
The APC is watching, waiting, and building narratives around this pain. Every time a market woman complains about rice prices, every time a young graduate wanders jobless, the APC’s chances of reclaiming power grow stronger. The failures of SLPP’s economic policies serve as ready-made talking points for the opposition.
Democracy on the Decline:
Another area where the SLPP has opened itself to attack is democracy. Accusations of electoral manipulation, intimidation of opposition voices, and the muzzling of critical media have all damaged Bio’s promise of inclusivity.
The APC is keenly aware that Sierra Leoneans have a deep attachment to democracy after years of civil war and authoritarian rule. Any government seen as undermining democracy risks alienating the people. For the APC, it is another page in their notes—a ready accusation that the SLPP is dragging Sierra Leone back into the shadows.
The Risk of Overreliance:
But there is a danger in the APC’s strategy of “waiting and watching.” Sierra Leoneans are not just angry at SLPP; they also remember APC’s own failures when it was in power. Corruption, nepotism, and mismanagement under APC are still fresh in people’s minds.
If the APC relies solely on SLPP’s downfall without presenting a clear and credible alternative, they risk being seen as the “lesser evil” rather than a true solution. Sierra Leoneans are increasingly frustrated with both parties and may demand a new direction.
Learning from Mistakes—or Repeating Them?
The APC’s greatest task is not just to capitalize on SLPP’s failures but to demonstrate that it has learned from its own mistakes. Can it present a genuine plan for education reform, economic recovery, and institutional strengthening? Can it show humility, accountability, and readiness to serve?
If the APC fails to do this, the people may view the 2028 election as a choice between two failed parties—green or red—with no real hope for transformation.
The Political Calculation:
Politics is often about timing. Right now, the APC is timing its moves carefully. With every passing month of hardship under SLPP, the opposition’s stock rises. Yet the party knows that Sierra Leoneans are weary of recycled promises. To truly win hearts, the APC must go beyond noting SLPP’s blunders; it must provide credible answers.
The political calculation is simple: let the SLPP collapse under its own weight while slowly rebuilding trust with the people. But trust is fragile. It will not come from silence alone. It must come from action, vision, and a willingness to admit past mistakes.
Sierra Leone today is a nation caught between disappointment and hope. The SLPP’s failures are clear, and the APC is watching them closely, waiting for the right moment to strike politically. But the people’s patience is thin. They are tired of failures dressed as promises.
The APC may gain political advantage from SLPP’s blunders, but true victory will only come if they prove they are not just another cycle of disappointment. Sierra Leoneans want more than recycled slogans and old faces; they want leadership that can deliver.
In the end, both APC and SLPP must understand that the people’s trust is no longer guaranteed. It must be earned. For the APC, watching is not enough; they must also act, or risk being remembered as just another party that thrived on the failures of others without providing genuine change.