By Sylvester Samai
Sierra Leone, with all its rich cultural diversity and abundant natural resources, has for decades struggled to achieve sustained political stability, socio-economic development, and national unity. At the heart of this struggle lies a pervasive issue—tribal politics. Tribalism has been a persistent force shaping political dynamics, impacting governance, and exacerbating divisions in the country. Under President Julius Maada Bio’s current regime, the issue of tribal politics has reached new levels of prominence, further entrenching societal divisions and jeopardizing the country’s prospects for unity and development.
Tribalism, the identification and loyalty to a particular ethnic group, has played a significant role in Sierra Leone’s political landscape since independence in 1961. The country is home to over 16 ethnic groups, with the Temne and Mende being the largest. These two groups have historically dominated political power, with the Mende largely associated with the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the Temne with the All People’s Congress (APC). This division has led to tribal loyalties often overshadowing national interests, fostering a culture where political allegiances are more about ethnic identity than policy or vision.
From the era of Sir Milton Margai, the first Prime Minister, to the rule of Siaka Stevens and beyond, Sierra Leone’s politics has been marked by tribal favoritism. Leaders have often used tribal affiliations as a tool to consolidate power, reward loyalty, and marginalize opposition groups. This trend has continued to play out in modern politics, with parties drawing support largely based on ethnic lines, further entrenching divisions.
Since his ascension to power in 2018, President Julius Maada Bio’s administration has faced persistent accusations of deepening tribal divisions in the country. The SLPP, under Bio’s leadership, has been accused of perpetuating a form of governance that prioritizes ethnic allegiances, with a particular bias toward the Mende ethnic group, to which Bio belongs. This perception has been bolstered by the administration’s appointments to key government positions, which many argue disproportionately favor individuals from the Mende ethnic group, sidelining other tribes, particularly the Temne and Limba, who are largely aligned with the APC.
One of the most glaring examples of tribal politics under the Bio regime has been the pattern of political appointments. Many critics argue that key positions in the government, civil service, security apparatus, and public institutions have been filled based on tribal affiliations rather than merit. The dominance of Mende individuals in these positions has been interpreted by many as an effort by the Bio administration to consolidate power within his ethnic base.
While it is not uncommon for political leaders to reward loyalists with government positions, the extent to which this has been done under Bio’s regime has fueled resentment among non-Mende ethnic groups. This has created a perception of exclusion and marginalization among the Temne, Limba, and other ethnic groups, reinforcing divisions that undermine national cohesion.
Tribal politics has also had a profound impact on electoral politics in Sierra Leone. The SLPP and APC, the two major political parties, have historically relied on ethnic voting blocs to secure power. Under Bio’s regime, the reliance on tribal identities to garner electoral support has intensified. The 2018 presidential election, which saw Bio ascend to power, was marked by strong ethnic voting patterns, with the southern and eastern regions, predominantly inhabited by Mende people, overwhelmingly voting for the SLPP, while the northern regions, dominated by Temne and Limba, largely supported the APC.
This trend of ethnic voting poses a significant challenge to democratic governance in Sierra Leone, as it reduces elections to a battle of tribal affiliations rather than policy choices or competence. It also deepens divisions between ethnic groups, making it difficult to foster national unity in the aftermath of elections. As political leaders increasingly appeal to tribal loyalties to secure electoral victories, they inadvertently erode the sense of national identity and solidarity needed to build a cohesive and prosperous nation.
One of the most concerning effects of tribal politics under Bio’s regime has been the marginalization of non-Mende ethnic groups, particularly in regions where the SLPP holds significant influence. In the north and northwest, where the APC traditionally draws its support, there have been widespread reports of discrimination in access to government services, resources, and opportunities. Individuals from non-Mende ethnic groups have often reported being sidelined in job opportunities, government contracts, and other state benefits, simply because of their ethnic background.
This marginalization has exacerbated feelings of alienation and disenfranchisement among non-Mende ethnic groups, particularly the Temne and Limba. These feelings of exclusion have the potential to fuel political unrest, as marginalized groups may resort to protest or even violence to assert their rights and demand inclusion in the governance of the country. Furthermore, the marginalization of certain ethnic groups undermines efforts to build a merit-based society, where opportunities are available to all citizens regardless of their ethnic background.
Perhaps the most detrimental effect of tribal politics under Bio’s regime is the threat it poses to national unity. Sierra Leone’s history is already marred by ethnic divisions, which played a role in fueling the civil war that devastated the country between 1991 and 2002. While the country has made significant strides in post-war recovery, the resurgence of tribal politics threatens to unravel the progress that has been made in fostering national cohesion.
Under Bio’s leadership, the rhetoric of tribalism has often been used to rally political support, with leaders from both the SLPP and APC framing their campaigns in terms of ethnic identities. This rhetoric not only deepens divisions between the country’s major ethnic groups but also alienates smaller tribes, who often feel caught in the middle of the political battle between the Mende and Temne. The result is a fractured society, where ethnic loyalties take precedence over national identity, making it difficult to build a sense of collective purpose and common destiny.
The persistence of tribal politics also complicates efforts to implement inclusive policies that benefit all Sierra Leoneans. When political decisions are made based on ethnic considerations, it becomes challenging to pursue policies that prioritize the national interest over the interests of a particular group. This dynamic has been evident in the Bio administration’s handling of key issues such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development, where accusations of ethnic favoritism have overshadowed the government’s policy achievements.
To address the pernicious effects of tribal politics in Sierra Leone, particularly under the Bio regime, several measures need to be implemented. These include:
Strengthening National Institutions: Strong and independent institutions are crucial for reducing the influence of tribal politics in Sierra Leone’s governance system. Institutions such as the judiciary, civil service and electoral commission must be depoliticized and made more representative of the country’s diverse ethnic makeup. This will ensure that government appointments and decision-making processes are based on merit rather than tribal affiliations.
Promoting Inclusive Governance: The Bio administration must make a concerted effort to include individuals from all ethnic groups in government and public institutions. This can be achieved through transparent recruitment processes, where positions are awarded based on competence and qualifications rather than ethnic background.
Fostering National Unity: Political leaders must move away from using tribal rhetoric to rally political support and to focus on developing messages that promote national unity. This can be done through public campaigns that emphasize the importance of national identity over ethnic identity, as well as by implementing policies that benefit all citizens, regardless of their tribal background.
Civic Education: The government and civil society organizations should invest in civic education programs that promote the values of democracy, inclusivity, and national unity. By educating citizens about the dangers of tribalism and the importance of voting based on policy rather than ethnicity, Sierra Leone can begin to move away from the politics of division.
Ethnic Reconciliation: Sierra Leone must embark on a process of ethnic reconciliation, where historical grievances between different ethnic groups are addressed, and efforts are made to heal the wounds caused by decades of tribal politics. This process could include truth-telling initiatives, dialogues between ethnic leaders, and programs that promote inter-ethnic cooperation and understanding.
Conclusively, tribal politics remains one of the most significant challenges facing Sierra Leone today. Under the current regime of President Julius Maada Bio, the issue has become more pronounced, threatening national unity, democratic governance, and socio-economic development. If Sierra Leone is to overcome this challenge, it will require the collective efforts of political leaders, civil society, and ordinary citizens to build a society where ethnic identity does not determine one’s access to power or opportunity. Only by addressing the root causes of tribalism can Sierra Leone hope to achieve lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.