By Sylvester Samai
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is deeply divided and trapped between its traditional leaders, who have long been the face of the party, and a younger, more ambitious generation eager to assert their influence. The old guard, represented by figures such as President Bio and other senior members, has maintained control of the party’s leadership for decades. However, the younger generation, embodied by figures like Chief Minister David Sengeh, is increasingly asserting his presence within the party and demanding a more significant role in shaping the SLPP’s future.
This generational divide has resulted in growing tensions and competing visions for the party’s direction. The old guard, with its focus on continuity and traditional party structures, is often seen as resistant to change, while the younger generation seeks to modernize the party and push for more progressive policies. These competing factions are not only vying for control of the party’s internal structures but are also shaping the SLPP’s broader governance approach.
Perhaps the most significant manifestation of the SLPP’s internal struggles is the question of President Bio’s successor. As President Bio’s second term progresses, speculation is rife about who will take over the party’s leadership for the 2028 elections. The Chief Minister, David Sengeh, has emerged as a potential successor, but his rise to prominence has not been without controversy.
Sengeh, who represents the new generation of SLPP leaders, is seen by some as a fresh face who could revitalize the party. However, his ambition has also alienated many within the old guard, who view him as too inexperienced to lead the party in such a critical period. Moreover, his close relationship with President Bio’s administration has raised questions about whether he can truly offer a new direction for the SLPP or if he is simply a continuation of Bio’s leadership style.
Adding to the complexity is the position of First Lady Fatima Bio, who has become a powerful figure in her own right within the party. Some have speculated that she, too, harbors political ambitions, and this has further complicated the party’s internal dynamics. The relationship between the First Lady and Chief Minister Sengeh has become a source of intrigue, with rumors of behind-the-scenes power struggles and rivalries. This infighting, if not addressed, could lead to a significant weakening of the SLPP as it approaches the next elections.
In addition to the generational and leadership struggles, the SLPP is also grappling with regional and tribal factionalism. The party has historically drawn most of its support from the Mende ethnic group in the southern and eastern parts of the country. However, in recent years, there has been growing discontent among members of the party from other regions and ethnic groups, particularly the Temne-dominated north.
This tribal factionalism has created a sense of exclusion among some SLPP members, leading to accusations that the party is more concerned with serving the interests of a select few rather than governing for the entire country. This perception of tribal favoritism has been a significant factor in the party’s declining support in certain areas and has contributed to the erosion of its national appeal.
Beyond its internal struggles, one of the most significant challenges facing the SLPP is its failure to deliver on the promises it made during its 2018 and 2023 campaigns. When the party came to power, it did on a platform of hope, change, and progress, promising to address the country’s most pressing issues. However, six years into its governance, many of these promises remain unfulfilled, and public frustration is growing.
One of the key promises of the SLPP was to revive Sierra Leone’s struggling economy. When Bio came to power in 2018, he inherited an economy in dire straits, plagued by high levels of debt, unemployment, and inflation. The SLPP promised to implement reforms that would stimulate growth, create jobs, and improve living standards for ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
However, the reality has been far from the optimistic vision painted by the party during the campaign. The country’s economy has continued to struggle, with high unemployment rates, rising inflation, and a significant debt burden. The government’s efforts to attract foreign investment have been largely unsuccessful, and key industries such as mining and agriculture have failed to generate the growth needed to turn the economy around.
Moreover, the SLPP’s much-touted “Free Quality Education” initiative, while a noble endeavor, has been criticized for its poor implementation. Many schools remain under-resourced, and the quality of education has not improved significantly. Teachers are still underpaid, and the curriculum is outdated, failing to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in the modern economy.
Another major promise of the SLPP was to tackle corruption and improve governance in Sierra Leone. During the 2018 election campaign, Bio positioned himself as a leader who would root out corruption and hold public officials accountable. However, six years later, corruption remains a pervasive problem in the country, and there are growing accusations that the SLPP itself has been complicit in corrupt practices.
The government’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), while making some high-profile arrests, has been criticized for its selective approach to tackling corruption. There is a widespread perception that the ACC is being used as a political tool to target opponents of the SLPP, while members of the ruling party are allowed to operate with impunity. This has undermined public trust in the government’s ability to address corruption and has contributed to the growing sense of disillusionment with the SLPP.
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of the SLPP’s governance has been its erosion of democratic institutions and norms. Since coming to power, the Bio administration has been accused of undermining the country’s democratic processes, using state institutions to suppress dissent and consolidate power.
One of the most notable examples of this has been the government’s handling of the judiciary and the press. There have been numerous reports of political interference in the judiciary, with judges being pressured to deliver rulings favorable to the government. This has raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary and its ability to act as a check on executive power.
Similarly, the SLPP has been accused of stifling press freedom, with journalists and media outlets that criticize the government facing harassment, intimidation, and legal action. This crackdown on the press has created a chilling effect on public discourse and has made it more difficult for Sierra Leoneans to hold their leaders accountable.
One of the hallmark initiatives of the SLPP’s governance has been the “Feed Salone” project, aimed at achieving food security and reducing the country’s reliance on imported goods. This project was supposed to be a key pillar of the SLPP’s economic strategy, providing jobs and boosting local agriculture.
However, the project has largely failed to deliver on its promises. Many farmers have complained that they have not received the support they were promised, and there has been little improvement in the country’s agricultural output. Sierra Leone continues to import a significant portion of its food, and prices for basic commodities remain high, placing a significant burden on ordinary citizens.
The SLPP’s internal power struggles and its failure to deliver on key promises have significant implications for the party’s political future. As the country approaches the next general elections in 2028, the SLPP’s prospects of retaining power are increasingly uncertain.
Perhaps the most immediate consequence of the SLPP’s governance failures is the erosion of public trust in the party. When Bio came to power in 2018, he did so with a mandate to bring about change and improve the lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans. However, six years later, many feel that the party has not lived up to its promises, and there is growing disillusionment with the SLPP’s ability to govern effectively.
This erosion of trust is particularly evident among younger voters, who were a key constituency for the SLPP in 2018. Many of these voters are now disillusioned with the party’s inability to address their concerns, such as unemployment, poor education, and corruption. If the SLPP is to have any hope of retaining power in 2028, it will need to rebuild its relationship with this critical demographic.
The SLPP’s struggles have created an opening for opposition movements, particularly the All People’s Congress (APC), which has capitalized on the growing public dissatisfaction with the government. The APC, led by figures such as Samura Kamara, has been positioning itself as the alternative to the SLPP, promising to address the very issues the Bio administration has failed to resolve, such as economic instability, corruption, and democratic backsliding.
Additionally, smaller political movements and civil society groups have begun to organize in response to the SLPP’s perceived failures. These groups are increasingly vocal about the need for reform and are gaining traction, especially among disillusioned youth and marginalized communities. While they may not yet pose a direct electoral threat to the SLPP, their influence is growing, and they could play a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape leading up to the 2028 elections.
If the SLPP hopes to avoid electoral defeat in 2028, it must confront its internal challenges head-on. The first step is resolving the power struggle between the old guard and the new generation of leaders. The party cannot afford to remain divided, especially as it faces increasing pressure from the electorate and the opposition. Whether through compromise or a clear succession plan, the SLPP needs to present a united front to regain the public’s confidence.
In addition to resolving its leadership disputes, the SLPP must address the more substantive criticisms of its governance. This includes taking meaningful steps to tackle corruption, reviving the economy, and improving the quality of life for ordinary Sierra Leoneans. The party must also work to restore the integrity of democratic institutions, ensuring that the judiciary, press, and other pillars of democracy are allowed to function independently.
A key focus must also be the SLPP’s flagship initiatives like the “Free Quality Education” and “Feed Salone” programs, which have been critical to its appeal. If the SLPP can rectify the shortcomings in these projects, ensuring they reach their full potential, it may still have a chance to salvage its reputation before the next election.
The Sierra Leone People’s Party is at a crossroads. The internal divisions, leadership battles, broken promises, and governance failures have left it vulnerable, with its future in question. While the party still has time to course-correct, doing so will require addressing its fundamental problems head-on—resolving factional disputes, delivering on economic and social promises, and restoring democratic integrity.
For many Sierra Leoneans, the promises of 2018 and 2023 remain unfulfilled, and the party’s window to regain trust is closing. If the SLPP does not rise to the challenge and deliver meaningful change, it may find itself out of power in 2028, leaving Sierra Leone’s political future open for new leadership and direction.