In 2018 under President Julius Maada Bio, the SLPP swept into power and many expectations soared. After years of APC rule, many Sierra Leoneans believed that the SLPP would usher in a new dawn of governance, accountability, and prosperity. They promised transformation—free quality education, economic growth, food security, infrastructure, justice sector reforms, and the strengthening of democracy. Today, seven years on, the harsh reality paints a very different picture. The SLPP’s scorecard is nothing short of failure, and sadly, there is little to no hope that the remaining years of their tenure will yield better results.
The Economy: A Country in Crisis:
One of the most glaring failures of the SLPP administration is its economic management. Inflation is at record highs, the Leone has been battered against the dollar, and basic commodities have become unbearably expensive for ordinary Sierra Leoneans. Food insecurity has reached alarming levels, with hunger becoming a daily reality. The government’s much-publicized Feed Salone project has turned into another slogan with no meaningful delivery. Instead of empowering farmers with resources and markets, the country remains heavily dependent on imported rice and foreign aid. For a government that promised self-sufficiency, this is a glaring betrayal.
Free Quality Education: A Grand Scam?
The flagship policy of the SLPP has been the Free Quality Education (FQE) initiative. While the idea was laudable, the implementation has been abysmal. Classrooms remain overcrowded, teaching materials are inadequate, and teachers continue to complain of poor salaries and late payments. The quality of education has sharply declined, evident in the poor performance of pupils in public examinations. Parents, who initially celebrated the program, now whisper in frustration that the so-called “free” education is riddled with hidden costs and compromised standards. Instead of laying a strong foundation for the next generation, the SLPP has weakened the very fabric of education.
Infrastructure: Dreams Deferred:
In seven years, Sierra Leoneans are still asking: Where is the Lungi Bridge? This project, once touted as a landmark of Bio’s presidency, has become a political mirage. Roads in the provinces remain in disrepair, and electricity supply is still unreliable. Freetown continues to grapple with water shortages, and rural communities remain trapped in underdevelopment. Infrastructure is the bedrock of growth, but the SLPP has failed to deliver even on their most basic promises.
Governance and Corruption: A Rotten Core:
The Bio government pledged to fight corruption, but seven years on, Sierra Leone is still ranked among the most corrupt nations. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), instead of being an independent watchdog, is perceived as a political tool used to harass opposition members while shielding those within the ruling party. Cases of mismanagement, procurement scandals, and financial impropriety are rampant. Instead of strengthening democratic institutions, the government has suffocated them with political interference. The rule of law has been undermined, and the checks and balances that sustain democracy have been compromised.
Democracy under Threat:
One of the most dangerous legacies of the SLPP’s seven years is the steady erosion of democracy. From the disputed 2023 elections to the silencing of opposition voices, Sierra Leone has drifted closer to authoritarianism. The violent crackdown on protestors, the intimidation of journalists, and the shrinking of civic space tell a story of a government more interested in clinging to power than in listening to its citizens. Democracy thrives on accountability and tolerance, but under Bio, those values have been sacrificed on the altar of political survival.
Social Decay: Kush, Crime, and Hopelessness:
Perhaps the most heartbreaking failure of the SLPP era is the decay in Sierra Leone’s social fabric. The rise of kush, a cheap and destructive drug, has destroyed thousands of young lives. Crime rates are increasing, unemployment remains stubbornly high, and hopelessness defines the mood of the youth. The government has done little to address these social challenges, instead resorting to empty rhetoric while communities continue to suffer.
The People’s Verdict: A Failed Regime:
After seven years, Sierra Leoneans have seen enough. The economy is in tatters, hunger is widespread, education is collapsing, corruption is endemic, democracy is under siege, and social decay is worsening. The SLPP has failed in virtually every sector of governance. Their promises have not only been broken; they have been mocked by the harsh reality of life under their rule.
No Hope in Remaining Years:
Some may argue that the SLPP still has time to redeem itself. But judging from their track record, there is no indication that this government can turn the tide. Their priorities are misplaced, their policies are inconsistent, and their leadership is uninspiring. If seven years have produced nothing but regression, how can Sierra Leoneans realistically expect miracles in the remaining years?
The SLPP has had its chance, and it has failed. History will judge this government not by the slogans it coined, but by the suffering it inflicted on its people. The verdict of Sierra Leoneans is clear: the SLPP has failed the nation. As the clock ticks toward the end of their tenure, Sierra Leoneans must begin to chart a new course. The future cannot be left in the hands of a party that has proven incapable of delivering hope, prosperity, or justice.