By Cyllo Wise
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), founded in 1951, is one of Sierra Leone’s oldest and most influential political parties. It has played a significant role in the country’s political landscape, contributing to Sierra Leone’s journey towards independence and holding power at various points in the nation’s history. However, the SLPP has long faced criticism that it primarily serves the interests of the south-eastern region of Sierra Leone, particularly the Mende ethnic group, which is dominant in that area. This perception has fuelled ethnic and regional tensions and influenced the dynamics of Sierra Leonean politics. This article explores whether the SLPP truly represents only the south-eastern region of Sierra Leone, delving into its historical roots, electoral strategies, and the broader implications of regional and ethnic affiliations in Sierra Leonean politics.
The SLPP was established by a group of educated elites from the Protectorate (the rural areas of Sierra Leone, outside the Colony of Freetown) in response to what they perceived as the marginalization of their interests by the colonial administration, which favoured the Creole elites of Freetown. The party’s foundation was rooted in the Protectorate, with a strong base among the Mende people of the south and East, who have traditionally formed the backbone of the SLPP’s support.
When Sierra Leone gained independence in 1961, the SLPP, under the leadership of Sir Milton Margai, became the country’s first ruling party. Margai’s government attempted to bridge the gap between the Colony and the Protectorate, fostering a sense of national unity. However, after his death in 1964, the SLPP faced internal divisions and eventually lost power to the All People’s Congress (APC) in 1967. This marked the beginning of a long period of APC dominance, during which the SLPP was often side lined and its support base in the southeast became even more pronounced.
Sierra Leone’s political landscape has been characterized by a stark regional and ethnic divide, with the SLPP drawing its core support from the southeast, particularly the Mende-speaking areas, while the APC has traditionally been dominant in the northern and western regions, where the Temne and Limba ethnic groups are predominant. This division has led to a political culture in which parties are often perceived as ethnic or regional vehicles rather than national institutions representing all Sierra Leoneans.
The notion that the SLPP is “for South easterners only” is rooted in this regionalization. The party’s stronghold in the southeast has sometimes led to the perception that it governs with a bias towards its base, prioritizing the interests of the Mende-speaking population at the expense of other regions. This perception has been exacerbated by the political rhetoric and actions of both the SLPP and its rivals, as well as the ethnic composition of the party’s leadership and its electoral strategies.
Over the years, the SLPP has employed electoral strategies that reflect its regional base. The party’s leadership and key candidates have often been drawn from the southeast, particularly from the Mende ethnic group. For instance, Sir Milton Margai, Albert Margai, Tejan Kabbah, and Julius Maada Bio, all of whom have led the SLPP and served as presidents of Sierra Leone, hail from the south-eastern region. This trend has reinforced the perception that the SLPP is primarily a south-eastern party.
Electoral campaigns in Sierra Leone are often marked by appeals to regional and ethnic loyalties. Political parties, including the SLPP, have sometimes capitalized on these loyalties to mobilize voters. In many cases, this has meant focusing on their strongholds while making limited efforts to reach out to voters in regions dominated by rival parties. This approach has deepened the regional divide and contributed to the perception that the SLPP is not genuinely interested in representing the entire nation.
Ethnicity plays a significant role in Sierra Leonean politics, influencing voting patterns, party affiliations, and political alliances. The Mende people, who dominate the southeast, have historically been the primary supporters of the SLPP. This has led to the perception that the party is an ethnic institution, catering mainly to the interests of the Mende community.
However, it is essential to recognize that ethnicity is not the only factor shaping political behaviour in Sierra Leone. Socio-economic factors, local grievances, and individual leadership qualities also play crucial roles. While the SLPP has a strong base among the Mende, it has also sought to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional stronghold. For example, during the presidency of Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah (1996-2007), the SLPP made efforts to engage with communities in the north and west, although these efforts met with limited success.
The SLPP’s leadership has occasionally included individuals from other regions and ethnic groups, reflecting a degree of diversity within the party. However, these instances have often been overshadowed by the party’s strong association with the southeast and the Mende people. This has led to accusations that the SLPP is more concerned with maintaining its base than with fostering national unity.
The perception that the SLPP serves only the south-eastern region has also been shaped by its governance and policy focus when in power. Critics argue that SLPP-led governments have disproportionately allocated resources to the southeast, neglecting other parts of the country. For instance, some have pointed to infrastructure development projects, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities in the southeast as evidence of this bias.
However, proponents of the SLPP argue that the party’s focus on the southeast is a response to historical marginalization and underdevelopment in the region. They contend that the SLPP’s policies aim to address long-standing inequalities and bring about balanced development across the country. For example, during Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tejan Kabbah’s presidency, significant efforts were made to rebuild the war-torn southeast, which had suffered immensely during the civil war. These efforts were part of a broader national reconstruction plan, but they also served to reinforce the party’s support base in the southeast.
Despite its strong regional base, the SLPP has made attempts to present itself as a national party, committed to representing all Sierra Leoneans. This has been evident in its electoral manifestos, which typically include pledges to promote national unity, foster inclusive governance, and ensure equitable distribution of resources across the country.
The party’s leadership has also made efforts to reach out to voters in other regions, although these efforts have often been hampered by the deep-seated regional and ethnic divides in Sierra Leonean politics. For instance, in the 2018 presidential election, Julius Maada Bio sought to expand the SLPP’s appeal beyond the southeast by selecting a running mate, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who hails from the north. This move was intended to signal the SLPP’s commitment to national unity and to attract votes from the northern region. While the strategy had some success, it was not enough to fully overcome the perception that the SLPP is a south-eastern party.
The SLPP’s regional and ethnic affiliations have led to several challenges and criticisms. One significant challenge is the difficulty in governing a diverse nation like Sierra Leone, where ethnic and regional identities are deeply entrenched. The perception that the SLPP serves only the southeast can undermine its legitimacy in other parts of the country, making it harder to build broad-based support and implement national policies effectively.
Moreover, the emphasis on regional and ethnic identities in Sierra Leonean politics has contributed to a cycle of division and mistrust. Political leaders from all parties, including the SLPP, have at times used ethnic and regional rhetoric to mobilize their supporters, exacerbating tensions and hindering efforts to promote national unity. This has led to a situation where elections are often seen as zero-sum contests between competing regions and ethnic groups, rather than as opportunities to choose leaders who can advance the common good.
Critics also argue that the SLPP’s focus on its south-eastern base has limited its ability to address the needs and aspirations of Sierra Leoneans in other regions. This has led to accusations of neglect and favouritism, particularly in the north and west, where the APC has traditionally held sway. The perception of bias has, in turn, fuelled political polarization and made it more challenging to achieve consensus on critical national issues.
For the SLPP to evolve into a truly national party, it must address the perception that it serves only the south-eastern region. This will require a concerted effort to build bridges with other regions and ethnic groups, demonstrating a genuine commitment to inclusive governance and national unity.
One potential avenue for the SLPP to break free from regionalism is to focus on policy issues that resonate with all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of their ethnic or regional backgrounds. For example, the party could prioritize economic development, job creation, healthcare, education, and anti-corruption measures, which are concerns shared by citizens across the country. By addressing these issues in a way that benefits all regions equitably, the SLPP could help to reduce the importance of ethnic and regional identities in politics.
Another crucial step for the SLPP is to ensure that its leadership and candidates reflect the diversity of Sierra Leone. This means not only selecting leaders from different regions and ethnic groups but also fostering a culture of inclusivity within the party. By promoting a leadership team that represents the nation’s diversity, the SLPP can send a powerful message that it is committed to serving all Sierra Leoneans.
The SLPP can also engage in dialogue and reconciliation efforts to address the historical grievances that have fuelled regional and ethnic divisions. By acknowledging past mistakes and working to build trust with communities in other regions, the party can help to heal the wounds of division and foster a sense of national unity.
Civil society organizations and the media play a crucial role in challenging the regional and ethnic divisions that have long characterized Sierra Leonean politics. These entities can hold political parties, including the SLPP, accountable for their actions and rhetoric, encouraging them to adopt a more inclusive and nationalistic approach to governance.
Civil society groups can facilitate dialogue and reconciliation efforts across different regions, helping to bridge the divides that have historically fuelled mistrust and division. They can also advocate for policies that promote national unity and equitable development, ensuring that all Sierra Leoneans benefit from government initiatives regardless of their regional or ethnic background. Through their advocacy and community engagement, civil society organizations can help to shift the focus from regional and ethnic identities to the shared interests and aspirations of all citizens.
The media also has a critical role in shaping public perceptions of political parties and their leaders. By providing balanced and objective coverage of the SLPP’s activities and policies, the media can help to counteract the narrative that the party is only for South easterners. Journalists can highlight instances where the SLPP has made efforts to engage with other regions and can scrutinize the party’s claims to national representation. Additionally, the media can expose instances of bias or favouritism in the allocation of resources, holding the SLPP accountable to its pledges of inclusive governance.
Moreover, the media can contribute to educating the public about the dangers of regionalism and ethnic politics, promoting a more informed and engaged electorate. By fostering public debates on these issues, the media can encourage voters to prioritize policy over identity in their political choices, helping to create a political culture that values national unity over regional or ethnic loyalty.
The question of whether the SLPP is for South easterners only is a complex one, rooted in Sierra Leone’s history of regional and ethnic divisions. While the party’s origins and electoral strategies have strongly tied it to the southeast, particularly the Mende ethnic group, the SLPP has also made efforts to present itself as a national party committed to representing all Sierra Leoneans. However, these efforts have often been overshadowed by the deep-seated perception that the SLPP prioritizes the interests of its south-eastern base.
For the SLPP to truly break free from its regional associations and evolve into a party that represents the entire nation, it must address the challenges of ethnic and regional divisions head-on. This involves not only diversifying its leadership and broadening its policy focus but also engaging in sincere dialogue and reconciliation efforts to heal the historical wounds that have divided Sierra Leonean society.
The future of the SLPP, and indeed the future of Sierra Leone’s democracy, depends on the ability of political parties to transcend regional and ethnic loyalties and build a more inclusive and united nation. By focusing on the shared interests and aspirations of all Sierra Leoneans, the SLPP can help to foster a political culture that values national unity and collective progress over division and exclusion. Ultimately, the success of this endeavour will require the active participation of civil society, the media, and all citizens who are committed to building a better, more inclusive Sierra Leone.
