Musa Tarawally Crosses SLPP’s Red Line
*Challenges Banning as SLPP Member
* Threatens Legal Action
*Moses Mambu Reaffirms Party’s Position
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has publicly clarified its position regarding the political status of Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally, with National Publicity Secretary Moses Mambu stating that Tarawally is not recognised by the party as a member authorised to represent himself under the SLPP banner.
The clarification comes amid an increasingly public disagreement over Tarawally’s relationship with the SLPP and his political activities ahead of the 2028 elections.
In a public notice issued by the Office of the National Publicity Secretary on September 19, 2026, the SLPP directed its executives, members, supporters, businesses and the wider public to refrain from conducting official business with Tarawally in the name of the party unless such engagement has been expressly authorised by the appropriate party leadership.
The notice further stated that individuals or organisations are not authorised to use the SLPP’s name, logo, authority or organisational structures in connection with Tarawally without approval from the party.
According to the position attributed to Moses Sellu Mambu, the matter is not simply about political differences but about who is officially authorised to speak, act and conduct business on behalf of the Sierra Leone People’s Party.
A Growing Membership Dispute
The controversy has generated significant public discussion because Tarawally has maintained a different position. In his response to the SLPP leadership, he disputed the claim that he is not an SLPP member and reportedly presented documentation which he says demonstrates his continued membership, including membership and subscription records.
Musa Tarawally has also maintained that he resigned from the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) in June 2018 and subsequently became associated with the SLPP. The dispute therefore involves competing claims about his political membership history and the authority of the respective party officials to determine his current status.
The SLPP leadership, however, has publicly taken the position that Tarawally should not present himself as an authorised representative, member or presidential aspirant of the party.
Moses Mambu’s Message to the Public
The statement from Moses Sellu Mambu places particular emphasis on protecting the identity, structures and official authority of the SLPP.
The party has therefore called on members of the public, businesses, development partners and other stakeholders to verify any engagement purportedly conducted on behalf of the SLPP before entering into official transactions or political arrangements involving Tarawally.
This position means that the question of Tarawally’s political status is no longer confined to internal party discussions. It has become a matter of public political debate, particularly as parties begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2028 electoral cycle.
What Happens Next?
The continuing disagreement could ultimately require clarification through the appropriate party mechanisms or, if formally taken forward, through the relevant political-party regulatory or legal processes.
For now, the public record contains two competing positions: the SLPP leadership says Tarawally is not recognised as an SLPP member authorised to represent the party, while Tarawally maintains that he remains a legitimate, paid-up member of the SLPP. The dispute therefore remains politically significant, particularly because of Tarawally’s stated interest in the SLPP’s 2028 flagbearer process.
As the matter develops, attention will remain focused on the SLPP leadership, Tarawally’s response, and any determination that may subsequently come from the appropriate party or regulatory authorities.
