A public rift between the Sierra Leone’s people’s Party(SLPP) and Musa Tarawally has sent a big signal that all is not well within and among the ranks and file of the party. The contradiction between the National Chairman and the party’s Secretary General is a case in point.
These disagreement exposes raw tensions within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) as it navigates a delicate succession ahead of the 2028 general elections, with President Bio constitutionally barred from seeking another term.
Tarawally asserted that President Bio would never communicate such a message to party officials, adding that “Jimmy Batilo knew exactly what the President said”. According to the Secretary General, the President has repeatedly insisted that the party’s delegates must decide who succeeds him.
The clash of messages came months after Tarawally clarified eligibility rules under the 2020 SLPP’s Constitution, naming only a limited number of members currently qualified to contest based on Distinguished Grand Chief Patron status and dues requirements. He has also called for constitutional amendments to widen the pool of candidates.
Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh has previously aligned himself with the party’s Chairman’s position, stating on Facebook that the party would be “100% guided by whatever H.E. President Bio” decides.
Currently, what is making the news is the annulment of Musa Tarawally’s SLPP membership, which obviously will be legally tested in court.
Political observers view the exchange between the SLPP and Musa Tarawally as part of broader internal discussions over the balance between leadership guidance and grassroots decision-making as the SLPP looks ahead to selecting its candidate for the next presidential race.
