KKY Blackout Catches Cold
The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is facing a fresh wave of internal conflict, as tensions surrounding the 2028 flagbearer position threaten to ignite a full-scale political crisis within the party.
The latest rift erupted during the Eid al-Fitir prayers in Kambia, where the controversial former Sierra Leone’s ambassador to Guinea, popularly referred to as the “Cocaine Ambassador” due to lingering allegations linked to illicit narcotics issued a fiery ultimatum to the party’s leadership.
In his public address, the former disgraced diplomat brazenly declared that unless the SLPP selects current Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh as its Presidential candidate for the 2028 general elections, he would “set a dispute” within the party. His remarks, perceived by many as both defiant and incendiary, have sent shockwaves throughout the SLPP’s base and drawn sharp rebuke from top party figures.
Among the first to publicly respond was Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella (KKY), the current head of Sierra Leone’s energy sector—commonly dubbed the “KKY Blackout” by critics referencing the country’s persistent power challenges. In a swift and calculated rebuttal, Yumkella stated that he will escalate the issue to the highest echelons of the SLPP, urging the party’s leadership to deliberate urgently on what he described as a “reckless and destabilizing” threat from the disgraced former diplomat.
“This is not just about one man’s ambitions. It’s about the future of the SLPP,” KKY said in a brief but firm statement. “Such rhetoric risks undermining the party’s unity, stability, and the values we stand for. We cannot allow threats and intimidation to dictate our democratic processes.”
Party insiders report that a special meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) may soon be convened to address the growing discord. While some factions within the SLPP appear to be rallying around Vice President Juldeh Jalloh, others insist the party must allow a transparent and merit-based selection process for its next standard bearer.
Observers say this latest episode reflects the broader power struggle brewing beneath the surface as the SLPP prepares for a post-Bio political landscape. With President Julius Maada Bio constitutionally ineligible for a third term, the race to succeed him is heating up and the party now finds itself at a dangerous crossroads.
The “Cocaine Ambassador’s” controversial reemergence, coupled with Yumkella’s strong opposition, may only be the opening act in what could become a bitter and divisive battle for the heart and soul of the SLPP.
Will party discipline prevail or are the flames of internal rebellion about to consume one of Sierra Leone’s most dominant political forces?
