The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is showing increasing signs of internal cracks, with political observers warning that the party’s unity may be slipping ahead of the 2028 general elections which they could likely lose if the current momentum is not bridled sooner.
For months, murmurs of discontent have been echoing within the party’s ranks, but the situation appears to have worsened in recent weeks.
Last month, during the SLPP’s delegates’ conference, a seemingly harmless political chant — popularly referred to as the “Cocoa Roast” song — was introduced. However, instead of rallying party members around a shared cause, the song has ignited heated debates and triggered bitter feelings among different factions.
The tensions spilled into the public arena last Thursday when the song was reportedly sung in the Well of Parliament. What might have been intended as lighthearted political banter quickly escalated into controversy when the First Lady claimed she was being mocked through the lyrics and the context in which they were performed.
Party insiders say the fallout from this incident has further deepened mistrust within the SLPP, with senior members quietly accusing one another of stoking division for personal or factional gain. The once-solid unity of the ruling party now appears fragile, with whispers of a looming internal split growing louder.
Analysts believe the “Cocoa Roast” saga, though small on the surface, is symbolic of a broader problem — unchecked rivalries, poor internal conflict management, and competing ambitions that could cost the SLPP dearly in the next election cycle.
With 2028 fast approaching, many are wondering if the ruling party can repair its image and restore unity, or whether this song will be remembered as the opening note in a long, discordant march towards defeat.
