By Mohamed Kamara
A recent statement made by the newly elected Chairman of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Mr. Batilo Songa, has drawn sharp reactions from members of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), reigniting political tensions and raising public concern over the spirit of national unity.
The controversy stems from remarks by Mr. Songa that some APC figures have interpreted as a sign of the SLPP’s readiness to manipulate the 2028 general elections. In response, senior APC member Minkailu Koroma warned that the country could become “ungovernable” if the elections are rigged—an expression that echoes the pre-election rhetoric of 2007 and 2018.
Observers fear the escalating verbal exchanges between the two dominant political parties could undermine the recently signed Tripartite Agreement, which was intended to strengthen peace, unity, and democratic dialogue following the disputed 2023 elections.
Businesswoman Madam Isata Kargbo of Wellington expressed her frustration over what she described as “recycled hostility” between the SLPP and APC. “They never physically attack each other, but they use words to provoke ordinary people into conflict,” she said. “It was this same rhetoric that cost me my son in his second year at university.”
Similarly, Mr. Bu Manual Tucker, a teacher at Class A Senior Secondary School in Freetown, lamented the renewed hostility. “If we had known that the Tripartite Agreement would lose meaning like the Bintumani I, II, and III conferences, we would have raised objections,” he said. “Politicians should understand that knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens. They must be mindful of their words and actions.”
Many Sierra Leoneans now urge both the SLPP and APC to embrace restraint and prioritize peace over provocation, warning that inflammatory statements could undo the progress made toward national cohesion.
As the 2028 elections approach, citizens are calling for political maturity, urging leaders to demonstrate that “unity in diversity” is more than a slogan.
