Written by Alhaji K. Tarawally, PhD
Youth & Good Governance Advocate
As midnight falls over Silicon Valley in California, I sit quietly thinking about Sierra Leone’s 65th independence anniversary next year. It’s a mixed moment for my homeland—full of pride but also deep sadness.
Our country still faces significant challenges: widespread corruption, ineffective leadership, a dysfunctional healthcare system, and frequent power outages that leave people in the dark. These issues weigh heavily on everyday people, denying them basic needs such as clean water, steady employment, and safe roads. Empty promises from leaders have only made people angrier, while youth unemployment—sitting at around 70% according to a 2024 World Bank report (with projections showing it could hit 75% by 2028 if nothing changes)—shows how out of touch our rulers are with the dreams of the younger generation.
For over six decades, the SLPP and APC have dominated Sierra Leone’s politics, but failed commitments mar their records. Basic necessities like reliable food, electricity, and healthcare are still out of reach for too many, sparking anger across the nation. A 2025 UN report estimates that 60% of Sierra Leoneans live below the poverty line, with inflation soaring to 25% last year, making everyday items like rice and fuel unaffordable for millions.
Now, it’s up to Gen Z and Millennials—those born from the late 1980s onward—to step up and fight back. We need to turn our anger into real action, ditching blind loyalty to these parties that have treated us like strangers in our own land. As we mark 29 years of multi-party democracy since the 1996 elections, I urge all Sierra Leoneans to set aside the divisions of region, tribe, and party lines. Let’s honestly assess what the SLPP and APC have actually accomplished over the past 64 years. Remember, our unity is our strength.
A hard look at their history shows an endless loop of no progress:
- Ahmad Tejan Kabbah (SLPP): Ruled from March 29, 1996, to May 25, 1997, and then from March 10, 1998, to September 17, 2007—a total of 11 years.
- Ernest Bai Koroma (APC): In power from September 17, 2007, to April 4, 2018—for 10 years, six months, and 18 days.
- Julius Maada Bio (SLPP): Won in 2018 with 51.8% of the vote, beating APC’s Samura Kamara, and has been in charge for seven years as of 2025.
Together, these two parties have dominated the scene throughout our entire democratic era, following years of one-party rule and military takeovers. However, their wins don’t align with what we need. People still fight daily battles—from affording basic food (with food insecurity affecting 40% of households, per a 2025 FAO report) to dealing with drug abuse, water shortages, high inflation, corruption scandals (like the $50 million missing from COVID-19 funds in 2020), and joblessness that leaves 1.5 million young people without work, according to Sierra Leone’s labor ministry data.
We’ve continued to support and vote for them out of habit, ignoring better choices like the ADP, UNPP, PDP, PMDC, NGC, and other viable third forces. This has trapped us in a cycle of lies—think of the never-finished Lungi Bridge (promised since 2010 but still stalled after wasting $100 million, per a 2024 audit), the half-done Bumbuna Hydro power project (meant to light up the country but covering only 30% of households, leaving 70% in blackouts, as reported by the World Bank in 2025), or the spotty free education and health programs (where school dropout rates hit 50% and maternal death rates remain at 1,120 per 100,000 births—among the world’s highest, according to WHO 2025 stats). It’s like mistaking salt for sugar: a dumb habit that always leaves a bad taste.
The moment for real change is here. As we head toward the 2028 presidential election, let’s smash this cycle of failure by trying new options. By picking fresh leaders and demanding real results, we can create a better Sierra Leone. I understand that this is not an easy path and it comes with its own set of challenges and risks. But the potential benefits far outweigh the costs. This anniversary serves as a wake-up call to think critically, come together, and fight for genuine progress. In the midst of all this pain, my heart goes out to those who are hurting, and I hold onto the hope that we can overcome despair and make the changes our country desperately needs.
#FixSierraLeone #NowOrNever 🙏🏽