Written by Alhaji K. Tarawally, PhD
Youth & Good Governance Advocate
Sierra Leone’s economy is in a scary spot right now. The recent 38-month IMF deal for US$253 million forces us to face the harsh truth about seven years of messy rule under the SLPP government. This isn’t a genuine opportunity for growth—it’s merely a short-term solution that entrenches us further in debt to outsiders.
Since independence in 1961, our leaders have often pursued quick wins for their own power rather than building lasting progress. The way government officials are cheering this IMF loan reveals a troubling habit of celebrating debt without considering its long-term consequences.
It’s disheartening to watch them party over loans that keep us trapped in a cycle of debt. The IMF itself warns about our energy crisis and shrinking foreign reserves—now covering less than two months of imports, according to their 2025 report. This highlights the SLPP’s poor planning and lack of accountability.
Under the SLPP since 2018, the country’s problems are clear and painful: youth unemployment over 70% (with World Bank 2025 data showing it affects 1.5 million young people, pushing many into poverty or crime), a crumbling health system (where life expectancy is just 54 years, per WHO stats, and malaria deaths hit 7,000 yearly), rotting roads and bridges, unfair justice, and massive corruption (Sierra Leone ranks 108th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Index). Power outages occur daily, and prices for essentials like rice have increased by 30% due to inflation reaching 25% in 2024, according to the Sierra Leone Central Bank, leaving families struggling to afford necessities and feeling hopeless.
Instead of using global trade to ease the pain, we’ve grabbed another heavy load from the IMF. This choice raises significant questions about how the SLPP and APC have managed the country’s affairs over the past 63 years, with the national debt now accounting for 78% of GDP (up from 60% in 2018, according to IMF figures), meaning that every Sierra Leonean owes approximately $500 in foreign loans.
In the midst of this economic turmoil, internal conflicts within the SLPP—between old guards and newcomers—are exacerbating the situation. This inner chaos reveals a party that has lost its way, throwing parties to distract from addressing real problems, such as job creation and power distribution.
In today’s world of social media and readily available information, it’s disheartening to see intelligent people missing the big picture when it comes to these financial choices.
Taking debt without a plan to stand on our own isn’t a win; it’s giving away our control over our future. Even if today’s leaders dodge the fallout, our children will pay the price, with IMF projections showing that debt payments could consume 20% of government budgets by 2030, thereby starving funds for schools and hospitals.
Praising President Julius Maada Bio and his team might feel nice, but it ignores the desperate need for a real turnaround plan. We can’t settle for average results—we must demand top-notch leadership and sound financial management.
As a country, we’re at a breaking point. We need to hold the SLPP accountable and say no to these debt deals that keep our people suffering.
Sierra Leoneans, it’s time to consider alternative choices away from the SLPP and the APC ahead of the 2028 presidential elections. We must hold the APC and SLPP accountable for their failures and push for genuine changes that uplift everyone and restore our economic pride. For example, one of my reform ideas plans focuses on job creation through local mining reforms, which could add 100,000 jobs by 2030, according to my 2025 policy outline—something SLPP and APC have overlooked while debt piles up.
As I’ve always emphasized, hope needs bold moves to back it up. We owe it to ourselves and our children to pursue solutions that lead to genuine freedom from debt and lasting growth.
Sierra Leoneans, know this: The road ahead will be tough. However, we must start by reclaiming our country’s honor and strength, beginning with a fresh choice free from APC and SLPP in the 2028 elections.
#FixSierraLeone #NowOrNever #BreakTheDebtTrap