POLITICS 2012 Will Be the Main Event In The Political Landscape of Sierra Leone Posted by Joe Sawan on May 13, 2008, 20:24

If the political battle lines which had been drawn before the 2007 general and Presidential elections seemed a little blurred, the looming competitive and intense rivalry between the three main political parties will definitely cement whatever perceived distinctions that exist between them.All of the above activities have been manifested in barely eight months following the conclusion of the last elections. 

The political landscape that currently exists in the country is characterized by both inter and intra party feud, rivalry, incredible accusations, power struggle and voodoo “(Juju) politics.  It is interesting to note that these activities have revived the fledging “Sara” (sacrifice) industry and also re-ignited the interest for membership in the many secret (Poro, Bondo, Wende, Sokobana, Gbangbani, Ojeh etc) societies. It is alleged that almost all the politicians in the country belong to either one or several of these societies and their argument is that they are part of the country’s, cultural environment.  The politicians have further argued that their societies are the equivalent of the fraternities and sororities that are in existence in some parts of the Western world, Colleges and Universities.

The All Peoples Congress (APC), Sierra Leone Peoples party (SLPP) and the peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) are the three main political parties operating in Sierra Leone today.  The views they hold about each other are most interesting and the focus of those views will be presented in the next several paragraphs.

The SLPP, which was dislodged from power by the APC with the help of the PMDC, continues to maintain the position that the APC lacks governance capacity and focus is disorganized, tribalistic, nepotism, wasteful, anti-democratic, violent, anti-human rights, more interested in gimmicks/propaganda than reality and corrupt.

However, the SLPP’s argument for a continuation of their policies and programmes were soundly rejected by the voters who were more comfortable with the APC’s call for change.  It was relatively easy for the APC to sell their programme of change because the SLPP had an almost eleven year’s record to assess.

On the other hand, the APC believes that the failure of the SLPP before and now is due to their elitist, chilling and insensitive approaches to doing things.  Additionally, it is alleged that the APC is of the opinion that the SLPP is extremely corrupt, divisive, tribalist, wasteful, anti-media practitioners and institutions, gossip plagued, vindictive, prone to abuse the rule of law, politically and developmentally naïve, not known to use resources effectively and efficiently, known to have myopic leadership and known to cry foul every time things don’t go their way.

At the moment, the SLPP is alleged to be seriously divided and factionalized, factors which will make it impossible for them to mount a nationwide credible campaign.

The PMDC is the third major political party in the country.  Their success in the recently concluded elections in which they garnered over 250,000 votes and won 10 parliamentary seats was due in part to the voters’ disaffection with the SLPP.  Their alliance with the APC helped them to secure State House.

It is the view of the SLPP that the PMDC was established to destroy them politically.  The SLPP further maintains the position that the PMDC is a one-man organization, a situation that will militate against its sustainability.  They are perceived by the SLPP to lack a nationally based organizational structure and finance.  The SLPP further maintains the position that the former SLPP members who joined the PMDC have started returning to base.  There, does appear to be some disgruntlement in the PMDC that has the potential to undermine the viability and stability of the party.

The SLPP is alleged by the PMDC to be inhumane, non-focused, leadership starved, insensitive, ungrateful, corrupt and vindictive.

It can be observed from the above observations that having and keeping that power is more important to the major political parties than in devising and implementing policies to address poverty, food insecurity, inadequate Health care, inadequate educational facilities, poor roads, inadequate water supply, corruption and bad governance.

It can also be observed that the views held by the three political parties about each other are a recipe for intolerance.  What is important to suggest is for the leadership to promote patience and understanding in order to achieve the national development. 

Finally, if the above cited spectacles, views and observations are a prelude to the upcoming events in 2012; this writer will only wish that the main event will be competitive and peaceful.