News;Republic of Sierra Leone.
Opinion
Renewed violence in Sierra Leone is a sign of fragility, polarisation
The state has been showing worrying signs of deepening fragility since the contested June 2023 presidential election.Ibrahim Al-bakri Nyei
Liberian researcher and political analyst
Published On 1 Dec 20231 Dec 2023
The two sides eventually signed an “Agreement for National Unity” under which the APC agreed to take up their seats in parliament, yet this did not fully resolve the situation, particularly as some in the APC continued to voice their dissatisfaction with the terms of the deal.
This political impasse, worsened by a biting cost of living crisis and declining living standards, likely helped create the space for dissidents to explore opportunities for unseating the government.
No organised political group has claimed responsibility for or been linked to the attack on November 26, or the alleged coup plot in August, but both incidents occurred in the context of myriad unsettled political grievances related to the June 2023 presidential election and were born of the country’s deeply polarised, partisan politics.
Despite having established sound legal frameworks to support inclusive democracy, the practice of politics in Sierra Leone is a winner-takes-all affair, and partisan affiliation has yet to transcend the ethno-regional divisions that emerged in the political contest to replace the British colonial administration following independence in 1961. Simply put, rather than representing platforms for the articulation of shared visions and policies, the two leading parties – the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition APC – largely represent platforms for the political expression of shared ethnicity.
We are thrilled to announce that for the first time, C40 will be led by co-chairs, reflecting our commitment to global representation & accelerated climate action in cities.
I think this expression of consideration is wonderful.
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