Political Disagreement Should Not Threaten National Unity

Sierra Leone is facing a critical moment in its democratic journey, with political trust, national cohesion and confidence in public institutions remaining major concerns. Although the country has maintained peace and multiparty democracy since the end of the civil war, recent political tensions have demonstrated that peace alone is not enough. A stable democracy also requires citizens to trust elections, institutions and the political process.

The controversy surrounding the 2023 elections continues to influence the country’s political environment. Disagreements over the election results created tensions between the governing; Sierra Leone People’s Party, and the opposition; All People’s Congress, demonstrating how quickly electoral disputes can affect national stability.

The Tripartite process and its recommendations have provided an opportunity to address some of the weaknesses identified after the elections. However, the success of these reforms will ultimately depend on implementation. Citizens need to see clear evidence that electoral institutions are becoming more transparent, independent and capable of commanding confidence across political divides.

The 2028 elections will therefore be an important test. The credibility of those elections will not depend only on what happens on polling day. It will depend on whether political parties trust the rules before the election, whether voters feel free to participate, whether results are transparently tabulated and whether disputes can be resolved through credible legal and institutional mechanisms.

Beyond elections, corruption and accountability remain central to the question of public trust. Citizens want to know that public resources are being properly managed and that allegations of corruption will be investigated regardless of the political status of the individuals involved. When accountability appears selective, public confidence in government institutions can quickly decline.

Political leaders also have a responsibility to reduce unnecessary polarization. Government and opposition are expected to disagree, but political disagreement should not become a threat to national unity. The opposition must be able to scrutinize government policies, while the government must be willing to accept legitimate criticism without treating every opposing voice as an enemy.

The media has an equally important role. Sierra Leone needs journalism that investigates public institutions, exposes wrongdoing and gives citizens reliable information. At the same time, journalists must avoid becoming instruments of political propaganda. Responsible reporting can help citizens understand political disagreements without allowing them to become sources of hatred or division.

Young people are particularly important to this conversation. If a generation grows up believing that political connections matter more than merit, that elections do not change their economic circumstances, or that public institutions cannot protect their rights, democratic participation could gradually lose its meaning.

Restoring political trust therefore requires more than speeches about national unity. It requires practical reforms, transparent institutions, equal application of the law and genuine respect for democratic principles.

Sierra Leone has made significant progress since the civil war, and that progress should be protected. The country does not need political competition to disappear; it needs political competition to become healthier and more constructive.

As the country approaches the 2028 elections, the most important question should not simply be which political party will win. The greater test will be whether citizens believe the electoral process is fair, whether the losing side accepts the result and whether the winning side respects the rights of those who voted differently.

Democracy becomes stronger when citizens trust the institutions that govern them. Sierra Leone’s next chapter must therefore be about rebuilding confidence, strengthening accountability and ensuring that political differences never become more important than the national interest.