What You Need to Know
As Sierra Leone approaches the 2028 presidential elections, civil society organizations are raising alarms about escalating political tensions. They emphasize the importance of remembering the 1999 civil war, which serves as a warning against repeating past mistakes. Leaders are urged to address pressing economic issues and avoid divisive rhetoric to ensure peace and stability.
Africa. On January 6, 1999, the civil war in Sierra Leone reached the heart of the capital, Freetown, for the first time, marking a critical turning point in the country’s modern history.
Twenty-seven years after that bloody attack, as the presidential elections scheduled for 2028 approach, the memory of that day resurfaces amid increasing warnings from civil society organizations and researchers about a political climate they deem “concerning.” They assert that recalling the past should serve as a lesson and a means to prevent the repetition of such a tragedy.
Idrissa Mahmoud Trawally, Sierra Leone Coordinator at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance and a lecturer at the University of Sierra Leone, states that January 6, 1999, remains an indelible date in the national memory.
He adds, “On that day, war reached the capital.” The attack by the Revolutionary United Front, then allied with the ruling military council, plunged Freetown into chaos, and images of the devastation remain vivid in the collective consciousness of Sierra Leoneans, from neighborhoods plunged into darkness to burning homes and civilians trapped amid widespread violence.
Trawally explains that the impact of this memory is particularly strong because the capital had relatively escaped the ravages of the civil war compared to other regions. He recalls, “Our relatives were killed by rebels in the interior, and families in Freetown mourned from afar.” According to him, January 6, 1999, represents a moment of collective realization of the war’s reality when it reached the center of political power and economic dominance, asserting that “the strike on the capital was the climax of the conflict.”
This date is not only recalled today as a national shock but is also repurposed as a warning bell in a political context where some organizations see troubling signs. About two years before the upcoming presidential elections in 2028, the NGO B-FOUND reported an increase in tensions in the public sphere, particularly through what it describes as hostile political rhetoric or threats.
Solomon Sondo, Executive Director of B-FOUND, emphasizes that the country cannot afford a return to the cycle of violence, stating, “We do not need war, whether in power or in opposition. What we need are real solutions.” Sondo urges political leaders to focus on the core issues troubling citizens, such as the declining value of the national currency (the leone), deteriorating economic conditions, and the future of a whole generation of graduates struggling to integrate into the job market.
He adds, “The economy is suffering, and the leone has lost a significant part of its value. What changes will you make? We have graduates pouring out of universities every year; what will you do differently? This is the discourse we want to hear, not inflammatory rhetoric or threatening language.”
B-FOUND notes that the Political Parties Registration Commission, the body responsible for overseeing party activities, intervened last year to penalize what it described as verbal excesses from some political actors, considering these measures reflect the need for early vigilance, well ahead of the official campaign launch.
For his part, Idrissa Mahmoud Trawally believes that the issues extend beyond the nature of political discourse to a range of political and social vulnerabilities that may interact to heighten tensions in the upcoming phase. He states, “The repercussions of the 2023 elections still cast a shadow over the political landscape, alongside heated discussions about electoral reforms, especially regarding the voting system and the management of the electoral commission.”
He adds that internal rivalries within the two main parties add additional pressure; in the Sierra Leone People’s Party, the issue of succession for President Julius Maada Bio looms large, while the People’s Congress Party experiences intense internal conflicts fueled by ambitions to return to power. Trawally believes that “these dynamics, if not managed wisely, could lead to divisions within the two parties and deepen the state of political polarization permanently.”
The researcher warns that the most concerning factor is the situation of youth and the worsening social crisis, pointing to widespread unemployment, lack of economic prospects, and the spread of the synthetic drug “kush,” which has become a serious health and social challenge.
He concludes that these combined elements produce a “volatile mix,” making it easier for some political actors to recruit unemployed youth and employ them in political conflicts.
NGOs and researchers agree that the memory of January 6, 1999, should not be limited to commemorating the past but should be used as a preventive tool, reminding of the dangers of slipping when social frustrations intersect with political rivalries and inflammatory discourse.
While B-FOUND believes that maintaining peace begins with redirecting public discourse towards de-escalation and offering practical, realistic programs, Idrissa Mahmoud Trawally emphasizes that the most important thing is to prevent the return of the same conditions that fueled the conflict in the past. After twenty-seven years since the Freetown fire, the message is clear: learn from the lessons of history before reaching the critical date in 2028.
The civil war in Sierra Leone, which began in 1991 and lasted until 2002, left a profound impact on the nation, culminating in the brutal attack on the capital, Freetown, in January 1999. This event marked a significant turning point, highlighting the fragility of peace and the need for political stability. As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, the memories of this tumultuous period serve as a reminder of the potential consequences of political unrest.
