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Sierra Leone Prepares for Crucial Presidential Elections

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Sierra Leoneans will head to the polls on June 24 to elect a new president and members of parliament, marking the country's fifth consecutive presidential elections since the end of the brutal 11-year civil war. With 13 candidates contesting, the election is expected to be competitive, with incumbent President Julius Maada Bio of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) seeking a second five-year term against his main opponent, Dr. Samura Kamara of the All-People's Congress (APC). Ethnicity and region have historically played a major role in determining the winner, with the southern and eastern regions considered strongholds of the SLPP, while the northern and western regions are seen as pro-APC.

Key Takeaways:

  • The election will be a litmus test for West Africa's democratic resilience, with 3.4 million registered voters and a high voter turnout expected due to the ECSL's efforts to increase registration.
  • The main issues affecting voters include the high cost of living, high taxes, inflation, electricity challenges, and youth unemployment.
  • Women's participation in the election has increased due to the 2022 Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE) Act, with 30% of candidates put forward by political parties required to be women.
  • The Sierra Leonean media has made significant improvements in the past few years, with the repeal of the Criminal Libel and Seditious law, the passing of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Act, and the improvement in the World Press Freedom Index from 85 to 75 out of 180 countries.
  • Several organisations have partnered with local media associations to support the Sierra Leonean media in ensuring peaceful elections, including trainings on elections coverage, peace journalism, and countering mis-disinformation.
  • Fact-checking mechanisms have been heavily deployed in the country this year, including the UNDP's automated fact-checking tool, SLAJ's iVerify platform, and the #MatterOf Facts campaign.
  • The election has sparked concerns about democratic backsliding in West Africa, with the region experiencing a shrinking civic space and a wave of military coups.

Statistics:

  • 3.4 million people have registered to vote in the election.
  • 30% of candidates put forward by political parties are required to be women due to the 2022 GEWE Act.
  • The inflation rate in Sierra Leone has risen to 43% as of April 2023.
  • Sierra Leone has 200 radio stations, 20 television networks, and 240 newspapers, despite the challenges of viability, professionalism, and conditions of service.
  • The media landscape in Sierra Leone has improved significantly, with an improvement in the World Press Freedom Index from 85 to 75 out of 180 countries.

Sources:

  • Abigail Larbi Odei, Programme Manager for the Media and Good Governance Programme at the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
  • Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL).
  • Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP).
  • All-People's Congress (APC).
  • Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
  • World Press Freedom Index.
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
  • Media Reform Coordinating Group.
  • Africa-Check.
  • Dubawa.
  • Independent Radio Network (IRN).
  • Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ).

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