Renewed Violence in Sierra Leone Indicates Fragility and Polarization : Analysis

Sierra Leone on the Brink of Conflict Again

Sierra Leone, a country that experienced a deadly civil war two decades ago, is now facing the threat of conflict once more. On November 26, gunmen attacked a military barracks and a prison in the capital city of Freetown, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people, including 13 soldiers. The government initially downplayed the incident, referring to it as a “breach of security,” but later acknowledged it as a failed coup attempt aimed at illegally overthrowing the democratically elected government.

This recent attack is the second coup attempt in Sierra Leone within the past five months. The country witnessed a contentious presidential election in June 2023, which ended with the current president, Julius Maada Bio, narrowly avoiding a run-off. In August 2023, several individuals, including soldiers and civilians, were arrested for allegedly planning a coup. It is unclear if these two attempted coups or previous violent incidents, such as the antigovernment riots in August 2022, are interconnected. However, the escalation in violence over the past few months and years reveals the persistent fragility of Sierra Leone, despite efforts to establish peace and build a stable state.

The political landscape in Sierra Leone has been characterized by deepening fragility, particularly since the 2023 elections. The main opposition party, All People’s Congress (APC), boycotted the government and their seats in parliament, claiming that the presidential elections were rigged. This boycott disrupted the functioning of the government and undermined President Bio’s legitimacy. Although an “Agreement for National Unity” was eventually signed, with the APC agreeing to take up their seats in parliament, dissatisfaction with the terms of the deal persisted among some members of the APC.

The recent violence and coup attempts have been born out of unsettled political grievances related to the presidential election and reflect the deeply polarized and partisan politics in Sierra Leone. Despite having established legal frameworks to support inclusive democracy, the practice of politics in the country remains divided along ethnic lines. The two leading parties, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the APC, largely represent the political expression of shared ethnicity rather than platforms for shared visions and policies. Elections are fiercely contested, with supporters of the non-dominant political party risking being labeled traitors.

President Bio attempted to address these divisions by including younger politicians and technocrats from both regions in his cabinet. However, this led to discontent among senior members of the SLPP and the perception among the APC that the appointments were meant to appease their support base. Maintaining elite stability and delivering services for everyday Sierra Leoneans is a challenge for President Bio amidst the ongoing political polarization.

While the recent acceptance of the government’s legitimacy by the APC and the formation of a cross-party electoral reform committee indicate progress towards political stability, the coup attempts and security breaches following the June election highlight the need for deeper political reforms and social cohesion to address the underlying fragility and extreme polarization in Sierra Leone.

It is essential to approach this article with caution while considering the credibility of sources and potential biases. The article does not provide specific sources or evidence for the claims made about the coup attempts, violence, and political divisions in Sierra Leone. Additionally, the author’s perspective is not explicitly stated, making it challenging to assess potential biases. However, the piece does provide a broad overview of the current situation in Sierra Leone and highlights the challenges faced by the government in maintaining stability.

The impact of this information presented in the article can be influenced by the prevalent political landscape and the prevalence of fake news. Given the history of conflict in Sierra Leone and the current political polarization, the public’s perception of the information may be influenced by existing biases and distrust towards certain political parties. The lack of specific details and sources in the article may contribute to misinformation or a limited understanding of the situation. Therefore, it is crucial for readers to seek multiple sources and critically evaluate the information presented.

Source: Aljazeera news: Renewed violence in Sierra Leone is a sign of fragility, polarisation