A coalition of eight civil society organizations, including the Campaign for Good Governance, Budget Advocacy Network, Lawyers Society, Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice, and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, has issued a joint statement condemning recent political rhetoric they say threatens Sierra Leone’s peace, stability, and democratic integrity ahead of the 2028 general elections.
The coalition expressed alarm over remarks made by SLPP Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa, who reportedly suggested possible military action against the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), and by Opposition Whip Abdul Karim Kamara, whose comments were seen as invoking post-election conflict.
In the statement, the coalition said such inflammatory rhetoric “erodes public trust in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF)” and risks “reigniting national divisions” in a country still recovering from the scars of civil war.
“In a democracy, the security sector must remain neutral, apolitical, and subordinate to civilian authority, serving all citizens, not partisan agendas,” the statement read, citing the Section 165 (2) of the 1991 Constitution and regional frameworks such as the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and the African Charter on Democracy.
The coalition warned that Sierra Leone’s 11-year civil war, which claimed more than 50,000 lives and displaced tens of thousands, was partly fueled by the politicization of the military. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), they noted, identified political interference in the security forces as a root cause of the conflict and urged future leaders to safeguard the neutrality of state security institutions.
“Ignoring these lessons would betray the sacrifices of countless Sierra Leoneans who fought for peace and reconciliation,” the statement continued.
The coalition also called for a national recommitment to peace and democratic governance, warning against “toxic and chaotic politics” that divert attention from pressing issues such as youth unemployment, education, and economic development.
They appealed to political leaders to publicly affirm the neutrality of the RSLAF and commit to peaceful elections, and called on the government and military leadership to reinforce an apolitical stance through internal directives and accountability mechanisms.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments within the security and political landscape, supporting state institutions in upholding the rule of law, and defending constitutional governance.
“We stand ready to work with all stakeholders to advance dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace,” the coalition concluded.
The statement serves as a reminder of Sierra Leone’s fragile peace and the urgent need for responsible political conduct as the nation edges toward another critical electoral cycle.
