Why Musa Tarawalie May Be Facing Friction Within the SLPP
Opinion
Note: This article represents my personal opinion and interpretation of recent political developments. It should not be taken as established fact or as a definitive account of the reasons behind the situation involving Hon. Musa Tarawalie and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
The question of why Hon. Musa Tarawalie appears to be facing difficulties within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) requires an understanding of the broader political calculations ahead of the 2028 general elections.
In my view, the SLPP is determined to retain political power in 2028, and there have been indications of deliberate strategies aimed at achieving that objective through democratic and relatively smooth political processes.
One of the arguments supporting this view is President Julius Maada Bio’s public assertion that, in Sierra Leone’s democratic political history, no political party has successfully won three consecutive presidential elections. This position has, however, been publicly challenged by Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden of the All People’s Congress (APC), who has argued that the APC has previously achieved such a feat.
Another development that I find particularly interesting is the decision by some senior SLPP figures who previously held significant government positions to leave those positions and take up full-time roles at the party headquarters.
Paran Tarawalie, Former Clerk of Parliament
For example, what does it mean politically when someone leaves a highly influential government position, such as the Clerk of Parliament, to work directly for a political party? Similarly, what does it suggest when someone leaves a senior position at NACSA to dedicate themselves to party operations?
These are significant decisions. In my view, people who make such moves must have a strong degree of confidence in the political road ahead. Whether those individuals now have any regrets about their decisions is something only they can answer.
There is also another important consideration.
The SLPP government has embarked on a number of major development programmes, some of which are still ongoing and have yet to reach their full potential. From the party’s perspective, it would naturally be politically advantageous to remain in power long enough to complete these programmes and take political ownership of their outcomes.
This reminds me of the experience of the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, whose government implemented a number of important programmes whose political benefits were, in some cases, realised after his administration.
Where Does Musa Tarawalie Fit Into This?
This brings me to Hon. Musa Tarawalie.
Tarawalie is known both as a businessman and a politician, and his political journey has seen him associated with different political platforms over the years. From my observation, this background is important when trying to understand his current political strategy.
Businesspeople often approach situations by assessing interests, opportunities, risks and potential returns. In politics, that can translate into building relationships and political influence that can become valuable at critical moments.
My interpretation is that Musa Tarawalie’s ambition to become the SLPP flagbearer may not necessarily have been his ultimate objective.
I believe the flagbearer ambition may have provided him with an opportunity to build something potentially more valuable: political capital.
The 2028 elections will be particularly important because they will represent a transition period. Whoever possesses significant political influence at that point could potentially play an important role in determining the direction of the political landscape.
Therefore, in my view, Tarawalie’s real target may not have been the delegates alone. His bigger objective may have been the grassroots of the SLPP, particularly party members and supporters who feel marginalised, neglected or disconnected from the party establishment.
The strategy, as I interpret it, could involve building strong personal relationships with these individuals, supporting them financially and otherwise, and gradually developing a loyal political network around himself.
If such a strategy exists, it would not necessarily be limited to SLPP supporters. Tarawalie’s political activities and relationships could extend across party lines, with the broader objective of building political influence rather than simply securing the SLPP flagbearership.
That, in my opinion, is where the concept of political capital becomes important.
Political capital is influence accumulated through relationships, loyalty, resources, networks and public support. At a critical political moment, such influence can become extremely valuable.
My interpretation is that Tarawalie may have been attempting to accumulate enough political capital to become an important political actor in 2028, regardless of which direction the political wind eventually blows.
If that political capital becomes sufficiently strong, it could potentially give him the leverage to negotiate with either of the two major political parties depending on the circumstances and political interests at the time.
Again, this is my interpretation, not an established fact.
Why Would the SLPP Be Concerned?
If the SLPP leadership perceived that an individual within the party was building an independent political network capable of operating outside the party's established structures, it is understandable that the leadership might view such a development as a potential challenge to party unity and electoral strategy.
This could explain, in my opinion, why the party may have taken strong measures regarding Musa Tarawalie.
The SLPP may simply not want a repeat of internal political developments that have previously created serious challenges for political parties in Sierra Leone.
The experience surrounding Charles Margai is one historical example that comes to mind when considering how internal political disagreements can eventually develop into broader political consequences.
From this perspective, the SLPP may believe that there is still sufficient time before the 2028 elections to address internal disagreements, manage competing interests and prevent potentially disruptive political networks from becoming too deeply established.
But There Is Another Side to the Story
However, not everyone within the SLPP necessarily sees the situation in the same way.
Some party members may oppose the decision or believe that the measures taken against Musa Tarawalie are unnecessary, excessive or politically counterproductive.
Others may simply disagree with the interpretation that Tarawalie was attempting to build an independent political structure within the party.
These differences of opinion are important because political parties are not monolithic organisations. They contain competing interests, personalities, ambitions and interpretations of what is best for the party.
This is why I believe the Musa Tarawalie situation deserves closer examination from different perspectives.
My analysis is only one interpretation of what may be happening behind the scenes. There may be information that is not publicly available, and the individuals directly involved may have explanations that differ considerably from my assessment.
This is purely my opinion, and readers should treat it as political analysis rather than established fact.
In my subsequent publication, I will examine why some other members of the SLPP appear to be opposed to the decisions taken against Musa Tarawalie and why, in my view, their position may have little or nothing to do with the political strategy I have outlined above.
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