SLPP Disrespects Kono People Again

By Alpha Amadu Jalloh

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP)   government appears increasingly disconnected from the daily realities confronting ordinary Sierra Leoneans. At a time when citizens across the country are struggling with rising prices, unemployment, collapsing public confidence and worsening economic hardship, the ruling party continues to prioritise political optics over national urgency.

The latest controversy emerging from Kono District has once again exposed what many now describe as the growing arrogance within the corridors of power. Reports that a party hall in Kono was named after one of President Julius Maada Bio’s relatives have triggered widespread criticism and disappointment, particularly among citizens who believe the decision reflects a disturbing disregard for the history, dignity and sacrifices of the people of Kono.

For many observers, the issue is not merely about a building or a name. It represents a deeper pattern of political entitlement that continues to alienate ordinary Sierra Leoneans from the governing establishment. Critics argue that naming a political structure in Kono after one of the President’s relatives, while overlooking respected elders, pioneers, educators, traditional leaders and long serving party loyalists from the district, sends a troubling message about how the SLPP values the people of Kono.

Kono remains one of Sierra Leone’s most historically significant districts. For decades, its diamond wealth has contributed immensely to the national economy, yet many communities there continue to face poverty, unemployment and underdevelopment. Successive governments have benefited from Kono politically and economically while many residents continue to feel neglected once elections are over.

Against that backdrop, the decision to honour the President’s daughter instead of recognising individuals from the district itself has been interpreted by many as politically insensitive and disrespectful. Critics believe the move reinforces long standing complaints that Kono is often treated as electorally important only during campaign seasons, but rarely respected in national decision making.

The controversy also raises difficult questions for the SLPP leadership and party executives. Many Sierra Leoneans are now openly asking whether there are still voices within the party willing to challenge decisions that risk damaging public confidence. Increasingly, there is a perception that blind loyalty and praise singing have replaced honest internal criticism within the ruling party.

Political analysts warn that governments often become vulnerable when leaders are surrounded only by those who tell them what they want to hear. History across Africa has repeatedly shown that public frustration grows rapidly when citizens begin to perceive a widening gap between leadership priorities and the everyday struggles of the people.

That frustration is already becoming visible across Sierra Leone. While the government continues launching party offices and engaging in political celebrations around the country, many citizens are battling severe economic realities. Food prices continue to rise. Transportation costs remain unbearable for struggling families. Hospitals face shortages of essential medical supplies. Youth unemployment remains alarmingly high. Parents continue to struggle with school fees and the rising cost of living.

For many Sierra Leoneans, political ceremonies and party expansions now appear increasingly detached from the urgency of these national problems.

In towns and villages across the country, frustration is no longer hidden behind polite conversations. Market women complain daily about declining sales and rising hardship. Taxi drivers and bike riders speak openly about the unbearable cost of fuel and maintenance. Young graduates wander the streets carrying certificates that no longer guarantee opportunity or dignity. Many families now survive through remittances from relatives abroad while confidence in the local economy continues to weaken.

At the same time, public trust in political leadership continues to decline. Citizens increasingly feel that government officials only appear close to the people during elections, political rallies or carefully managed public events. Once campaigns end, many communities return to neglect while politicians continue enjoying the privileges of office.

This growing perception of disconnect is becoming politically dangerous for the SLPP.

The Kono controversy has also revived criticism surrounding the handling of tensions linked to Koidu Holdings and the treatment of workers affected by recent events there. Many citizens remain sympathetic to workers and families whose livelihoods were disrupted. The perception among sections of the public is that political theatrics and confrontational approaches overshadowed the human suffering involved.

Whether fairly or unfairly, the government now faces growing accusations that it is more focused on image management and political dominance than addressing the practical needs of struggling citizens.

This perception is becoming politically dangerous for the SLPP.

Across the country, many supporters who once defended the government passionately now speak with visible frustration and disappointment. Some privately admit they are finding it increasingly difficult to justify certain actions and decisions publicly. Others complain about what they see as excessive travelling, endless political events and a leadership style that appears disconnected from grassroots suffering.

The concern for the ruling party is that elections are not ultimately won through ceremonies, slogans or symbolic projects. Elections are decided by the emotional and economic realities experienced by ordinary citizens. A hungry population rarely remains politically patient forever.

There is also growing concern that the Presidency is becoming excessively personalised around the First Family rather than the broader national interest. Critics argue that governance should never create the impression of family glorification or political entitlement, especially in a country where millions continue to struggle daily for survival.

In democracies, symbolism matters deeply. Leaders are expected to exercise restraint, humility and sensitivity in how public honours and recognition are distributed. Decisions perceived as favouring family members over deserving citizens can quickly damage public trust, regardless of the intentions behind them.

The anger emerging from Kono is therefore not only about politics. It is also about dignity. Many people in the district believe their contributions to national development continue to be undervalued despite decades of sacrifice. They see roads still struggling for attention, communities lacking opportunities and young people facing uncertain futures while political elites celebrate themselves and their families.

For many citizens, that contrast has become unbearable. The SLPP therefore faces a critical political moment. Rather than dismissing criticism as hatred or opposition propaganda, the government would benefit from listening carefully to the frustrations emerging from ordinary Sierra Leoneans. Public anger is rarely created by one incident alone. It builds gradually through repeated perceptions of neglect, arrogance and insensitivity.

The growing backlash over Kono should serve as a warning sign. Citizens are demanding leadership that reflects empathy, fairness and national seriousness. They want a government focused on economic recovery, job creation, healthcare, education and national unity rather than endless political pageantry.

Kono’s people, like all Sierra Leoneans, deserve respect and recognition. They deserve leadership that understands the symbolic weight of national decisions and the emotional impact those decisions carry in communities already burdened by historical neglect.

As Sierra Leone moves closer toward another electoral cycle, the ruling party may need to confront an uncomfortable reality. Public loyalty cannot be sustained indefinitely through political branding alone. Eventually, citizens begin measuring governments not by speeches or ceremonies, but by the realities they experience in their homes, pockets and communities.

The anger now surfacing from Kono may therefore represent more than temporary political criticism. It may well reflect a broader national frustration quietly building beneath the surface.

And if ignored, that frustration could eventually become the defining political challenge facing the SLPP.