Uprising In Sierra Leone Ahead Of 2023 Elections

• Published date: 11 August 2022
• Subject Matter: Government, Public Sector, Strategy, Constitutional & Administrative Law, Economic Analysis
• Law Firm: Songhai Advisory LLP
• Author: Songhai Advisory LLP

Simmering tensions in Sierra Leone have led to a popular uprising partly driven by particularly high rise price rises (see: Inflation in West Africa, June 2022). These protests will be defused in the short term, but are indicative of increased risk, and the government transition process remains challenging ahead of the 2023 elections.

SIGNIFICANCE - ECONOMY AND DISSENT

On 10 August, security forces violently put down protests in the capital Freetown and opposition areas in the north. Police stations were burned and there were fatal shootings. The government views the uprising as an attempt to overthrow President Maada Bio, and a nationwide curfew has been declared for an indefinite period.

The protests were inspired by popular figures such as Adebayor and Egerton Shabba¹, whose social media broadcasts have gained a large following in the context of tensions between the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People's Congress (APC), and cost of living pressures. Consumer price inflation has increased from 16.7% at the start of the year to 28.0% in June².

During this period in which the inflation rate has almost doubled. opposition leaders have been arrested in a crackdown on dissent over issues such as the 2021 census (See: Sierra Leone's new census figures favour ruling party ahead of 2023 elections). Many people are also unhappy that President Bio rarely engages with constituents and is often absent from the country. He has been in the UK on a 'private' visit since...