Veteran journalist, Publisher of the Global Times Newspaper and Chairman of the Board of Authority of the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Sorie Fofana, has called for peace, dialogue and unity within the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), amid growing concerns over internal disagreements and the membership dispute involving Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally.

At a time when disagreements within the ruling party are generating intense public debate, Fofana has urged the leadership and membership of the SLPP to prioritise reconciliation and avoid actions that could deepen divisions ahead of future political contests.

Speaking in a recent interview with Ecko Media, Fofana, who has closely followed and documented the political history of the SLPP for decades, expressed concern over developments within the party.

“I am concerned about what is happening in the SLPP,” he said. “Whatever unites the party should be promoted, and whatever divides the party should be avoided.”

His intervention comes amid a dispute over the SLPP membership status of Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally, which has resulted in official correspondence, public statements and legal arguments over his standing within the party.

On September 17, 2026, SLPP National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa reportedly wrote to Tarawally directing him to stop presenting himself as an SLPP member or aspiring for the party’s flagbearership, citing information received from the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) regarding his membership status.

Tarawally has strongly rejected that position, maintaining that he resigned from the CDP in 2018 and subsequently returned to the SLPP. His legal representatives have also challenged the position taken by the SLPP leadership, arguing that questions concerning party membership should be addressed through the appropriate constitutional and disciplinary procedures.

Commenting on the controversy, Fofana described the situation surrounding Tarawally as unfortunate, noting his longstanding knowledge of the former government minister and his political association with the SLPP.

“He said the issues surrounding Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally are very unfortunate because he has known Musa for so long and knows him to be an SLPP member,” Fofana was quoted as saying.

The intervention has added another voice to growing calls for the party to resolve the dispute through dialogue rather than allowing it to develop into a wider internal crisis.

Tarawally is no stranger to the SLPP and has over the years played various political roles. His supporters point to his past campaigning, political activities and support for the party as evidence of his longstanding relationship with the SLPP. The controversy surrounding his membership has therefore generated debate among party members and supporters.

Fofana’s message also draws attention to the SLPP’s long history of managing internal disagreements. As Sierra Leone’s oldest existing political party, the SLPP has experienced political upheavals, electoral defeats, leadership contests and internal disputes over the decades, while repeatedly relying on reconciliation to maintain its cohesion.

“The SLPP has a history of surviving internal battles, but this can only happen if the party leadership prioritizes what unites rather than what divides,” Fofana noted.

His comments come as concerns continue to be expressed about factions, competing political camps, disciplinary actions and increasingly hostile exchanges among supporters, particularly on social media.

Against that background, the current membership dispute presents another test of the party’s ability to manage internal disagreements without allowing them to undermine the wider organisation.

Fofana’s intervention essentially calls for the leadership to return to dialogue, mutual respect and established party structures. He has encouraged the parties involved to clarify their positions, examine the relevant records and constitutional provisions and find a settlement that protects the broader interests of the SLPP.

The veteran journalist has particularly encouraged National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa and Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally to consider sitting together and finding common ground. Such an engagement could provide an opportunity for both sides to privately present their positions and determine an appropriate way forward without further escalation.

The controversy also comes at a time when Sierra Leone continues to confront major national challenges, including economic pressures and youth unemployment. Against this backdrop, some party supporters believe prolonged internal political disputes could distract attention from governance and the implementation of government programmes.

There are also political lessons from Sierra Leone’s recent electoral history. Internal divisions, leadership struggles and dissatisfaction among party supporters have historically affected the electoral fortunes of political parties. With political attention gradually shifting towards the 2028 electoral cycle, maintaining internal stability is therefore becoming increasingly important for the SLPP.

Fofana’s intervention is particularly significant because of his longstanding association with the party’s political history, his role as Publisher of the Global Times Newspaper and his current position as Chairman of the NCRA Board of Authority.

His central message is that political disagreements are inevitable, but how they are handled determines whether they become sources of lasting division or opportunities for reconciliation.

The appeal is consequently for the SLPP leadership to avoid unnecessary confrontations over membership, minimise disciplinary disputes where dialogue could provide a solution, promote reconciliation and concentrate on issues that unite members around the party’s political objectives and commitment to public service.

As the opposition reorganises and preparations for the 2028 elections gradually gather momentum, the SLPP faces the challenge of ensuring that internal disagreements do not weaken its political position.

It is therefore hoped that SLPP National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa, the party’s Secretary General, senior stakeholders and, importantly, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, as Leader of the SLPP, will give serious consideration to Fofana’s appeal for reconciliation.

Fofana’s message remains clear and timely: peace should prevail over confrontation, dialogue over hostile public exchanges, reconciliation over division and the collective interest of the SLPP over individual disagreements. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65204