Power-sharing or power- sharing the spoils ?

“Power-Sharing or Power-Sharing the Spoils? Rethinking Sierra Leone’s Political Future”

By: Dr Columba Michael Joe Blango Blango (23/09/2025)

For over 60 years since independence, Sierra Leone has been governed mainly by two parties, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC). Yet the country still struggles with poverty, underdevelopment, and fragile democratic institutions.

 

Why? Many analysts point to our “winner-takes-all” politics. In simple terms, this means whichever party wins an election takes nearly all the power: the presidency, key ministries, government jobs, and often the flow of resources. The losing side is shut out, left with little influence until the next election.

This system has consequences. It turns elections into high-stakes battles where losing can feel like total defeat. It deepens divisions, fuels patronage politics, and sometimes even threatens national stability.

The Power-Sharing Debate

Now, talk of power-sharing is on the table, a system where political rivals share executive power and responsibilities, often through guaranteed cabinet seats or joint decision-making arrangements.

In theory, power-sharing could: • reduce political tension, • make governance more inclusive, • prevent the “all or nothing” desperation that drives conflict.

Countries like Northern Ireland and South Africa used power-sharing during times of crisis to bring rivals together and calm political storms.

But Here’s the Catch

Power-sharing isn’t a magic wand. It can: • entrench elite bargains instead of fixing real problems, • weaken accountability if everyone in power protects each other, • lead to political gridlock, as Lebanon’s experience shows.

Without strong institutions, independent courts, and a professional civil service, power-sharing risks becoming just “sharing the spoils” rather than sharing real responsibility.

But here is the real question. Before jumping into power-sharing, Sierra Leone must ask: • Will this bring better governance or simply guarantee both big parties a seat at the table while ordinary citizens see no change? • Can we reform our civil service, electoral system, and anti-corruption institutions first so that power-sharing doesn’t become a permanent elite pact? • Would alternatives like proportional representation, decentralisation, or cross-party committees achieve the same inclusivity without diluting accountability?

The Bottom Line

Power-sharing might help cool political tensions, but it will only work if tied to deep reforms that limit executive power, guarantee transparency, and protect the public interest.

Otherwise, Sierra Leone risks swapping “winner-takes-all” for “everyone takes a piece”, and citizens will be no better off than before.