Who Runs Sierra Leone? The Political Elite, the Wealthy, God, or the People?
By Abdul Hakeem Sankoh
Sierra Leone is a nation rich in history, culture, and natural resources. But when we ask, who truly runs our country? the answer is not as simple as it seems. Is it the political elite, who hold government positions and shape policies? The wealthy class, who influence decisions from behind the scenes? God, whom many believe is the ultimate authority? Or is it we, the people, who, when united, have the power to transform our nation?
As a Sierra Leonean, I believe it is time we critically examine these forces and ask ourselves: Who really holds power? And more importantly, who should?
The Political Elite: Ruling or Serving?
Our country has been governed by a cycle of political elites, who, election after election, promise change but often fall short. From independence in 1961 to today, we have seen leaders come and go—some with good intentions, others with self-serving agendas.
Governments in Sierra Leone control the laws, the police, the military, and the country’s resources. But are they using this power to serve us, the people, or to enrich themselves? Too often, we see corruption scandals, mismanagement of public funds, and policies that benefit a select few while the majority continue to struggle.
Yet, the political elite do not operate in isolation. They rely heavily on another force—the wealthy and economic elites—who often dictate national policies from behind the scenes.
The Wealthy Class: The Hidden Power Players
In Sierra Leone, money moves politics. Wealthy business owners, foreign investors, and multinational corporations influence government decisions in ways most ordinary citizens cannot.
Think about our country’s diamond, gold, and bauxite industries. We sit on some of the most valuable minerals in the world, yet how much of that wealth benefits us? Instead of funding quality education, healthcare, and infrastructure, much of it ends up in the hands of a privileged few—both local elites and foreign corporations.
When election season comes around, we see politicians receiving massive financial backing from these powerful business figures. In return, policies are designed to favor the rich, not the ordinary Sierra Leonean struggling to put food on the table.
It is clear that the rich and powerful have a strong grip on our country. But what about God? Many of us believe that no matter what happens, God is ultimately in control.
God: The Ultimate Ruler or a Tool for Control?
Sierra Leone is a deeply religious nation. Whether Christian or Muslim, we believe in a higher power that governs all things. Faith gives us strength, hope, and a sense of justice that goes beyond earthly leaders.
But here’s something we must ask ourselves: Is our faith pushing us to demand justice, or is it being used to make us accept injustice?
Too often, we hear religious leaders telling us to “leave everything to God” instead of holding corrupt politicians accountable. While faith is important, should we sit back and watch our country’s resources be looted, waiting for divine intervention? Or should we, as people of faith, take action to ensure justice, fairness, and accountability?
This brings us to the most important force in Sierra Leone—the people.
The People: The Sleeping Giant of Change
We, the people of Sierra Leone, are the true power of this nation. No politician, no billionaire, and no religious leader can survive without us. We are the ones who elect leaders, work in industries, and keep the economy running.
Yet, why do we continue to suffer while the rich get richer and politicians remain in power with little accountability?
The truth is, our power has been weakened by division, misinformation, and economic struggle. Many of us feel hopeless, believing that no matter who is in power, things will never change. But history proves otherwise.
When we, the people, stand together, we can change the course of our nation. The fight for independence, the resilience we showed during the civil war, and the progress we have made despite hardship all show that we have the power to shape our future.
The question is: Will we continue to let a few elites control our destiny, or will we wake up and demand the change we deserve?
So, Who Really Runs Sierra Leone?
The political elite control the government, the wealthy influence policies, God remains the highest authority in our beliefs, and we, the people, hold the potential to change everything—if we choose to act.
But potential alone is not enough. We must ask ourselves:
• Are we holding our leaders accountable?
• Are we questioning where our country’s wealth is going?
• Are we using our voices to demand justice and fairness?
Sierra Leone belongs to us, not just to politicians or the rich. If we do not take charge of our future, someone else will do it for us—and not always in our best interest.
So, who really runs Sierra Leone? Right now, it is those who know how to manipulate the system. But who should run Sierra Leone? We, the people.
The time to wake up is now.
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