Sierra Leone People's Party
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The Sierra Leone People's Party is the ruling political party in Sierra Leone. Traditionally its based amongst the Mende tribe in the southern parts of the country.
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[edit] History
[edit] Formation
Sierra Leone peoples Party (SLPP) was established in April 1951 through the merger of the Peoples Party (PP), the Protectorate Education Progressive Union (PEPU) and the Sierra Leone Organisation Society (SOS). 1951-1961 it held majority in the colonial Legislative Council. It was launched by government advisor Siaka Stevens in response to the merger of the West African Youth League, led by Wallace-Johnson, and Bonkole-Bright's National Council of the Colony of Sierra Leone, a Krio nationalist party. This situation reflects the tendency of youth movements being among the first groups to bear pressure against the colonial regimes (see also the Sudanese Youth League and the Somali Youth League).
[edit] Early success and independence
SLPP dominated politics in Sierra Leone in the years following World War II. In 1955 and 1956, riots occurred in Sierra Leone, originally sparked by the artisan union's strike over pay, further unrest followed strikes by transport workers. These events led to a growing sense of animosity between the SLPP and Krio parties, especially the Cyril Rogers-Wright led United Sierra Leone Progressive Party established in 1954. The SLPP was able to position itself as the 'the countryman's party,' and notably garnered the support of the tribal chiefs. After elections in 1957, Milton Margai bowed to behind the scenes pressure and stepped down from leadership of the SLPP, with his brother Albert Margai taking his stead. However, in 1958, Albert Margai and Siaka Stevens launched a new party, the People's National Party (PNP), which aimed for greater African involvement in the British colonial government. With the independence of Ghana in 1957, the PNP sought with this police the support of the educated elite as the party to lead a transition to independence. Stevens would later leave this party to form the northern supported All Peoples Congress.
Upon independence in 1961, Milton Margai became premier, and the SLPP became the ruling party. The SLPP, along with almost all Sierra Leonean political parties, signed the constitution at the London constitutional conference, the APC being the main exception. This unity did not extend to national politics, as opposing politicians often faced detainment under SLPP rule.
[edit] Demise
Milton Margai's death in 1964 left the position of leadership of the SLPP to his brother Albert Margai. Albert's rule was characterised by dissent. Politically, he attempted to strengthen the position of the SLPP elites in relation to the chiefs, who had formed the backbone of the party. Albert's personal extravagance led to further animosity, especially after the country faced an economic downturn in 1966. Albert also reinforced the tendency of the SLPP to be a regional and ethnic party, installing a policy of affirmative action to the advantage of the southern Mende tribes. It was thought by opposing leaders that in light of Margai's declining popularity, Sierra Leone may establish a one-party system. APC victory in the elections in 1967 confirmed that the SLPP would no longer lead the country, and in an attempt to remain in control, Margai convinced the military, under the command of Brigadier Lansan, to stage a coup and declare martial law. The National Reformation Council (NRC) was established to govern the country, and the SLPP was able to remain an influential force.
Brigadier Lansan was quickly ousted in a counter-coup (April, 1967) led by Major Blake, with the purpose of keeping Albert Margai and the SLPP out of power. This signaled the final blow to the SLPP's position as a primary political party in Sierra Leone. Under Blake, the National Reformation Advisory Council (NRAC) replaced the NRC, and the ruling junta began the process of returning the country to civilian control. This did not occur fast enough, and pressure from the APC, trade unions, and university students led to the junta's collapse in 1969, and Siaka Stevens became president.
When Sierra Leone turned into a one-party state in 1978 all SLPP MPs except one joined the APC.
In 1982 the so-called Ndogboyosoi (bush devil) war erupted between the APC government and the SLPP in the south.
[edit] Rebirth
In 1996 SLPP returned to prominence, as their candidate Ahmad Tejan Kabbah won the presidential elections, receiving 70% of the popular vote.
At the last elections, May 14, 2002, the party won 69.9 % of popular votes and 83 out of 112 seats in the House of Representatives. Its candidate at the presidential elections, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah won 70.1 % of the vote and was re-elected.
