The national civic festival is expected to take place in Sierra Leone from 11 to 13 December, a gathering marketed as an inclusive space for dialogue, culture, and civic engagement. Yet the lineup of keynote speakers has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. The programme lists the President, the Vice President, and several senior officials of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), but the leadership of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) is absent.
The omission has sparked criticism, reviving long-standing debates about political inclusion, national cohesion, and the role of civic platforms in strengthening democracy.
Among the most vocal critics is author and whistle-blower Dr. Idris Lahai, who took to Facebook to challenge what he described as a troubling pattern of exclusion. In his post, he questioned the organisers’ intentions and pointed directly to Minister of Information, Chernor Bah, a central figure in the planning of the festival.
“This na a national Civic festival yet the leadership of the main opposition party (the APC) was excluded. Minister Chernor Bah watin wrong with you? I hope you dae take note of your actions. Nor to for today. Na for the future. The time will come when you will return to your civil society space and you go want for talk about inclusion. That will be the day you will get your share of humiliation from the people of Sierra Leone (me sef go join den for koto you big time),” Lahai wrote.
His remarks struck a chord with citizens who worry that a festival designed to promote civic values risks losing credibility if it appears partisan. Several commentators have echoed the sentiment that national platforms should model neutrality, especially at a time when calls for national unity are growing louder.
Critics argue that a civic festival becomes less meaningful when major political voices are intentionally left out. Others worry about the precedent it sets in a country still healing from polarisation and political distrust.
Organisers have not yet responded to the concerns, nor have they clarified why opposition leaders were left out of such a high-profile national event. Supporters of the ruling party maintain that the festival remains open to all citizens and that keynote selections do not diminish the festival’s national character.
Still, the debate continues to dominate social conversations. For many Sierra Leoneans, the issue is bigger than one event. It touches on who gets a seat at the table when the nation gathers to speak about itself.
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As the festival approaches, calls for a more inclusive programme are likely to grow. Whether organisers decide to adjust the lineup or remain silent will reveal much about how seriously civic inclusion is regarded in today’s political climate.
