Julius Maada Bio, the president of Sierra Leone since 2018, has prioritized education by allocating 22 percent of the country’s budget to this sector. As a result, an additional one million children have been able to attend school, garnering attention and support from international backers. President Bio has used this education initiative as a key argument for winning a second five-year term in the recent elections. However, many voters are facing more pressing concerns such as skyrocketing inflation, youth unemployment, frequent power cuts, and the exacerbation of heat waves due to climate change.
The election day itself was marred by delays as some polling stations experienced a shortage of materials or officials. Frustrated voters took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the situation, with one Sierra Leonean writer, Ishmael Beah, highlighting the confusion surrounding the process.
Sierra Leone, with a population of 8.4 million and being one of the world’s poorest countries, has gained attention for its ambitious education policy. If successful, this policy could become a model for other African countries and beyond. However, the primary concern for most voters is the economic situation, with the conflict in Ukraine driving up prices for essential goods such as fuel, food (including rice, fish, and gas).
The country is grappling with high inflation, currently standing at over 43 percent, the highest level in two decades. Sierra Leone’s currency, the Leone, has experienced the worst depreciation in sub-Saharan Africa. Cyril Jengo, an economist based in the capital, Freetown, describes the situation as a continuous downward spiral.
The two main contenders in the election are President Bio and Samura Kamara, a former government minister. They previously faced each other in the 2018 election, which resulted in Bio’s victory by a slim margin. Bio, a former military officer involved in coups during Sierra Leone’s civil war in the 1990s, has made promises to provide free healthcare for all school-going children and to enhance food self-sufficiency.
Kamara, an economist who held positions in finance and foreign affairs under the previous government, has made broad promises regarding economic development, youth opportunities, and climate change mitigation. However, he also faces charges of embezzlement related to the renovation of Sierra Leone’s consulate in New York, which his supporters argue are politically motivated.
President Bio’s administration has made noteworthy efforts to reform the education system by eliminating school fees and recruiting additional teachers. The number of enrolled children has increased from under two million in 2018 to over 3.1 million. However, challenges remain, such as parents still being required to pay fees, and teachers feeling dissatisfied with unfulfilled salary increases. The success or failure of Sierra Leone’s education reform could provide valuable insights for other African countries grappling with similar issues.
The poverty in Sierra Leone is deepening, and many express skepticism about whether politics can deliver the necessary change. The country’s economy heavily relies on imports and has faced numerous crises, including the Ebola epidemic, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ripple effects of the conflict in Ukraine. Revamping the entire economy is seen as crucial by analysts for any substantial improvements.
The electoral process involved around 3.4 million registered voters across Sierra Leone’s administrative areas. Alongside the presidential election, voters also elected their members of Parliament, mayors, local chiefs, and councilors. Several international organizations, such as the African Union, ECOWAS, the European Union, and the Carter Center, monitored the vote for transparency.
Initial polls suggest that President Bio is the favorite, but in order to win outright, a candidate must secure 55 percent of the vote. If this threshold is not met, a runoff election will be held. Sierra Leone’s voters often align based on regional and ethnic allegiances.
For the first time, polling officials utilized a dedicated app to send results to a central database managed by the electoral commission. This digital approach aims to expedite the announcement of results and minimize errors. However, there have been concerns based on the problematic experience Nigeria encountered during its presidential election.
In conclusion, Sierra Leone’s elections are being closely watched due to the government’s significant investment in education and the urgent economic challenges facing the country. The outcome will determine whether President Bio secures another term or if there will be a change in leadership.
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