Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. Moinina David Sengeh, recently posted on his official Facebook page:
“The Leadership of APC Parliamentarians are an absolute disgrace. Great respect to the 2 APC MPs for respecting our Constitution!”
The words are both accusatory and insulting. Weeks have passed. No apologies. No parliamentary inquiry. No regulatory action. This is not a minor clash of political egos; it is a clear signal that in Sierra Leone, power shields impunity, and ambition can override accountability.
Dr. Sengeh is not a member of Parliament. Parliamentary privilege protects MPs inside the House, but it does not extend to ministers. Social media statements are outside the chamber, yet legal standards for defamation and abusive language exist. In practice, however, party loyalty and political alignment create immunity. With the SLPP holding 81 of 135 elected seats, and the Speaker aligned with the ruling party, meaningful parliamentary checks are virtually absent.
The insult extends far beyond the MPs directly targeted. Under Sierra Leone’s constitutional design, each MP represents tens of thousands of citizens. One lawmaker may carry the voices of 60,000 to 70,000 people. Calling MPs an “absolute disgrace” is not just a personal attack; it is a public affront to every citizen they represent. Democracy is being undermined in full view.
Dr. Sengeh’s pattern of public insults is not new. As Minister of Basic and Secondary Education, he once derided protesting teachers as “unqualified and unprofessional.” The immediate dispute was resolved, but the humiliation and fear inflicted left lasting scars. Today, he applies the same approach to opposition MPs: a calculated mix of accusation and insult designed to demonstrate dominance and consolidate political power.
The stakes are higher now. Dr. Sengeh is widely seen as a front-runner for the SLPP’s 2028 flagbearer position. His words are not careless outbursts; they are political theatre, signaling authority, intimidating rivals, and rallying loyalists.
Meanwhile, selective enforcement of the law has created a chilling backdrop. The APC Secretary General, Lansana Dumbuya, was detained and is currently on trial for allegedly accusing and insulting President Julius Maada Bio. Entertainer and alleged APC member Zainab Sheriff is also detained and facing trial for similar accusations. The APC Southern Region PRO was detained for his statements. Critics argue these actions illustrate a system where opposition voices are punished for accusing or insulting the government, while ministers like Dr. Sengeh remain untouchable for public accusations and insults against elected representatives. Section 39(1)(d) of the Political Parties Act prohibits abusive, insulting, or derogatory language by political actors. Yet enforcement is selective, undermining both the law and public trust.
Parliament and regulatory bodies are not powerless. Committees can summon ministers to explain themselves. Motions of censure can signal institutional disapproval. Codes of conduct can define the limits of acceptable behavior. The PPRC could enforce standards equally, making clear that accountability is not reserved for the politically weak.
Unchecked, this behavior corrodes democracy. Ministers with presidential ambitions can publicly demean MPs and, by extension, the tens of thousands of citizens they represent, with impunity. Citizens witness that political loyalty, not law or principle, dictates what is punishable.
As Sierra Leone approaches the 2028 elections, this is more than a political spat. It is a test of whether institutions will defend the dignity of representation, uphold equality before the law, and enforce standards of political conduct. When public accusations and insults are weaponized and regulatory bodies fail to act impartially, the message is stark: some voices matter less than others, and power shields arrogance.
Democracy cannot survive in a system where impunity is tolerated and selective enforcement becomes the norm. Respect for MPs is not only about protecting individuals; it is about protecting the voice of every citizen. The time for Parliament and the PPRC to act is now before ambition trumps accountability entirely.
