In the eye of a cyclone: Sierra Leone’s 2007 elections

The 2007 elections in Sierra Leone are viewed as a critical test for the country's post-conflict reconstruction and democratic stability. While the state apparatus has seen gradual recovery since the 2002 elections, widespread poverty—with over 70 percent of the population living below the poverty line—and rampant corruption under the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) have fueled popular disillusionment. The contest features three main parties: the incumbent SLPP, the All People’s Party (APC), and the newly formed People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), the latter of which has gained significant traction among unemployed youth. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) is praised for its independence, though the process remains heavily dependent on foreign donor funding. Key risks include potential military interference and the failure of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to provide justice for war victims. The document argues that the outcome depends on whether the new leadership can move beyond elite wealth accumulation to address basic service delivery and social justice.

• The 2007 elections are essential for consolidating Sierra Leone's democratic experiment and post-conflict reconstruction, as free and non-violent polls are considered a necessary condition for lasting peace.
• Despite political stability since 2002, there is significant popular discontent due to the fact that more than 70 percent of the population still lives below the poverty line and economic reforms are perceived to benefit only the political elite.
• The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has made significant progress in independence and neutrality since 2005, though the electoral process remains heavily reliant on donor funding, creating a shortfall of $2 million for the $20 million required budget.
• The political landscape is divided among three primary contenders: the incumbent SLPP, the APC (traditionally strong in the north), and the PMDC, which has emerged as a force for change particularly popular among the youth.
• There are significant concerns regarding the under-representation of women and disabled war victims in the 2007 elections, exacerbated by a shift back to a constituency-based system from proportional representation.
• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is noted for failing to administer justice to war victims due to funding and logistical constraints, leaving a gap in national reconciliation.
• There is a risk of military intervention, highlighted by rumors and threats of a coup by General Julius Maada Bio in the event of an opposition victory.

APA

Zounmenou, D. (2007). In the eye of a cyclone: Sierra Leone’s 2007 elections. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SIERRA LEONE SITREP.PDF

Chicago

Zounmenou, David. In the eye of a cyclone: Sierra Leone’s 2007 elections. Institute for Security Studies, 2007. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SIERRA LEONE SITREP.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Zounmenou |first1=David |title=In the eye of a cyclone: Sierra Leone’s 2007 elections |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=3 August 2007 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SIERRA LEONE SITREP.PDF |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{zounmenou2007eye, author = {Zounmenou, David}, title = {{In the eye of a cyclone: Sierra Leone’s 2007 elections}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2007}, month = aug, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SIERRA LEONE SITREP.PDF}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }