We Need Some Form Of Power Sharing System After Every Election In Sierra Leone …Says Speaker Of Parliament

By Desmond Isaac Macauley
The Honourable Speaker of Parliament Segepoh Solomon Thomas has sparked a national conversation on the need for inclusive governance in Sierra Leone by advocating for a power sharing system. In a bold statement, he challenged the current “winner takes all” electoral system arguing that, it has contributed to national division and political desperation. He proposed that a more collaborative system of governance would better serve the country’s democracy and ensure stability after every election.
According to the Speaker, the Proportional Representation (PR) system currently in use in Parliament has proven effective in balancing political representation. He suggested that, extending this principle to the executive branch could help ease tensions and reduce the high stakes associated with winning elections. “If we can extend this system to the executive, people will not be desperate when it comes to elections,” he stated, emphasizing that the current system leaves opposition parties and their supporters feeling excluded and economically threatened.
Speaker Thomas highlighted that under the winner takes all, members of losing political parties often face job insecurity and which fuels desperation and instability.
“When you threaten a man’s existence, people smell blood,” he warned. Furthered that, a shared governance approach could promote peace and national unity by ensuring all major political parties have a stake in the administration of the country.
Pointing from parliamentary practices, he explained how committee leadership is distributed among parties based on representation. He mentioned a similar model for the executive, where ministerial appointments could reflect electoral performance. If a minister misbehaves, the party could be required to nominate a replacement, thus maintaining accountability while preserving inclusivity. He suggested that if this could be added to the constitution, it will help to improve and safeguard democratic balance in the country.
Speaker Thomas concluded by calling for a national dialogue on the matter, stressing that Sierra Leone must move towards a governance model that embraces collaboration over competition. “We need some form of power sharing system after every election,” he affirmed.