Tarawally Rejects Directive Questioning His SLPP Membership

Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally has rejected a directive attributed to Sierra Leone People’s Party National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa questioning his continued membership of the party.

In an audio recording reported to be circulating on social media, Tarawally said he would not comply with instructions to stop identifying himself as an SLPP member, using the party’s logo or taking part in its programmes.

Tarawally argued that neither Songa nor President Julius Maada Bio could individually expel him or another party member. He said any disciplinary action should follow the procedures set out in the SLPP Constitution.

Disciplinary process disputed

According to Tarawally, allegations against a member should first be considered by the SLPP Disciplinary Committee. Recommendations would then be sent to the National Executive Council, which he identified as part of the process for determining disciplinary matters.

He said the national chairman did not have the constitutional power to remove him unilaterally and challenged Songa to take the matter to court if he objected to Tarawally’s continued participation in party activities.

The source material does not provide the date or full text of Songa’s directive, and no response from Songa or President Bio was included.

Tarawally’s account of his party affiliation

Tarawally said he resigned from the Citizens Democratic Party in 2018 and returned to the SLPP. He referred to a resignation letter dated 15 June 2018 that he said was addressed to the CDP Secretary General.

He also said he had not paid CDP membership dues, attended its meetings or taken part in its activities since his resignation. These claims have not been independently verified in the available material.

As further evidence of his SLPP affiliation, Tarawally cited his accreditation as a national delegate at the party’s 2025 National Delegates Conference, where he said he voted. He also said his SLPP membership dues had been paid through 2028 and described himself as the party’s Grand Chief Patron.

Tarawally presented himself as a fully paid-up SLPP member, a national delegate and an aspirant for the party’s flagbearer position. The available information does not independently confirm those descriptions or his membership records.

Possible legal action

Tarawally said he had instructed his legal team to examine possible remedies under Sierra Leonean law over what he described as damage to his reputation and political standing. He did not say that a case had been filed.

He appealed to SLPP delegates, grassroots supporters and other stakeholders to disregard Songa’s directive. Tarawally said he intended to continue participating in SLPP activities and would defend what he considered to be his rights if party boundaries were crossed.

In discussing his political role, Tarawally also said he had helped bring Julius Maada Bio into active SLPP politics and had assisted with access to former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and senior government officials. Those statements were presented as part of Tarawally’s account of his contribution to the party.