CDP Chairman Accuses SLPP Leader of Interfering in Party Affairs

Citizens Democratic Party National Chairman Victor King has accused Sierra Leone People’s Party National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa of interfering in the CDP’s internal affairs, as disagreement continues over former CDP flagbearer Musa Tarawally’s relationship with the party.

King said Tarawally ceased to be a CDP member in 2018 after formally communicating his decision to leave. He added that Tarawally later declared support for the SLPP in Bo.

“If they have a problem with Musa, let them solve it. He is not a member of CDP,” King said.

King also alleged that Songa attempted to use some CDP members against Tarawally. He said the dispute was linked to a document presented during a CDP meeting, which he and other party officials declined to sign because they were not aware of its origin.

“We didn’t sign the document that they brought because we don’t know where it came from,” King said.

According to King, he formally closed the meeting while representatives of the Political Parties Regulation Commission were present. He alleged that some individuals subsequently signed a communiqué after the meeting had ended.

King described the disputed letter as inconsistent with the party’s position, saying it did not represent the spirit of the CDP. He also said there had previously been efforts to persuade Tarawally to return to the party, but those attempts were unsuccessful.

“At some point, we were yearning for him to return to the party, but he didn’t, despite our best efforts to convince him,” King said.

Kobie backs account of Tarawally’s departure

Joseph E. Kobie, the CDP’s Southern Regional Chairman, also said Tarawally was no longer a member of the party. Kobie stated that Tarawally submitted a resignation letter and that the CDP’s national leadership acknowledged it.

Kobie said Tarawally joined the CDP and contested the 2018 elections as its flagbearer. After the election proceeded to a runoff, Kobie said, Tarawally declared support for the SLPP in Bo before later resigning from the CDP.

“I want Sierra Leoneans to know that Hon. Musa Tarawally is not a member of CDP. He resigned long ago while actively participating in the activities of the SLPP,” Kobie said.

The statements come amid an internal CDP disagreement over Tarawally’s membership status and the circumstances surrounding the disputed communiqué. King’s allegations concerning Songa’s involvement have not been independently established in the account, and the identity, contents and signatories of the communiqué have not been specified.