Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally has rejected a directive from Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa that questioned his party membership. Tarawally stated that he received numerous telephone calls following Songa’s directive, but he does not recognize its legitimacy, describing it as exceeding the constitutional functions of the National Chairman. Tarawally asserted that Songa lacks the constitutional mandate to issue such an instruction against him and confirmed he would not comply, suggesting such directives might be intended for social media bloggers but not for him. He further emphasized that neither Jimmy Batilo Songa nor President Dr. Julius Maada Bio could individually expel him or any other member from the SLPP. Tarawally explained that such actions must follow established procedures under the SLPP Constitution, involving the Disciplinary Committee and the National Executive Council.
Constitutional Authority and Party Procedures
Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally affirmed that no individual possesses the constitutional authority to remove him unilaterally from the ruling party. He explicitly stated that neither Jimmy Batilo Songa nor President Dr. Julius Maada Bio could individually expel him or any other member from the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). Mr. Tarawally elaborated that such actions can only be taken through established procedures under the SLPP Constitution, involving the Disciplinary Committee and the National Executive Council. He described the National Executive Council as "one of the party’s highest decision-making organs after the National Delegates Conference." Mr. Tarawally emphasized that when a party member is accused of wrongdoing, "that person should appear before the Disciplinary Committee, which should conduct hearings before forwarding recommendations to the National Executive Council for a decision." He showed that "the rights of every member, including ordinary grassroots supporters, must be protected."
Mr. Tarawally further stated that the SLPP "is an institution that cannot be dictated to by one individual, particularly as the party moves towards transitional elections when, according to him, unity should be critical." He warned that "unlawfully removing even an ordinary grassroots member could damage the party, much more a major stakeholder." Mr. Tarawally suggested that Jimmy Batilo Songa "risked becoming deeply unpopular within the party if his actions were considered harmful to its unity," and could even "be set aside if party members concluded that his leadership threatened the SLPP’s interests, stressing that the party is bigger than any individual."
Mr. Tarawally maintains that his SLPP membership dues are fully paid through 2028. He cited his status as "a fully paid-up SLPP member, Grand Chief Patron, National Delegate and aspirant for the party’s flagbearer position," declaring that he "would not be intimidated as the dispute over his political status continues." He also questioned "how he could have been accredited to participate and vote at the party’s highest gathering if he was not recognized as an SLPP member." Mr. Tarawally confirmed that he has instructed his legal team "to examine the options available under Sierra Leonean law." He affirmed his intention to "continue participating in party activities."
Background and Membership Claims
Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally formally resigned from the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) on June 15, 2018. Mr. Tarawally stated that he "formally resigned from the Citizens Democratic Party in 2018 to return to the SLPP." He produced a resignation letter dated June 15, 2018, which was addressed to the CDP Secretary General. Mr. Tarawally affirmed he "has neither paid membership dues to the CDP nor attended its meetings or participated in its activities, insisting that his political activities have instead centred on the SLPP."
Mr. Tarawally participated as an accredited National Delegate at the party’s 2025 National Delegates Conference and voted. He questioned "how he could have been accredited to participate and vote at the party’s highest gathering if he was not recognized as an SLPP member." He also stated that "he is a fully paid-up SLPP member, Grand Chief Patron, National Delegate and aspirant for the party’s flagbearer position, declaring that he would not be intimidated as the dispute over his political status continues."
Mr. Tarawally currently holds the position of Grand Chief Patron within the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). He stated that "his SLPP membership dues are fully paid through 2028 and that he currently holds the position of Grand Chief Patron." He reiterated that "he would not be intimidated as the dispute over his political status continues." Mr. Tarawally confirmed that he has instructed his legal team "to examine the options available under Sierra Leonean law" and affirmed his intention to "continue participating in party activities."
Broader Implications and Future Actions
Hon. Alhaji Musa Tarawally stated he would not be intimidated as the dispute over his political status continues. He declared, "he is a fully paid-up SLPP member, Grand Chief Patron, National Delegate and aspirant for the party’s flagbearer position, declaring that he would not be intimidated as the dispute over his political status continues." Tarawally also affirmed his intention to "continue participating in party activities." He noted his previous experience within the security sector and his extensive networks, which he said give him "access to information about developments across the country." Tarawally warned that "he would not hesitate to pursue what he described as democratic political action aimed at protecting Sierra Leoneans and safeguarding the country’s political space." He added that "anyone considered an obstacle to the national interest could be collectively confronted through democratic political means."
Tarawally is prepared to pursue legal remedies regarding damage to his reputation and political standing. He confirmed that "his legal team has been instructed to examine the options available under Sierra Leonean law." Tarawally also questioned why President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, as the SLPP Leader, had not intervened, stating that "failure by the President, as SLPP Leader, to intervene would cause him to question whether there was a political grievance against him." He emphasized that "citizens and SLPP supporters are struggling with food and accommodation and that families are facing serious hardship," suggesting that "national attention should be concentrated on improving the lives of Sierra Leoneans rather than allowing political loyalists to humiliate individuals who contributed to the party’s rise." Tarawally further cautioned that "such actions could have political consequences."