The Strategic Significance of the Mandingo, Fula, and Susu Voting Bloc in Sierra Leone: Why the SLPP Must See the Tana Tribes as One

 

By Foday M. Daboh

In the complex web of Sierra Leonean politics, ethnic identity and tribal affiliation continue to play a pivotal role in shaping electoral outcomes and policy directions. While the Mende and Temne tribes often dominate national discourse due to their sheer population sizes and historical political dominance, there is another group whose strategic influence, if recognized and properly engaged, could tilt the balance of power in significant ways: the Mandingo, Fula, and Susu, often collectively referred to in cultural and historical circles as the Tana Tribes.

 

These three ethnic groups, with deep-rooted ties across the Mano River Union region, share more than just geographical proximity or religious commonality. They are bound by overlapping histories, linguistic similarities, economic structures, and intermarriage traditions that make them a cultural and political bloc worthy of strategic engagement. For the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), historically seen as a party of the Mende-dominated south and east, recognizing and strategically engaging the Tana Tribes as a unified bloc could be the key to broadening its national appeal, solidifying its support base in the north-west, and effectively countering the traditional strongholds of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC).

 

Shared Identity, Shared Destiny

 

The Mandingo, Fula, and Susu people have long coexisted in a cultural and economic ecosystem built around trade, Islam, and mobility. Many communities across the northern and eastern provinces, such as Koinadugu, Falaba, Tonkolili, Kambia, and parts of Kenema and Kailahun, feature settlements where these groups live in harmony. While each tribe maintains its unique customs and dialects, they are linked by mutual intelligibility, shared religious norms (predominantly Islam), and a historical consciousness shaped by trade routes and migratory patterns.

 

Importantly, the Tana Tribes have often acted as economic lifelines for rural and peri-urban communities, with Fula cattle herders, Mandingo traders, and Susu entrepreneurs playing key roles in food distribution, credit markets, and cross-border commerce. Their presence in Sierra Leone’s economic bloodstream is unmatched, particularly in the informal sector, a sector that, ironically, most political parties neglect in policy formulation but heavily depend on during elections for financing and grassroots mobilization.

 

Political Neglect and Opportunistic Engagement

 

Despite their importance, these tribes have historically been politically marginalized, used more as foot soldiers and financiers rather than true stakeholders in power. Both major parties, SLPP and APC, have been guilty of this. The APC, which has long been seen as the dominant force in the north and west, has largely assumed the Tana vote as guaranteed, providing little in return in terms of policy priorities, leadership representation, or cultural inclusion. The SLPP, on the other hand, has often failed to see the opportunity to build long-term trust with these communities, sometimes alienating them with a rhetoric that narrowly emphasizes Mende nationalism or south-eastern grievances.

 

This is a costly oversight. In recent elections, the margin of victory has often come down to swing votes in districts like Kambia, Koinadugu, Karene, and even urban Freetown, areas where the Tana Tribes have significant numerical and economic presence. Their votes may not be monolithic, but with the right engagement, their loyalty can be won, and sustained.

 

Why the SLPP Must Take the Lead

 

For the SLPP, embracing the Tana identity as a unified political and cultural bloc represents a golden opportunity to reshape its national image. Doing so would require more than token appointments or one-time campaign visits. It would demand a deliberate and sustained strategy built on four pillars:

1. Recognition and Respect

First, the SLPP must openly recognize the historical and cultural interconnectivity of the Mandingo, Fula, and Susu as Tana Tribes and engage them not as isolated vote banks but as a single strategic constituency. This includes acknowledging their contributions to Sierra Leone’s economy, peacebuilding, and religious coexistence. Their shared Islamic identity, for example, could be a bridge for broader Muslim engagement, beyond traditional SLPP bases.

2. Representation and Inclusion

A greater effort must be made to include Tana Tribes in key party leadership roles, not merely as members of campaign teams, but in ministerial appointments, parliamentary candidacies, and national advisory positions. Giving visibility to these communities in the national governance space not only increases trust but also signals the SLPP’s readiness to be a truly inclusive national party.

3. Policy Prioritization

The SLPP must craft targeted economic and educational policies that cater to the needs of trading communities, cattle herders, and border settlers, sectors where Tana people dominate. Programs focused on microcredit for traders, livestock protection, and cross-border infrastructure would have tangible effects and build loyalty over time.

4. Cultural Diplomacy and Grassroots Engagement

Community outreach programs that respect the Tana traditions, through mosque visits, support for Islamic schools, or sponsoring local festivals, can help bridge the emotional and cultural gaps that politics alone cannot cover. A party that shows it understands your way of life is more likely to win your heart, and your vote.

 

The Risks of Continued Division

 

Failing to recognize the unified potential of the Tana Tribes may result in the SLPP continuing to struggle in the northwest and losing vital swing votes in the west. The APC has historically been quick to exploit divisions within the Mandingo, Fula, and Susu communities, pitting them against one another in district-level politics. The SLPP must not fall into the same trap. Division weakens, while unity empowers.

 

In the 2023 elections, the relatively low turnout in some Tana-majority areas, combined with their split allegiances, demonstrated a kind of voter fatigue and disillusionment. This is a warning sign. If these communities continue to feel sidelined, they may choose abstention over participation, or worse, lean toward whichever party offers short-term benefits without long-term commitments.

 

One Voice, One Power

 

In a country where tribalism is still a potent political force, the SLPP has the chance to lead a paradigm shift. By seeing the Mandingo, Fula, and Susu not as three separate tribes but as the interconnected and powerful Tana Bloc, the party can rebrand itself as a national movement rooted in unity, diversity, and strategic inclusivity.

 

The Tana people are ready. They have the numbers, the influence, and the vision. All they need is a party bold enough to recognize their strength and wise enough to empower it. If the SLPP rises to this challenge, it will not only win elections, it will win the future.

 

Foday M. Daboh is a public policy expert and political commentator based in the United States. He writes extensively on governance, inclusion, and the strategic role of minority communities in democratic politics.