A staunch supporter of the ruling Unity Party Alliance, Lasana S. Kanneh, has accused the party of betraying the young people who fought tirelessly to secure President Joseph Boakai’s victory in the 2023 presidential elections. In a strongly-worded public letter, Kanneh expressed deep disappointment over what he describes as the marginalization of the party’s youthful base.
According to Kanneh, the young men and women who stood at the forefront of the Unity Party’s campaign—often under difficult and risky conditions—are now being sidelined. He said these young people, driven by patriotism and hope, “poured their sweat, tears, and dreams” into a political movement that has now forgotten them. Despite their crucial role in bringing the party to power, they have received little to no recognition or support in return.
“The Unity Party we once knew was a beacon of unity,” Kanneh wrote, “but today, it has settled into a posture of neglect.” He described how youth advocates have made repeated efforts to reach out to party leadership—seeking employment or simple acknowledgment—but have been met with broken promises, unanswered calls, and silence. This treatment, he said, has led to embarrassment in their communities and growing frustration among the base.
Kanneh’s statement also questioned the party’s current alliances, criticizing leaders for favoring individuals who were once opponents of President Boakai’s vision. “It is galling to witness those we trusted extend greater favor to individuals who once sought to dismantle our movement,” he stated. For many youths, this shift in loyalty feels like a betrayal of the ideals they once fought for.
The frustration expressed in the piece is not only political but emotional. Kanneh acknowledged that while the youths never expected immediate rewards, they did expect to be treated with dignity and remembered as part of the party’s ongoing mission. He warned that ignoring the voices of young partisans could sow division and damage the Unity Party’s foundation moving forward.
He further emphasized that the silence of the youth should not be mistaken for weakness. “Though wounded, we are not defeated,” he said. “The pain of today will forge the resolve of tomorrow.” The letter ends with a call to action, urging the party to empower and honor its youthful supporters—not as a favor, but as a responsibility owed for their sacrifices.
As of now, the Unity Party has not publicly responded to Kanneh’s concerns. However, many young people within the party structure and campaign network have expressed similar sentiments, pointing to a growing internal dissatisfaction over exclusion and unfulfilled expectations.
