Prof. David John Francis former Chief Minister
Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Current Chief Minister and the blue-eyed boy
By Kandeh Sesay ( Salone Malema)
In 2018, when the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) assumed governance from the All People’s Congress after a fiercely contested election, President Bio appointed Professor David John Francis to serve as the Chief Minister of Sierra Leone—a role that hadn’t existed since its abolition in 1978. Professor Francis, born on October 5, 1965, is a Sierra Leonean politician, academic, and author. He quickly became one of the most influential figures in government, ranking just behind the president and vice president.
Professor Francis, however, soon faced criticism. Many SLPP supporters felt he was too academic and out of touch with the grassroots, describing him as overly ambitious. Criticism intensified when First Lady Fatima Maada Bio remarked at an SLPP event that “some PhD people… are big fools,” a comment widely interpreted as targeting Professor Francis. His unyielding stance and high standards reportedly created tensions with long-time SLPP loyalists, who resented his influence. Eventually, Francis was reassigned to the role of Foreign Minister, a position that allowed him to build international connections and visibility.
Despite their close past—rumors suggest Francis supported Bio during his time as a student in the UK—Francis was dismissed from his role in 2023 after the election. Many found this surprising given their longstanding relationship, underscoring the unpredictability of political loyalty.
In Bio’s second cabinet, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, the former DSTI boss and Minister of Basic Education, emerged as a new favorite. As Sierra Leone’s first-ever Chief Innovation Officer, Sengeh became highly influential, with significant sway in presidential decisions. However, his growing influence has stirred concern among some SLPP leaders and grassroots supporters, who echo criticisms once directed at Professor Francis, labeling Sengeh as ambitious and distant from party veterans.
Currently, tensions between Dr. Sengeh and First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, coupled with his perceived popularity, have led many to wonder if Sengeh’s story will mirror Francis’s. His active social media presence has raised his profile but may also risk his standing with the president.
The recent challenges facing Dr. Sengeh serve as a cautionary tale, mirroring the rise and fall of Professor Francis. Time will reveal if he can navigate the political landscape or if he, too, will face a similar fate.
