By: Mamajah Jalloh
Former President Ernest Bai Koroma has reaffirmed his willingness to support President Julius Maada Bio in advancing peace and national cohesion in Sierra Leone, while warning that the actions of political leaders could either strengthen or undermine the country’s democratic progress.
Koroma made the statement during a press conference at his Femi Turner residence in Freetown, where he reflected on his return to the country, his participation in the recent National Peace Conference and preparations for the next electoral cycle.
He emphasised that sustaining peace requires collective commitment, dialogue, compromise and mutual accommodation among citizens, political parties and state institutions.
“Peace requires effort, dialogue, compromise and a willingness to accommodate one another,” he said, stressing that Sierra Leone must not allow political differences to undermine the stability it has worked hard to achieve.
The former president warned that the country could not afford to return to the starting point after every election, particularly after decades of efforts to consolidate peace following the end of the civil war in 2002.
“We do not have another country, and we do not have a choice. We must grab every opportunity to move forward,” he stated.
Koroma identified the establishment of strong and independent institutions capable of delivering justice and public services fairly, irrespective of political connections, as one of the country’s major challenges.
“Our institutions have to be independent. We must give them independence,” he said, noting that institutional interference was not limited to politicians, as ordinary citizens also sometimes used personal connections to influence decisions.
He called on citizens to challenge wrongdoing for objective reasons rather than personal benefit, adding that building a fair society requires a collective change in attitude.
Koroma further urged the government to ensure that qualified and competent individuals are appointed to public positions and allowed to make decisions based on their professional expertise.
“Let us ensure the right people handle the jobs and allow them to take decisions based on their professionalism. We are all tired, so let’s come out as a new Sierra Leone that gives equal opportunities for everybody,” he said.
He argued that while political appointments may change whenever there is a change of government, technical professionals should be retained to guarantee continuity and effective public service delivery.
Responding to questions about his political future, Koroma said Sierra Leone must first establish a solid foundation of peace, trust and national cohesion before focusing on individual political ambitions.
He stressed the importance of creating a country where citizens can freely live, work and conduct business in any part of the country without discrimination or political considerations.
“We should build trust among ourselves. We may not be able to achieve the ideal, but let’s move from where we are now,” he said, using an example of a person from Koinadugu District being able to conduct business in Bonthe District because of better opportunities.
“I have done it all; it’s time to give back. I am no longer aspiring to be chairman or president, and so I look at things differently,” he added.
Beyond the peace conference, the former president highlighted constructive criticism as an important instrument for strengthening leadership, institutions and national development.
“When you are criticized, you will do your job better. But criticism has to be constructive,” he said.
He encouraged journalists, civil society organizations and ordinary citizens to scrutinize public institutions, demand accountability and promote good governance, emphasizing that criticism should be based on objective national interests rather than personal or political gains.
Koroma also stressed that credible elections reflecting the genuine will of the people are essential to sustaining democracy. He expressed hope that future elections would produce an environment in which winners celebrate peacefully and losers accept the results without resorting to violence or confrontation.
According to him, such an atmosphere would strengthen Sierra Leone’s democratic credentials, promote national stability and improve the country’s attractiveness to investors.
On preparations for the next electoral cycle, Koroma raised concerns about outstanding issues surrounding the census and electoral process, warning that no individual or group should be disadvantaged.
“This requires all of us, irrespective of political parties. It is about Sierra Leone,” he said, cautioning that time was running out to address unresolved concerns before political tensions intensified.
Addressing regional cooperation, Koroma acknowledged the challenges facing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly the withdrawal of three member states, while emphasizing that peace and stability in Sierra Leone would contribute to broader development across West Africa.
He concluded by urging political leaders, institutions and citizens to take advantage of the current opportunity for peacebuilding, stressing that collective action and national unity would be critical to ensuring that the next electoral cycle strengthens, rather than threatens, the country’s democratic gains.