By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Yes, Mr. President, like I was saying in our last discussion, I am well aware of the fact that you hardly engage in open dialogue. But as a Sierra Leonean, and with you being our president, I feel the need to continue where we left off. There are certain matters of national concern that demand attention, and with all due respect, I intend to draw your attention to them once again.
Let’s start with your much-publicized speech at the United Nations Security Council. This event was paraded as a monumental achievement, as if Sierra Leone had never before been in such a position. The speech and Sierra Leone’s temporary presidency of the Security Council were heralded by your government and party faithful as though they were unprecedented milestones. But here’s the reality, Mr. President: the rotating presidency of the Security Council is a routine assignment. It’s akin to a social club appointing a member to chair a meeting. It’s rotational. It does not reflect any significant leap in power or influence, nor does it endow us with special privileges. It is procedural. In fact, many countries have held that seat before and moved on without the need for excessive celebration.
But here we are, treating the occasion as if it was the crowning achievement of your presidency. I must remind you, Mr. President, that we, the citizens, are not unaware of the nuances of international diplomacy. We understand that being given a temporary seat at the Security Council is far from wielding actual decision-making power. It is essential for leaders to keep things in perspective and not create illusions of grandeur. Sierra Leoneans are watching, and we can distinguish between rhetoric and reality.
Now, let’s talk about the recent trip to China, where you and other African heads of state attended what I can only describe as a lavish party. Photos of you shaking hands with President Xi Jinping were distributed back home with great fanfare, as if they signaled some sort of special relationship or unique advantage for Sierra Leone. However, what many may not realize is that several other African leaders were also in attendance, and some of them left with much more significant agreements than we did.
Take Kenya, for instance. Their delegation returned home with concrete, lucrative deals and agreements that, in all likelihood, will be implemented to benefit their people. But what about us, Mr. President? What tangible benefits have we secured for the people of Sierra Leone from these international meetings and partnerships? What lasting impact will these agreements have on our economy, our infrastructure, and our society? All too often, these agreements end up as white elephants grand in promise but never seeing the light of day. And I must ask: do you genuinely believe that Sierra Leoneans are blind to this reality?
Mr. President, the people are not fools. They are watching, and they understand much more than your advisors may lead you to believe. The days of uninformed masses are long gone. With the proliferation of social media and widespread access to technology, even Mamy Nyandemor in Valunia and Pa Almamy in Kasorie village now have access to WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). They are connected to the world, receiving news updates and staying informed on global affairs. They see what is happening in other countries, and they see what is happening here at home. The information gaps that once existed are rapidly closing, and Sierra Leoneans are no longer easily swayed by empty promises and grandstanding.
In fact, this technological revolution presents a new challenge for you and your government. You can no longer rely on the complacency of a poorly informed public. Your trusted lieutenants may tell you one thing, but the people through their smartphones and social media are seeing another. The discrepancies between what is being reported and what is actually happening are becoming increasingly clear. While you are busy jet-setting to international conferences, ostensibly in the name of securing respect for Sierra Leone, the people are left to wonder what tangible benefits all this international “respect” has brought home. Where is the improvement in their daily lives?
Mr. President, it’s not enough to attend meetings and give speeches. What matters is what happens after the speeches are over. Are we seeing the fruits of these high-level engagements? Has our economy improved? Has poverty been reduced? Have basic services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure been enhanced? These are the questions the people are asking, and they deserve answers.
The truth is, Mr. President, that respect on the international stage should not be measured by the number of handshakes or the frequency of foreign trips. It should be measured by the tangible improvements in the lives of your citizens. A government’s success is not determined by its ability to attend international summits but by its ability to deliver for its people at home. And right now, Sierra Leoneans are not seeing the results they have been promised.
So, Mr. President, let me be clear: the people are aware of what is happening. They are watching, and they are waiting. Your presidency is at a critical juncture, and the decisions you make now will define not only your legacy but the future of our nation. The time for empty rhetoric and grand gestures is over. What Sierra Leone needs now is action concrete, meaningful action that will improve the lives of ordinary citizens.
I look forward to our next conversation, Mr. President. Until then, remember that the people are paying attention, and they will hold you accountable.
