By Alpha Amadu Jalloh, “The Fox”
Mr. President, I hope you’ve taken a moment to reflect on our last conversation. I know you must be in a state of confusion, given the celebration surrounding your government’s recent achievement of securing the MCC funds. Your die-hard supporters may be lost in the fanfare, failing to grasp the deeper implications and strings attached to this so-called victory. But let’s not dwell too long on that. Today, I want to talk about something that is both urgent and close to your heart: diplomacy.
Our diplomatic missions, Mr. President, are in a deplorable state. They have become a significant burden on our nation’s already depleted Consolidated Fund. We’ve discussed this before, but nothing seems to change. These missions, rather than serving the people of Sierra Leone, have become hubs of inefficiency, political patronage, and incompetence. They do nothing to assist our citizens abroad, people who, like all Sierra Leoneans, deserve the protection and support of their government. Yet, they are left to struggle alone, facing harassment, legal troubles, and, in some cases, imprisonment without any meaningful intervention.
Mr. President, let’s be honest. Many of these so-called diplomats were placed in these positions as rewards for their loyalty to the SLPP, not for their expertise or qualifications. From ambassadors to cleaners, these roles are filled with individuals who are either your relatives, government associates, or influential party members. And what have they contributed to the betterment of our nation’s image abroad? Very little, if anything at all.
Most diplomatic missions in other countries regularly publish newsletters to inform their citizens of the work being done in the embassies. Why is it that, with the exception of the embassy in Saudi Arabia, which only sends updates during the Hajj period, ours remain silent? The absence of communication is glaring. These embassies have a duty to educate and engage the diaspora, but instead, they have become irrelevant to the very people they are meant to serve.
Take the issue of passports, for example. It is a nightmare for many Sierra Leoneans to get their passports renewed. Shouldn’t we have different passport validity periods for children and adults, as other nations do? A five-year passport for children and a ten-year one for adults would alleviate a lot of the hassle. Yet, this common-sense approach has been ignored. Meanwhile, our brothers and sisters living in places like Türkiye face constant harassment because the embassy there is failing them.
Yes, Mr. President, I understand the pressure these missions face. But that pressure is only exacerbated by the unqualified individuals running them. They know nothing about diplomacy, international relations, or even the basics of their roles. They were given these jobs not because they earned them, but because they were in the right circle of influence.
And what about the Sierra Leoneans who are languishing in jails across the world—our brothers and sisters in Guinea, Tunisia, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, to name a few? How is it that, despite your frequent travels, not once have you raised their plight with the leaders of these nations? Our citizens remain imprisoned, sometimes even facing death sentences, and yet their president remains silent. If you don’t advocate for them, Mr. President, how can you expect our diplomats who are following your lead to do so?
Mr. President, I’ve said this before, but you don’t seem to want to hear it. You are not doing your job, and the country is suffering for it. Your travels are unnecessary. Instead of attending every summit or conference, why not allow our seasoned diplomats to represent Sierra Leone and reduce costs? But no, the lure of per diems has become too irresistible. It seems your travels are less about the presidency and more about self-enrichment. “Operation Pay Yourself” is in full swing.
It’s time to stop this wasteful expenditure, Mr. President. I am urging you to set up a committee to investigate the recruitment process of our diplomats. Let’s close some of these embassies that serve no purpose and focus on countries where we have genuine interests. Sierra Leone is a small nation with a fragile economy, and we cannot afford to maintain diplomatic missions that add no value.
Finally, Mr. President, we must discuss the safety of our sisters working as domestic workers in Lebanon. As tensions in the region escalate, their lives are in danger. The war in Lebanon is threatening to spiral out of control, and yet our government has done nothing to ensure their safety. These women are at risk, and we owe it to them to act now before it is too late.
Mr. President, I am appealing to your sense of duty. Our discussions are not meant to criticize for the sake of it but to push for real, meaningful change. We need you to listen, to act, and to lead because, as it stands, your leadership is failing Sierra Leone. Please give our conversation the thought it deserves and do something to address these pressing issues.
The nation is watching, Mr. President, and history will not be kind to those who turned a blind eye when their people needed them most.
Tenki Pa Wi Go Tok Soon Ya!
