By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, I write to you today out of deep concern, frustration, and disappointment. Yesterday, I found myself profoundly unsettled by the direction Sierra Leone is taking under your leadership, especially given recent revelations involving the national airline project, one that many of us were eagerly looking forward to, only to be dismayed by the truth behind it.
Dr. Sylvia Blyden’s recent exposé about Air Sierra Leone and the authorities managing our aviation sector has ignited alarm among the people. This revelation has shaken public confidence, exposing what appears to be a deeply flawed and hasty decision to revive our national carrier without adequate oversight, planning, or regard for the safety of Sierra Leoneans. Mr. President, I urge you to act now, decisively and transparently. We need to see accountability. We need to know that heads will roll for this fiasco.
The rushed approach to the launch of Air Sierra Leone is not just a misstep; it could be a catastrophic error if left unchecked. Safety is not something to be compromised. Imagine, Mr. President, the risk we take if these planes are poorly maintained or lack the required safety checks. What message does this send to the people who are meant to feel safe traveling on their country’s airline? Your leadership should prioritize the safety and well-being of Sierra Leoneans over grandstanding, yet this move suggests a recklessness that does the opposite.
Your plane, Mr. President, a personal emblem in some ways, is nearly brand new and meticulously maintained. And yet, for the sake of optics, it seems this national carrier project was rushed, potentially endangering lives so that the government could boast about having a new national airline. This is not the leadership Sierra Leone needs or deserves, and it’s certainly not what you promised.
“Bo President Bio Wetin Mek Yu Dae Wicked Wi So?” This phrase echoes the frustrations of countless Sierra Leoneans. From the MCC funding chase to the Air Sierra Leone scandal, we have witnessed a pattern: ambitious projects promoted with fanfare but marred by poor execution, questionable partnerships, and unmet promises. We were led to believe that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funds would be a transformative resource. You championed it throughout your first term and even into your second, yet here we are Sierra Leone is still waiting, with funds withheld due to the strings attached. Those funds have not reached the consolidated account, nor does it appear they ever will. How much longer must the people wait for these promises to be realized? And at what cost?
Mr. President, we are seeking true partnerships, not hollow deals, If we look around, Mr. President, there are successful examples of government airline partnerships that could have served as models for Air Sierra Leone. Take, for instance, Sri Lankan Airlines, which has partnered with Qatar Airways, or Turkey’s flagship Turkish Airlines, which has built a vast network and even operates planes for other countries. These partnerships aren’t just convenient, they signify true collaboration that yields quality services. If you count these nations among your allies, then why were we left with a second-rate deal that could put citizens in harm’s way?
Your recent ventures and travel visits across the globe have built bridges with leaders and businesses in numerous countries. Surely, a fruitful partnership for a reputable airline is not an unrealistic expectation. Why, then, did we turn to a provider with a reputation for outdated planes and a lack of safety measures? It feels like a betrayal of the trust placed in you by Sierra Leoneans.
Mr. President, let’s consider another one of your decisions. When you opened an embassy in the Polisario region, siding with Morocco against the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, you did so ostensibly to strengthen ties with Morocco. But what tangible benefit has Sierra Leone gained from this? We have yet to see any meaningful reciprocity in this relationship, let alone access to safe and reliable aircraft from Morocco’s own airline, Royal Air Maroc. Instead, you entered into a dubious arrangement, raising questions about your administration’s priorities.
Mr. President, there are underlying issues here that go beyond Air Sierra Leone. This situation reveals a deeper, systemic failure. Time and again, we see announcements and flashy initiatives that, when scrutinized, are hollow, poorly planned, or outright scams. Why is this happening? Why are we squandering precious resources on shallow optics, while our healthcare system crumbles, our education sector remains under-resourced, and basic infrastructure decays?
Look around Sierra Leone. Everywhere you turn, people see corruption, waste, and inefficiency. Government funds go into bloated projects that yield little for the common citizen, who still struggles to access clean water, stable electricity, and safe transportation. The MCC, despite all the time and resources invested in pursuing it, remains elusive. And while you tour the world, spending Sierra Leone’s limited funds on travel and public relations campaigns, your government is failing to meet its basic obligations to its people.
Mr. President, Sierra Leone deserves leaders who place their country’s interests above optics, personal gain, or vanity projects. This is a critical moment for you to demonstrate that leadership. The people are demanding it, as they should.
The Air Sierra Leone scandal is a chance for you to show that you are willing to hold people accountable for actions that undermine public safety and trust. We want you to use your authority to enforce transparency and accountability. We need to see swift action, action that reassures Sierra Leoneans that their safety and welfare are not secondary to grandstanding or international optics.
And while we’re on the subject, we will need to talk about the presidential plane, now brandishing our national Coat of Arms. As much as we expect our president to represent us globally, there are questions surrounding its costs, its maintenance, and its necessity, especially given the widespread poverty Sierra Leoneans face. Why spend on these high-profile items and ventures when our core institutions, our very lifelines, are starving for funding?
It’s time to re-evaluate. The Air Sierra Leone scandal is not an isolated incident; it is symptomatic of a broader issue of priorities and governance. People are tired, Mr. President. They want to believe in a government that puts their well-being above all else. They are calling for leadership that listens, that is open to criticism, and that doesn’t sweep failures under the rug or deflect blame. Sierra Leoneans want a leader who will act against corruption, not just in words, but in deeds.
Mr. President, if there’s anything Sierra Leone’s citizens need right now, it is a reminder that their voices matter and that their leaders are listening. Use this moment, Mr. President, to rebuild that trust. We need you to take ownership of these issues, acknowledge the mistakes, and act on them without delay. It’s the least you can do for a nation that looks to you for hope, guidance, and a better future.
Let this be a turning point, Mr. President.
