By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Today, we witness yet another troubling contradiction in leadership. Mr. President, you are promoting peace in other countries while failing to address the chaos within your administration and the broader problems faced by Sierra Leone. Ironically, you host a leader partly responsible for the destruction of Sudan, yet you cannot bring harmony to your cabinet, let alone address the pressing challenges in our nation. Let’s take a moment to reflect on the glaring contradictions.
Mr. President, first, let us talk about your household. It is no secret that your wife’s actions have stirred significant controversy. She operates with apparent disregard for the dignity and status of your office, engaging in activities that leave many Sierra Leoneans perplexed. This behaviour undermines the respect and authority that should accompany the presidency. If you cannot manage order in your own home, how can we trust your ability to manage the nation?
Then, there are your ministers and deputy ministers. Mr. President, many of them act with impunity, flouting due process and engaging in activities that erode public trust. They appear to operate without oversight, and their actions suggest a lack of accountability that permeates your administration. This unchecked behaviour raises serious questions about your leadership. Do you not see the damage being done, or do you simply choose to ignore it?
Mr. President, hosting a single Sudanese leader in Freetown is an incomplete gesture. If you were genuinely committed to bringing peace to Sudan, why did you not invite both warring leaders? Your approach pales in comparison to the decisive action of late President Siaka Stevens, who, as chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), successfully mediated peace between Sudan’s Gafar Nimeiry and Ethiopia’s Mengistu Hailie Mariam. Stevens’ initiative exemplified statesmanship and a true commitment to peace. Your efforts, by contrast, seem half-hearted and more performative than substantive.
Mr. President, one issue that deeply troubles the Muslim community is your government’s politicization of the Hajj program. Previously, Sierra Leoneans benefited from scholarships to perform Hajj, a fundamental pillar of Islam. However, this support has ceased. Has the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stopped providing these scholarships? If so, why haven’t you communicated this to the public?
Mr. President, the current Hajj program appears monopolized by party loyalists. The Hajj committee is filled with individuals closely tied to your political party, sidelining many devout Muslims who could manage the program judiciously. By politicizing this sacred religious activity, your government has committed a disservice to the Muslim community. Across West Africa, countries have established independent agencies managed by Islamic councils and monitored by immigration departments to oversee Hajj programs. Why has Sierra Leone failed to adopt a similar model? This situation borders on blasphemy, as it manipulates a deeply spiritual obligation for political gain.
Mr. President, once again, you are leaving Freetown, this time to travel to the United Kingdom, accompanied by your wife, under the guise of an invitation from His Majesty King Charles III. While such invitations may hold diplomatic significance, the timing and frequency of your travels raise serious concerns. The people of Sierra Leone are eager to know the purpose and benefits of this trip. Will it bring tangible improvements to their lives, or is it another instance of using public funds for personal indulgence?
Mr. President, your constant travels have become a hallmark of your presidency, and frankly, the people are fed up. This pattern of prioritizing international trips over addressing domestic issues has left Sierra Leoneans feeling neglected and frustrated. Is this truly how you intend to start the new year? Must your desire for travel come at the expense of addressing the pressing issues that plague our nation?
Mr. President, another troubling development is your government’s approach to the fishing industry. Recently, fishermen were informed that the sea would be closed until they registered their boats or complied with other conditions. The justification given was to allow fish stocks to grow, but many see this as a thinly veiled attempt to raise funds for your administration’s travel budget and other expenditures.
A former deputy minister’s statement urging fishermen and women to register their boats underscores the perception that these measures are more about revenue generation than sustainable fishery management. Mr. President, these policies only deepen the mistrust between your government and the people. The livelihoods of countless Sierra Leoneans depend on fishing, and such heavy-handed tactics jeopardize their ability to provide for their families.
Mr. President, the people of Sierra Leone are weary. They are tired of seeing their leaders prioritize personal gain over national development. They are tired of watching their government squander resources on frivolous expenditures while basic needs go unmet. They are tired of the impunity, the mismanagement, and the lack of accountability that define your administration.
Mr. President, leadership is about service, not self-indulgence. It is about putting the needs of the people first and making sacrifices for the greater good. It is about addressing the challenges within your own house, your cabinet, and your nation before attempting to solve the problems of others.
Mr. President, it is not too late to change course. Start by addressing the issues within your administration. Hold your ministers and deputy ministers accountable for their actions. Re-establish order and discipline within your household. Show the people of Sierra Leone that you are committed to leading by example.
Mr. President, Initiate reforms for the Hajj program by establishing an independent agency to oversee its operations. Ensure that this sacred obligation is managed fairly and transparently, free from political interference. Communicate openly with the Muslim community about the status of scholarships and other support for Hajj pilgrims.
Reduce your travel frequency and focus on addressing the pressing issues at home. The people of Sierra Leone deserve a leader who is present and engaged in solving their problems, not one who is constantly abroad.
Mr. President, approach the fishing industry with fairness and sensitivity. Develop policies that balance sustainability with the livelihoods of those who depend on fishing. Engage with stakeholders to find solutions that work for everyone.
Mr. President, Sierra Leone stands at a crossroads. The decisions you make today will shape the future of our nation. Will you continue down the path of neglect and self-interest, or will you rise to the challenge of true leadership? The choice is yours, but the people of Sierra Leone are watching, and they will hold you accountable.
History will judge your presidency not by the number of international trips you took or the accolades you received abroad but by the impact you made on the lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans. It is time to focus on the home front and prioritize the needs of your people. The nation’s future depends on it.