Ernest Bai Koroma to Maada Bio: “I Am Just a Telephone Call Away”
Tolulope Aina Former President Ernest Bai Koroma has assured President Julius Maada Bio of his willingness to support efforts to unite Sierra Leone, saying he is only a telephone call away whenever his assistance is needed.
Koroma made the statement on Monday, October 26, while addressing the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference in Freetown, where he urged political leaders to put national interests above party loyalty.
“Anytime you call, I will be ready to work with you to bring our country together,” Koroma said, offering his support to President Bio as Sierra Leone continues efforts to strengthen peace and national cohesion.
The conference, organised by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) under the theme “From Agreement to Action,” brought together national and international stakeholders to discuss ways to prevent conflict and consolidate peace.
Koroma said Sierra Leone had made progress since the end of the civil war in 2002 but warned that challenges remained and required urgent attention from political leaders and other stakeholders.
He urged the country to move beyond repeated discussions about peace and unity, calling for concrete action to address divisions and build trust among citizens.
The former president stressed that no political party or individual had a greater claim to Sierra Leone than any other citizen, adding that political differences should not become a barrier to national development.
He also called on the government to govern with humility, respect the law and accommodate the opposition, while urging political leaders to acknowledge past mistakes and engage in open dialogue.
Koroma said the responsibility for maintaining peace did not rest solely with the president, but also with the opposition, civil society organisations, journalists and other stakeholders.
Reflecting on the 2007 political transition, Koroma recalled steps he took to maintain security arrangements for former Vice President Solomon Berewa and ensure continuity in government following the change of administration.
He said the experience highlighted the importance of responsible leadership and protecting national institutions during political transitions.
Koroma further urged Sierra Leoneans to use the current peace process to confront difficult issues, heal divisions and rebuild trust rather than allow the country to spend another decade discussing national unity without meaningful progress.
He acknowledged the support of the international community in Sierra Leone’s peacebuilding efforts but maintained that citizens and their leaders must take primary responsibility for resolving the country’s challenges.
The conference also heard from the Deputy British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Mehdi Hussain, and First Lady Fatima Bio, who both emphasised the importance of protecting peace and promoting unity as the country prepares for the 2028 general elections.
The opening ceremony also featured the presentation of National Peace Awards to individuals and institutions in recognition of their contributions to peace and national cohesion in Sierra Leone.