Maada Bio Rules Out 2028 Presidential Bid: “I Will Not Be a Candidate”
Osman Tolo Sesay President Julius Maada Bio has reiterated that he will not contest the 2028 presidential election, saying his priority is to build strong national institutions and preserve Sierra Leone’s peace before leaving office.
Bio made the declaration while addressing the National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference 2026, where he emphasized the need to establish institutions that serve all citizens fairly beyond his presidency.
“My task now is to leave behind institutions that serve every citizen fairly and protect the peace we enjoy today,” Bio stated.
The president also urged political leaders to move beyond past disagreements and focus on the country’s future, reaffirming his willingness to engage people across the political divide.
His statement places his position on the 2028 presidential race alongside his stated commitment to institutional development and national unity.
Bio also called for renewed action to support victims of Sierra Leone’s civil war, directing the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) and relevant institutions to review and strengthen the reparations program recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
He said war survivors, victims of sexual violence, former child soldiers, bereaved families and persons with disabilities had waited too long for the country to fulfill its commitments to them.