Former President Koroma Engages Media on National Peace and 2028 Elections
Salamatu Y. Kamara Former President Ernest Bai Koroma has called on Sierra Leoneans, political parties and state institutions to embrace dialogue, compromise and tolerance, warning that the country’s hard-won peace can only be sustained through collective commitment.
Koroma made the call during a press conference at his Femi Turner residence in the Western Area Rural District, where he reflected on his participation in the recent National Peace Conference and Sierra Leone’s democratic progress since the end of the civil war in 2002.
Describing his return to the country as “good and refreshing,” the former President stressed that Sierra Leone cannot afford to repeatedly return to political uncertainty after every election.
“Peace requires effort, dialogue, compromise and a willingness to accommodate one another,” he said, urging citizens to take advantage of every opportunity to move the country forward.
He identified the need to strengthen independent state institutions as a major priority, emphasising that public services and justice must be delivered fairly, without political connections or personal influence.
According to Koroma, both politicians and ordinary citizens have a responsibility to respect institutional independence and ensure that decisions are taken on objective grounds rather than personal interests.
He also called for merit-based appointments and greater respect for professionalism, urging authorities to ensure that qualified individuals are given the responsibility to manage public institutions.
“Let us ensure the right people handle the jobs and allow them to take decisions based on their professionalism. We are all tired, so let’s come out as a new Sierra Leone that gives equal opportunities for everybody,” he stated.
Koroma further argued that while political appointments may change with successive governments, technical professionals should be retained to guarantee continuity and effective delivery of public services.
Reflecting on his personal political future, the former President said he had moved beyond seeking political positions and was now more interested in contributing to the country’s development.
“I have done it all; it’s time to give back. I am no longer aspiring to be chairman or president, and so I look at things differently,” he said.
He also emphasised the importance of building trust across ethnic, regional and political divides, noting that citizens should be able to live, work and conduct business anywhere in the country based on opportunities and merit.
On accountability, Koroma described constructive criticism as essential to improving leadership performance and strengthening democratic institutions. However, he cautioned that criticism should be based on objective concerns rather than personal or political interests.
“When you are criticised you will do your job better. But criticism has to be constructive,” he told journalists and civil society representatives.
Looking ahead to the 2028 general elections, Koroma raised concerns about unresolved issues surrounding the census and electoral processes, stressing that no group should be disadvantaged.
He expressed hope that future elections would be conducted in an atmosphere where winners could celebrate and those who lose would peacefully accept the results, thereby strengthening the country’s democratic credentials and creating a more favourable environment for investment.
The former President also reaffirmed his willingness to support President Julius Maada Bio in advancing national peace, while noting that the actions of political leaders could either strengthen or undermine the country’s progress.
“This requires all of us, irrespective of political parties. It is about Sierra Leone,” he emphasised, warning that there was limited time to address outstanding concerns before political tensions surrounding the next electoral cycle intensify.
On regional cooperation, Koroma acknowledged the challenges facing the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), particularly the withdrawal of three member states, while stressing that Sierra Leone’s stability remains important to the wider development of the West African region.
He concluded by urging political leaders, state institutions and citizens to collectively use the current peacebuilding opportunity to ensure that the 2028 electoral cycle consolidates the country’s democratic gains rather than threatens its hard-won peace.