Post a comment 
Political analyst Melvin Mansaray has called on President Julius Maada Bio and former President Ernest Bai Koroma to prioritise Sierra Leone’s national interest over partisan politics, warning that ongoing reconciliation efforts could be undermined if influenced by political party agendas.
Speaking during an interview on AYV, Mansaray said the recent discontinuation of the criminal case against former President Koroma presents a significant opportunity to strengthen national unity and promote lasting political stability.
He cautioned that the reconciliation process should not be used to advance the interests of either the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) or the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), noting that such an approach could reverse progress towards peace.
Mansaray also advised both leaders to avoid interfering in the internal affairs of their respective political parties. He urged Koroma to allow the APC to independently determine its future leadership, while encouraging President Bio to permit the SLPP to conduct its own leadership process without undue influence.
According to the political analyst, the relationship between the two leaders should be guided by mutual respect and a shared commitment to national development. He said President Bio should recognise Koroma’s experience as a former Head of State, while Koroma should embrace his role as a statesman with a responsibility to contribute to the country’s peace and progress.
Mansaray further argued that stronger cooperation between the current and former presidents could enhance Sierra Leone’s influence on the regional and international stage, particularly within organisations such as ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations.
He concluded by urging both leaders to seize the current opportunity to foster reconciliation, strengthen democratic governance and place the country’s long-term stability above political considerations.
