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Sierra Leone People’s Party Flagbearer Aspirant, Brigadier General (Rtd) Kellie Conteh has emphasized the need for the SLPP to select its next flag bearer from outside the Southern Province, urging the party to adopt a more inclusive approach ahead of the 2028 Presidential election.
In a statement made following the Flag Bearer Debate Forum held on June 27, 2025, Conteh expressed concerns over the party’s current trajectory, warning against the continuation of “elected-selection” practices that may undermine the democratic process.
Conteh acknowledged the presence of many qualified candidates within the party but stressed that the selection process must reflect the diverse interests of all regions in Sierra Leone. “We need to consider the other four regions East, North, Northwest, and West in our choice of a flag bearer to strengthen our inclusiveness and unity,” he stated.
He recalled the party’s previous decision to support Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio from the Southern Province to succeed late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, arguing that it would be unfair to elect another leader from the same region.
In addition to regional representation, Conteh proposed several criteria for the flag bearer selection process. He suggested that the candidate should be no older than mid-sixties, allowing for fresh, dynamic leadership while reserving older members for advisory roles. He also called for a clean break from the current leadership after the 2028 elections, allowing the first family to retire peacefully.
Conteh further urged the next flag bearer to be courageous in addressing existing agreements related to the country’s natural resources, advocating for changes that would better benefit Sierra Leone’s economy.
He acknowledged that those suggestions might be controversial but insisted on the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths to ensure the party’s future success.
“Let me pause for now,” Conteh concluded, inviting further discussion on his proposals. He expressed hope that the party would consider his suggestions as part of a broader strategy to unite and strengthen the SLPP for the upcoming elections.
As a renowned political figure, Conteh has held various significant positions, including National Security Coordinator and Minister of Defence, and is recognized for his contributions to security sector reform both in Sierra Leone and internationally.
To: The Editor,
Sierraloaded Online.
Ref: ERRONEOUS HEADLINE ATTRIBUTED TO RETIRED BRIGADIER-GENERAL KELLIE HASSAN CONTEH
I am Sayoh Kamara the author of the article from which you have cued this your misleading headline: “Flagbearer Aspirant Brig-Gen Kellie Conteh warms SLPP against choosing candidate from the South”.
This headline referring to Retired Brig-Gen Kellie Hassan Conteh is grossly erroneously in your diabolic attempt to label him as an SLPP flagbearer aspirant. This is not true, it lacks substance and it is quite malicious and misleading. The retired Beigadier-General has not interest, no intention whatsoever to contest for the flagbearer ticket of the SLPP.
As the original author of the said article published today, Tuesday , 1st July, 2025 in the Nightwatch Newspaper, I did not and the General did not at any point state either by inference or as a direct statement that he is aspiring for the flagbearer ticket of the SLPP.
Sierraloaded completely misrepresented the General’s honest and sincere cautionary statement to his political party about how and where should the SLPP “elected-selected” or “selected-elected” its next Presidential Flagbearer from with no bias in favour of anyone. In fact, he posited that the SLPP is blessed with an array of suitably qualified Northerners without referencing anyone, that can be the the party’s next Presidential Flagbearer.
Retired Beigadier-General Kellie Hassan Conteh is a bonafide member of the SLPP which gives him the locus and the fiat to make whatever recommendations to a party of which he is fully paid up in the general interest.
Misrepresenting him therefore in the context of what he said genuinely by attempting to distract attention to his clarion call with an embellishment as a flagbearer aspirant is quite unfortunate for which the General is demanding an unreserved apology and a retraction of that malicious headline and as a way of correcting and putting right the apparent connotations it is bound to generate.within 24 hours.
On behalf of myself as the original author of the said article and in behalf of Brigadier-General Kellie Hassan Conteh, I demand a withdrawal of the said article or you do the needful correction as well as an unreserved apology for your blatant error that has the proclivity of causing disharmony between the General and his party colleagues who have so much respect and admiration for his sharp intellect and frankness with his thoughts.
I look forward to your swift compliance in this respect.
Sincerely Yours,
Sayoh Kamara.
Good suggestion!!