Former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma has urged Sierra Leone’s political leaders, both current and past, to engage in open dialogue and foster respect and trust to ensure lasting peace and national unity. He made this appeal during a meeting with the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) on 20th October 2026 at his residence in Makeni.
Koroma welcomed the upcoming National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference, set for 26th-27th October at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown, where he is slated to be a panellist. He described the conference as both timely and essential, calling on leaders to set aside their differences for the benefit of the country.
He suggested regular consultations among past and present leaders, citing Nigeria as a model. Koroma noted that ongoing dialogue between himself and President Dr. Julius Maada Bio could help assure the public that national interests take precedence over political affiliations.
Recalling his previous collaborations with former President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and Vice President Solomon Ekuma Berewa, he emphasised the importance of former leaders continuing to contribute to national matters through respectful conversations.
During the meeting, Bintu Mansaray, Registrar of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, highlighted that the conference should focus on peacebuilding and reconciliation rather than partisan divisions. ICPNC Executive Secretary Hawa Sally Samai supported Koroma’s suggestions, stressing the need for ongoing relationships among political leaders.
The ICPNC delegation, which included Northern Region Coordinator Foday Kanu and Hawa Barrie, Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach, noted that the conference aims to bring together national stakeholders to enhance political tolerance and rebuild public trust.
Koroma’s engagement with the ICPNC is part of broader efforts to involve key players in fostering reconciliation and preventing conflict in Sierra Leone.
