August 29th, 2025
PRESS STATEMENT
SIERRA LEONEANS DEMAND LEADERS WHO PUT PEOPLE FIRST,
NOT “ME-FIRST” POLITICS
In a powerful call to action, the Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-GLOBAL) today denounced recent “me-first” leadership rhetoric and demanded a “people-first” approach from those in power. This response comes after Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki- Sawyerr’s latest interview, in which she repeatedly spoke about her own actions and risks – using “I” and “me” at every turn – yet failed to voice the urgent needs of ordinary Sierra Leoneans. SLAM-GLOBAL urges all leaders and presidential aspirants to remember that true leadership is about service and present-day responsiveness to the people’s pain, not self-promotion or legacy-building.
Mayor’s Self-Focused Interview vs. The People’s Plight: Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s interview showcased a troubling disconnect. She highlighted her personal role and sacrifices – noting that “you all saw me at the party office today” and even stating that her own child’s life “was at risk” during political unrest. She defended her cautious, law-focused approach by pointing to her presence on the ground and loyalty to party directives. Yet in the nearly hour-long dialogue, she hardly mentioned the struggling masses of Sierra Leone – the poor, the sick, the voiceless, and victims of electoral injustice were notably absent from her narrative. Instead of outlining solutions for suffering citizens, the Mayor emphasized that “we are governed by a constitution… if you want to challenge an election, go to court”, urging opponents to accept legal routes and prepare for the next polls. She even chastised ongoing grassroots protests for “weakening” her party, dismissing continued calls for electoral justice as futile.
This “I, me, my” emphasis is deeply disappointing. Sierra Leoneans are not interested in leaders reciting their résumés or reliving past glories while crises rage on. As one market woman in Freetown put it, “We cannot feed our children on promises of tomorrow. Leaders keep talking about themselves or the next election while we struggle to survive today. We need help now – not in 2028.” Her words reflect a widespread sentiment: mothers, farmers, teachers, youths, and patients in clinics want to hear how their leaders will ease their hardships, not how those leaders are patting themselves on the back.
True Leadership Prioritizes Service and Urgent Action: SLAM-GLOBAL reminds all public figures that leadership is measured by the lived reality of citizens, not by personal narratives or choreographed applause. A true leader speaks up for the hungry family, the unemployed youth, the ill who cannot afford care, and those silenced by injustice. In Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s interview, however, we heard no mention of the destitute or disenfranchised. She did not acknowledge the soaring costs and hunger gripping our nation, with consumer prices up over 50% and youth unemployment near 60%. Not a word was said about the sick and vulnerable in our hospitals, or the dozens of citizens still jailed for protesting the 2023 elections and the families of those killed during that turmoil. While politicians talk, the economy is in freefall and people suffer – yet the Mayor offered no plan to relieve this pain now, focusing instead on future elections and her own role.
Freetonians Still Waiting for Real Change: While Mayor Aki-Sawyerr often highlights her achievements in Freetown – from city beautification projects to environmental campaigns – the daily lives of Freetonians tell a harsher story. Ordinary residents still queue for hours to access clean drinking water. Youth wander without jobs or hope. Families in Kroo Bay, Susan’s Bay, and other informal settlements continue to live in flood-prone shacks without drainage, sanitation, or reliable electricity. Traders complain that the cost of a bag of rice has doubled since 2022, while market spaces remain overcrowded and unsafe. For too many in Freetown, survival remains a daily struggle, and the grand speeches about leadership fall flat against the backdrop of their suffering.
Freetonians also remember that when they raised their voices – whether protesting corruption, bad governance, or electoral injustice – they were met with silence or suppression. As one young man from Calaba Town told SLAM-GLOBAL: “They say she is a global mayor, but here in Freetown, we are still choking on smoke from burning garbage and sleeping in darkness. We don’t feel seen.” This testimony reflects the reality that leadership cannot be measured by international accolades or headlines abroad. It must be measured by how the people at home live and breathe. On that test, the people of Freetown are still waiting for transformation that truly improves their daily lives.
SLAM-GLOBAL finds this approach unacceptable: Leadership is about service in the present, not just visions of tomorrow. Unity and democracy cannot be built on platitudes and personal positioning. They require speaking hard truths and taking bold action for the people’s benefit, here and now. The Mayor’s focus on following constitutional processes and waiting for 2028 might be well-intentioned, but it offers little comfort when she fails to stand up forcefully for justice and relief in 2023 and 2024. Present-day responsiveness – advocating for suffering citizens and addressing injustice in real time – is the test of leadership, not simply managing one’s image or deflecting blame.
A Wider Crisis: Aspirants Fixated on Legacy, Not Justice – Disturbingly, Mayor Aki- Sawyerr’s tone is symptomatic of a wider issue among Sierra Leone’s declared presidential aspirants, across party lines. Too many would-be leaders – whether from the ruling party or the opposition – appear fixated on positioning themselves and polishing their legacy, rather than fighting for justice, truth, and urgent reform. They speak of “moving forward” or personal achievements, yet shy away from the tough conversations about what went wrong and who was wronged. They urge patience and unity without addressing the root causes of division. Even as international observers documented glaring irregularities in the June 2023 polls, and the election remains shrouded in doubt, these politicians prefer to gloss over that inconvenient truth in favor of feel-good rhetoric. From State House photo-ops to opposition press conferences, we hear plenty of talk about “peace” and “progress” – but little about accountability, truth-telling, or justice for the last election.
SLAM-GLOBAL warns that unity built on a lie is no unity at all. Our nation cannot heal or move forward if the grievances of 2023 are swept under the carpet. Justice and truth must come first. We have seen what cosmetic politics leads to: closed-door meetings of elites that produce no transparency, no economic relief, and no justice. Sierra Leoneans will not settle for a cosmetic unity bargain that sidesteps the truth. We reject public relations gestures and self-congratulatory speeches that ignore the real issues. As SLAM- GLOBAL has previously emphasized, “Sierra Leone’s recovery will only come through truth, transparency and reform – these are the pillars upon which genuine national unity must be built.”
2023 Election Grievances Remain Unanswered – We Will Not Be Silenced:
It has been over two years since the disputed 2023 general elections, yet the wounds are still open. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s interview, in urging everyone to simply go to court and wait for the next vote, tried to draw a line under 2023 – but we refuse to ignore unresolved grievances. The facts are clear: the June 2023 elections were marred by irregularities and lack of transparency. To this day, the Electoral Commission for Siera Leone (ECSL) has failed to publish all polling station results or permit a full independent audit. Key promises made in the October 2023 Agreement for National Unity remain unfulfilled: political prisoners detained after the elections have not all been released, elected opposition officials still await their due salaries, and the agreed electoral complaints committees have yet to deliver answers.
These are not mere details to be brushed aside. They strike at the heart of our democracy. Truth about vote counts, prosecution of any fraud, and release of political prisoners are non-negotiable. Anything less is, to quote SLAM-GLOBAL’s earlier statement, “cosmetic dialogue that ignores the will of the voters.” Sierra Leoneans who continue to demand clarity and justice for 2023 are not troublemakers “weakening” the nation – they are patriots insisting that our leaders respect the people’s voice. Their calls for electoral justice must not be silenced or sidelined. We remind Mayor Aki- Sawyerr and all aspirants: justice delayed is justice denied. Telling citizens to “move on” while their legitimate questions go unanswered is an affront to their rights. The mandate of the people is sacred, and healing the nation requires acknowledging and correcting wrongdoing, not sweeping it under the rug.
Leaders Must Act for the People – Not Parade Achievements or Deflect Blame: SLAM-GLOBAL also notes with concern how some leaders attempt to burnish their image by touting past accomplishments or shifting blame, instead of accepting responsibility and driving change. In her interview, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr spoke at length about her accomplishments in Freetown and her obedience to party hierarchy, and she blamed “misinformation and disinformation” for party rifts. Similarly, others in power brag of infrastructure projects or years-old economic growth figures even as today’s reality is one of inflation, joblessness, and desperation. This is not leadership – it’s public relations. Our people can’t eat a legacy, and they can’t wait years for pride to yield progress.
We echo the question posed in our previous statement: What do these scripted pronouncements truly deliver for the suffering people of Sierra Leone? Strip away the press releases and political grandstanding – what remains? What concrete benefit does the child whose school fees cannot be paid see today? What does the market woman battling 52% inflation take home tomorrow? How does boasting about the past or deflecting blame bring justice to those jailed for their political beliefs, or hope to those voiceless citizens afraid to speak up? The answer is clear: it does nothing for them. Government cannot be a theatre of photo ops and self-congratulation. Real leadership means owning up to problems and fixing them. It means putting the people’s needs above one’s ego or reputation. As SLAM-GLOBAL has stated, “without propaganda, what hope do you truly offer the people?”
We call on Mayor Aki-Sawyerr and all others vying to lead: stop the self-praise and finger-pointing, and start fighting for the common Sierra Leonean. Unity and democracy demand action, not excuses. True unity is forged by delivering justice and economic relief to the people, not by convening elites in closed rooms or reciting one’s own achievements. Every leader, from the President down to a Mayor, must be accountable to the people’s needs – no office is above scrutiny.
SLAM-GLOBAL’s Demands and Commitment to Accountability: SLAM-GLOBAL stands firmly on the side of the people. In light of the Mayor’s interview and the broader political climate, we are amplifying our demands for justice, accountability, and immediate action to address the people’s needs. Our position is clear and non- negotiable:
” Reveal the Truth – Now: The full truth of the 2023 elections must come out. We demand that the Electoral Commission publish all 2023 polling data immediately and allow an independent forensic audit of the results. If the ruling authorities are confident in the outcome, they should fear no sunlight. Likewise, any fraud or tampering must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Justice cannot wait for another election.
” Deliver Justice for Victims: All political detainees held over election- related protests must be released at once – unity cannot begin while prisoners of conscience languish in cells. We also insist on accountability for state violence: every case of excessive force, every life lost in the 2022 and 2023 demonstrations, must be independently investigated and those responsible held to account. The cries of the bereaved families and the voiceless cannot be ignored.
” People-Centered Leadership, Not Tomorrow but Today: We urge every aspirant and official to address the current socio-economic emergency with concrete action, not platitudes. Runaway prices and rampant unemployment are crushing millions, so leaders must present immediate relief plans – wage increases or cost-of-living adjustments to match inflation, job-creation programmes targeting youth and graduates, and emergency measures to make food and fuel affordable. Do not tell us to wait until 2028; act now to ease the suffering. Words like “we will fix it later” carry no weight when a quarter of our population lives in extreme poverty today.
” End the Culture of Repression and Impunity: Stop intimidating and silencing critics and opponents. We demand an end to the arrests, harassment, and muzzling of civil society and media. Let 2025 be the year Sierra Leone turns the page on political repression. Restoring democratic freedoms is not just talk – it requires withdrawing abusive policies (like broad cybercrime laws used to stifle dissent) and upholding the rule of law impartially. Corruption and abuse of power, whether by those in government or in opposition, must be exposed and punished without fear or favor. No one is above the law – no matter their title or ambition.
” Transparency and Reform for Real Unity: We call on all political parties and aspiring leaders to publicly commit to governance reforms that put citizens first. This includes strengthening independent institutions (such as restoring the independence of the Auditor-General and Anti-Corruption Commission), ensuring electoral transparency in all future contests, and embracing inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders – not just the political elite. Unity can only emerge from truth and reform, not from whitewashing issues. SLAM-GLOBAL will monitor each leader’s actions against these benchmarks and will not hesitate to call out hypocrisy or inaction.
Our commitment: SLAM-GLOBAL will continue to hold every political figure accountable to the people of Sierra Leone. We are a non-partisan Movement powered by citizens at home and abroad who refuse to be ignored. We will amplify the voices of the poor, the marginalized, and the oppressed in every forum available. No office-holder and no candidate will be exempt from scrutiny – the era of blindly idolizing politicians must end. We pledge to keep shining a light on the truth, whether it’s through public statements, open letters, community organizing, or international advocacy. If a leader – current or future – truly commits to the people’s welfare and to upholding justice, we will work with them. If they do not, we will peacefully and persistently oppose their agenda. Our guiding principle is simple: the needs and rights of Sierra Leoneans come first.
A Rallying Call: Unite for Accountability and People-First Governance:
This is a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s history. SLAM-GLOBAL calls on all Sierra Leoneans – at home and in the diaspora – to stand up and demand real accountability. Do not be swayed by grandstanding or demagoguery. Hold your leaders to a higher standard: insist that they address your grievances, tell you the truth, and work for your benefit. Our nation’s youth, workers, mothers, and elders deserve leaders who will fight for them, not use them as stepping stones to power. We also urge our international partners and friends of Sierra Leone to support the cause of a just, people-centered democracy. The world must not look away as Sierra Leoneans push for their rights – whether it’s pressing for electoral transparency, economic justice, or an end to political repression, global solidarity can make a difference.
Now is the time for unity of purpose – a unity forged in truth and accountability. Let us reject the politics of vanity and distraction. Let us remember that sovereignty belongs to the people, and those who seek to lead must earn the people’s trust not by words, but by deeds. Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s interview may have forgotten the people, but the people have not forgotten what they are owed: justice, truth, and a government that cares. Together, we can make sure every aspirant and office-holder in Sierra Leone hears this message loud and clear.
Sierra Leoneans worldwide: your voices matter. Raise them for those who cannot. Demand leaders who say “you, the people” more than “I, the leader.” Demand answers for 2023, action in 2024, and hope for 2025 and beyond. SLAM-GLOBAL stands with you in this fight. We believe in a Sierra Leone where power truly belongs to the people, and no one is above accountability.
United for truth and justice, we will not be silenced. Sierra Leone deserves nothing less.
P.S. We invite you to explore our recently published analysis in a book, “Building a Nation: Good Governance and Democratic Principles in Sierra Leone.” As we unite for change in 2025, this resource provides valuable insights for activists, policymakers, and concerned citizens committed to Sierra Leone’s transformation. Find it here: link.
Signed By:
Dr. Alfred A. Veenod Fullah
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
CC:
” Office of the Chairman, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
” Office of the President of Sierra Leone
” Office of the Vice President of Sierra Leone
” Speaker of the Sierra Leone House of Parliament
” Office of the Chief Minister of the Government of Sierra Leone
” Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL)
” Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police
” Chief of Defence Staff, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF)
” Office of National Security, Sierra Leone
” Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion
” Leonardo Santos Simao, Representative of the Secretary-General & Head of UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)
” African Union (AU)
” Amnesty International
” Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State
” Vice President, Congressional and Public Affairs
” The Commonwealth Secretary-General
” Karim Ahmad Khan, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC)
” Richard YOUNG, Chief de Division, Afrique de l’Ouest
” Ms. Ursula Von Der Lyen, European Commissioner
” The United Nations Representative in Sierra Leone
” H. E. Oumar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission
” Madam Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, former VP of The Gambia
” H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
” H.E John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana
” H. E. Bassiru Faye, President of Senegal
” H.E Adama Barro, President of The Gambia
” H.E. Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea
” H.E. Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia
” H.E Alassane Ouattara, President of Ivory Coast
” H.E Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove, President of the Togolese Republic
” David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Dev Affairs, UK
” Neil Alan John Coyle, MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark, UK
” Ambassador Aly Diallo, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to the UK&I
” Ambassador Mohammad Maidugu, Acting High Commissioner of Nigeria in the UK&I
” Her Excellency Dr Fatou Bensouda, Head of Mission, The Gambia high Commission, UK&I
” H.E Fatimata Dia, Ambassador of Senegal to the UK&I
” H.E Gurly T. Gibson-Schwarz, Ambassador of Liberia to the UK&I
” Her Excellency Josephine Gauld, British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of the United States of America to Sierra Leone
” Head of the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone
” General Consul of Canada in Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of China to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Germany to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Lebanon to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Iran to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Brazil to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Sweden to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Libya to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Egypt to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Guinea to Sierra Leone
” Ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone
” High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Sierra Leone
” High Commissioner of Ghana to Sierra Leone
” High Commissioner of The Gambia to Sierra Leone
” General Consul of Italy in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul-General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul-General of Ireland in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul-General of India to Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Senegal in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Syria in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Turkey in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Mali in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Romania in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Norway in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Hungary in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of France in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Belgium in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of The Netherlands in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Spain in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Serbia in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Austria in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Denmark in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Russia in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Sierra Leone
” Honorary Consul of South Africa in Sierra Leone
” Civil Society Movement – Sierra Leone (CSM – SL)
” Media Reform Coordinating Group of Sierra Leone (MRCG)
” Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO)
” Civil rights Defenders – Sierra Leone
” National Elections Watch (NEW) – Sierra Leone
” Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) – Sierra Leone
” Women’s Forum – Sierra Leone
” Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD)
” Sierra Leone Legal Aid Board
” Faith-Based and Interfaith Organizations – (Interreligious Council of Sierra Leone)
” Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL)
” Fourah Bay College – University of Sierra Leone
” Institute of Governance Reform (IGR)
” Youth Partnership for Peace and Development (YPPD)
” Children’s Forum Network
” Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) – Sierra Leone
” Awoko Newspaper – Sierra Leone
” Liberty TV Online – Sierra Leone
” Radio Democracy 98.1 FM Station – Sierra Leone
” The New York Times
” The Washington Post
” The USA Today
” The Cable News Network (CNN)
” The MicroSoft National Broadcast Corporation (MSNBC)
” The Fox News
” The Associated Press
” Thomson Reuters
” The National Public Radio (NPR)
” The Brookings Institution
” The Heritage Foundation
” The Center For American Progress
” The National Association For The Advancement Of Colored People (NAACP)
” The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
” The MoveOn
” The Democratic National Committee
” The Republican National Committee
” The EMILY’s List
” The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
” The Sky News
” Al Jazeera
” The Independent Television (ITV)
” The Times
” The Financial Times
” The Guardian
” The Daily Telegraph