When President Julius Maada Bio was elected President of Sierra Leone in 2018, he rode into office on a wave of hope and expectation. His campaign was buoyed by promises of change, progress, and prosperity. Sierra Leoneans, weary from years of corruption, mismanagement, and economic hardship, pinned their dreams on Bio as the savior who would usher in a new era of governance that prioritizes the people over politics, integrity over deceit, and development over delay.
But fast forward to today, and that hope has largely evaporated. The disappointment in President Bio and his government is palpable. Across every region and among of every demography, Sierra Leoneans feel a deep sense of betrayal. The man they believed would lead them to a better future has instead delivered a worsening of the very problems he vowed to solve. And although many had placed unprecedented trust in his leadership, what they have received in return is a government more concerned with political survival than national revival.
The Broken Promise of Transformation:
Bio’s campaign rhetoric was filled with ambitious ideas — Free Quality Education, job creation, a crackdown on corruption, food self-sufficiency, digital transformation, and a bold new vision under the “New Direction” agenda. But six years later, these promises appear hollow. The Free Quality Education program, for instance, while commendable in theory, has become a façade of numbers and slogans. Schools remain overcrowded, teachers are underpaid, learning materials are scarce, and examination results continue to decline, exposing the deep rot in the education sector. Many parents, once hopeful for the promise of free quality education, are now forced to pay bribes and other surcharges in schools just to secure basic educational services for their children.
Similarly, the much-touted Feed Salone initiative has failed to put food on the tables of ordinary citizens. Sierra Leone, a country blessed with fertile land and abundant rainfall, still imports much of its food. Hunger and malnutrition are on the rise, particularly in rural communities. The prices of basic commodities have skyrocketed under Bio’s watch, and inflation has eroded the purchasing power of families who can barely afford a daily meal.
A Government Drowned in Abject Corruption:
One of the most disheartening realities under President Bio is the persistence — and perhaps even worsening — of corruption. Sierra Leoneans had hoped that a former military leader with a strict sense of discipline would bring accountability to public service. Instead, corruption scandals have riddled the administration, with officials accused of embezzling funds meant for national development, including COVID-19 relief money, education grants, and infrastructure budgets.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), once hailed for its aggressive stance under previous regimes, now appears selective and politicized. The fight against corruption under Bio has been inconsistent, targeting political opponents while protecting insiders. This double standard has undermined public trust in governance and allowed a culture of impunity to fester at the highest levels of power.
The Economy on a Free Fall:
Sierra Leone’s economy under President Bio has struggled, with mismanagement and policy inconsistency compounding global challenges. The local currency, the Leone, has drastically depreciated; further plunging Sierra Leoneans into economic misery. Youth unemployment is alarmingly high, and many young people, disillusioned with their prospects, are turning to drugs, crime, or risking their lives in dangerous migration journeys abroad.
Instead of providing sustainable jobs and empowering local businesses, Bio’s government has been fixated on loans and foreign aid. Infrastructure development projects, such as roads and bridges, have become symbols of debt accumulation rather than national progress. The much-anticipated Lungi Bridge, which was once championed as a game-changer, remains a phantom dream. Sierra Leoneans ask: where is the bridge?
Human Rights and Democracy under Threat:
President Bio also pledged to uphold democracy, freedom of the press, and civil liberties. Yet, the country has seen a disturbing trend of authoritarianism. Journalists, activists, and political critics have been harassed, arrested, and silenced. The violent suppression of protests — including the tragic events of August 10, 2022 — remains a painful memory for many citizens, who feel that their voices are being stifled rather than heard.
The ruling SLPP government has used state institutions as tools for political persecution. Key opposition figures have been arrested on flimsy charges, and elections have been marred by irregularities. Bio’s second-term victory in 2023 was highly contested, with allegations of electoral fraud and manipulation tainting what should have been a democratic process.
A Divide Leadership-The Center no Longer Holds:
Another major disappointment lies in the internal disunity and dysfunction within the ruling establishment. President Bio’s leadership has been marked by infighting, favoritism, and tribal politics. Qualified individuals have been sidelined in favor of political loyalists, often with little regard for merit or national interest. The power struggle between key figures such as the Chief Minister, the First Lady, and other influential personalities has overshadowed the policy agenda.
This has created a vacuum of genuine leadership. Ministers are afraid to speak out for fear of losing their positions, and as a result, mediocrity thrives. Critical voices within the SLPP have either been silenced or forced into submission, leaving the President increasingly isolated and out of touch with the people.
Lost Trust and a Fading Legacy:
It is one thing to fail due to external challenges; it is another to fail because of self-inflicted wounds. The disappointment in President Bio stems not just from unmet expectations, but from a sense of betrayal. Sierra Leoneans gave him their trust — their hopes, their aspirations — and he returned the favor with broken promises, empty slogans, and deepening despair.
Many now reflect on his time in office with regret. For a man who claimed to be the “Tok and Do President,” his record is one of talk without delivery. His administration, instead of being a beacon of progress, has become a cautionary tale of wasted potential.
Yet, there remains a sliver of hope — not necessarily in the government, but in the resilience of the Sierra Leonean people. History has shown that no government, no matter how powerful or well-entrenched, can suppress the will of the people forever. Time will indeed tell. President Bio still has the opportunity to rewrite part of his legacy, but it requires humility, reform, and a willingness to listen.
A Wake-Up Call for a Radical Leadership:
The cry of Sierra Leoneans today is clear: “President Bio, we are disappointed in you.” This cry is not borne out of hatred or malice, but of love for country — a country that deserves better, a people who have suffered too much for too long. The current administration must take this discontent seriously. Ignoring it or masking it with propaganda will only deepen the divide between governments and governed.
It’s time for President Bio to reflect, re-evaluate, and recommit himself to the ideals he once championed. Otherwise, he risks joining the long list of leaders who came with promise and left with nothing but disappointment in their wake. Sierra Leoneans are watching. And yes, time will tell.
Sierra Leoneans are looking for a radical transformative leader that will discard the status quo, reinvigorate nationalism and patriotism, reunite the country beyond political, tribal and regional sentimentalisms. Yes, the people need a leader that can clearly show them a renewed sense of direction; a direction that puts Sierra Leone first, with that leadership being exceptional in character and mindset. Sierra Leoneans certainly want a change from this moribund style leadership of corruption and gross ineptitude, to the extent that this leader the country now has, has the tenacity to publicly declare that he cannot change the country for any better, and yet still, we have sycophants and hypocrites singing his praises. This kind of national sellout must be stopped and abandoned completely.