The Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-GLOBAL) has reaffirmed its commitment to amplifying the voices of ordinary Sierra Leoneans, defending human rights and challenging injustice, while maintaining its independence from political parties.
The commitment was made by Dr. Alfred A. Veenod Fullah during a keynote address delivered on September 19, 2026, in which he outlined the organisation’s vision and responsibility to Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.
Dr. Fullah said SLAM-GLOBAL was not created simply to add another organisation to Sierra Leone’s growing civic space, but because many Sierra Leoneans needed a platform through which their concerns could be heard.
He said the organisation’s responsibility was not to replace the voices of citizens, but to amplify them, particularly those facing hardship, injustice, intimidation or a lack of opportunity.
“Our responsibility is not to replace that voice. Our responsibility is to amplify it,” Dr. Fullah said.
According to him, SLAM-GLOBAL has since its formation issued public statements, policy analyses and international advocacy letters, while raising questions surrounding democratic accountability, electoral integrity, justice, human rights and the strength of national institutions.
He identified Trust, Unity and Social Justice as the organisation’s guiding principles, stressing that such principles must be demonstrated through action rather than simply written on official documents.
A major theme of the address was the protection of human life regardless of political affiliation.
Dr. Fullah argued that the value of a Sierra Leonean should not depend on whether that person belongs to the All People’s Congress (APC), Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), government or opposition.
He maintained that political differences should not determine how citizens are treated, particularly when issues of justice, detention, intimidation or fundamental rights arise.
He stressed that governments and political leaders can change, laws can be rewritten and elections can be held again, but a human life cannot be replaced.
For SLAM-GLOBAL, he said, justice must involve due process, accountability and the restoration of human dignity. “Disagreement must never become a crime” he emphasized.
Dr. Fullah also called for greater tolerance of political and civic disagreement, describing disagreement as an essential component of democracy.
He argued that the strength of democracy should not be measured by how authorities treat people who agree with them, but by how they treat those who disagree.
He further defended the importance of an independent media, saying support for journalism should not depend on whether journalists publish material favourable to those in power.
“If I only support journalism when journalists write things I like, then I do not believe in a free press,” he said.
Addressing the organisation’s political identity, Dr. Fullah made clear that SLAM-GLOBAL does not identify with either the APC or SLPP.
He said the organisation would recognise government when it does what is right and challenge it when it does what is wrong. Similarly, he said responsible actions by the opposition should be acknowledged, while irresponsible conduct should also be criticised.
“Our loyalty is not to the color of a political party. Our loyalty is to principle and to the people of Sierra Leone,” he stated.
He added that engagement with government should not be interpreted as endorsement, just as dialogue with the opposition should not make the organisation part of the opposition.
According to him, maintaining dialogue with different political actors is necessary to avoid creating “echo chambers” and to build bridges across political and social divisions.
Dr. Fullah said SLAM-GLOBAL would continue to assess national issues from the perspective of ordinary citizens.
He contrasted official measures of government performance with the everyday concerns of citizens, including food, school fees, employment, healthcare, farming, affordability and press freedom.
“The people judge them by what they deliver,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to consider whether market women can afford basic necessities, whether farmers can produce and sell their goods, whether children are learning, whether graduates can find opportunities and whether journalists can investigate without fear.
He also highlighted the importance of credible elections, describing the ballot as an expression of citizens’ sovereignty rather than an issue belonging to any particular political party.
The keynote address also placed strong emphasis on the Sierra Leonean diaspora, particularly in the United States.
Dr. Fullah said Sierra Leone’s diaspora contains significant human capital, including professionals in medicine, science, education, engineering, law, business and other fields.
He argued that the diaspora should contribute to Sierra Leone’s development not only through remittances, but also through ideas, investment, knowledge, mentorship and accountability.
He described the U.S. launch of SLAM-GLOBAL as an opportunity to connect the skills and resources of Sierra Leoneans abroad with national development efforts at home.
‘Do Not Wear SLAM as a Title’
Dr. Fullah challenged members of SLAM-GLOBAL to treat membership as a responsibility rather than merely a title.
He urged members to demonstrate trustworthiness, resist tribalism, regionalism and political hatred, and respond to injustice based on what happened to the affected person rather than the political party to which that person belongs.
“Justice that changes according to political color is not justice,” he said.
He further pledged that the organisation would continue to amplify the voices of citizens including market women, farmers, fishermen, teachers, unemployed graduates, journalists and others who may feel unable to speak for themselves.
‘We Are on the Side of Sierra Leone’
Concluding his address, Dr. Fullah said SLAM-GLOBAL’s success would not be measured by ceremonies, photographs, dignitaries or applause, but by the practical difference its activities make in people’s lives.
He challenged the organisation to build bridges, defend vulnerable people, protect journalists, challenge injustice, create opportunities and contribute to a more peaceful, prosperous, democratic and humane Sierra Leone.
He said SLAM-GLOBAL would engage with political actors without surrendering its independence, disagree without dehumanising others, criticise while offering solutions, and defend human life regardless of political affiliation.
“When division asks, ‘Which side are you on?’ we will answer: We are on the side of Sierra Leone,” Dr. Fullah declared.
The keynote concluded with SLAM-GLOBAL’s three stated principles: Trust, Unity and Social Justice, alongside a reaffirmation of what Dr. Fullah described as the organisation’s responsibility to the people of Sierra Leone.