Former President of Sierra Leone, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, has expressed strong support for the upcoming National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference, emphasizing that mutual trust, sustained dialogue and responsible leadership are fundamental to promoting lasting peace, political tolerance and national development.

The former Head of State made the remarks on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, when a high-level delegation from the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Makeni, ahead of the two-day national conference scheduled for 26 and 27 October 2026 at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown.

The engagement formed part of ongoing consultations aimed at securing the participation of key national stakeholders, particularly current and former political leaders, in efforts to strengthen national reconciliation, promote constructive dialogue and consolidate Sierra Leone's democratic peace.

The delegation was led by the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Hawa Sally Samai, alongside the Registrar of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, Binta Mansaray. Other members included the ICPNC Regional Coordinator for the Northern Region, Foday Kanu, and the Commission's Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach, Hawa Barrie.

The visit provided an opportunity to brief former President Ernest Bai Koroma, who is expected to participate as a panelist, on the conference's objectives, structure and anticipated outcomes, while seeking his perspectives on strengthening national unity through inclusive leadership and sustained engagement.

Explaining the significance of the proposed dialogue, Binta Mansaray underscored the importance of ensuring that discussions remain focused primarily on peacebuilding, reconciliation and social cohesion rather than partisan political differences.

She maintained that bringing together leaders from different political backgrounds would demonstrate that, notwithstanding their ideological differences and competing political interests, they share a collective responsibility to safeguard Sierra Leone's peace, stability and national interests.

According to Binta Mansaray, the conference presents an important opportunity for political leaders to demonstrate mutual respect and a willingness to engage constructively on matters affecting the country's future.

Responding, former President Ernest Bai Koroma welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely, relevant and necessary in addressing the country's continuing need for greater national understanding, reconciliation and political tolerance.

He observed that although such a platform could have been established much earlier, the opportunity to promote meaningful engagement among national leaders should be embraced regardless of when it emerges.

"Leadership matters," former President Ernest Bai Koroma declared, emphasizing that the presence of political leaders with differing perspectives at the same discussion table would communicate a powerful message of national unity to citizens.

He explained that the symbolic importance of leaders engaging openly and respectfully should not be underestimated, particularly in a society where political differences can sometimes undermine public confidence and national cohesion.

The former President stressed that the willingness of political leaders to sit together, exchange ideas and demonstrate mutual respect would help ordinary Sierra Leoneans appreciate that political competition should never become an obstacle to peaceful coexistence or national development.

He further emphasized that peacebuilding must be understood as a continuous national responsibility rather than an activity confined to conferences, public declarations or occasional political engagements.

Drawing on regional experiences, former President Ernest Bai Koroma referenced Nigeria, where former Heads of State maintain institutional platforms for regular consultations on important national matters.

He suggested that similar arrangements in Sierra Leone could provide opportunities for current and former national leaders to exchange views, offer constructive advice and contribute collectively to addressing challenges affecting the country's peace and development.

In particular, he observed that regular engagements between himself and President Dr Julius Maada Bio would send a strong and reassuring message to the public that national interests transcend political affiliations and personal differences.

Former President Ernest Bai Koroma also reflected on his relationship with the late former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, recalling the importance of mutual respect and communication among national leaders despite differences in political backgrounds.

He further disclosed that the late former Vice President Solomon Berewa maintained communication with him and occasionally shared advisory notes, demonstrating how former political leaders could continue contributing positively to national affairs beyond their tenure in public office.

According to the former President, such relationships provide valuable lessons on the importance of statesmanship, consultation and the preservation of institutional relationships in strengthening democratic governance.

He reiterated that sustainable national development cannot be achieved without peace, stressing that trust remains an indispensable foundation for meaningful reconciliation and lasting social cohesion.

His remarks highlighted the broader responsibility of political leaders to promote an environment in which citizens can express differing opinions without hostility, while maintaining a shared commitment to the country's stability and progress.

In her closing remarks, ICPNC Executive Secretary Hawa Sally Samai welcomed the former President's observations and reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to ensuring that the forthcoming conference produces lasting engagement rather than becoming another isolated national gathering.

"We do not want to see unity only at the conference," Hawa Sally Samai stated.

"We want to see the President, former Presidents and former Vice Presidents sitting together to discuss peace and social cohesion for the country, visiting each other's hometowns and attending formal and informal events together. That is how we consolidate peace," she added.

The Executive Secretary explained that genuine national cohesion requires sustained interaction, mutual understanding and deliberate efforts to strengthen relationships among political leaders and citizens across different communities.

Her remarks reinforced the Commission's broader peacebuilding mandate, which seeks to encourage dialogue, prevent conflict and promote peaceful coexistence through inclusive national participation.

The forthcoming National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference is expected to provide a platform for examining practical approaches to strengthening political tolerance, rebuilding public trust and promoting cooperation among stakeholders with differing perspectives on national issues.

The anticipated participation of former President Ernest Bai Koroma as a panelist is particularly significant, given his experience as a former Head of State and his continuing influence in Sierra Leone's political landscape.

The engagement in Makeni also underscores the importance of involving former national leaders in peacebuilding initiatives, recognizing that their experience, relationships and public influence can contribute meaningfully to strengthening democratic stability and national reconciliation.

With the conference scheduled to take place from 26 to 27 October 2026, attention will increasingly focus on whether the proposed dialogue can establish practical mechanisms for sustained consultations, stronger political relationships and measurable progress towards national unity.

For former President Ernest Bai Koroma and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, the central message remains clear: lasting peace cannot be secured through symbolic gatherings alone but must be cultivated through trust, continuous dialogue, responsible leadership and a shared determination to place Sierra Leone's national interests above political differences. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/65552