By Josephine Sesay

President Julius Maada Bio has reiterated that he will not be a candidate in Sierra Leone’s 2028 presidential election, saying his priority is to build strong national institutions, promote unity and safeguard the country’s peace beyond his tenure.

President Bio made the declaration while addressing the National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference 2026, where he emphasised the importance of leaving behind a lasting legacy built on institutional strength, fairness and peaceful coexistence.

“My task now is to leave behind institutions that serve every citizen fairly and protect the peace we enjoy today,” the President stated.

His remarks underscored his commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring that public institutions serve all Sierra Leoneans without discrimination.

The President also urged political leaders to move beyond disagreements over the past and focus on building a peaceful and prosperous future for the country. He stressed the importance of responsible political engagement and reaffirmed his willingness to engage people across the political divide in the interest of national unity.

Bio’s appeal comes amid ongoing efforts to strengthen social cohesion and encourage constructive dialogue among political stakeholders, as Sierra Leone continues to consolidate its peace and democratic governance.

Beyond political unity, the President addressed the country’s outstanding obligations to victims and survivors of the civil war, highlighting the need to provide meaningful support to those who continue to live with the consequences of the conflict.

He specifically identified wounded war survivors, victims of sexual violence, former child soldiers, bereaved families and persons with disabilities as groups requiring sustained attention and assistance.

President Bio acknowledged the importance of addressing their needs, stressing that the country must do more to fulfil its responsibilities to citizens who suffered during the war.

As part of efforts to strengthen support for affected communities, he directed the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) and other relevant institutions to review and strengthen the reparations programme recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

The reparations programme was among the measures recommended to address the suffering of victims and survivors of the civil war and support their recovery. However, the President’s remarks highlighted concerns over the length of time many affected citizens have waited for the country to fulfil its commitments.

He emphasised that these citizens should not continue to wait indefinitely for the support and recognition they deserve, calling for renewed attention to the implementation of the recommendations.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established following Sierra Leone’s devastating civil war to document human rights violations, promote reconciliation and recommend measures to prevent a recurrence of the conflict.

The Commission’s recommendations remain an important part of the country’s post-war recovery and efforts to promote justice, accountability and national reconciliation.

President Bio’s address therefore placed two major issues at the centre of the national conversation: the need for a peaceful political transition after the 2028 election and the responsibility to address the continuing needs of war victims.

His renewed declaration that he will not contest the 2028 presidential election also directs attention towards the importance of strong institutions capable of sustaining democratic governance beyond the tenure of an individual president.

As Sierra Leone continues to pursue national unity and social cohesion, the President called for greater cooperation among political leaders and institutions to protect the country’s peace, strengthen public trust and ensure that the needs of vulnerable citizens receive the attention they deserve.

The conference provided a platform for discussions on national unity, peaceful coexistence and the shared responsibility of political leaders and citizens in securing Sierra Leone’s future.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 28th October 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)