Open Letter to Sierra Leoneans
Dear Sierra Leoneans of All Walks of Life,
I write to you today not as a critic, but as a concerned citizen, one of you, who has seen our shared struggles, witnessed our collective frustration, and observed the path we continue to walk. This letter is not to chastise but to encourage deep reflection on the situation we find ourselves in as a nation. We are, after all, the custodians of Sierra Leone’s destiny, and it is our actions, decisions, and attitudes that will determine the future we hand down to our children.
Our country is blessed with abundant resources: rich soil, minerals, and perhaps most importantly, a resilient and youthful population. Yet, despite this, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of poverty, corruption, and stagnation. The gap between what Sierra Leone could be and what it is today is vast, and while many point fingers at politicians, I must respectfully say that we, the people must also take responsibility for our own predicament.
Sierra Leoneans, we are the very architects of our own suffering. Yes, we are misled by corrupt politicians who make hollow promises during every election cycle, but we, the people, enable them. We are quick to celebrate those who show no genuine concern for our well-being, giving them our loyalty simply because they wear the colours of a political party or belong to a certain region or tribe. We abandon long-standing relationships, our friends, neighbours, even family members because of political differences. Is this truly worth it?
For politicians who have repeatedly failed us, we fight. We insult each other on social media, sometimes even resorting to violence, all in defence of individuals who have done nothing to lift us out of the poverty and despair that plagues us. When we are caught in the aftermath of this violence whether jailed, injured, or even killed those very politicians turn a blind eye. We, the people, are left to bear the consequences of actions that benefit no one but the political elite.
Brothers and sisters, I ask you this: have you ever truly sat down to evaluate the promises these politicians make to us? Have you noticed that the same pledges are made every election cycle? Roads, jobs, healthcare, education these are the broken records we hear every time. Yet, after the elections are over, where are the results?
Do we pause to reflect on how much we’ve grown or failed to grow over the past five, ten, or even twenty years? When was the last time you saw any meaningful change in your own life or the lives of your family members because of the efforts of our leaders? If anything, it feels as though life becomes more difficult with each passing year.
It is time to take a deep breath and imagine what our country could have been like had our politicians been honest. Imagine if they had fought for us as passionately as we fight for them. If they had cared as deeply about our future as we do about their election victories. The truth is, our politicians have neglected their duty to the people, yet we continue to empower them, offering our unwavering support without questioning their sincerity or intentions.
To my fellow Sierra Leoneans living abroad, I extend this same challenge. Many of you have witnessed firsthand how countries you now reside in have developed under competent and visionary leadership. You’ve seen how leaders elsewhere invest in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and job creation, ensuring that their people live dignified lives. Why, then, do we sit behind our keyboards and promote rogue politicians in Sierra Leone, many of whom have done nothing but exploit our people for personal gain?
Yes, I know that some of you receive money or positions in exchange for your loyalty. But have you paused to think about the long-term effects of this? Supporting a corrupt politician today may put a few pennies in your pocket, but what happens to your brothers and sisters back home who are left to suffer under the weight of that corruption? What happens to the children who must attend crumbling schools, the patients who must be treated in hospitals without medicine, or the families who must live without electricity or clean water?
Your position in the diaspora gives you a unique perspective, and with that comes responsibility. You have the power to influence change, to demand better for your country. Instead of supporting politicians who exploit you, why not use your voice to uplift honest leaders who have the people’s best interests at heart?
Brothers and sisters, I do not condemn you because I want to disrespect you. I do not call you out because I have something personal against you. I speak this way because I care about our future. We cannot continue on this path, defending fraudsters who call themselves politicians and leaders, while our families continue to live in hardship. We must ask ourselves: what has improved in our lives since we began running around in defence of these politicians?
Do we want to live in a country where only the children of politicians have access to quality education and healthcare, while the rest of us struggle just to survive? Do we want to create a dynasty of political elites who will continue to exploit our country’s wealth for their personal benefit, leaving us with nothing? When they are sick, they fly abroad for treatment. When their children need education, they send them to the best schools around the world. Yet, they return to Sierra Leone and expect us to bow before them once again.
I implore you, my brothers and sisters, to put aside the petty political fights. If you have had a falling out with a friend, family member, or neighbours because of politics, I urge you to reconcile with them. Let go of the bitterness and ask for forgiveness. Let us not allow politics to divide us any longer. We must stand united, as Sierra Leoneans, in the face of the challenges that lie ahead.
The power to change Sierra Leone rests with us, not the politicians. We, the people, are the foundation of this nation. The authority belongs to us. It is our right, and indeed our duty, to demand better from our leaders. If a politician, regardless of whether they are a friend, family member, or someone you’ve supported in the past, does not have the interests of the people at heart, then it is time to turn away from them. Their loyalty lies not with us, but with their own personal gain.
Sierra Leoneans, I ask you to think critically about the role we play in politics. Many of us have grown up believing that supporting a political party is akin to loyalty to one’s tribe, region, or even family. But in reality, political parties are simply vehicles for individuals to gain power. They are not the source of our identity, nor should they dictate the relationships we have with one another.
We must begin to evaluate our leaders not based on party colours or empty rhetoric, but on their track record of service to the people. We must look at their policies, their actions, and their commitment to national development. If we continue to blindly follow political parties without questioning the individuals who lead them, we will remain trapped in this cycle of poverty and exploitation.
As we approach the next election cycle, I urge all of you to engage in peaceful dialogue. Do not resort to violence. Do not allow yourself to be manipulated into fighting your fellow Sierra Leoneans over politicians who have failed us time and time again. Instead, let us engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our country. Let us demand accountability from our leaders and let us work together to build a better Sierra Leone.
It is time for us to reject the politics of division, hatred, and violence. We must embrace the values of peace, unity, and cooperation. Only then can we create the Sierra Leone we all dream of one where our children have access to quality education, where our healthcare system is strong, and where our economy provides opportunities for all.
Sierra Leoneans, the power is in our hands. We are the ones who can bring about the change we so desperately need. But first, we must change our mindset. We must stop defending corrupt politicians and start holding them accountable. We must stop fighting one another and start working together for the common good.
Let us rise up as one people, united in our desire for a better future. Let us demand honesty, integrity, and accountability from our leaders. And let us never again allow ourselves to be divided by the empty promises of those who seek only to exploit us.
The future of Sierra Leone depends on us. Let us make the right choice.
Yours sincerely,
Alpha Amadu Jalloh