All People’s Congress (APC) presidential flagbearer aspirant Dr Ibrahim Bangura has called on Sierra Leoneans to overcome political and ethnic divisions, saying national unity, dialogue and accountable governance are essential to the country’s long-term stability and development.
In a statement titled “We Can Be Whole Again: Let Us Unite Sierra Leone,” Bangura said the country must move beyond the legacy of civil war, political divisions and economic difficulties to build a shared national future.
He said Sierra Leone’s ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity should be regarded as a national strength rather than a source of division, urging communities to promote tolerance and mutual understanding.
Bangura specifically referenced the Temne, Mende, Limba and Krio communities, saying citizens should place their common identity as Sierra Leoneans above ethnic differences.
He also identified youth empowerment as central to national cohesion, arguing that greater access to education, employment and opportunities would help young people resist tribalism and political manipulation.
The APC aspirant called on the government, civil society organisations and communities to invest in youth development and promote national values over individual interests.
On governance, Bangura said justice, integrity and equal treatment of citizens were necessary for national healing and the restoration of public trust.
He argued that citizens must feel heard, protected and treated fairly, adding that leadership based on integrity and equal service would strengthen confidence in public institutions.
Sierra Leone has continued to grapple with political polarisation and economic pressures, making national reconciliation and institutional trust important issues in the country’s political discourse.
Bangura said citizens must be willing to move beyond past grievances and work collectively towards a more peaceful and prosperous country.
“Sierra Leone has suffered, but we are not broken,” he said, calling for a shared commitment to building a stronger and more united nation for future generations.
