Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh has come to the defence of President Julius Maada Bio, explaining why he believes the president deserves the title “Father of Democracy” in Sierra Leone.
In a video shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) page on Saturday afternoon, Sengeh praised President Bio’s democratic credentials, noting his ongoing efforts to transform governance and foster national unity.
“The reason President Bio is regarded as the father of democracy is because of what he is doing to transform and make sure that we are united,” Sengeh stated.
He further stressed on the President’s commitment to dialogue, especially in the wake of the 2023 general elections. According to the Chief Minister, Bio’s openness to post-election dialogue led to 80 significant recommendations from the Tripartite Committee, many of which include reforms in public elections law and constitutional governance.
Sengeh also expressed President Bio’s push for the amendment of the country’s 1991 Constitution, a move backed by both the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report and the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Report as a pivotal step in strengthening democracy.
However, the acclamation of President Bio as the “father of democracy” has sparked debate among political observers and academics. One of the most notable critics is Professor Jimmy Kandeh, who has openly disagreed with the claim. In a televised debate, Kandeh countered arguments made by former Information Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray, who supported Bio’s democratic credentials.
Kandeh referenced the writings of former U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, John Hirsch, who noted in his book that Bio had shown reluctance to hand over power to a civilian government in 1996, casting doubt on the President’s democratic legacy.
As Sierra Leone continues to grapple with the complexities of democratic growth and political memory, the question remains: can a leader’s current reforms outweigh controversial chapters from the past? For many citizens, the answer lies not in titles but in the long-term impact of leadership on national unity, transparency, and justice.
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