SLPP Deputy Chairman Renews Calls for Responsible Political Engagement
By Rahman
SLPP Deputy Chairman, Robert Kondema Kargbo, has renewed calls for calm, unity, and responsible political engagement in Sierra Leone, urging political actors to rise above partisan tensions and prioritize national stability during sensitive national moments.
Speaking during a live interview on Liberty Online TV, Kargbo addressed growing public debate surrounding calls for clemency for former President Ernest Bai Koroma to enable him attend the funeral of the late All People’s Congress (APC) National Chairman. The discussion has sparked mixed reactions across the political divide, with some calling for compassion and others emphasizing legal and procedural considerations.
Kargbo used the platform to emphasize that such emotionally charged national issues require restraint, maturity, and leadership that places the country above party politics. He warned that when political disagreements are handled carelessly, they risk deepening mistrust between citizens and weakening the fragile gains made in democratic governance.
He noted that Sierra Leone’s political history has often been shaped by intense rivalry between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition APC, but stressed that the country cannot afford to remain trapped in cycles of confrontation. According to him, the focus should now shift toward healing divisions and strengthening institutions that promote dialogue rather than conflict.
The SLPP Deputy Chairman argued that moments of grief, particularly the passing of senior political figures, should serve as a bridge for reconciliation rather than a trigger for political tension. He stated that leaders at all levels carry a responsibility to ensure that their statements and actions do not inflame public sentiment or create unnecessary division among supporters.
He further cautioned that inflammatory political communication, especially when amplified through media platforms and social networks, can distort public understanding and escalate tensions beyond control. He called on political actors to exercise discipline in their messaging and to engage through formal and institutional channels when addressing sensitive national matters.
Kargbo also reflected on the broader challenges facing Sierra Leone, pointing to economic hardship, youth unemployment, and ongoing governance concerns as issues that require unified national attention. He argued that political energy should be redirected toward solving these pressing problems rather than being consumed by partisan disputes.
He stressed that no single political party has the capacity to build Sierra Leone alone, adding that sustainable development can only be achieved through cooperation, mutual respect, and a shared national vision. In his view, political competition should strengthen democracy rather than undermine social cohesion.
The SLPP Deputy Chairman also highlighted the importance of respecting democratic institutions and processes, noting that long-term peace depends on public confidence in the systems that govern political decision-making. He urged leaders to avoid actions that could be interpreted as undermining these institutions, especially during periods of national sensitivity.
His remarks come at a time when public discourse around political reconciliation continues to intensify, with growing calls from civil society and sections of the public for greater unity between political parties. Observers say the ongoing debate over clemency and participation in national events by former leaders reflects deeper questions about trust, justice, and reconciliation in Sierra Leone’s democracy.
Kargbo maintained that Sierra Leoneans must begin to see themselves first as citizens of one nation rather than as divided political supporters. He emphasized that the strength of the country’s democracy will not only be measured by elections and political competition, but also by the ability of leaders and citizens to maintain peace during emotionally sensitive national events.
He concluded by urging all political actors, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens to commit to dialogue, restraint, and national unity, stressing that the future of Sierra Leone depends on cooperation rather than confrontation.
