Sam-Sumana Warns Political Actors Against Hypocrisy

By Abdul Rahman Bah

Former Vice President of Sierra Leone, Chief Alhaji Samuel Sam-Sumana, has warned against political hypocrisy in the pursuit of national peace, stressing that public demonstrations of solidarity must be supported by genuine actions beyond the media spotlight.

At the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Freetown on Monday, October 26, 2026, amid the National Unity and Social Cohesion Conference, Sam-Sumana challenged political actors to ensure that their public commitments to peace reflect their conduct and decisions outside formal gatherings.

“It would be hypocritical of them to demonstrate such solidarity in front of the media, only to turn around and act otherwise,” Sam-Sumana said.

His remarks raise a fundamental question about Sierra Leone’s peacebuilding process: can national unity be achieved through public declarations alone, or must political leaders demonstrate a sustained commitment to cooperation, accountability and mutual respect?

The conference, organised by the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), is taking place from October 26 to 27 under a theme focused on moving from commitments to practical action to strengthen unity, rebuild trust and advance social cohesion. The gathering brings together political leaders, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, women, young people, religious leaders and development partners.

Sam-Sumana’s intervention comes at a significant moment in Sierra Leone’s political journey, three years after the Government and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) signed the Agreement for National Unity on October 18, 2023, following the disputed June 2023 elections. The agreement, facilitated by international partners, established mechanisms for political dialogue and electoral reforms.

Although the agreement provided a framework for reducing political tensions, the broader challenge remains ensuring that commitments translate into lasting confidence between political parties, state institutions and citizens. The effectiveness of any peace agreement ultimately depends on implementation, transparency and the willingness of all parties to honour their obligations.

The conference is therefore expected to move beyond expressions of goodwill towards practical measures that can strengthen national cohesion. According to pre-conference reporting, discussions are intended to examine outstanding commitments, identify responsible institutions and establish implementation timelines. Other priorities include conflict prevention, inclusion, community peacebuilding, justice, the rule of law and responsible communication.

Sam-Sumana’s warning is particularly relevant in a political environment where statements made before cameras can create an impression of unity, while disagreements and mistrust may persist away from public view. Genuine peace requires leaders to respect dialogue processes, reject inflammatory rhetoric and demonstrate restraint when political differences arise.

The presence of current and former national leaders at Bintumani offers an opportunity to demonstrate that political competition need not prevent cooperation on matters of national importance. However, attendance and handshakes alone cannot guarantee lasting reconciliation.

For the conference to deliver meaningful results, its recommendations must be followed by measurable action, clear institutional responsibilities and regular public reporting on progress. Citizens also need confidence that political dialogue will address their concerns and help prevent disputes from escalating into violence or instability.

As discussions continue, Sam-Sumana’s message serves as a reminder that peace cannot be sustained through appearances alone. Sierra Leone needs a political culture in which words and actions reinforce each other, agreements are respected and national interests take precedence over partisan divisions.

The ultimate test of the Bintumani conference will not be the strength of the speeches delivered or the photographs taken, but whether its commitments produce lasting improvements in trust, cooperation and peaceful coexistence across the country