-Chief Minister Sengeh       

Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh has responded to growing public debate over his recent social media post, saying he has “been fired 100,000 times” in public speculation and yet continues to serve, adding that he still went on to win a global ministerial award. When David Sengeh said he has been ‘’Fired’’ 100,000 times, in American language when you are being ‘’fired’’ I means you have been sacked by your boss or your service terminated. Period!

Clarifying his controversial remarks, the Chief Minister said his comments about Sierra Leone’s future leadership were based on his belief that the country’s next president should reflect the aspirations of its youthful population.

“So, yes, I believe the next (not all future) President of Sierra Leone will be below 45 years old. Not as a token, but because that is what the country needs now,” he stated.

Sengeh stressed that leadership should not be determined by gender, ethnicity, or regional identity, noting that whether the person is a man or woman, Temne or Mende, what matters most is competence, experience, and a strong connection to both local realities and the global stage.

He added that with nearly 70 percent of Sierra Leoneans under the age of 35, young people deserve a leader who is competent, experienced, globally connected, and deeply rooted in the country’s development needs.

Addressing varying interpretations of his comments, Sengeh said: “How you interpret my statements solely rests on you. For me, I am focused on serving all Sierra Leoneans, delivering for my bosses President Bio and VP Jalloh, supporting colleague ministers and public servants, engaging citizens, and having fun as a dad, husband, and human.”

His remarks have sparked fresh conversations across the country about generational leadership and the future of politics in Sierra Leone.