By Alusine Daybreak
The Deputy Chairman of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Robert Kondema Kargbo, has called on Sierra Leoneans to put nation first beyond party politics.
In a message centred on national cohesion and peaceful coexistence, the SLPP Deputy Chairman urged citizens to recognize that Sierra Leone belongs to everyone, regardless of their political beliefs, party membership, ethnic background, religious affiliation, or regional identity.
Robert Kondema Kargbo’s appeal comes amid the continuing political engagements and debates that characterize Sierra Leone’s democratic environment, where political parties, including the SLPP, the All People’s Congress (APC), and other political organizations, continue to engage citizens on national leadership and development.
According to the Deputy Chairman, political differences should not become a reason for Sierra Leoneans to hate one another, create division, or undermine the peaceful coexistence of communities across the country.
One Nation, One People, One Future
The central message attributed to Robert Kondema Kargbo is that Sierra Leoneans must learn to live together as one people, despite their political affiliations.
His call for unity underscores the principle that political parties are part of the democratic process, while the nation itself remains a shared home for all citizens. Supporters of the SLPP, APC, and other political parties have a common responsibility to promote peace and contribute to national development.
Political competition is an established feature of democratic governance. However, the Deputy Chairman’s message highlights the importance of ensuring that political differences do not destroy relationships among family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues, and fellow citizens.
A citizen’s political preference should not determine whether that person deserves respect, dignity, and equal treatment. Sierra Leoneans can support different parties while maintaining peaceful relationships and working together in the interest of the country.
Love Must Come before Political Differences
Robert Kondema Kargbo’s appeal places love and mutual respect at the centre of national unity. For a country to make meaningful progress, citizens need an environment in which they can express their political views without fear of hatred, intimidation, or discrimination.
The call for love among Sierra Leoneans also speaks to the importance of responsible political communication. Political leaders, party supporters, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens all have a role to play in promoting constructive dialogue.
When political disagreements arise, they can be addressed through discussion, democratic institutions, and peaceful engagement rather than personal attacks or actions that threaten national stability.
The strength of a nation is not measured only by the differences that exist among its citizens, but also by their ability to manage those differences peacefully and work toward common objectives.
SLPP, APC and Other Parties Must Coexist Peacefully
A key aspect of the Deputy Chairman’s message is the need for Sierra Leoneans affiliated with different political parties to see themselves as members of one national community.
The SLPP and APC have played significant roles in Sierra Leone’s political history, while other political parties and independent political actors also contribute to the country’s multiparty democratic system. Each party may have different policies, leadership structures, priorities, and approaches to governance.
These differences are part of political pluralism. However, they should not prevent citizens from cooperating on issues that affect the entire country.
Whether a person supports the SLPP, APC, or another political organization, the values of peace, respect for human dignity, and national responsibility remain important considerations in public life.
Robert Kondema Kargbo’s call therefore presents an opportunity for citizens to reflect on the relationship between political loyalty and national unity. Party membership can shape political participation, but it does not remove a person’s responsibility to fellow citizens or to the country as a whole.
Political Leadership and the Responsibility to Promote Peace
Political leaders occupy an important position in shaping public conversations. Their statements, conduct, and engagement with supporters can influence the tone of political discourse and the way citizens respond to disagreements.
A call for unity from a senior party official can serve as an invitation to party members and supporters to promote peaceful engagement, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and respect the rights of those who hold different political opinions.
For Sierra Leone to strengthen its democratic culture, political participation must be accompanied by tolerance and respect for opposing viewpoints. Citizens should be able to discuss national issues, question policies, and debate leadership without allowing political differences to turn into personal hostility.
The responsibility for maintaining peace does not rest solely with political leaders. Every Sierra Leonean has a role to play in promoting responsible citizenship, particularly through everyday interactions in communities, workplaces, schools, and social media platforms.
National Development Requires Collective Effort
Beyond political affiliations, Sierra Leone faces development priorities that require the participation and cooperation of citizens across the country. These include economic opportunities, education, healthcare, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and strengthening public institutions.
Addressing these issues requires constructive national dialogue and a willingness to identify areas of common interest. Citizens from different political backgrounds can contribute ideas, participate in community initiatives, and support efforts that benefit society.
The Deputy Chairman’s appeal for unity can be understood within this broader national context: a peaceful society provides space for citizens to pursue their aspirations and engage in the development process.
Unity does not mean that everyone must share the same political opinion. Rather, it can involve recognizing differences while maintaining a shared commitment to peaceful coexistence and national progress.
A Message to the Younger Generation
The call for love and national unity also carries significance for Sierra Leone’s young people, who represent an important part of the country’s present and future.
Young Sierra Leoneans participate in political discussions, social movements, community activities, and online conversations. The way political differences are communicated and managed can influence relationships between young people and the broader social environment.
Promoting tolerance, critical thinking, peaceful dialogue, and respect for different opinions can help create a political culture in which disagreements are addressed through democratic means.
Political parties have the opportunity to encourage their supporters, particularly young people, to participate in civic life responsibly and to reject violence, hatred, and discrimination.
A united society is not one without disagreements. It is one in which citizens can navigate disagreements without losing sight of their shared humanity and national identity.
Peaceful Political Engagement
Sierra Leone’s democratic development depends on citizens’ ability to participate in political life while respecting the rights and freedoms of others.
Political parties have different responsibilities to their members, supporters, and the wider public. They can advocate for their policies, organize political activities, and seek public support. At the same time, peaceful political engagement requires respect for the democratic process and the dignity of citizens who support competing organizations.
Robert Kondema Kargbo’s message highlights the importance of placing national unity within political conversations. His appeal invites Sierra Leoneans to consider how they can maintain their political convictions while contributing to a more peaceful and cooperative society.
For national unity to become a lasting reality, calls for peace must be accompanied by actions that promote inclusion, respect, accountability, and equal treatment of citizens.
Conclusion: Sierra Leone Belongs to All
The message attributed to SLPP Deputy Chairman Robert Kondema Kargbo is a call for Sierra Leoneans to recognize their shared identity as citizens of one country, regardless of the political parties they support.
The SLPP, APC, and other political parties represent different political positions and constituencies, but their members and supporters remain part of the same national community.
As Sierra Leone continues its democratic journey, the promotion of love, peace, tolerance, and mutual respect remains relevant to the country’s social and political life.
Sierra Leoneans can disagree politically while standing together as one people. National unity requires respect for differences, a commitment to peaceful coexistence, and a shared responsibility to protect the country’s future.
