President Bio calls for national unity as sierra Leone grapples with ethnic divisions
As ethnic and regional divisions continue to threaten Sierra Leone’s social cohesion, President Julius Maada Bio is intensifying his calls for national unity. During the presidential town hall held on June 30, 2026, at Makeni University, he urged his fellow citizens to reject tribalism, reminding them that the administrative boundaries of North, South, East, and West are merely governance tools, not grounds for division.
“We are a country made up of many different ethnicities. Administrative borders must not divide us,” he asserted, emphasizing the need to view the nation’s diversity as a national strength rather than a source of conflict.
The president’s appeals come at a time when the wounds of the civil war (1991–2002) have not fully healed.
 President Bio attributed these persistent tensions to politicians who exploit ethnic identities for electoral gain, rather than offering concrete solutions to improve citizens’ daily lives.
He called on political leaders to focus their efforts on public policies health, education, democratic governance, and economic well-being rather than on divisive identity rhetoric.
The president also sought to demonstrate by example that his administration is built on inclusion and merit, beyond ethnic or regional considerations.
 He cited the appointments of figures from the opposition and shared personal anecdotes to illustrate his commitment to working with qualified individuals, regardless of their background.
The president made a particular appeal to the youth, inviting them to forge friendships across ethnic, regional, and cultural lines.
He warned against the dangers of identity politics, which threaten to undermine the gains of peace made since the end of the civil war. “We must break down the boundaries of ethnicity, beyond these divisions from our homes to the highest levels of politics,” he declared.
Through his repeated commitments to national unity at religious ceremonies, conferences, and year-end addresses President Bio is charting a clear path: that of a Sierra Leone where lasting peace is built not through political agreements alone, but through genuine reconciliation between communities.
