President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has welcomed the decision by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to discontinue criminal proceedings against former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, describing the development as an opportunity to reduce political tensions, promote reconciliation and strengthen national unity in Sierra Leone.
President Bio made the statement on Friday, 7 August 2026, while delivering his Presidential Address at the State Opening of the Fourth Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic at Parliament Building, Tower Hill, Freetown.
Addressing lawmakers on national cohesion and development, President Bio stressed that Sierra Leone’s continued progress depends on peace, trust and a shared sense of national purpose. He maintained that development must benefit citizens across the country irrespective of ethnicity, gender or political affiliation.
The President acknowledged the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice’s decision to discontinue the criminal proceedings against former President Koroma under the authority provided by Section 45 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024.
“I hope this decision will help reduce political tensions, advance reconciliation and enable us to focus more fully on the pressing challenges facing our people,” President Bio stated.
In the significant message about his predecessor, President Bio declared that former President Ernest Bai Koroma remains an important part of Sierra Leone’s national history and expressed hope that he would continue contributing to the country’s peace, unity and democratic development.
“Former President Ernest Bai Koroma remains part of our nation’s history and I trust that he will continue to support Sierra Leone’s peace, unity and democratic progress,” President Bio said.
The President’s remarks placed particular emphasis on reconciliation and political maturity, calling on all sides of the political divide to regard the latest development as an opportunity to strengthen dialogue and advance national healing.
President Bio urged Sierra Leoneans to rise above political differences and approach the matter in a manner that promotes the broader interests of the country.
“I call on all sides to receive this development with maturity and embrace it as an opportunity for continued dialogue and national healing,” he told Parliament.
The President further argued that meaningful reconciliation must be rooted in respect for the rule of law, public confidence in state institutions and a collective commitment to Sierra Leone’s future.
His comments on former President Ernest Bai Koroma formed part of a broader appeal for national cohesion, tolerance and responsible political engagement. President Bio warned that although political disagreement is a natural feature of democracy, tribalism, hate speech, misinformation and violence undermine national unity and weaken the Republic.
He therefore called on Government, Parliament, political parties, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to promote tolerance, peaceful engagement and responsible dialogue.
The President stressed that regardless of political differences, citizens must place their national identity and the collective interests of Sierra Leone above partisan considerations.
The remarks represent one of President Bio’s clearest public messages on the discontinuation of the proceedings against his predecessor, framing the development around reconciliation, dialogue, national healing and democratic progress.
