By Foday Moriba Conteh
Former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, on the 11th October, 2021 received in audience the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (UNSRSG) for West Africa and the Sahel, Ambassador Mahamet Saleh Annadif who was accompanied by the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Dr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi.
It could be recalled that during President Koroma’s tenure, Sierra Leone was widely acclaimed as a bastion of peace building and peace consolidation, an achievement which the UN was very central to.
Before their closed door meeting, Ambassador Annadif said it was important to meet with former leaders not only to get their perspectives on critical issues, but also to show their example to the youth that there is life after the Presidency.
Responding, former President Koroma recalled that during his tenure, his Government worked very hard, particularly with the UN, to deepen democracy, peace and national cohesion.
“This is why I remain committed to the issues of peace, good governance and national cohesion because I believe that without peace development will be difficult,” said the former President.
As he put it, peace, democracy and good governance form part of the legacy he is determined to protect which, he said, is why they have been the hallmarks of his engagements with ECOWAS and AU since he left office.
President Koroma assured Ambassador Annadif that he stands ready to support efforts geared towards strengthening these values.
