Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with traditional authorities, describing Paramount Chiefs as indispensable partners in maintaining peace, improving community security and promoting inclusive national development.
Dr. Jalloh made the statement on Friday, 31 July 2026, during the second day of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference on Security and Governance at the Bo-Kenema Highway Hall in Bo City.
Held under the theme, “Strengthening Chieftaincy for National Security and Governance,” the conference brought together Paramount Chiefs from across Sierra Leone, senior Government officials, traditional leaders, security representatives and other stakeholders.
Discussions focused on peace, national unity, security, local governance and development, as well as the need to strengthen cooperation among traditional authorities, Government institutions, local councils and the security sector.
Addressing participants, the Vice President said the chieftaincy institution remained central to Sierra Leone’s governance structure despite decades of constitutional, political and administrative reforms.
“Today, I joined Paramount Chiefs from across Sierra Leone on Day 2 of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference on Security and Governance, where we reaffirmed the indispensable role of traditional leaders in promoting peace, strengthening security and driving development,” Dr. Jalloh said.
He described Paramount Chiefs as custodians of peace and security within their chiefdoms and urged them to take security concerns seriously. He encouraged them to work closely with state institutions to identify and address potential threats before they escalate.
“Paramount Chiefs are the custodians of peace and security in their chiefdoms, so they have to take security issues very seriously,” he stated.
The Vice President said the responsibilities of Paramount Chiefs extended beyond preserving traditional customs, resolving community disputes and maintaining social order. He noted that traditional leaders also have an important role in supporting Government development programmes and creating an enabling environment for responsible private-sector investment.
Dr. Jalloh urged Paramount Chiefs to support initiatives in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and other priority sectors, noting that sustainable development requires cooperation among the Government, traditional authorities, businesses, investors and local communities.
“Development is not only about what Government is doing. There are also private-sector actors and investors coming into chiefdoms, and Paramount Chiefs have a responsibility to support and advance these programmes,” he said.
As Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization and Local Governance, Dr. Jalloh stressed that Paramount Chiefs remained important partners in improving service delivery, mobilizing local revenue, supporting investment and promoting community development.
He said traditional leaders were closely connected to their people and were therefore well positioned to identify local priorities, mobilize residents and support the implementation and monitoring of development projects.
“The Paramount Chiefs are direct representatives of their communities and key partners in ensuring that development reaches the people,” the Vice President said.
Dr. Jalloh encouraged Paramount Chiefs to maintain strong working relationships with local councils and ministries, departments and agencies to improve service delivery and strengthen revenue mobilization within their localities.
He maintained that effective coordination between traditional authorities and elected local councils was necessary to prevent duplication, resolve administrative challenges and ensure that Government programmes respond to the needs of communities.
Paramount Chiefs have historically played a significant role in customary land administration, dispute resolution, community mobilization, public safety and the maintenance of law and order. They also work closely with the Sierra Leone Police, the Office of National Security, district authorities and other institutions to prevent conflict and respond to emergencies.
Successive Governments have relied on traditional authorities to support national programmes, including public health campaigns, civil registration, agricultural development, education, disaster response and peacebuilding.
Even after the restoration of elected local councils under the Local Government Act of 2004, Paramount Chiefs have remained central to local governance, complementing councils in delivering public services and mobilizing communities.
Dr. Jalloh also called for an inclusive, legitimate and effective chieftaincy system. He highlighted concerns relating to the legitimacy of traditional authorities, chiefdom boundary issues and residency requirements for Paramount Chiefs, urging stakeholders to address them through constructive consultation and engagement.
The Vice President said strengthening the legitimacy and effectiveness of the chieftaincy institution would enhance public confidence, reduce local disputes and improve the ability of traditional leaders to support national peace and development.
He thanked the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs and the Ministry’s team for organizing the conference, describing it as an important platform for dialogue between the Government and traditional authorities.
According to Dr. Jalloh, the conference provided an opportunity for Paramount Chiefs to communicate their expectations to the Government while gaining a clearer understanding of their responsibilities in promoting national security, good governance and development.
He added that bringing traditional leaders together from different parts of Sierra Leone would help build relationships, encourage the exchange of experiences and strengthen national cohesion.
“When Paramount Chiefs from Falaba can meet with Paramount Chiefs from Kono, sit together, share experiences and understand each other, it promotes unity and national cohesion,” he said.
The conference was held at an important time as Sierra Leone moves towards the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections. With political activities expected to increase ahead of the polls, the Government has continued to emphasise the importance of peace, political tolerance, national unity and democratic stability.
Paramount Chiefs occupy a unique place within Sierra Leone’s constitutional and political system. Beyond exercising authority in their chiefdoms, the chieftaincy institution has formal representation in Parliament and continues to serve as a respected mechanism for resolving disputes and promoting community dialogue.
The influence of traditional leaders was especially important during Sierra Leone’s post-war reconstruction following the end of the civil conflict in 2002. Paramount Chiefs supported the restoration of local governance, facilitated reconciliation and helped rebuild trust within communities affected by years of violence and displacement.
Dr. Jalloh’s remarks underscored the Government’s recognition that sustainable peace, effective decentralization, responsible investment and inclusive development depend significantly on cooperation between state institutions and traditional authorities.
The Vice President concluded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to strengthening the chieftaincy institution and maintaining close cooperation with Paramount Chiefs to advance peace, security, effective governance, national cohesion and development across Sierra Leone.
