Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio has ruled out running in the 2028 presidential election, reaffirming his commitment to a peaceful transfer of power as debate over his political future draws attention to the country’s constitutional limits on presidential terms.
The President was speaking on Monday at the opening of the National Conference on Unity and Social Cohesion in Freetown. He pledged to hand over power to the candidate chosen by Sierra Leonean voters at the end of his tenure.
The announcement came as the conference focused on strengthening national unity and preventing a return to conflict more than two decades after Sierra Leone’s civil war officially ended.
Addressing war survivors, bereaved families and others affected by the conflict, Bio apologised on behalf of the state for the suffering endured and its failure to protect citizens.
He directed the National Commission for Social Action and other institutions to review and strengthen the reparations programme recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Bio also called for a public report on the implementation of the commission’s recommendations by January 18, 2027. Other proposals included expanding mental health and psychosocial support for war survivors, establishing a fund for community peacebuilding, strengthening inter-party dialogue and introducing a code of conduct for political parties ahead of the 2028 elections.
