By Mahmud Tim Kargbo
Freetown, dawn. The city is just beginning to stir, but at the SLPP headquarters, Umaru Napoleon Koroma is already at his desk, sleeves rolled and eyes fixed on the day’s agenda. Outside, the murmur of early traffic blends with the calls of street vendors; inside, the hum is political: strategy memos, urgent calls from the provinces, whispers of rival manoeuvres. Koroma knows the weight of the moment. “Every choice we make,” he once said, “writes a line in the history of our party. Some lines last longer than others.”
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) convened its 14th National Delegates Conference at the Bintumani Conference Centre on 30 and 31 July 2025, marking a period of reflection on its achievements and laying the groundwork for future political consolidation. Under the unifying banner One Country, One People, the gathering reaffirmed the party’s commitment to democratic principles as set out in Section 35(2) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and in its August 2020 Constitution.
At the heart of the party’s recent successes lies the often understated yet indispensable contribution of Umaru Napoleon Koroma, the SLPP’s former National Secretary General. His administrative acumen, strategic foresight, and ability to combine integrity, vision and effective communication have been central to steering the party through both challenges and triumphs between 2017 and 2025.
From Legal Strife to Unity: The 2017 Kenema Turning Point
In September 2017, after a protracted legal battle that had tested the resilience of the SLPP, members gathered in Kenema for what would prove to be a defining moment. The mood was a complex mix. Some delegates attended simply to “observe the traditions” of the party, uncertain about the future, while others arrived with “unwavering faith”, ready to commit themselves to a vision they believed could lead the party back to national leadership.
Despite fears that lingering disputes might fracture the meeting, the Kenema conference instead became a living testament to the SLPP’s core values: love, unity and progress. Delegates departed in peace and with a singular, unifying mandate. They would send the All People’s Congress into opposition and elect retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio as President.
This was a case study in decision making under pressure. Koroma’s ability to keep the party focused on a shared goal, and his call for a “change of tone” away from divisive rhetoric, reflected the hallmarks of a good communicator and inspirational leader. By reframing the conversation towards unity, he demonstrated that leadership is not merely about winning arguments but about setting a tone that rallies people around a common purpose.
Winning Two General Elections
As Koroma notes, “The primary essence of any political party is to win elections, govern, and shape the destiny of its nation by improving the lives of its citizenry.” Under that guiding principle, the SLPP achieved its central mission: winning both the 2018 and 2023 general elections.
These victories were not merely symbolic. They enabled the party to implement transformative policies, most notably the flagship Human Capital Development initiative. This programme has drawn international recognition as a model for sustainable national progress, reinforcing Sierra Leone’s reputation as a reform minded state.
Koroma’s influence here went beyond operational strategy. His insistence on clear communication of the party’s vision and his capacity to translate campaign promises into governance realities show the “man with a vision and purpose” trait. Winning elections was not an end in itself. It was the platform for delivering tangible, people focused reforms.
Constitutional Reform: Process and Precision
Recognising the need for structural clarity, the SLPP Secretariat initiated a review of the party’s 2010 constitution. At a NEC meeting on 29 June 2019, held at Wizard Hall in Bo City, a Constitutional Review Committee was formed under the leadership of the Attorney General. The committee produced a draft constitution, which was presented on 17 August 2019 in Kono and circulated to all regions for feedback.
By 6 and 7 November 2019, at the Isa Catco Delegates Conference Hall, the party ratified the revised constitution, introducing key reforms such as separating the roles of Chairman and Leader, and creating a Deputy Leader position.
The Political Parties Registration Commission then subjected the document to public scrutiny. Six objections were lodged, prompting formal hearings between the objectors and the Secretariat. After resolution, the constitution was officially published in the final gazette on 20 August 2020, marking a legally sound and consultative reform process.
This episode underscored Koroma’s integrity and commitment to transparency. Instead of forcing changes through without consensus, he oversaw a process that valued delegation, consultation and the ability to listen to stakeholders, all essential in democratic leadership.
Infrastructure Development: Building for the Future
When the SLPP assumed office in 2018, its sole asset was its headquarters in Freetown, which was in a state of disrepair. Through an innovative fundraising effort, starting with a WhatsApp group and supported by appointees and well-wishers, over 2 billion Leones were raised. The headquarters was fully renovated, including the installation of a lift set for commissioning.
Inspired by this success, party stakeholders expanded their ambition to acquire and develop assets nationwide. The SLPP now owns properties in:
Completed: Kambia, Kailahun, Matru Jong, Koya Chiefdom, Western Area Land
In Progress: Moyamba, Bo, Koinadugu, Kenema, Port Loko
Here, Koroma’s ability to inspire others came to the fore. He motivated members to contribute not out of obligation, but out of belief in the cause. His delegation of fundraising tasks allowed the party to achieve a scale of infrastructure development unprecedented in its history.
Unity Microcredit Scheme: Empowering the Grassroots
To support its grassroots, especially women and vulnerable members, the SLPP launched the Unity Microcredit Scheme. Beyond providing small loans, the scheme sought to build entrepreneurial skills, connect members with corporate institutions and reduce reliance on direct party support.
Partnering with the Civil Society organisation CEDA-SL, the scheme disbursed funds across all 19 political districts, benefiting 3,960 individuals and 792 groups. The initiative has helped many members start or expand small businesses, easing the socioeconomic pressures that often strain party resources.
This initiative embodied the “nation before self” principle. Rather than treating grassroots members merely as voters, Koroma’s leadership treated them as stakeholders in the party’s and the country’s future. It also showcased visionary leadership, understanding that long term political stability requires economic empowerment at the base.
Parliamentary Cooperation: Aligning Policy and Representation
The SLPP has not only increased its parliamentary presence but maintained a strong working relationship with its MPs. Members have consistently supported all party programmes, played a key role in passing progressive legislation and actively contributed to development projects within their constituencies.
Such cohesion was no accident. It reflected Koroma’s skill in inspiring unity among different power centres and his ability to keep legislators aligned with the party’s vision, a hallmark of a leader who balances authority with inclusion.
External Relations: Expanding Influence and Learning
In September 2018, the SLPP accepted an invitation from the Chinese Embassy for a delegation of 15, led by Koroma and the Minister of Political Affairs, to visit the Communist Party of China. Over two weeks, the delegation received training in areas including anti-corruption, party discipline and fundraising. They also engaged with the Beijing Women’s Federation to exchange ideas on women’s roles in political party development.
Subsequent engagements included:
March 2019, Accra: African Union inter-party dialogue on peaceful coexistence and political dialogue, with SLPP and APC participation.
2020 to 2021: Multiple Zoom conferences, including an ECOWAS meeting in Accra on consolidating democracy in Africa.
January 2025, Cape Town: Dialogue on electoral democracy, creating networks with other political parties for mutual development benefit.
These international exchanges illustrated Koroma’s global perspective, a key leadership quality. By engaging internationally, he ensured that the SLPP’s strategies were informed by global best practices while also elevating Sierra Leone’s political profile.
Profiles and Testimonials
Dr Alex Prince Harding, former SLPP Chairman, described Koroma’s tenure as “fundamental in bridging internal divisions and galvanising the party towards our shared goals.”
Political analyst Fatmata Kamara observed that “Where previous administrations struggled with factionalism, Koroma brought an organisational discipline that transformed party cohesion and electoral strategy.”
Grassroots beneficiary Mariatu Sesay, a petty trader from Kenema, said: “Thanks to the loans, I expanded my business and now support my family better. This programme restored hope for many women like me.”
Taken together, these voices affirm the decision making clarity, honesty and people focused vision that are essential markers of effective leadership.
Historical Context and Comparative Perspective
Koroma’s era marked an unprecedented period of internal unity for the SLPP. In contrast to the factionalism of the late 1990s and early 2000s, his leadership combined inclusive constitutional reform, notably the separation of Chairman and Leader roles, with practical grassroots engagement.
Unlike earlier administrations, which often struggled to balance internal democracy with central authority, Koroma institutionalised checks and balances and invested in tangible infrastructure, moving beyond the largely symbolic politics that characterised much of the post war recovery period. This mirrors the statesmanship model of democratic leadership, placing the long term health of the organisation and the country above personal gain.
Future Outlook: Consolidating a Legacy
As the SLPP looks ahead, Koroma’s tenure stands as a model of how disciplined administration and strategic clarity can yield electoral and developmental dividends. The challenge for future leadership lies in building upon this legacy: deepening internal democracy, expanding grassroots economic programmes and reinforcing parliamentary effectiveness.
If the party sustains its commitment to transparency, inclusivity and pragmatic governance, the very leadership qualities Koroma embodied, it is well positioned not only to retain political authority but also to strengthen Sierra Leone’s democratic fabric and deliver tangible improvements to its citizens.
References:
http://www.slpponline.com/14th-national-delegates-conference-2025
http://www.parliament.gov.sl/dnn/Constitution_of_Sierra_Leone_1991.pdf
http://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/umarunapoleonkormaprofile
http://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/slpp-settles-internal-legal-disputes-2017
http://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/maadabioemergesSLPPflagbearer2018
http://www.necsl.org/2018-presidential-results
http://www.necsl.org/2023-general-election-results
http://www.statehouse.gov.sl/human-capital-development-priority-programme
(Offline source: NEC minutes of meeting, Wizard Hall, Bo, 29 June 2019)
(Offline source: SLPP Constitutional Review Committee final report, Nov 2019)
http://www.pprcsierraleone.org/final-gazette-aug-2020
http://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/slppheadquartersrenovation2020
(Offline source: SLPP Asset Register, updated Dec 2024)
http://www.ceda-sl.org/slpp-unity-microcredit-initiative
http://www.parliament.gov.sl/slpp-parliamentary-records-2018-2025
http://www.chinaembassy.org/slpp-delegation-visit-2018
http://www.au.int/en/interparty-dialogue-accra-2019
http://www.eisa.org.za/dialogue-electoral-democracy-cape-town-2025