Sierra Leonean Diaspora Time To Stop The Lies

The writer

By Alpha Amadu Jalloh, Human Rights Advocate Author of Monopoly of Happiness Unveiling Sierra Leone’s Social Imbalance

As a Sierra Leonean based in the diaspora, I believe we owe it to our people back home to live responsibly support them genuinely and above all to be honest with them. Sadly many of us have failed in this sacred duty. We boast about our lives abroad flaunting our successes luxuries and comfort on social media while turning a blind eye to the suffering of our people. We do so not to inspire or uplift but to deceive provoke envy and often to cover up our own insecurities. Worse still we align ourselves with corrupt politicians for tribal regional or personal gain forgetting the agony and despair of the ordinary Sierra Leonean struggling daily to survive.

Let us pause and ask ourselves. Why do we who live in countries where basic services function where law and order prevail where human rights are respected choose to support or remain silent about the wrongs of our politicians. Why do we endorse or excuse their failures simply because they share our tribe region religion or family connections. Is our loyalty to Sierra Leone or to individuals who plunder her wealth and betray her people.

Every day we see brothers and sisters in the diaspora flooding social media with videos and photos showcasing how well they are doing. Expensive cars designer clothes lavish parties exotic holidays all on display often exaggerated and filtered to hide the realities of life abroad. We create illusions of success making it appear as if everything is perfect as if we have no struggles as if the streets of Europe America or Australia are paved with gold. Yet many among us are drowning in debt working multiple low paying jobs isolated and yearning for community.

This dishonesty does great harm. It provokes resentment among those at home. It spreads false hope. It distracts from the real issues. And most dangerously it allows the political elite to continue exploiting the masses without fear of accountability because their friends and relatives abroad defend them at every turn. Instead of joining forces to demand change we become part of the machinery that sustains corruption misrule and oppression.

Some Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora have gone further. They have become apologists for tyranny. They attack those who speak up against injustice. They spread propaganda for failed leaders hoping to be rewarded with government contracts positions or access to the national pie. They attend diaspora meetings organized by officials who have impoverished our people and instead of holding them accountable they cheer take selfies and post them proudly as if these men and women are heroes.

Let us be honest. If Sierra Leone were like the countries where we now live would we have left in the first place. We left because of bad governance lack of opportunities insecurity and despair. We left because Sierra Leone failed to provide what we and our families needed to thrive. So how can we in good conscience defend or excuse the very people and systems that forced us to flee.

We must change course. The diaspora has immense power and influence. We are the ones sending billions of dollars back home in remittances that keep many families alive. We are the ones with the exposure the education the connections and the resources to push for reforms. We must use that power not to enrich politicians but to advocate for policies that benefit all Sierra Leoneans.

What can we do. First let us stop the false displays of wealth and happiness that mislead our brothers and sisters. Instead let us use social media to educate to expose injustice to share ideas for progress. Let us challenge ourselves to tell the truth about our journeys abroad the good the bad and the ugly.

Second let us unite across tribes regions and parties to demand better governance. Let us write speak protest and organize. Let us use our voices to amplify the struggles of those at home not silence them.

Third let us stop giving support financial or moral to leaders who have failed Sierra Leone. Let us refuse to participate in their schemes to launder their image abroad. Let us confront them wherever they appear in the diaspora with facts with questions with the truth.

Finally let us channel our resources into building the Sierra Leone we want to see. Instead of lavish parties let us support schools hospitals youth programs and small businesses. Instead of funding political campaigns let us fund community initiatives that create real change.

> “Let us stop lying to ourselves and to our people. Let us stop enabling failure. Let us become the force for good that Sierra Leone so desperately needs.”

Sierra Leonean diaspora e do so bo. Let us be real. Let us stop lying to ourselves and to our people. Let us stop enabling failure. Let us become the force for good that Sierra Leone so desperately needs.

It is time we remember that our true loyalty must be to Sierra Leone to her future and to her children. Anything less is betrayal.