Exclusive interview with David Jabati
As Sierra Leone approaches another pivotal electoral cycle, political figures are emerging with bold visions for national transformation. Among the leading contenders is Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, a renowned lawyer and statesman with extensive experience in the country’s governance framework.
In this exclusive interview with this writer, JFK, as he is fondly known, shared his vision to “liberate and unite Sierra Leone” and reset the nation’s trajectory. From his distinguished service as former Prosecutor at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, former Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, and former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, JFK outlines a comprehensive plan to heal national divisions, reverse economic decline, and restore trust in public leadership.
Q: Mr. Kamara, you’ve declared your intention to seek the APC flagbearership. What motivates your candidacy at this critical time in Sierra Leone’s history?
JFK:
Sierra Leone is at the crossroads. We are facing the consequences of deeply entrenched division, economic mismanagement, and what I call the “state capture” style of governance, where national resources serve narrow interests. I am offering myself not out of ambition but obligation to liberate Sierra Leone from this decline and to unite a fractured nation. I believe we can rebuild a just, prosperous, and inclusive country.
Q: What do you mean by “liberate and unite”?
JFK:
Liberation in this context means freeing our people from poverty, injustice, and oppression. We must dismantle the divide-and-rule tactics that have polarized our society along regional and tribal lines. Sierra Leone belongs to all of us; north, south, east, and west. My administration will be one of reconciliation and national cohesion, where competence, not ethnicity, drives appointments and policies.
Q: Ethnic and regional polarization has grown in recent years. How do you plan to bridge these divides?
JFK:
First, by setting an example at the top. My government will reflect the face of Sierra Leone: a cabinet of all tribes, all regions. We’ll implement inclusive governance, expand civic education, and promote a national identity that transcends political party or place of birth. The politics of exclusion has hurt us deeply; now we must heal. I will also promote interregional economic initiatives and youth exchanges to foster unity.
Q: Many Sierra Leoneans are struggling with economic hardship. What’s your plan for economic recovery?
JFK:
We will stabilize the economy by restoring confidence in governance, attracting foreign direct investment, and supporting local industries. The current administration has failed to manage inflation and public debt. Our people can no longer afford food, fuel, or even transportation. My administration will focus on job creation, agricultural transformation, and youth entrepreneurship. It’s time we stop exporting raw potential and start harnessing it locally.
Q: The lack of basic social amenities -electricity, clean water, healthcare, remains a major challenge. How would your government address this?
JFK:
The absence of these amenities is a symptom of a deeper failure in governance. Should I emerge the next APC flagbearer and subsequently preside, my government will prioritize rural electrification, invest in community water systems, and overhaul the public healthcare infrastructure. We will ensure that development is not limited to urban centres but reaches the most remote parts of the country. Access to clean water or a functioning health centre should not be a luxury.
Q: Critics say politicians often promise change but fail to deliver. What sets you apart?
JFK:
My record speaks for itself. At the Special Court for Sierra Leone, I stood for justice at an international level. As Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, I pursued high-profile cases without fear or favour, and under my leadership, the ACC gained credibility. As Attorney General, I championed judicial reforms and access to justice. I’m not a career politician; I’m a public servant. I deliver results, not rhetoric.
Q: How would you restore confidence in public institutions and fight corruption?
JFK:
Corruption thrives where institutions are weak and accountability is absent. I will depoliticize oversight bodies like the ACC, audit every ministry, and ensure transparent procurement. Public officials will declare assets, and citizens will be empowered to hold leaders accountable. We must create a culture where public service is an honor, not a means to self-enrichment.
Q: Finally, what message do you have for Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad?
JFK:
Hope is not lost. Sierra Leone can rise again. But we must be brave enough to choose leadership that unites rather than divides, that acts rather than blames. I am offering that leadership. Together, we will liberate this country from economic despair, unite our fractured society, and rebuild a Sierra Leone where every citizen feels seen, valued, and protected.
Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara’s campaign is gaining traction within the APC and across national discourse. Whether his message of unity and reform resonates widely enough to carry him to State House remains to be seen; but his declaration is a signal that the fight for Sierra Leone’s future is far from over.
