By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a powerful and emotionally charged address on Sierra Leone’s 64th Independence Anniversary, Dr. Samura Kamara, former two-time Presidential candidate of the current main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), said that the hopes and dreams of Sierra Leoneans have been “denied and hijacked” by self-serving political leaders, noting that after 64 years of Independence, there is still no hope for Sierra Leone to develop.
Speaking on his Independence speech, Dr. Kamara echoed deep national frustration over what he described as decades of missed opportunities, corruption, and stagnation. With somber reflection, he called on the nation to reexamine its journey since independence in 1961, and asks: not how far it has come, but why it continues to remain stuck in a state of underdevelopment and despair.
“As we celebrate 64 years of independence, we must confront an uncomfortable truth,” Dr. Kamara began. “The hopes of the people have been denied. The dreams born in 1961 have been delayed, distorted, or outright denied by the very people entrusted to protect them.”
The former Foreign Minister did not mince words as he accused successive governments — without naming specific administrations — of prioritizing personal gain over national progress, asserting that Sierra Leone’s development has been “hijacked by self-interest, greed, and shortsighted leadership.”
“Instead of charting a course towards prosperity, our leaders have steered us into a vicious cycle of poverty, instability, and false promises,” he declared, drawing applause from attendees.
Dr. Kamara painted a grim picture of the country’s current state, referencing rising unemployment, inflation, poor healthcare, crumbling infrastructure, and a faltering education system. He also emphasized that many Sierra Leoneans today live with less opportunity and more despair than their parents or grandparents did at Independence.
“Is this the freedom our forefathers envisioned?” he asked rhetorically. “Is this the Independence our heroes fought for — where children sleep hungry and graduates walk the streets jobless?”
Kamara’s speech struck a populist tone, aligning himself with the struggles of ordinary Sierra Leoneans, while urging a collective awakening.
“The destiny of Sierra Leone should not be in the hands of a few,” he said. “It belongs to all Sierra Leoneans — young and old, men and women, in cities and in villages. We must reclaim it together.”
He called for a national renaissance grounded in transparency, accountability, and genuine democratic values, emphasizing the need for structural reforms, stronger institutions, and a renewed social contract between the people and their leaders.
“Leadership is not about enriching oneself,” he said. “It is about serving. It is about lifting others up. Until we return to that truth, Sierra Leone will remain a nation of potential, not progress.”
This year’s Independence Day celebrations were marked by contrasting tones between the government’s official events and opposition-led activities. While state officials highlighted strides in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, Kamara’s speech served as a rallying cry for systemic change.
Analysts believe the address may also mark the beginning of Dr. Kamara’s renewed push for political relevance, possibly signaling his continued interest in contesting national leadership, despite two past unsuccessful attempts.
Supporters praised the speech as “honest,” “brave,” and “long overdue,” while critics dismissed it as “political theater” aimed at gaining public sympathy.
Regardless of interpretation, Dr. Samura Kamara’s address has added fuel to the national conversation about the future of Sierra Leone — a country still struggling to fulfill the promise of its hard-won independence.
“Sierra Leone belongs to all of us,” Kamara concluded. “Let us rise, united, and claim the destiny that is rightfully ours.”
