In moments of loss, leadership is often measured not by authority, but by clarity of purpose and the courage to speak truth with humility.
That spirit defined the tribute delivered by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, as he addressed mourners in honour of Chairman Rev. Smart Kelson Senessie, reminding party faithful that “today is a very sad day in the contemporary history of our party” and that the gathering marked the passing of “a man who worked tirelessly for this party and consistently demonstrated character, discipline, and service.”
His words carried both grief and gratitude, framing the moment as one of reflection for the Sierra Leone People’s Party and the nation it serves.
Speaking on behalf of the party’s leadership and membership worldwide, the Vice President extended condolences to the bereaved family, while underscoring the broader meaning of the loss.
“We want the family to know that this loss is not only theirs. It is a great loss to the SLPP and to the government as a whole,” he said, situating personal sorrow within collective responsibility.
He then offered a defining portrait of the late Chairman as “a man of timing, purpose, a devoted family man, and above all, a man of character,” drawing attention to values that transcend politics and speak directly to national leadership.
Through carefully chosen examples, Dr. Jalloh highlighted the discipline that shaped Senessie’s public life. He recalled how, after the party’s 2018 victory, Senessie declined an immediate national appointment in order to fulfil a prior church commitment, a decision the Vice President described as evidence of “wisdom, discipline, and respect for timing.”
Equally powerful was the moment Senessie chose to step aside from party leadership to allow younger voices to emerge—an act VP Juldeh Jalloh defined as “true leadership: knowing when to serve and when to make space for others.” In elevating these lessons, the Vice President was not only honouring the departed, but quietly reminding today’s leaders of the standards history demands.
The tribute closed with a reflection on legacy and public memory, as the Vice President noted the extraordinary turnout at the funeral as proof of a life that touched both grassroots supporters and national figures. “This large turnout speaks volumes,” he observed, calling on all present to “draw lessons from a life lived with purpose, discipline, and character.”
In doing so, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh demonstrated a form of leadership grounded in courage, gratitude, and moral clarity—qualities that resonate deeply within the party and among Sierra Leoneans seeking steady, principled guidance at a defining time.