By Umaru Jah, Berlin, Germany
I have returned to Germany after spending time in Sierra Leone, travelling through Freetown with brief visits to Port Loko and Makeni, and engaging in political activities in Waterloo, the Western Area Rural, and Tonkolili. What stood out during that period was the severity of the country’s economic hardships and the growing impatience among citizens who feel the system has drifted too far from their reality.
In Freetown, hardship influences every aspect of daily life. Young men spend long afternoons without work or direction. Families struggle to balance shrinking income against rising prices. Public services show clear signs of strain. Among the youth, the spread of kush has become a national crisis. Parents speak with fear about children slipping into addiction, while communities face the harsh reality of a generation losing time and hope.
Moving through Freetown revealed a city under visible strain. Streets once designed for steady traffic are now crowded with market stalls, informal shops, and competing movement. Driving out of the city towards Masiaka, congestion persists, with roadside trading pressing tightly against the highway. Areas that were once mainly residential, including parts around Hill Station, now bear the burden of commercial activity, with stalls and small shops encroaching on living spaces. Kekehs dominate the roads, gradually replacing traditional taxis as the main mode of transport, a sign of adaptation to economic pressure. Throughout the city, traders rely heavily on megaphones to advertise their goods, turning nearly every product into a mobile announcement. The constant amplification has become part of the urban rhythm, heightening the sense of intensity that characterises daily life. Yet despite this activity, conversations repeatedly returned to hardship. People spoke of long days with little reward, of effort without progress, and of a quiet desperation beneath daily life.
This environment shaped every political engagement I observed. People spoke candidly about survival, dignity, and fatigue. There is a widespread feeling that leadership has failed to match the seriousness of the moment, leaving ordinary citizens to bear the burden of national difficulties without clear guidance or reassurance.
It was within this climate that Dr Ibrahim Bangura’s engagements unfolded. His presence across multiple regions reflected a deliberate and sustained approach. In public addresses and smaller interactions, his emphasis on organisation, discipline, and internal cohesion within the APC echoed the concerns repeatedly voiced by citizens who believe disorder and weak coordination have damaged governance.
In Waterloo’s Bassa Town, the scale of the engagement in the Western Area Rural revealed an intensity that went beyond routine party mobilisation. Supporters from across the district filled the area, turning the gathering into a clear sign of political momentum. Dr Bangura addressed social and economic pressures directly, speaking about youth uncertainty, national responsibility, and the need for leadership that confronts reality. The crowd’s response showed a strong alignment between his message and the frustration many expressed during my visit.
In Port Loko, elders discussed the erosion of structure in national leadership and the social consequences that follow. In Makeni, young people spoke quietly about uncertainty, with education no longer providing the reassurance it once did. These encounters highlighted a country where patience is waning, especially among those feeling excluded from opportunity and decision-making.
Tonkolili offered further political insight. The district’s longstanding loyalty to the APC was evident, yet the engagement carried an added sense of expectation. Residents listened attentively as Dr Bangura discussed roads, agriculture, and connectivity—all vital to daily survival and economic activity. In a district where movement determines income, these issues have practical significance.
Throughout his engagements, Dr Bangura acknowledged the unresolved burdens of the post-war generation and the ongoing economic inequality. His reflections echoed what many citizens confided privately during my visit: a sense that the country remains caught between recovery and progress, with too many promises unfulfilled.
As the APC approaches electing its flagbearer in 2026, internal dynamics are becoming more intense. From what I observed, Dr Bangura’s candidacy is shaping the internal discussions. His sustained visibility, engagement with party leaders, and focus on organisational detail suggest careful preparation at a time when the party faces pressure to present credible leadership.
Within the APC, discussions are increasingly about seriousness, readiness, and presence. Supporters and officials alike say they need a candidate who can restore confidence within the party and beyond. Dr Bangura’s campaign reflects those priorities, especially now, when public trust in political leadership remains fragile.
Sierra Leone’s challenges are no longer abstract. Youth unemployment, addiction, economic pressures, and institutional weakness have created a crisis that demands firm, disciplined leadership. Many citizens no longer respond to rhetoric.
What they want is clarity, structure, and a sense that those aspiring to lead understand the gravity of the responsibility.
From my observations on this visit, Dr Ibrahim Bangura’s campaign shows awareness of that moment. His presence across Freetown, Waterloo, the Western Area Rural, Port Loko, Makeni, and Tonkolili puts him at the centre of an increasingly defined race. After seeing Sierra Leone up close, it is easy to understand why many within the APC now view this race as one that is beginning to narrow.