BO CITY –
The Government of Sierra Leone has signalled a renewed push to strengthen grassroots governance by placing Paramount Chiefs at the centre of its decentralisation, security and local development agenda, with Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, declaring that the country’s traditional authorities remain indispensable to building resilient communities and sustaining democratic governance.
Speaking on the second day of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference on Security and Governance in Bo, the Vice President said government was committed to working more closely with chiefs as trusted partners in delivering development and preserving peace across Sierra Leone.
“Today, I joined Paramount Chiefs from across Sierra Leone on Day 2 of the National Council of Paramount Chiefs Conference on Security and Governance, where we reaffirmed the indispensable role of traditional leaders in promoting peace, strengthening security, and driving development,” Dr. Jalloh said, describing the gathering as a demonstration of government’s confidence in the enduring relevance of the chieftaincy institution.
He observed that Paramount Chiefs continue to serve as respected custodians of community leadership from Kambia and Karene to Kailahun, Kenema, Pujehun and Bonthe, helping to bridge the gap between government policies and local realities.
Decentralisation Agenda Anchored on Traditional Leadership
As Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization and Local Governance, the Vice President said strengthening local governance requires sustained collaboration between elected authorities and traditional institutions.
“As Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Decentralization and Local Governance, I underscored that Paramount Chiefs remain vital partners in improving service delivery, supporting investment, mobilizing local development, and fostering the unity and national cohesion that our country needs to thrive,” he stated.
His remarks reflect the continuing importance of Sierra Leone’s 149 chiefdoms within the country’s governance framework. Paramount Chiefs continue to oversee customary land administration, chair Chiefdom Councils, resolve disputes, maintain customary authority and collaborate with the Sierra Leone Police, the Office of National Security and district administrations on issues of public order and conflict prevention.
Although elected local councils were restored in 2004 to advance decentralisation, chiefs have remained essential partners in implementing government programmes, mobilising communities and supporting national initiatives in health, education, agriculture, disaster management and civic engagement.
Traditional Institutions Seen as Pillars of Democratic Stability
The conference also highlights the growing recognition that strong local institutions will be critical, as Sierra Leone steadily approaches the 2028 electoral cycle. Beyond their customary responsibilities, Paramount Chiefs occupy a constitutionally recognised place within the country’s democratic system through their representation in Parliament and their long-standing role as mediators during periods of political and communal tension.
Since the end of the civil war in 2002, traditional authorities have contributed significantly to reconciliation, community rebuilding and the restoration of public confidence in state institutions. Their influence has also proved valuable in supporting peaceful elections, strengthening community policing and encouraging citizen participation in governance.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh’s address reinforced government’s broader vision of decentralisation, signalling that the success of national development, democratic consolidation and social cohesion will continue to depend on effective partnerships between central government, local councils and Sierra Leone’s traditional leadership.