As Sierra Leoneans argue out loud who the next President will be, Journalist and Politician IB Kargbo has said that both in the case of the ruling SLPP and the main opposition APC, the very important attribute of political experience, academic status and loyalty to party and the state, should be given serious consideration.
Hon. IB Kargbo explained that for purposes of journalistic fair play, an attempt has been made to screen and identify three serious-minded politicians in the SLPP, and three other serious-minded politicians in the APC who can easily be described as Presidential materials.
Hon. IB Kargbo further explained, ”For a start, it is necessary to take a serious look at the current Vice President of Sierra Leone, who constitutionally is the only one a heartbeat away from the Presidential seat.”
Since the birth of the Republic of Sierra Leone, with the creation of the Executive Presidency, no Vice President has succeeded an incumbent President, which makes the case of Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh extremely interesting as he is on the verge of breaking that myth.
The current Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, clearly meets all the academic requirements necessary for a man who aspires to hold a public office such as the Presidency in a modern state.
Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh holds a BA degree from Fourah Bay College-the University of Sierra Leone, an MSC from Ibadan University in Nigeria, a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) from the University of Bordeaux in France.
In an African political scene where most of the Presidents can only boast of honorary doctorate degrees, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh earned his PhD degree through research and hard work in academia.
Hon. IB Kargbo further stated that academic prowess may not be enough to qualify one for public office, as administrative experience is also very vital in running a country such as Sierra Leone.
Having served as the Senior Political Officer at the United Nations multi-national mission in Mali, Dr Juldeh Jalloh started climbing up the ladder of the UN administrative system. His role as the former UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for West Africa and Sahel also added to his already rich curriculum vitae in preparation for a more challenging future leadership.
In the area of electoral administration, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh served as United Nations election officer in Kosovo during very challenging times.
He was also identified by the UN system as an officer with a wealth of experience in promoting good governance.
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh therefore came to the position of Vice President with a wealth of experience, experience that became very useful in handling very sensitive and delicate matters in the Government of Sierra Leone.
” It has to be said, ”IB Kargbo said, ”Of all the contenders for the Presidency, he is the only politician who, apart from President Bio, who has actually performed Presidential duties, having acted as President close to forty times without negative repercussions. In fact, during the August 10 crisis period, he was Acting President, and he successfully mobilized the security services to bring the country back to the state of normalcy.
In taking a critical look at his major successes as Vice President, his role as the head of the MCC Compact Development Unit earned Sierra Leone an MCC grant of close to 400,000 US Dollars, supervised by his office. The grant may have been suspended temporarily, but he still deserves to be credited for an excellent work done.
Academically and experience wise, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh qualifies for the position of President; and this is why his party should not disregard the fact that he could be a very potent flag bearer and Presidential candidate for the SLPP. But what about his character and how he relates with other citizens in a country that is in dire need of peace and reconciliation?
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, a native of Port Loko District in the Northwestern Region of Sierra Leone, one only needs to visit Lokamasama Chiefdom to discover that he is the poor man’s friend, a man seen by his own people as ‘our leader.’ But of course, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh also has a right to lay claim to Kono where he also spent his youthful years.
His school days in Freetown in the Western Area all combine to make him Sierra Leonean through and through.
He speaks quite a number of languages, including French and English, Temne, and Fullah, his native language.
Dr. Judeh Jalloh is a highly respected family man, his very polite wife who primarily is a dedicated housewife, a darling that is highly respected by Dr. Juldeh Jalloh’s family and friends.
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh would definitely have to rely on his political party, SLPP, to present him as the candidate for the 2028 elections, which leads one to ask the question: how does he stand with his party, the SLPP? Many people interviewed hold the view that many members of SLPP hold Dr Juldeh Jalloh in high esteem not only because he has exhibited loyalty to the SLPP but he has also served President Bio diligently; and therefore, there is no reason why he should not be considered for the future leadership of the party.
In conclusion, IB Kargbo said, ”In modern leadership, it is becoming the vogue to place premium on experience, hence the great need to expose young potential leaders to apprenticeship and mentorship. In terms of experience, very few can equal Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, who has a great chance of becoming Sierra Leone’s next President.”
He holds the view that the SLPP has been kind to him by giving him an opportunity to serve his country as he also stated that he has always appreciated the support he has received from his boss, President Julius Maada Bio and other members of the government.
An experienced member of the SLPP said yesterday, ”The clear reason why I would support Dr. Juldeh Jalloh in any campaign for the leadership of the SLPP is because he possesses the great potential to unify this country and at the same time keep our party, the SLPP, intact.’
