04/05/2025
If Not Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Then Who?
By Thomas Johnny
In the quiet corridors of political reflection and among the loud whispers of public discontent, a singular name rises with gravity and grace: Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. As Sierra Leone inches closer to the 2028 General Elections, political observers, party strategists, and African analysts alike are converging around one undeniable truth, if the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) is to survive and thrive, their flagbearer must be the current Vice President, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh.
His loyalty, poise, and political maturity have become the pillars that continue to hold the Bio-led administration together amidst rising public pressure and internal party fissures. Dr. Jalloh has remained one of the most unshakable figures in Sierra Leone’s political scene, intellectually sound, diplomatically effective, and politically neutral in factional squabbles. While others have chosen divisive rhetoric or political showmanship, he has chosen the path of national service, restraint, and intellectual leadership.
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh brings an unmatched résumé to the table. A political scientist by training and a former United Nations diplomat, his global exposure and knowledge of international governance place him miles ahead of many of his political contemporaries. What makes him even more formidable is his ability to bridge the often-wide gap between Sierra Leone’s elite political class and the masses.
The SLPP, under President Julius Maada Bio, is gradually losing its shine. Allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and disconnect from the common man have painted the current administration in a negative light. For the party to regain credibility and reshape its public image, it must project a candidate who has been present but not tainted, a loyal servant who can be seen as a reformer without being a traitor to his own house.
Juldeh is exactly that. A party man with a national mind.
Across Africa, analysts are paying close attention. A few weeks ago, in a discussion with pan-African policy advisors and governance think tanks, several acknowledged that “Juldeh Jalloh is the only name with enough neutrality and trust among both international donors and local stakeholders to recalibrate SLPP’s political narrative.” That sentiment is not just lip service, it’s a call to action.
Let’s face it, remove Juldeh from the equation and what’s left is a fragmented SLPP. The First Lady, whose ambition to enter mainstream politics is no longer a secret, carries a heavy baggage of controversies that could scare off undecided voters. Her national approval ratings have plunged due to several public scandals and political overreaches. If the party allows her ambitions to dictate the future of its leadership, it will be inviting a storm it may not survive.
Then there are other senior party figures, former ministers, parliamentarians, and regional powerbrokers, none of whom possess the political finesse or public trust needed to stand against a revitalized opposition. Most have served under President Bio and will be viewed as a continuation of a government many are growing weary of.
In fact, as some observers rightly put it, “any candidate other than Juldeh Jalloh would either divide the party or demoralize its grassroots base.”
On the other side of the political divide, the All People’s Congress (APC) remains volatile but dangerous. After the disappointing outcome of the 2023 election and subsequent power struggles, the party is attempting to reinvent itself. Names like Samura Kamara still resonate with certain factions, but a younger generation led by figures like Hon. Chernor Bah is increasingly asserting itself.
However, internal divisions remain a challenge. Former President Ernest Bai Koroma’s influence, once the guiding force of the APC, is now waning as the grassroots push for reform and a break from the past. The coming months will be critical as the APC prepares for its lower-level elections, where the direction of the party will be shaped. Analysts warn that if the APC fails to select a unifying and credible candidate, it may split at the seams.
But should they rally behind someone like Chernor Bah, who has growing popularity among the youth and middle class, the APC could become a serious threat, especially if the SLPP fails to front a competitive candidate like Juldeh.
The Vice President’s standing is not limited to domestic politics. In regional diplomatic circles, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh is viewed as one of the most stable political figures in West Africa. His background with the United Nations and his measured leadership style provide comfort to international partners looking for consistency and governance maturity in Sierra Leone.
Countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal have seen a new breed of leadership rising, tech-savvy, internationally educated, and forward-thinking.
Juldeh fits neatly into that model. Should he emerge as the SLPP candidate, Sierra Leone will be projecting not just a new face but a new era, one where governance is informed by policy, not propaganda.
As the countdown to 2028 begins, the SLPP must face its moment of truth. The people are watching, the party’s rank-and-file are restless, and the opposition is regrouping.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh is not just the best option; he is the only option if the party is serious about continuity and victory. Anything less would be political su***de.
Now is the time to put personal ambitions aside and make a decision for the greater good of the party and the nation.
So we ask again: If not Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, then who?
