Focus on 2028 Presidential Hopefuls Part 1 Alie Kabba: The Political Strategist With A Clear Vision For Sierra Leone

The post-war political history of Sierra Leone cannot be complete without mentioning the immense contributions of Ambassador Alie Kabba, who hails from Koindu in the eastern province of the country.

Early Education:

He attended the Roman Catholic school and later the Government Secondary School in Kenema before proceeding to the Bo Government Secondary School.

He furthered his studies at Fourah Bay College (FBC), University of Sierra Leone, where he broadened his knowledge in History, Philosohy, and French.

His record still stands as the only Students Union President elected unopposed in the history of Fourah Bay College. The unanimous endorsement he received was a reflection of his leadership appeal among diverse groups on campus.

As a true Pan-Africanist and fearless champion for democracy in Sierra Leone, Alie Kabba led mass demonstrations against Siaka Stevens’ one-party dictatorship. His determination to challenge a dictator at the time landed him in Pademba Road Maximum Prison. He was later expelled from the University of Sierra Leone and forced to go in political exile.

Championing Pan-African Ideology:

At a time when Africans across the globe were looking for national voices to strengthen post-independence Africa, he became the Executive Director of the United African Organization (UAO) in Chicago, a dynamic coalition of African community associations with the vision to have a unified African voice to advance social justice, civic empowerment and immigrant rights in the US.

His leadership dexterity paved the way for the expansion of the movement by influencing US and global policies affecting Africa. UAO’s flagship annual Chicago African Summit was recognized as a platform where lawmakers, scholars, and activists convened to address critical public policies and community development issues.

He served as the first African and Muslim president of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrants and Refugee Rights, chaired the Golden Door Coalition to advocate for a dignified US refugee resettlement, and served as Board President of CAN TV to support community media in metropolitan Chicago.

As a result of his multiple leadership roles, Alie Kabba was recognized among the top 100 Black leaders in the US.

Having achieved global recognition in the civil rights movement, it was time for him to return home to play a pivotal role in national politics.

His Political Career

Alie Kabba’s political journey was never a smooth ride from the beginning. He could be described as a political cat with nine lives, for he has survived the good, the bad, and the ugly in Sierra Leone politics.

Despite going through political suppression and victimization, all in an effort to silence his political ambition, Alie Kabba continues to stand against bad governance and injustice even at the detriment of being jailed.

As an opposition member of the Sierra Leone People’s Party and Campaign Manager in 2018, he led a strong and formidable campaign against the All People’s Congress (APC) party at a time when it was seen impossible for any party to win general elections in Sierra Leone.

His political mantra: Everyone In, No One Out; Everyone Up, No One Down, proved to be strong and irresistible for the APC which suddenly led to the victory of His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio.

As an international expert in diplomacy and global affairs, he was appointed as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in 2018, a position he used to expand Sierra Leone’s global footprints, influence regional diplomacy, coordinate African Union positions such as reform of the UN Security Council, as well as design and secure funding for the construction of the new Foreign Service Academy to train our diplomats.

He later served as Sierra Leone’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, where he advanced our national interests and projected our principled positions on African and global affairs.

2028 Vision

President Bio is doing his second and final term, which ends in 2028.

The 2028 election is no way going to be an easy ride for the SLPP. The main opposition APC party is determined to come back at all costs.

If SLPP is to continue governance after President Bio, there has to be a formidable political strategist as a flagbearer with deep grassroot connections and broad cross-regional appeal. This has made party stalwarts to see Alie Kabba as the real deal and natural successor to President Bio.

Without doubt, Ambassador Alie Kabba is a battle-tested politician who has withstood both internal and external pressure. He is a charismatic, inspiring, and unifying figure beyond partisan, tribal and regional divides. In sum, he has what it takes to win in 2028.