AYV News, July 14, 2026
Leader of the opposition Unity Party, Femi Claudius Cole, has criticised Sierra Leone’s hosting of the ongoing ECOWAS Summit, describing the decision as “deplorable” and arguing that the country’s limited resources should instead be directed towards addressing urgent socio-economic challenges.
Speaking during an interview on AYV’s Wake UpSierra Leone programme, Claudius Cole said the funds invested in constructing the conference centre and organising the regional summit could have been better utilised to improve the welfare of police officers, nurses, doctors and teachers, while strengthening essential public services.
She argued that Sierra Leone continues to face significant challenges in healthcare, education and other critical sectors, noting that many citizens still struggle to access quality healthcare and other basic amenities.
According to Claudius Cole, the country’s current economic realities make hosting such a high-profile regional event untimely, insisting that government resources should prioritise improving the living conditions of Sierra Leoneans.
The Unity Party leader further stated that, if she were President of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of ECOWAS, she would have supported holding the summit at the ECOWAS headquarters and conference facilities in Abuja, Nigeria, rather than in Sierra Leone.
She maintained that using the existing ECOWAS facilities in Abuja would have reduced the financial burden on Sierra Leone while still allowing the regional bloc to conduct its affairs effectively.
Her comments come as Sierra Leone hosts Heads of State, government officials and delegates from across West Africa for the ECOWAS Summit. The Government has maintained that hosting the summit demonstrates Sierra Leone’s growing role in regional diplomacy, strengthens regional integration and peace-building efforts, and showcases the country’s capacity to host major international events.
