AYV News, October 26, 2026
Former Sierra Leone President Dr. Ernest Bai Koromahas called on African leaders to strengthen democratic institutions, fight corruption and demonstrate the political will needed to protect the continent’s natural resources and achieve lasting peace.
Speaking at the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, on October 24, Koroma said Africa’s abundant natural resources had not translated into sufficient prosperity because of weaknesses in leadership, resource management and institutional capacity.
Addressing a high-level panel on African ownership of peace and sovereignty amid geopolitical rivalry, Koroma challenged governments to take responsibility for the decisions shaping their countries’ futures.
“We cannot be sovereign when we cannot fund ourselves. We cannot be sovereign when we cannot protect our minerals,” he declared.
The former President stressed that genuine sovereignty requires African countries to finance their own priorities, process raw materials locally, create jobs and ensure that natural wealth benefits citizens.
He also called for free and fair elections, stronger regional cooperation and a more effective African Union to address security threats and governance challenges.
Koroma warned that conflicts in countries such as Somalia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo continue to deprive young people of education, employment and opportunities to contribute to national development.
He further cautioned African leaders against allowing continental forums to become platforms for repeated discussions without measurable results, urging stronger accountability and effective monitoring of commitments.
The forum, held from October 23–25 under the theme “Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation,” brought together African leaders and policymakers to discuss sustainable peace, economic independence and the continent’s role in a changing global order.
