Edward Mohamed Turay (Eddie Turay), a prominent Sierra Leonean politician and diplomat, passed away in the United Kingdom today. He leaves behind a legacy of dedicated service to his country and a profound impact on Sierra Leonean politics.
Born on 24th October 1945, Edward Turay pursued a career in law after studying at Manchester University, where he obtained his law degree. In 1976, he was called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn. He returned to Sierra Leone in 1979 and served as a magistrate for three years before venturing into politics in 1982.
Turay’s political journey began when he won a seat as a Member of Parliament for Bombali Central One Constituency in 1986. He was re-elected to parliament from Bombali District’s Constituency 33 in the August 2007 parliamentary election, receiving an overwhelming 73.2% of the vote.
From 1996 to 2002, Edward Turay served as the leader of the All Peoples Congress (APC), the main opposition party in Sierra Leone. He ran as a presidential candidate in the 1996 national election, although he ultimately finished in fifth place after gaining 5.1% of the first-round votes. During his tenure as leader of the APC, he also held the position of Minority Leader of the House of Parliament.
Turay was appointed Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in January 2010. He was accredited to eight other states, including Cyprus, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Greece.
He published an autobiographical book titled “The Prophecies of a Father” in 2013. The book explores the traditional beliefs and faith of his late father, Paramount Chief Kande Turay of Sanda Chiefdom, highlighting the importance of integrating Western beliefs and education with traditional African values.
Eddie Turay’s influence extended far beyond his political and diplomatic achievements. Throughout his career, he mentored numerous aspiring lawyers, nurturing their talent and guiding them towards successful legal careers. Today, many of his mentees hold esteemed positions within the legal profession, including Chief Justice D. B. Edwards, Supreme Court judges Vivian Solomon, Alusine Sesay, M. Deen Tarawally, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice A. Y. Brewah, and lawyer S. S Koroma.
Throughout his career, Turay demonstrated a deep commitment to his country, advocating for peace, progress, and the well-being of Sierra Leoneans. Eddie Turay will be remembered as a dedicated leader, a champion of unity, and a true patriot. His contributions and service to his nation will be cherished.
