Fellow members of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), friends, supporters, and especially the resilient women of our great old party, my name is Fatmata Sawaneh, and I humbly present myself once again as a candidate for the position of National Women’s Leader of the SLPP. I do so with a clear conscience, a proud record of service, and an unshakable commitment to our party, our women, and our beloved Sierra Leone.

I was born and raised in a proud SLPP home in Kono District, where I lived with my late brother, Junior Sawaneh, a loyal soldier who served alongside late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. He gave his life for this country during the tragic January 6 Freetown city massacre. His sacrifice sealed my lifelong devotion to the SLPP and to the principles of peace, unity and democracy.

My political journey began long before the war and has continued steadfastly ever since through the war, the post-war rebuilding, and every political season since. I rose through the ranks from Zonal Women’s Leader to acting constituency leader, acting district leader, deputy national women’s leader, and eventually served as national women’s leader.

Throughout this journey, I have never turned my back on the party. I have never switched allegiance, nor have I spoken against the SLPP. For me, the SLPP is not just a political party; it is my belief, my identity, my past, present, and future.

When His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio sought the presidency, I stood firmly by his side. I campaigned across Sierra Leone and beyond, mobilizing resources and support. I helped raise funds in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana etc. and worked shoulder-to-shoulder with stalwarts like Hon. Rado Yokie, the late Musa Tamba Sam, the late Aziz Carew, the late Dr. Kadie Sesay, Dr. Kanja Sesay, Dr. Abass Bundu, Dr. Prince Harding, Hon. Bintu Myers, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, Lahai Lawrence Leema and others who shared our vision for leadership. I stood side by side with others to bring the SLPP to power, and I was the youngest among them. My commitment to our party is unshakeable. I put my life on the line for the Julius Maada Bio administration to succeed, and the records speak for themselves.

I am the first National Women’s Leaders to have received multiple awards and certificates, both nationally and internationally. As National Women’s Leader, I was the first to travel across Sierra Leone into chiefdoms and remote villages to mobilize supporters. I personally engaged with party elders like Dr. Sama Banya and former MPs to recognize their contributions and remind them that in politics, no one truly retires.

I was the first to buy 35 jeeps for women leaders across the districts from my own resources. The first to issue certificates of appreciation to women. The certificates were awarded to recognize individuals for their loyalty and unwavering commitment from opposition till date. I was also the first to bring women together across the country in forums of unity and purpose. I created medical support fund that assisted sick party members in hospitals like 34 Military and Connaught, regardless of rank or position.  I have been cooking and delivering meals to the party office every day since 2001. I also awarded scholarships to children in rural areas, supported marginalized groups, and made significant contributions during national emergencies like Ebola, the mudslide, and COVID-19. I have always sent support however small during festive seasons, whether Muslim or Christian. I listen, I act, and I deliver. Now, more than ever, the SLPP Women’s Wing needs to be liberated and restored to its full glory.

People know me Madam Fatmata Sawaneh as someone who is loyal, approachable, and always present. Whether in good times or tough times, I have always been there for the women of SLPP. I have always stood with both men and women I cut across the board. I am an all-rounder, committed to serving everyone.

Since I left office, the energy and visibility of the women’s wing have diminished. The unity we once had is fading. That is why I am stepping forward again to revive, rebuild, and reignite the spirit of SLPP women.

I am running because I believe in the power of our women. I believe we can:

Rebuild the SLPP Women’s Wing into a strong, united, and action-driven force.

• Promote inclusion and representation for women from all districts and backgrounds.
• Launch a microcredit initiative to empower women who have served the party to start or expand small businesses.
• Establish a National Women’s Forum to elevate the role of SLPP women at all levels.
• Strengthen coordination with regional, district, and zonal leaders to ensure grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2028 elections.
• Inspire young women and emerging voices to ensure the future of our movement.

This is not just about running for office. It’s about bringing hope to the hopeless, meaning to the forgotten, faith to the discouraged, and confidence to those who feel left behind. When I make a promise, I fulfill it and the SLPP knows this.

Even though I didn’t hold any position in thi9s current administration for the first six years, my loyalty to the party never wavered. Today, I serve as Deputy Ambassador to Guinea, but my heart remains in the SLPP, and my hands remain at work for its women.

It is important to understand that serving in government and serving the party are not mutually exclusive. Many individuals hold ambassadorial, ministerial positions and have positions at the SLPP and effectively manage both simultaneously. The question is not about where one serves it is about how well one serves.

As Deputy Ambassador in a neighboring country just five hours away, I am more than capable of leading with consistency, structure, and presence. My leadership model is clear:

• I am fully committed to responding promptly in times of emergency and will ensure a regular presence to host meetings and keep our work moving forward. You can count on my dedication and consistency
• I will host WhatsApp meetings every Monday and Thursday, and ensure daily engagement via an active group chat.
• I will implement a Monthly Work Plan, shared with the Women’s Council, with progress updates and space for feedback by the SLPP membership.
• I will establish clear protocols so that every regional and district women’s leader knows their role and responsibilities.

It is now easier to lead the Women’s Wing because it operates independently. In the past, I was directly answerable to superiors at the Secretariat. While a council is now in place, offering more flexibility, they remain my bosses, and I will continue to consult and work closely with them.

The hard-work is as we look ahead to the 2028 general elections, the task before us is clear: to return the SLPP to power. I am fully prepared and committed to delivering on this mission. With hard work, unity, and determination, I will play my part to ensure our party’s victory.

Leadership is not about titles. It is about results, presence, and impact and I bring all three. I have done it before. I will do it again with greater energy, renewed purpose, and a detailed plan for success.

Can Fatmata Sawaneh do the job?

Yes. I have done it before, and I am ready to do even more.

This is not just about winning an election it is about uniting our women, strengthening our party, and ensuring a decisive SLPP victory in 2028, regardless of who our flagbearer will be.

So I am calling on every woman, every supporter, and every delegate to:

Let us join hands and rebuild.

Let us stand strong and move forward.

Let us vote not just for me, but for unity, progress, and victory.

To the women of SLPP across the world, I pour my heart out to you. I love you deeply and remain committed to standing by you come rain or shine. I have made sacrifices before, and I will do it again. Even when I lost the election, I never walked away. Nothing can change that, because true leadership means showing up, no matter what.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to all stakeholders and members of the SLPP both at home and abroad for your unwavering support and belief in me. We have come this far together, and by the grace of God, I know victory is ours. United, we are strong; divided, we fall. We are one family. One country! One People!

Thank you for your unwavering support.

God bless you. God bless the SLPP. God bless Sierra Leone.

Madam Fatmata Sawaneh

Candidate for National Women’s Leader, SLPP