The body responsible for Sierra Leoneans in The Gambia, the Sierra Leone Nationals Union, advocated for unity to move their country forward at a meeting held at Glory Baptist recently.

Mr Sesay, the president of the Sierra Leone Nationals Union, otherwise known as SLENU, recently called on Sierra Leoneans to see the reason for unity despite their political affiliations. Mr. Sesay was also calling on his countrymen to embrace SLENU like other nationals would their group. He said they had done their best as a union but the response of Sierra Leoneans is very discouraging and truly lethargic and uncalled for as strangers in a foreign land.

Mr. Sesay said they have tried but Sierra Leoneans keep making it difficult. “One broom stall cannot sweep.” He said. He further attributed it to attitude problem which his countrymen should change. Mr. Koroma, one of the executive members of SLENU, said when Leone Stars were coming recently Africell provided transportation for supporters to welcome them but, at the airport, one could count Sierra Leoneans who went to welcome their players, the bulk of them refused to participate. He says, “The manner a woman goes to her married home is the way she is given clothes to wash.” He said Sierra Leoneans are the only nationals who spend their time in clubs and talk a lot. “Even when we are to pray for Sierra Leone they would not come.” He said.

Foday Rogers said there was no respect for leadership among Sierra Leoneans. “The people we met love us and respect us but what they don’t want is what we do. We also have more relationship problems than other nationals do. We insult our leaders and people.” He suggested that all projects be registered with SLENU before they operate.

Mr. Sesay, the SLENU President, dismissed the notion that Africell gave them 50, 000 T-shirts for the Sierra Leone Gambia match. He further dismissed the allegation that they had eaten money donated to them at Kanilai by saying that the money was given to those who came from Sierra Leone. “We were there to help but people assume a lot.” He said. The union agreed to advocate a change of behaviour to foster unity among Sierra Leoneans.