Just two days after the end of the landmark visit of the Sierra Leonean president to The Gambia, his compatriots living in the country are recounting the visit of their head of state.

In an interview with Society, the interim chairman of the Sierra Leone National Union (SLENU), Mr John Alfred Ceesay, has expressed delight and appreciation with the manner of welcome “accorded to our president. We have been talking about the brotherliness of the two countries, but it has been demonstrated to the highest possible level during the three days visit of President Koroma”, said Mr Ceesay. He described President Yahya Jammeh as a true African brother, whose kind the continent of Africa deserves.

He said that the idea of exposing their new president to the numerous ongoing development projects in The Gambia would serve as motivation for the Sierra Leonean leader. He echoed the two leaders’ call for the people of the two countries to follow the footsteps of the two leaders, noting that “whatever good work the two presidents might be doing, it was up to us, the ordinary citizens, to exploit the benefit that lies therein” And he stressed, “we ought to ensure that the cordial relation that is being nurtured by our leaders is guarded jealously, for posterity.”

Preparations are on high gear for the visit of yet another African head of state to the Gambia. On Thursday, 10 April, 2008, Dr Earnest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, will be embarking on his maiden visit to the Gambia as head of state. Dr Koroma is coming as guest of the Gambian leader, Alh. Dr Yahya Jammeh. In line with this, Sierra Leoneans in The Gambia are being urged to ensure that this visit becomes a memorable one.

Speaking to the Daily Observer, Mr John Alfred Ceesay, the Acting Chairman of the Sierra Leonean National Union (SLENU) in the Gambia, has appealed to his compatriots and "all those Gambians or non Gambians who were born in the Sierra Leone and all those that sympathizes with the country", to come out in their large number, come Thursday, to cheer up their leader.

Mr Ceesay said that since this was the first visit of President koroma to the Gambia, they were looking forward to the cementing of the already existing family ties that bind the two people together. He thanked the Gambian leader, President Jammeh, for what he called a brotherly gesture, for inviting their leader to the Gambia. "For many of us this is the first time we are going to be setting eye on him, he said.

The SLENU Acting Chairman also expressed delight that this visit would give the Sierra Leonean leader the opportunity to see the Gambia and emulate its leader, President Jammeh, in his development drive, which he said was responsible for the drastic development the country has undergone in13 years.   

"All those who want to receive President Koroma are urged to be at West Field by 1130am for onward transportation to the airport, prior to the arrival of the visiting president.

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.