A Sierra Leonean captain in the US Army Ismeal Koroma is reported to have expressed great interest in the leadership of the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) ahead of 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
According to sources close to Captain Koroma, friends and family members in Sierra Leone and abroad have requested him to consider running for the SLPP leadership to be the national flag bearer in the 2012 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
Sources further revealed that some staunch members of the SLPP in America are mobilizing resources to support the candidacy of Captain Koroma on the grounds that, he has both academic qualifications and leadership skills to steer the political ship of state.
Within the SLPP hierarchy concerns are raised with regards to the background of the next SLPP leadership. The reason most supporters are advancing is that, since the inception of the SLPP all the leaders come from the south and northern regions but this time around they might want to get one from the eastern province.
Captain Ismeal Koroma who is said to be a descendant of Kailahun district, was very instrumental in seeking a permanent solution to the decade-long rebel war in Sierra Leone, through advocacy and lobbying with the USA government to end the war and to support the post conflict development initiative.
He is also on record to have made a lot of humanitarian and financial support to internally displaced persons and Sierra Leonean refugees in the Guinea refugee camp.
In a brief chat with the SLPP Secretary General Jacob Jusu Saffa yesterday, he acknowledged the fact that people have expressed their intention for the leadership of the SLPP but have not declared it public.
He however cautioned that, anyone seeking for any executive position within the SLPP should be seen working for the party at both national and international levels