The Inauguration of Abu-Hassan "Askia" Koroma - SLPP Washington DC Chairman VTS_01_2.VOB

In 1996, the Sierra Leone Peoples' Party (SLPP), led Dr. Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabba, effectively returned to prominence after years of relative obscurity. This occurrence was the result of a highly competitive general election that was decided between the latter and the United National People's Party, UNPP, led by Dr. John Karefa-Smart. It was a wartime election that came with a deadly price tag. Nevertheless, the populace demanded democracy, participated in the elections despite the terror-inspired protest by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). In the end, the will of the people prevailed. Dr. Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabba was sworn in as President of Sierra Leone, and leader of the majority party in the House of Parliament. This event signaled the domination of politics by the SLPP for another 10 years.
The origin of the SLPP can be traced to the formation of the Sierra Leone Organization Society (SOS). This movement dominated much of post-world war II politics in Sierra Leone until April 1951. During this year, the SLPP was established through a merger of the Peoples' Party (PP), the Protectorate Education Progressive Union (PEPU), and the Sierra Leone Organization Society (SOS). The party adopted the palm tree as its symbol.
The period between 1951 and 1960 witnessed the ingenuity and leadership of Sir Milton Margai, and others such as Amadu Wurie, John Karefa-Smart, Bai Koblo Pathbana, Kande Bureh, and Sir Albert Margai, who made vital compromises, forged alliances and ensured the success of the party until independence and self-rule.
On April 27, 1961, Sierra Leone, which had been a British Colony and Protectorate became an independent African nation, under the leadership of the SLPP, with Sir Milton Margai as the first Prime Minister. Since then, the party has lived up to the true meaning and spirit of its motto, "ONE COUNTRY, ONE PEOPLE". It has strongly adhered to the politics of inclusion, for the enhancement of the quality of life for all Sierra Leoneans.
Through the years, the party has successfully steered the nation through a long civil war, disarmament and repatriation, economic recovery, and ensured peace and national stability. A grateful nation rewarded the SLPP by re-electing the party in 2002. In the elections held, the party won 83 out of the 112 parliamentary seats and 70.1% of the votes in the presidential elections.
In the 2007 elections, SLPP ran a vigorous campaign with Solomon Berewa and Momodu Koroma as its leading candidates. A number of factors combined to deprive the SLPP of the opportunity to continue the realization of its programs. The party lost the elections to the All People's Congress (APC), in August 2007.
The SLPP continues to invigorate and reinvent itself. In 2009, the party elected John Oponjo Benjamin as the new national Chairman. Under this new leadership, the SLPP now seeks to strengthen the enthusiasm and loyalty of its base supporters, recruit new membership and chart out a new future. It looks forward to a resounding victory in the year 2012.
In the effort to continue this new approach, The Sierra Leone Peoples Party of North America elected Abu Hassan Koroma (Askia), as Chairman of the Washington DC Metro Branch on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
The story of the SLPP continues...

1hr. 50 Minutes

Produced by:
The Sierra Leone Peoples' Party, North America Region , Washington Metro Chapter.
Written, Photographed and Edited by
Abdul Amin Mousa
Nomoli Films and Digital Media
Maryland, USA

Copyright: SLPP WDC 2009
For orders: slppdc@gmail.com
240-374-3303

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News & Politics

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