Former President Koroma Calls for Political Will, Accountability and African Ownership of Peace and Security

Speaking at the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, from October 23 to 25, Koroma argued that Africa’s vast natural resources have yet to translate into broad-based prosperity because of weaknesses in leadership, resource management and institutional capacity.

Koroma made the remarks during a high-level panel discussion titled “From the Margins to the Centre: Building an African Model for Peace and Sovereignty in an Age of Geopolitical Rivalry.” The session brought together President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi, President Daniel Francisco Chapo of Mozambique, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki of Kenya, and Uganda’s Minister of Defence, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, representing President Yoweri Museveni, to examine how African nations can strengthen sovereignty, effectively manage resources and navigate growing global geopolitical competition.

Addressing fellow leaders and policymakers, Koroma challenged African governments to move beyond historical grievances and accept responsibility for decisions shaping the continent’s future.

“Do we have the political will to address these issues?” he asked, describing political commitment as the foundation for building strong institutions, ensuring effective governance and promoting economic transformation.

The former president stressed that sovereignty must be reflected in action rather than rhetoric. He argued that Africa cannot claim genuine independence while remaining unable to finance its own priorities, protect its mineral wealth or process raw materials into goods that create jobs and generate revenue.

“We cannot be sovereign when we cannot fund ourselves. We cannot be sovereign when we cannot protect our minerals,” Koroma stated.

He also highlighted the close link between democracy and security, urging governments to guarantee free and fair elections, tackle corruption and establish effective systems capable of managing national resources for the benefit of citizens.

Koroma further called for stronger regional cooperation and a more effective African Union, arguing that no country can successfully confront modern security threats in isolation. He said regional security arrangements should help member states strengthen democratic governance, build institutional capacity and resist external pressures that exploit domestic weaknesses.

Drawing attention to the human cost of conflict, the former president warned of the devastating impact wars continue to have on young people in countries such as Somalia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Beyond the immediate loss of life and destruction, he said conflict deprives generations of education, productive opportunities and the ability to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Koroma’s remarks echoed concerns raised by former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, Chairman of the Tana Forum Board, who called for a decisive shift away from structural economic dependency toward industrialisation, food and energy self-sufficiency, and greater African control over development priorities.

Mahama cautioned that increasing geopolitical rivalry and competition for critical minerals could turn Africa into a battleground for external interests, arguing that sustainable peace depends on African ownership, economic justice and the capacity to finance the continent’s own development and security needs.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed similarly called on African countries to strengthen economic sovereignty, deepen cooperation and develop homegrown solutions to global challenges. He emphasized that peace agreements must be backed by accountable leadership, functional institutions and tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.

The issue of resource management also featured prominently during the discussions. Uganda’s representative, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, urged African countries to retain greater value from their natural resources through local processing and stronger regional markets. He argued that development should be measured not only by infrastructure growth but also by the wealth created for citizens.

Collectively, the discussions underscored a growing consensus that Africa’s natural wealth, youthful population and regional institutions must be leveraged to deliver prosperity, stronger public institutions and long-term security.

For Koroma, however, the ultimate test lies in implementation. He warned against allowing continental forums to become recurring platforms for discussion without concrete outcomes, calling instead for institutions capable of monitoring governance, tracking resource use and ensuring commitments translate into measurable benefits for citizens.

The 12th Tana Forum was held under the theme “Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation.” The gathering focused on how African countries can build sustainable peace while strengthening economic independence and enhancing their ability to influence an increasingly complex global order.

Koroma’s intervention brought that challenge into sharp focus, emphasizing that lasting peace will require more than diplomatic declarations or external assistance. According to him, it will depend on responsible leadership, accountable institutions, stronger cooperation among African states and the political will to ensure the continent’s resources serve its people.