Makeni, 31st March, 2026– In Makeni City, the political winds shifted on Saturday as women from across Bombali District gathered under one banner: the DIB Movement. Led by Madam Ramatulai I. B. Kargbo, Women’s Leader of the Dr. Ibrahim Bangura (DIB) Movement, the meeting was more than a routine consultation; it was a declaration that women are no longer content to stand on the sidelines of Sierra Leone’s politics.
Executives and former councillors from all eight constituencies filled the hall, their presence signalling the growing influence of women in shaping the future of the All People’s Congress (APC). Madam Kargbo’s keynote address set the tone: the DIB Movement is not just courting women’s votes, it is entrusting them with the campaign itself.
“Dr. Ibrahim Bangura’s vision goes beyond seeking support; it is focused on empowerment,” she said. “Women are being encouraged to contest for executive and delegate positions at every level. His goal is a shared victory, one where women rise alongside him.”
The atmosphere was spirited, with women leaders pledging unity and discipline ahead of the APC’s National Delegates Conference in Port Loko this August. For many, the gathering felt like a turning point. The DIB Movement is deliberately positioning women as the engine of its campaign, a strategy that could prove decisive in the party’s internal race.
Observers note that this approach is unusual in Sierra Leone’s political landscape, where women have often been mobilized as supporters rather than decision-makers. By placing women at the heart of its agenda, the DIB Movement is reframing participation and signalling a deeper commitment to inclusion.
Madam Kargbo’s message was clear: solidarity and focus will determine success. “This is not just about politics,” she told the crowd. “It is about redefining leadership and proving that women’s strength is the strength of the party.”
As chants of support echoed through the hall, one thing became evident: the women of Bombali are not waiting to be invited into history. They are writing it themselves.
