Yesterday, members of the ruling SLPP and various government officials were in full celebration mode, reveling in President Julius Maada Bio’s latest international honor — being named an “Eminent Person” for the g7+ countries during a high-level summit that took place alongside the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA-80) in New York.
Supporters hailed this as a “prestigious recognition,” framing it as proof of Sierra Leone’s growing global presence. But Sierra Leoneans should take a moment to ponder: what exactly is the g7+?
To clarify, the G7 and the g7+ are two very different entities.
The G7 consists of the powerful Group of Seven advanced economies — the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan.
In contrast, the g7+ is a coalition of fragile and conflict-affected states, established in 2010, comprising nations grappling with poverty, instability, and weak institutions.
The g7+ countries — including Liberia, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Haiti, Timor-Leste, Somalia, and yes, Sierra Leone — are grouped not for their strengths but for their vulnerabilities. They come together to share experiences in recovering from conflict, advocate for international support, and push for reforms to break free from cycles of instability.
So when SLPP officials shower praise on President Bio for being recognized by this group, what they’re really celebrating is Sierra Leone’s ongoing status as a fragile, conflict-affected, low-income country. This isn’t a badge of honor; it’s a sobering reminder of our underdevelopment, institutional weaknesses, and economic struggles.
The Bio administration’s effort to spin this into a victory feels disingenuous. Instead of using this recognition as an opportunity for introspection on the failures that keep Sierra Leone in such classifications, the Government is showcasing it as an achievement. In truth, the g7+ label highlights just how far we still have to go toward stability, prosperity, and the benchmarks of genuine global leadership.
Sierra Leoneans deserve transparency, not hollow celebrations. Being acknowledged among fragile states is not something to take pride in.
