“Lots of Lies and Manipulation Around the Presidency” — Former Chief Minister David J. Francis Breaks Silence
BY VOS Writer
Former Chief Minister David J. Francis has spoken candidly about his time in government, alleging that there were “lies, misrepresentation, manipulation, and dishonest representations” surrounding the Presidency of Julius Maada Bio.
Francis made the remarks following the publication of his book, Governing a Poor Country, in which he reflects on governance challenges and his experiences serving at the highest levels of government.
Speaking during an interview on Truth Media, the former Chief Minister described his working relationship with President Bio as one built on mutual respect. He explained that the President appreciated his approach of presenting issues supported by facts, figures, dates, and evidence whenever they discussed matters of state.
According to Francis, this evidence-based method strengthened their interactions and ensured that discussions were grounded in verifiable information.
“He respected me because whenever I engaged him on issues, I presented facts, figures, dates, and evidence,” Francis said, adding that the President often listened carefully during such engagements.
Francis also shed light on the work of the Government Transition Team, which he chaired following the 2018 Sierra Leone General Election that brought the Sierra Leone People’s Party to power after defeating the All People’s Congress.
The former Chief Minister said he takes full responsibility for the strong language used in the transition report, which described corruption under the previous administration as “egregious” and “racketeering.”
According to Francis, the terms were deliberately chosen to reflect what the transition team believed to be the scale and nature of corrupt practices uncovered during their review of government operations at the time.
His remarks have reignited public discussion about governance, accountability, and the dynamics surrounding the Presidency.
Through his book and ongoing public engagements, Francis said his intention is to encourage honest conversations about leadership, governance challenges, and institutional reforms in Sierra Leone, drawing from his experience in public service.
