On September 27, 2026, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone addressed the United First Parish Church in Quincy, Massachusetts, emphasizing the significance of the Amistad legacy in the fight for reparatory justice. He highlighted the courageous story of Sengbe Pieh, also known as Joseph Cinqué, and his fellow Mende captives who were forcibly taken from Sierra Leone in 1839. Their resistance against enslavement on the Spanish schooner La Amistad led to a landmark Supreme Court case.
The Amistad story reflects two forms of courage, according to President Bio: Sengbe Pieh’s resistance to injustice and former President John Quincy Adams’ decision to argue for their freedom in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ultimately affirmed their freedom in 1841. During his visit to Adams National Historical Park, President Bio viewed the Mendi Bible preserved in the Stone Library, describing it as a witness to history and a sacred link between Sierra Leone and the United States.
President Bio stressed that reparatory justice is not about reopening old wounds but about acknowledging historical truth, honouring victims, addressing the lasting consequences of injustice, and building a more equitable future. He linked Sengbe Pieh’s courage to Sierra Leone’s resilience through various challenges, including the eleven-year civil war, Ebola, the 2017 mudslide, and COVID-19. The country has repeatedly recovered from adversity, he noted.
Lasting progress requires peace, strong institutions, education, justice, and respect for human dignity, President Bio emphasized. He called for greater efforts to educate children, tackle hunger and food insecurity, expand opportunities for women and girls, and enable Africans to shape their future with dignity and agency. These efforts are crucial for building a better future for Sierra Leone and the wider region.
President Bio’s visit to Quincy, Massachusetts, aimed to strengthen the historic relationship between the city and Sierra Leone. He called for this relationship to be built around truth, justice, freedom, friendship, and shared humanity. History should not merely be remembered but should instruct future generations, he stressed.
The President’s speech was part of a broader engagement with the international community on issues of justice, reparations, and historical accountability. His message resonated with the audience at the United First Parish Church, who gathered under the theme “Celebrating Courage: Honouring the Historic Link Between Quincy and Sierra Leone.”
President Bio’s advocacy for reparatory justice and his reflections on the Amistad story underscore Sierra Leone’s commitment to addressing the enduring consequences of the transatlantic slave trade. His call for action and reconciliation highlights the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in addressing historical injustices.
Key points
- President Bio used the Amistad story to push for reparatory justice for slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
- The Amistad legacy must go beyond remembrance to responsibility, justice, and reconciliation, according to President Bio.
- President Bio linked Sengbe Pieh’s courage to Sierra Leone’s resilience through various challenges, including civil war, Ebola, and COVID-19.
