By Fatima Kpaka
QUINCY, Massachusetts, Sept. 27, 2026 – President Julius Maada Bio has renewed Sierra Leone’s call for reparatory justice for the enduring impact of enslavement and the transatlantic slave trade, declaring that the historic Amistad story should inspire not only remembrance but also responsibility, justice and reconciliation.
Speaking at the United First Parish Church, popularly known as the Church of Presidents, during a programme themed “Celebrating Courage: Honouring the Historic Link Between Quincy and Sierra Leone,” President Bio described the relationship between Sierra Leone and Quincy as a bond rooted in shared history and humanity.
The event followed the President’s visit to the Adams National Historical Park, where he viewed the historic Mendi Bible preserved in the Stone Library. He described the Bible as a powerful symbol linking Sierra Leone and the United States across generations.
President Bio reflected on the story of Sengbe Pieh, known in the United States as Joseph Cinqué, and fellow Mende captives who were forcibly taken from Sierra Leone and enslaved aboard the Spanish schooner La Amistad in 1839. Their resistance ultimately led to a landmark case before the United States Supreme Court, where former President John Quincy Adams successfully argued for their freedom.
The Sierra Leonean leader said the Amistad story embodied two forms of courage: the courage of Sengbe Pieh to resist oppression and the courage of John Quincy Adams to challenge injustice through the law.
“Nearly two hundred years ago, Sengbe Pieh came to these shores in chains. Today, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone comes to Quincy in freedom and friendship. That is the distance history has travelled,” President Bio told the gathering.
He emphasized, however, that the passage of time should not diminish the responsibility to address the lasting consequences of historical injustices.
“Reparatory justice is not about reopening old wounds. It is about acknowledging historical truth, honouring those who suffered, addressing enduring consequences and building a more equitable future. It is about memory joined with responsibility, and justice joined with reconciliation,” he said.
Drawing parallels between the Amistad legacy and Sierra Leone’s modern journey, President Bio said the spirit of resilience demonstrated by Sengbe Pieh continues to define the nation through difficult moments, including the civil war, the Ebola epidemic, the 2017 mudslide and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Each time, we grieved. Each time, we stumbled. But each time, Sierra Leone rose again,” he stated.
Reflecting on his own experiences during the civil conflict and Sierra Leone’s transition back to democratic governance, President Bio stressed that sustainable progress must be anchored on peace, strong institutions, education, justice and respect for human dignity.
He noted that contemporary challenges still require courage, including expanding access to education, combating hunger and food insecurity, empowering women and girls, safeguarding peace and creating opportunities for Africans to shape their own futures.
“Sengbe Pieh fought for freedom. Our responsibility is to give that freedom meaning,” President Bio said, adding that freedom must translate into education, opportunity, equality and dignity for all.
The President also thanked the people of Quincy, the Adams National Historical Park and the United First Parish Church for preserving the historic connection between the two communities.
He urged that the bond between Sierra Leone and Quincy continue to grow around the principles of truth, justice, freedom and shared humanity.
“History must not merely be remembered, it must instruct us,” he concluded.
By State House Media and Communications Unit