By Mabinty M. Kamara
Amidst political tension and threats of violence, former President Ernest Bai Koroma has called on Sierra Leoneans to choose peace over violence, noting that the focus should be on creating an enabling environment for citizens to exercise their civil and Political rights peacefully.
“Instead of stocking the flames of division, hate and conflict, we should, as I always do, discourage and condemn violence in the strongest unambiguous terms. Political leaders and their supporters should refrain from making inflammatory and divisive statements, and should show leadership and bring an end to the tension in the country,” he said in a press statement dated 17th June 2023.
The president therefore called on local and international actors in democracy, human rights, and peace building such as the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, the European Union, and Commonwealth Secretariat among others to monitor the situation in Sierra Leone and to ensure that the country does not go back to the dark days of war which they all fought hard to end in the small West African country.
“You should make your voices heard in the protection of peace, democracy and the rule of law in our beloved nation,” the statement reads, adding that the actors should work with all parties to ensure that the concerns of all parties are addressed.
The former President in his statement urged the security sector and the election management bodies to carry out their duties in the interest of the country. “You have a responsibility to ensure that your conduct strengthens the confidence and trust of the people in the sensitive jobs you are privileged to perfume,” he said.
Former President Koroma in his statement said he had to keep silent on commenting on national issues in order to avoid controversies.
In 2018, Sierra Leone experienced a peaceful transition of power from the Ernest Bai Koroma led All Peoples Congress (APC) Party to the then main opposition party’s Julius Maada Bio.
It is barely six days until Sierra Leone’s multi-tier elections slated for June 24th.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (19/06/23)
