By Kemo Cham
The Council of Churches Sierra Leone (CCSL) has appealed for calm, amidst rising tension as a result of the recently published Commissions of Inquiry (COI) reports and the subsequent government White paper.
The church leaders, in a statement issued on Friday, said while they support the government’s campaign against graft, they expected this to be pursued according to law and without any cause of division. In the statement, the Council lamented the “open animosity” between President Julius Maada Bio and his predecessor, Ernest Bai Koroma, which it said was undermining the unity of the country.
CCSL is the umbrella body of all churches in Sierra Leone, established since 1924. It has been involved in the socio-economic development efforts of Sierra Leone by not just using its individual congregation to preach the gospel, but also serving as moral guarantors during conflict, notably during the country’s civil war and during political impasses.
“Council commends the efforts of government in its fight against corruption manifested by the establishment of the Commissions of Inquiry, followed by the publication of the White paper on the reports of the Commission,” the statement notes, adding that there was no doubt that the government has succeeded in raising the awareness of the populace of the “devastating effect of massive corruption” in the country.
“However, CCSL wishes to express its deep apprehension of the current state of affairs in our beloved country,” it added, referencing the incident in Makeni involving the failed attempt by the ACC to question the former president. While recognizing the need for the anti-graft agency to carry out its role, it appealed for it to do so without creating tension.
It also called on the judiciary to ensure the due process is followed in the implementation of the recommendations in the COI and White paper.
The council also condemned all forms of lawlessness and called out to political parties and their supporters to restrain themselves and observe peace while allowing the process to go on.
“The open animosity between the former president and the current president does not augur well for this country and undermines the unity and needed cohesion of our nation,” it said.
