By Mabinty M. Kamara
Following a press statement from the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) condemning the latest shooting incident in Freetown, an envoy from the regional block and the government of Nigeria have recommitted their support in ensuring the stability of President Julius Maada Bio’s government.
“ECOWAS stands ready to support Sierra Leone’s national security including deploying a standby force if need be. I want to call on the people of Sierra Leone to be law-abiding. I will also appeal to the security forces to follow the rule of law and not engage in witch-hunt. ECOWAS calls on all stakeholders to promote dialogue,” said Dr Omar Touray, the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
However, he urged and entreated the government to ensure that the security measures instituted do not infringe on fundamental rights and freedoms and do not impact negatively on national cohesion.
Dr Touray highlighted ECOWAS's commitment to preserving democracy and good governance across the sub-region while assuring of their readiness to work with the Sierra Leone government toward forestalling any future security occurrences, emphasizing the zero-tolerance by ECOWAS for unconstitutional changes of government in the region.
Special envoy, Nuhu Ribadu conveyed the Chair of the ECOWAS Authority, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's gratitude to President Bio for standing with the people of Sierra Leone, and for democracy.
“President Tinubu is a life-long defender of democracy and will always stand by what is right. He will defend democracy, good governance, justice and freedom. The events yesterday (Sunday) have touched Nigeria directly. Nigeria is with Sierra Leone, ECOWAS is with Sierra Leone,” he assured.
In his statement, President Bio said he wasn’t surprised that Nigeria and ECOWAS came through “If Sierra Leone is a peaceful nation today, we owe it to Nigeria and ECOWAS.”
He assured the delegation that his government is committed to democracy, justice, the well-being and safety of the citizens.
President Bio said the country’s leadership position in key institutions across the globe will be preserved. He expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from key allies around the region and the world.
“Some of us have fought for this country and must protect it. We have seen the consequences of war and when I see people creating the conditions for war, it saddens me. Ever since I won in 2018, it has been one issue after the other,” he said.
That notwithstanding, he said his government has made gains in so many areas “despite the binding constraints we have been confronted with as a nation, including our deep-seated politics.”
“My party campaigned extensively and won the 2023 elections, but when the results were announced, the main opposition could not accept it. We agreed to dialogue all in the name of peace, and yet again, they decided to cause mayhem. This is not the first time; they did it on August 10, holding weapons and killing police officers, and yet, called it a civil protest,” he said.
The focus of his administration Bio said is food security, which is a development imperative.
The team, which included Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, its Chief of Defence Military Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Udiandeye, and President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray was in Freetown on the 27th of November a day after the state security breach.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (01/12/23)
