By Foday Moriba Conteh
Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, the distinguished leader of Sierra Leone’s All Peoples Congress (APC), in a historic address delivered on Tuesday, October 10th, 2023, issued a heartfelt plea for unity and peace as the nation grapples with a protracted political deadlock. Dr. Kamara’s call transcended political, tribal, and regional divides, emphasizing the imperative need for Sierra Leoneans to unite in prayer, wisdom, and dialogue to resolve the ongoing political challenges.
The gravity of the current situation, which has stirred collective anxiety across the nation, was not lost on Dr. Kamara. In his address, he underscored the significance of prioritizing the greater good of Sierra Leone over individual ambitions. He implored the people of Sierra Leone to turn to divine intervention for strength, constructive discourse, and a commitment to truth during negotiations, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the nation’s integrity and future.
In a gesture that underscores the urgency of his message, Dr. Kamara urged Sierra Leone’s Muslim community to conduct special prayers on Fridays and the Christian community on Sundays. These prayers, he believes, will serve as a conduit for divine guidance during these challenging times.
Dr. Kamara’s impassioned appeal arrives at a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s political landscape, as the nation awaits a peace negotiation to be brokered by the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Commonwealth from the 16th October, 2023 to the 18th October, 2023.
In another development, during a closed door meeting with the APC leadership at their party headquarters, on the 10th October, 2023, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara welcomed Ambassador Hunt from the United States Embassy in Freetown, thanking the United States Government for its unwavering support in Sierra Leone’s quest to uphold and strengthen democratic principles.
During their meeting, Dr. Kamara emphasized the importance of such high-profile interactions, highlighting the willingness of the U.S. to engage in substantive dialogue with a key figure shaping Sierra Leone’s future. He portrayed it as an endorsement of the significance of adopting a diplomatic and measured approach to dialogue, one capable of transforming even the most steadfast critics into allies.
Ambassador Hunt characterized the discussions as a courtesy call emphasizing the importance of constructive participation to advance democratic reforms that will ultimately benefit the people of Sierra Leone.
As the nation awaits further developments in these critical negotiations, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara’s call for unity, prayer, and dialogue resonates as a beacon of hope in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of a peaceful resolution to its political challenges.
