By Amin Kef (Ranger)
With all the plans, counter-plans, meetings, arrangements, marches and other activities with political undertones doing the rounds across the country, the bottom line is Sierra Leoneans are not looking forward to an election that would degenerate into violence and chaos.
This is because Sierra Leoneans have been through quite a lot beginning with the eleven years old senseless war, and up to the current economic difficulties and general hardship facing the average Sierra Leonean.
Sierra Leone has conducted at least four successful elections and transferred power without incident. The peaceful and uneventful transfer of power from one regime to the other goes a long way to show that Sierra Leoneans can do well when they put their minds to it.
Sierra Leone enjoys democratic credentials to the envy of other African countries and to the extent that, this country has been classified in several international forums as one of the most peaceful, democratic and law-abiding countries in Africa and the world at large. Such accolades should not be discarded or destroyed by selfish politicians and their supporters,
The coming elections must be conducted by the relevant authorities in a manner that upholds these democratic and peaceful credentials Sierra Leone is known for. Sierra Leoneans therefore must actively play pivotal roles in ensuring that they eschew violence and do what they can to promote peace overtures with rival political group supporters.
At this coming election, Sierra Leoneans should understand the reality that no political party is bigger than Sierra Leone and therefore, as citizens of this country, we must all take the front seat in ensuring that peace and decorum form the basis on which the June 24, 2023 elections are conducted.
No country has ever been worse off because it lacks violence and unity. But much can be achieved by a country in the absence of violence and the presence of unity.
