Dissent

APC's leadership in parliament is determined to take the bull by the horn. David Sengeh the government's chief minister is on record for spewing countless hateful and disrespectful statements against the major opposition party in the country. Whenever the opposition presents its concerns to the government, there's always a pushback. The government does not care about the opposition's concerns despite several appeals to reconsider an appointment that has raised eyebrows and profound doubt.

In a Facebook post, Sengeh called the opposition a disgrace. His statement was unfortunate, especially at a time when the political impasse and polarization is quite alarming. Sierra Leone's political sphere is volatile, it's like a keg of gunpowder placed near a furnace. While the agreement for national unity was meant to quell the tension in the country and build a backdrop for dialogue and consensus-building, the government is doing everything within it means to renege on its commitment. The opposition's concern about the questionability of the appointment of Edmond Alpha as Commissioner of ECSL has been been swept under the rug by the government.

David Sengeh has never showed the APC respect. He has been deploying disrespectful adjectives to describe the defiance of the opposition in regards to fundamental governance issues captured in the agreement for national unity.

We applaud Hon. Abdul Kargbo for standing his ground and making it emphatically known that even though they are open to dialogue but they'll not engage Chief Minister David Sengeh because he has showed utter disrespect to a party that is respected by millions of Sierra Leoneans. Such an affront from chief minister requires a tougher reaction. And Hon. Abdul Kargbo is up to the task.

Chief Minister David Sengeh is one man who has been on the receiving end of brutal criticisms and condemnation for utterances many have referred to as immature, unpleasant, and disrespectful both to the people of Sierra Leone and his counterparts in the main opposition APC party.

He is on record to have constantly referred to the opposition as unprogressive at any given opportunity when his ideas or dictates are not adhered to. Sengeh who still occupies the seat of Chief Minister, continues to marshal his plans of becoming Maada Bio's successor. And his thirst for power has been questioned on multiple occasions when his insinuations have otherwise suggested that Maada Bio's government haven't been able to perform at an optimal level because of some weaklings within the system. Questions of conflict of interest have been raised countlessly, and some pundits have even asked him to step aside and focus on his campaign to become the next SLPP flag-bearer. Yet, he still continues to serve in that position and he continues to be discourteous to the opposition party who he sees as a hindrance to his selfish agitation.

When Edmond Alpha was appointed by the president to head ECSL and conduct the next elections in 2028, the APC objected to his appointment citing the government's failure to fulfill a clause in the Agreement for National Unity which is the blueprint that emerged from the Tripartite Committee dialogue on peace and national cohesion. As a result, the APC did not take part in Edmond Alpha's parliamentary approval and they have vowed to stay out of parliament and every other local council until the right thing is done. This move by the APC didn't go down well with David Sengeh. He didn't hide his displeasure when he took to Facebook to call the leadership of APC in parliament a "disgrace". Such a statement from the government is uncouth and far from what one would consider a statement of peace and dialogue.

Sengeh has continuously made senseless and disrespectful statements to a party that is supposed to be partners in the governance spectrum of the state. Their disapproval of the appointment of Edmond Alpha should not warrant a brazen disregard for their concerns by the ruling government. Such an act only does one thing; it widens the political divide in the country and pushes the country closer to state of implosion. If care is not taken and cool heads do not prevail at this tragic time, this nation will drift rapidly into a state of chaos creating uncertainty of what the future holds. The SLPP have banked on constitutional uprightness to justify their decision to ignore the agreement for national unity and proceed with an appointment that will eventually cast a dark cloud over Sierra Leone. In their bid to hold on to power, they are determined to ignore every laid down agreement they ever affixed their signature on. This sends a worrying signal to the opposition and people of Sierra Leone.

As APC's withdrawal from parliament and local councils gather steam, we are left wondering what will become of the country in the coming weeks. Will the APC ever believe the SLPP and deem them fit to sit across a table and have a dialogue on the issues they continue to brazenly ignore? Even their supporters will be disappointed if they do. The SLPP only understands one language; RESISTANCE. The APC should be firm in resisting them within rightful constitutional boundaries, and they shouldn't cave-in to international mediation because it will only put them in a position of weakness.

The Lawyers' Society of Sierra Leone, an organization which was formed after the electoral travesty that happened at the Bar Association election in Kenema in 2024, has unequivocally denounced the appointment of Edmond Alpha as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of ECSL.

As one of a handful of organizations in the country that is apolitical and committed to the protection of the rule of law, democracy, and fundamental human rights, the organization's leadership believe the haste at which the appointment is made, while giving zero consideration to the concerns raised by other relevant stakeholders, is a cause for concern that'll cast doubts on the credibility and transparency of the forthcoming elections.

It could be recalled that the Tripartite Committee was established to inquire into the issues that plagued the 2023 elections and proffer germane recommendations for electoral reforms. The recommendations which were borne out of that engagement require the government and the main opposition party to build a consensus on implementing measures that'll foster electoral best practices and avert a recurrence of the sham elections in 2023.

The Lawyers' Society is imploring key stakeholders to the Agreement for National Unity to engage with the office of the president and advise him to reverse Mr. Alpha's appointment for the good of democracy. It is believed that a great deal of the recommendations in the Agreement for National Unity which focus on electoral reform has not been implemented yet. Therefore, this appointment defeats the purpose of the Tripartite Committee as Edmond Alpha is about to continue in an institution that indisputably needs serious reforms if it is to conduct the next elections credibly, in a transparent and fair manner.

Unfortunately, what we have been seeing so far is a government that is desperate to have its way by any means even if it requires circumventing the agreement for national unity. Such desperation only breeds suspicion and despair within the people. Every attempt that stirs misgivings in the people about the conduct of 2028 elections should be nipped in the bud as soon as it is spotted. The future of our democracy is being tested already. We must rise to the challenge and air our voices of discontent.

On Armed forces day, President Julius Maada Bio has pledged a 25% salary increment to the army. This comes few weeks after the army said it was going to recruit 1000 new personnel to augment the present work force within the defence spectrum. In case you're wondering what is responsible for the president's interest in appeasing members of the armed forces with an increment, let's break down the plausible reasons why we believe there's an ulterior motive to all of this.

The next presidential election will probably hold in 2028. It'll be a crucial period in our nation's democratic history as we commit ourselves towards peace and democratic consolidation. But this commitment may not come to pass. Reason being is, the incumbent SLPP government, which has performed appallingly, is determined to continue in power, despite the deafening public outcry of its incompetence and corruption. So how does a government hold on to power even though it isnt sure of an outright electoral victory?

Get the security apparatus in your corner. Appease them by making a few changes to their conditions of service such as salary increment, which is a good morale booster. That is exactly what Maada Bio is doing. As a former soldier, he knows exactly what is required to get the Army's impenetrable loyalty to the incumbent. The APC may consider these new measures germane to empowering the army. But that's not the case. The president is building an army that will.protect his party's quest to remain in power despite its abysmal failure in so many facets of the governance hierarchy.

The police is already within his grip. Once the army falls in line, the SLPP will have the might it needs to go against the will of the majority. Another SLPP rule will destroy this country. The opposition shouldn't let that happen. Therefore, it should present a realistic plan which will position it as a better option over the incumbent. Unfortunately, that's not what we are seeing. APC is currently distracted. They cannot afford to continue in that vein, or they risk handing the next elections on a silver platter to the SLPP.

There is only one flag-bearer aspirant within the that has consistently called on Sierra Leoneans to unite and build a prosperous nation together. Dr. Bangura's clarion call for a cohesive nation that is united beyond party and ethnoregional lines portrays him as a man of peace and one who truly understands what the next phase of the country's political dispensation realistically needs.

We cannot downplay the political polarization our country faces. President Maada Bio's has failed woefully to unify the country and quell tensions. State institutions are being used to oppress and violate the fundamental rights of opposition politicians. The civic and political spaces continue to tighten as dissidents are clamped for expressing their thoughts about a regime that is akin to failure. This poses an endemic threat to the soul of our nation.

Speaking about the unfortunate arraignment and detention of APC'S secretary general on three-count charge for public order offences which are bailable, reminded the government that "peace and stability in our nation rely on tolerance, fairness, and strong democratic institutions". He further admonished the government to create a democratic space where political rights are upheld and the administration of justice is done without prejudice. His words carry weight and a profound message unequivocally calling for a nation where civil and political rights are protected, and one in which dissenting voices are not treated like criminals.

Let's not dodge the fact. APC have been through a lot. In this current dispensation, their members have been subjected to persecution and several rights violations. If power changes hand, there is the propensity for revenge and getbacks, and this might keep the nation in a quagmire it'll struggle to come out of for a very long time. That is why so far projects himself as the best among the lot. His message of unity and reconciliation will be transformed into action if he becomes the next leader of the APC. He has showed willingness and commitment to back his words with action. Therefore, in the interest of the nation's future, members of the APC who believe in peace and democracy should support his candidacy for the top position.

The APC need a leader who embodies the ethos of peace and national cohesion. Someone who is passionate about pulling the nation together and working with everyone to change the negative narratives that have tainted the image of this once respected country.