PDL Statement on Recent Violence in Sierra Leone

This statement serves as a clarion call to all Sierra Leoneans within Sierra Leone and outside the country to stand firm against acts of violence which not only destroy property and infrastructure, but also the future of our children as the economic impact of these acts will surely be felt for many years to come.

The People’s Democratic League (PDL) is growing ever more concerned about effort by disingenuous individuals to create a counter-productive, anti-democratic and harmful situation for innocent and well-meaning Sierra Leoneans.

The People’s Democratic League is concerned by the violent clashes that erupted in many parts of Sierra Leone in recent days and wants to commend all its members across the country for yielding to the call made by its (PDL) Leader and national Chairman, to stand firm against these despicable acts of violence that have resulted in the loss of innocent lives, including both security officers and civilians, and property, vandalism, looting, intimidation of law abiding residents and loss of life. PDL positioned that violence can never be the answer.

As a peaceful and law-abiding Organ, the PDL calls on all Sierra Leoneans regardless of tribe, region, religion, political affiliation or belief never to indulge in any acts that could undermine the country’s peace and democratic process.

We recognise that people might have legitimate concerns, but violence cannot be a solution. The Constitution of Sierra Leone protects the right of people to protest, organise, and engage in free expression and association. The right to protest comes with the responsibility of not infringing upon the rights of others who may be negatively affected by such actions. Sierra Leoneans should not allow a few individuals who want to destroy, use violence in our country to truncate our nascent democracy and hard-won peace.

It should however be clear that no grievance can justify the violence and destruction of property and infrastructure that we have thus far seen on 10^th August, 2022. These acts of violence will have long lasting impact on the Sierra Leonean economy as many people have lost their property and businesses. The challenge is that these protests are also threatening food and health security. The sick, the poor and our impoverished communities will surely feel the worst due to these cowardly acts.

As a nation that had experienced a bitter and fratricidal civil war in the 1990s, we have a responsibility to shoulder together as religious leaders, traditional leaders, youths, businesses, community organisations, political parties, NGOs and others to stand together, united to put a stop to the challenges that had confronted us. This is a time for all of us to denounce violence, and to protect lives and livelihoods.

We call on all Sierra Leoneans to understand that true democracy is not based on incitements, hate messages and misuse of the social media to induce our youths into all sorts of violence. On the contrary, democracy is based on the principle of using rationality to seek, decide, and convey the truth to avoid sentimentalism, which is tied to ethnicity, culture, and history. It is the view of the PDL that when people tend to focus more on sentimentalism, they easily become tricked to commit cowardly acts that harm the spirit of unity, brotherhood and friendship in social interactions.

The Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRC/SL) is the voice of the people, and we acknowledge the critical role this Institution (IRC/SL) is playing in the country. As we approach other general elections, we want to remind the leadership of the IRC/SL of the very positive and healthy debate about what it means to live in an environment of peace and democracy. We are conscious of tendencies that we think are a threat to our peace and democracy. The tragedies that followed the elections in Zimbabwe in 2008 and Kenya in 2017 should guide us in Sierra Leone. We call on the IRC/SL not to relax in guarding our country’s peace and democracy; and also to ensure that the 2023 elections are peaceful, inclusive, free and credible.

This is not the time to be divided in the country; rather it is the time for all to join hands to rebuild our economy that is already destroyed by Covid-19. We call on all Sierra Leoneans to maintain and uphold the rule of law, pursue dialogue and put the peace and stability of the country before politics. We call on all religious leaders, traditional leaders, community headmen, businesses, journalists and media houses, sports personalities, musicians and others to do join us in sharing messages for the protection of every Sierra Leonean person and property in the country against any threats of violence, intimidation, theft and looting. We should build up and not shut down Sierra Leone. We should all unite as a democratic nation to say no to those acts of violence; to protect lives and livelihoods and work with the police in protecting our communities across the country.

Few months to general elections, we call on all Sierra Leonean youths to shun violence before, during and after the 2023 elections. The future of Sierra Leone lies in the active participation of youths in politics, and by so doing youths should eschew all acts of violence, killings and destruction of property. Violence is not an alternative to democracy. The right to register political parties, to contest and vote in elections is guaranteed in the 1991 Constitution of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

The PDL is of the view that any political grievances should be chanelled to the 2023 elections, and vote for credible candidates that would address the demands and aspiration of the people. We call on all Sierra Leonean youths to register and collect their voter’s card ahead of the 2023 general elections as announced by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone, and not allow to be instigated to involve in any acts of violence.

Sadly, innocent lives and property were lost on August 10. We would like to convey our condolences to the Sierra Leone Police and community members who lost their loved ones.

At the inauguration of the PDL in 1986, the issue was the return of Sierra Leone to multiparty democratic rule. In the 1990s, the issue was peace, and an end to the brutal fratricidal war and national reconciliation. Today, the issue is consolidation of our hard-won peace and advancement of democratic rule.

God Bless Sierra Leone!

Sender:

 

(Chief) Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh

Founder, Leader and National Chairman

People’s Democratic League (PDL)

For and on behalf of PDL members