We have said it before
As recent as our August 24, 2011 edition, we wrote an editorial captioned ‘It’s too early for the showdown’.
In that edition, we did capture some very salient early warning signals that are dangerous steps to our progress as a nation, stressing that the year 2012 was a ‘decisive moment in the political life of this country’.
We further opined that 2012 should be seen as the literary signpost for this country’s forward march to sustainable peace and stability. Anything working in the reverse will be regrettable.
The year, we said, will either make or break this country, because when that time comes (2012) the politicians will not give peace to the citizens of this country just because they would want to grab power by hook or crook using jobless, drug induced youths to achieve their devilish agenda.
It started with the recent war of words among the politicians following the election of the opposition flag bearer with the media in the thick of it, fanning the flames of discord. Apparently, just when the war of words were subsiding and the politicians were getting their acts together, especially the main opposition party, we heard of a shoot-out in Kono, eastern Sierra Leone, principally an intra-party feud involving supporters of the ruling APC party.
The dust hasn’t quite settled over the Kono shooting incident, then came news of the senseless attack on the convoy carrying the SLPP presidential aspirant, Julius Maada Bio in the second capital, Bo, considered as the stronghold of the opposition party.
That incident has clearly sent shivers right through the spines of defenseless civilians who would now be having sleepless nights in fear of getting caught up in surprise attacks as power hungry politicians jostled for power ahead of 2012.
As innocent citizens, we are in a big dilemma for obvious reasons. Firstly, the Sierra Leone police may not be up to the task in terms of protecting innocent lives or property due to their allegiance to the government of the day. We can still recall how the 2010 local council post-election violence in Tongofield, Kenema district was handled by the police.
Secondly, the courts could not be trusted in maters involving inter- or intra- party conflicts.
Lastly, the PPRC (Political Party Registration Commission) is equally powerless when it comes to taking decision on political parties breaching the code of conduct on electioneering.
So, who do we turn to when peoples’ political rights are abused through violence inspired by politicians?
We may count on the intervention of the international community who remain the principal moral guarantors of our peace. Would the politicians listen to them?
This is our dilemma as a people bedeviled by events engineered by people who want to get power through the use of force.
God save us!
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