Politicians boycott debates in Sierra Leone

Freetown. November 6, 2012 – nine nominated Presidential candidates have created a last minute shocker by deliberately reneging on their acceptance to honour a debate organized by Patriotic Sierra Leoneans (P-SL) organization scheduled to have taken place on Monday November 5, 2012, at the Miatta Conference hall, in Freetown.

This latest action brings to three the number of debates they have boycotted.

It could be recalled that earlier the politicians had boycotted other Presidential debates with an excuse that the organizers only considered three political parties, viz, the ruling All People’s Congress (APC), the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), and the third largest party, the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC).

It could also be recalled that the National Campaign Committee of the ruling APC had earlier published a press release stating that they would not allow their Leader and Flag bearer, President Ernest Bai Koroma to share stage with the SLPP flag bearer, Retired Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio, citing an alleged ugly incident that occurred at the Goderich Street involving Mr. Bio’s motorcade and that of President Koroma’s as the ground of their protest.

They also indicated that they were concerned that the organizers had only chosen the two major parties, namely, the APC and the SLPP, to take part in the debate, as a deliberate attempt to sideline the smaller parties, which they maintained, was not good for democracy.

We are however heartened to note that even when the fact is made explicit that other candidates were in the platform, this disregard gravitates to bully the tenets of our democracy and our democratization proceedings as it pins down all patriotic citizen in making sense as to why state politicians have chosen this desperate defiance.

We are equally disheartened to note that even though some smaller parties honoured our invitation on the day of the event, the two large traditional parties – the APC and the SLPP – refused to show up thereby depriving the people of an opportunity to get an insight into the manifestoes of our political parties and to also have some issues clarified by the very politicians who want the people to put the destiny of this nation into their hands.

We feel very sad that political parties who have ruled this country for over fifty years between themselves should stop to such cheap shenanigans with little regard for the sensibilities of the people of this nation.

We equally feel very sad to note that all the excuses these two parties have been giving for not honouring our invitations are all aimed at ensuring that they do not give account of their stewardship to the people.

We condemn such cowardly antics and call on well-meaning Sierra Leoneans to join us doing same as such actions robbed the masses of this country of their right to know how they intend to run Sierra Leone after November 17, 2012 elections. We will also ask Sierra Leoneans to keep in mind that the action of these politicians are a pointer that they do not intend to be accountable to the masses, nor do they intend to treat them with any respect.

We therefore conclude that these politicians have disrespected the masses –a reason why we are calling upon every Sierra Leonean to be alert and judiciously use their votes on November 17, to choose people who have respect for the masses and the country at heart.

Long live democracy!

Long live the Republic of Sierra Leone!

Signed: Mohamed Kamarainba, President Patriotic Sierra Leoneans (P-SL)

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