Multi-pluralism is not a democracy for sale
Like every democratic loving Sierra Leonean, I wish to congratulate the President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma for winning a second term as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. And regardless of what political affiliations and regional dimensions we find ourselves, when the voice of Democracy roars across the lion’s mountain, we have no choice but to listen and accept the mandate of the people. Many of us may want a different outcome but the people’s voice inevitably overrides and trumpets all wishes and expectations. (Photo: Mohamed C Bah, author)
In the 2012 elections, our citizens paid no prize of losing their limbs or hands by simply exercising their constitutional rights to vote. Our mothers and the struggling children in Sefadu – Kono District to Gbonkolenken – Tonkolili District avoided the nightmare of violence.
Our streets were safe and the children in Sanda Magbolontor chiefdom- Port Loko District had a chance to play around the beautiful mango trees. Even the promising little girl in Bafodea -Koinadugu District had reasons to rejoice for a peaceful election.
Sierra Leone did not have to wait for a UN observer mission to police our streets and towns or shuttled to a diplomatic meeting in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast or Abuja, Nigeria to sign a peace accord. Democracy triumphed across the hills and valleys of our political landscape in the 2012 elections. And the voters of Sierra Leone were the architect of such a peaceful democratic outcome.
Indeed, what became a fierce political rivalry between political parties with a divided nation turned out to be relatively the friendliest contest in generations. We saw how APC voters embraced SLPP supporters and how UDM members held hands together with PDP supporters in the amazing spirit of solidarity and political tolerance. Sierra Leoneans were ready to turn against any violent-loving politicians because they see peace and security as the only salvation to our nation’s prosperity.
Perhaps, the biggest reform our political system needs today is building a strong and transparent multi- party system in Sierra Leone. Multi-pluralism which is one of the hallmarks of democracy must not be for sale in any open society. These so-called “mouth piece” or “satellite” political parties that have no agenda of winning elections are becoming a burden to our democratic process.
They must be disengaged from the political framework of our young democracy. We must begin to dismantle them by forming legitimate ones, executing the legal instruments of compliance by the overseeing body (PPRC) on their purpose and activities and aligning them to the national needs of the electorate.
The people of Sierra Leone must know that some of these “1%” winners of the popular votes are nothing but surrogate and auxiliary agents to the two major political parties (APC and SLPP). Infact, all incumbent governments in Sierra Leone since Albert Margai have dangerously pursued a strategy of destroying legitimate opposition.
It is but urgent that politically- oriented Sierra Leoneans make a conscious effort to form serious political parties that have the credibility to stand up against the powerful ruling government. We cannot expect the government of the day to encourage opposition because they want to stay in power.
When a political party’s primary strategy is to form an alliance or plan to use “the good office and reputation” of its party for financial or personal gains, the people of Sierra Leone are defrauded and misused. Democracy is hijacked in the process and the good principles of legitimate opposition are compromised and denied at the expense of the citizens of Sierra Leone.
The Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC) must be given broader powers of deregulating, through the court system, political parties that are not in compliance with the statutes of the political party Acts of 2002.They must encourage political parties that need democratic guidance and provide logistical resources to support their mission. And they must continue to perform their oversight responsibilities through engagement and coordination with political parties.
Without viable political parties that can be seen as a potential alternative government; one that can defend the rights of the people and develop sound governing programs that seek to improve the economy, build good infrastructures and attract global investments, fight poverty and the 80% hunger rates, Improve the maternal mortality rate and computerized our educational system, build an affordable health system and provide employment for the youths, diversify our energy sector with an accessible transportation network, create broad band internet access and promoting micro-economic lending to support small businesses, Sierra Leone will continue to recycle the same government that has no ambitious national focus for future growth and development.
Those who may have a genuine interest to promote good governance will be frustrated and undermined by the majority of public servants who practice the fastest growing religion of “neo-corruptionism.” And those who are only interested in what Sierra Leone can do for them will continue to occupy the trusted offices of our land. If multi-pluralism is not for sale, every post election 2012 political parties must operate under a new political concept of: “Sierra Leone First.”
This is the new future we must seek to build not the old one that buy smaller parties for political votes. Multi-plurarism must not be a democracy for sale. It is the bedrock that keeps our democracy thriving. We must cherish and protect it.
By Mohamed C. Bah, Atlanta, GA, USA
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