Opposition leader of the main opposition, All People’s Congress (APC) has urged the United States of America to intervene to restore democracy in Sierra Leone three years after the June, 2023 election.
Dr. Samura Kamara made the appeal to the world’s Super World Power during their celebration of the 250th Independence Anniversary.
July 4, 1776 was the day America took back control of their future and self- determination from the British colonial masters, a message that echoes to the last corner of the world, and the day is scared for the people of the United States of America.
In his appeal, Samura Kamara believes that the votes of June, 2023 must reflect the will of the people of Sierra Leone which is basis of political authority.
“We respectfully urge our American friends to support efforts to strengthen democratic institutions in Sierra Leone, to uphold the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box and to help ensure that every vote counts,” Samura Kamara appeals to the United States adding that every voce must be heard.
He believes that a stronger democracy in Sierra Leone is a stronger partner for America and West Africa and beyond. The United States is the first country in the world to slam a travel ban on Sierra Leone government officials following the alleged mass rigging of the June, 2023 elections.
As it stands, Sierra Leonean are still under a visa ban, and some can travel to the United States only on exceptional conditions. The United also threaten to freeze assets of government officials including opposition politicians who allegedly played in undermining the June, 2023 elections. Election report released by the US Think-Tank election observation body, the Carter Center recommended accountability for those who allegedly rigged the election.
Thus, Samura Kamara and the voters look up to the United States and the European Union (EU) to bring back the people’s “stolen votes.”
Similarly, the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland among others have also taken strong action against the Bio regime through international isolation, but that alone is not enough until democracy is restored.
It is over three years since June, 2023 election is conducted with controversy as to who is the actual winner.
Samura Kamara claimed to have won the election first-round with 57.15% according to result reconciliation forms tendered at the Tripartite Committee during the election probe.
The Tripartite Committee is a body set up to look into alleged widespread electoral irregularities during the June, 2023 polls. From the investigation, it came out clear that the incumbent, Julius Maada Bio did not produce evidence to support his electoral victory relying only on the announcement made by ECSL (Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone), an institution mandated by law to conduct and supervise public elections in Sierra Leone.
Doubts over SLPP (Sierra Leone People’s Party)’s victory increased when the election body, ECSL failed to present evidence at the Tripartite Committee.
A little over a year ago, the Tripartite Committee completed the election probe and proffered 80 recommendations for electoral reforms to ensure that Sierra Leone’s future electoral processes are free, fair and credible.
Credible sources have intimated this press that five recommendations remain outstanding and set to be implemented by the international community.
But, The Bio regime is well into its fourth year raising doubt about the future of democracy in Sierra Leone should his government go away with the alleged rigging.
Gauged by their moves, the PAOPA regime which the opposition labeled “an ethnic militant cabal” is in no mood to transfer power to the opposition either victory or not.
President Julius Maada Bio has always assured his supporters that he will never hand over power to APC, a move backed up by the party’s former Chairman, Prince Harding, and top-notch SLPP stalwarts.
They have always argued that democracy means 10 years for every political party, thus giving a new meaning to democracy, a meaning that is alien to democracies around the world including the United States which is bedrock of democratic governance.
Although the new meaning seems somewhat erroneous, the vast majority of the SLPP grassroot firmly holds on to it, and sees no need for their party to give up power even if they lose an election.
Even 2028, the opposition party has less hope as the foundation for SLPP to continue in power has been laid as seen in what many refer to as the surreptitious and illegal appointment of Edmond Alpha, Chief Electoral Commissioner. Edmond Alpha who many see as an SLP hardliner would conduct and supervise the 2028 election.
The election boss’s political fundamentalism is evidenced by recent audio hitting back at the international community over secret moves for regime change ahead of the 2023 election.
Fear is also rife that Edmond Alpha would not be different from his predecessor, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh who announced an election before the votes were counted thus tilting the scale in favour of the ruling party.
Credible sources earlier informed this press that ballot papers in the Northwest region were filtering in when the election results were announced, a decision that the majority of the people of Sierra Leone found difficult to accept.
To date, the decision is being challenged by the grassroot who form the bulk and majority of the people of Sierra Leone.
At the time of the announcement of the rigged results, the people would have taken to the streets demanding a re-count of the votes, but the international community led by the United States assured the people and Samura Kamara that the right thing would be done.
On several occasions, Samura Kamara has urged the international community to fasttrack the restoration of democracy in Sierra Leone, and last week’s appeal is the latest in a stream of appeals the opposition leader has made to the international community particularly the United States.
In a related development, Samura Kamara has expressed goodwill sentiments and congratulatory messages to the people of the United States on their 250th Independence anniversary.
For over a century, America was ruled by the British Empire and it was on July 4th, 1776 that the Americans rose for their freedom, self-determination and independence.
They declared to the Colonizers that government derived its powers, legitimacy and authority from the consent of the governed, and that the principle had since travelled far beyond American shores and inspired constitutions, emboldened reformers and gave courage to many nations around the world.
America rose and freedom came but with a cost as lives were lost, but a noble objective was achieved by the collective effort of the American people.
Americans did not only free themselves but also freed other countries under the yoke of colonialism as seen in the formation of the UN Trusteeship Council. This council helped countries under colonial rule to gain self-governing status.
The 4th of July, this year marked 250 years of US’s independence and freedom for which Sierra Leone’s opposition leader commended the US which is a beacon of freedom and hope.
Speaking from home in Sierra Leone, Samura Kamara showers praises on the Americans and recognizes the effort of Sierra Leoneans struggling for democracy and freedom.
“On this historic fourth day of July, as the United States marks two hundred and fifty years since the declaration of independence, I extend my warmest congratulations on behalf of Sierra Leoneans who continue to struggle for democracy, freedom and human dignity, an in my own capacity as a longtime admirer of America’s democratic journey,” Samura Kamara congratulated the US.
Kamara also congratulates the United States for not only ensuring the absence of struggle, but the capacity to meet struggle with resilience.
America’s journey to freedom, Samura Kamara says, is forged through argument, dissent and the hard work of self-correction which only a free people can undertake.
Drawing good lesson from home, Samura Kamara believes that it was America’s move towards freedom that also inspired Sierra Leone to demand independence from their British colonial masters and was granted 65 years ago.
As Kamara intensifies the struggle for democracy and freedom, he still considers the June, 2023 elections as a game that is not yet over and that the United States and other countries in the world’s community must act fast and act now to restore democracy in Sierra Leone.
It is hoped that the people of Sierra Leone will take back control of their lives and future under a democratic order hallmarked by free speech, rule of law, respect for human rights, civil liberties and human dignity.
