Despite delay over the implementation of the Tripartite Recommendations, the opposition leader, Samura Kamara and his men still show patience and self-restraint as they hope for something good.
Their names still remain on the waiting list since they have seen a bright light flashing at the end of the tunnel in respect of the struggle for bringing back what many say “a stolen victory.”
The party’s leader, Samura Kamara has always called on his men to tread on the path of peace as the Tripartite enters the implementation stage.
In his recent address to APC (All People’s Congress) members, supporters and the people of Sierra Leone, he said the battle to bring back the party’s stolen victory called for wisdom and not machetes or invectives. The appeal rhymes well with the social media ventriloquist, Abdul Will Kamara aka Adebayor who has repeatedly urged opposition leader to use unlawful and bizarre means to come to power. Samura Kamara and his few loyalists have persistently rebuffed calls and incitement to violence but choose to go the peaceful and civilized way.
It is the walk towards the Tripartite Committee recommendations that the opposition leader pronounced “electoral justice” which seeks to show the real winner of the polls and bring the perpetrators of election rigging to court.
The grassroots has received the call for “electoral justice” than any other appeal because they see it the only way out.
It is the fight for electoral reforms that prompts grassroots supporters to snub other senior APC politicians who are currently battling with each other for the party’s flag. They prefer 2028 elections to the fight for electoral victory. They believe that if the fight goes successfully, it is the opposition leader that will reap the benefit and not them.
Former Chief of Staff at State House, Dr. Richard Conteh is taking the lead for vying for the flag in 2028 even they are not sure of winning the elections. The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is far preparing for 2028 elections while opposition politicians still are embroiled in deep conflicts. Despite the internal differences,
Samura Kamara continues to traverse the various communities in Freetown giving his people one message- electoral justice. However, other top politicians also visit their constituencies with contrary messages. For them, Agenda-2028 is the right action and that Samura should let go and takes his hand off politics. One of the party’s stalwarts, Dr. Richard Conteh has been reaching several communities for 2028 campaigns. He however recently ran out of luck when a cold shoulder was reportedly shown to him during a Friday prayer at the Gadaffi mosque in Eastern Freetown.
The APC grassroots supporters wanted every top-notch politician to throw his weight behind Samura Kamara who, many see as the only personality that will restore the people’s hard-earned victory.
Samura’s call is also in line with one of the key recommendations of the Carter Center report which urges authorities for holding accountable those who undermine the electoral process of June 24, 2023 elections. It however remains unclear whether like local judicial institutions would be utilized to enforce the laws relating to electoral justice or an international court or hybrid system.
Although Samura seems confident on the waiting list, many have doubted his success in his electoral justice campaign with questions about Samura’s over reliance on the international community to restore democracy here in Sierra Leone keep coming.
Many say, steps taken by the opposition leader shows patience and restraint ahead of the June election. As a way of actualizing their dream, residents in Tonkolili took to the streets in protest to the ECSL (Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone)’s refusal to produce the disaggregated data as demanded by the grassroots with threats that they would boycott future polls.
However, after days of consultation with diplomats, Samura Kamara appealed to the people of Sierra Leone to take part in the electoral process and their votes will be protected.
Such assurance rekindles the people’s hopes and went out to vote for the party of their choice.
They strongly believe that economic hard times would be a past phenomenon if Samura Kamara takes over the reins of state command. But, the elections through which the people wanted to effect change went in favour of the ruling party.
Samura Kamara also showed patience at a time he was reportedly placed under siege in his own party by trigger-happy police officers. He was trapped in the scene for several minutes but was unhurt.
The people decided not to take part in any future elections. But, dozens of top-notch APC politicians do not support Kamara’s move for accountability for only God.
Credible sources say they are in no mood to “electoral justice” as they appeal to Sierra Leoneans to accept the June polls and move on saying as no one signs their death warrant. If APC politicians endorse electoral justice, it will counter their interest as most will fall in the hands of the court officials.