Salone Needs A Unifer

 =Opinion Editorial=

Sierra Leone Needs A UNIFIER

Musa Alimamy Kamara, Graduate, Student, Journalist. 

With all the recent happenings, it is crystal clear now to each and every Sierra Leonean that, our country needs an individual that will bring us together, she needs a problem solver, our country needs a true and committed UNIFIER who despite citizens' odds can still be in a position to instill calm into the minds of the citizens and promote peace.

It is hard for a nation to thrive on all fronts, that is, socially, politically and economically, if the inhabitants of that nation are not united. As a concerned citizen of Sierra Leone, indulging all Sierra Leoneans to come together and work as a unified team in the development of our beloved country. As citizens it is our responsibility to contribute to the development of our country socially, politically and economically as other citizens of other countries are doing instead of decrying the few that are trying to make things meet with limited resources. The only way to achieving this big task is through unity despite what affiliation you belonged.

The in-fighting among political parties, tribes, communities, localities, genders, and the unknown is not good for our country which is striving hard to recoup from the draconian war that deflated our country to zero degree. The only thing that could salvage our country from these calamities is UNITY. As Sierra Leoneans, we should appreciate the little efforts that our brothers and sisters have done in our absence or our presence in our country for the sake of peace.  Throwing all our laundries  to the social media does not augur well but rather destroying our country’s good image nationally and internationally. As citizens, we are obliged to ensure we project Sierra Leone as a peaceful nation. 

Notwithstanding the roles of citizens in promoting peace and unity, our country needs the kind of leadership that can unite us all as a nation. We were blessed with one (the late President Tejan Kabbah) his roles in ensuring we enjoy the peace we are having today can never be forgotten by any Sierra Leonean. Over the few weeks, our country has been in a turmoil, one that has left many citizens in Freetown and some other places living in fear. That is due to the actions of few that has led to many living in absolute fear. 

This, and many other times, has been a testament that, Sierra Leone needs a Leader that can speak directly to the minds of citizens, without prejudice, preach peace, shows calm, address the underlining problems and unify the different factions. President Julius Maada Bio's Address to the Nation on Friday 12th August 2022 was a perfect opportunity for him as a leader to have unified our country, speaks directly to the minds of the youths, speaks on solutions to the problems arising and portrays calmness. President Bio speaks tough, was all over playing the blame games, threatening to "crack down heavily on perpetrators" and with a very tense body language. I hope and call on the Government to bring all those responsible for this violent-protest to be held accountable and face the full force of the law. But our President shouldn't have missed out on the aspect of instilling calmness in the minds of his citizens, communicate directly to us young people, specifically in our major local dialect (krio) as a popular social media commentator and an influencer said "speech was a missed opportunity. Sounded more like a campaign speech than a Presidential Address after a national tragedy. Should have spoken directly to the youths in Krio and assured them Government hears concerns. To deny protest was about economic hardship is gaslighting. Sad," Vickie Remoe tweeted. 

What happened on Wednesday 10th August 2022 must be condemned by every well-meaning Sierra Leonean. Albeit that, we must also not shy away from what triggered people to be out on the streets. It is clear that the economic downturn has had an adverse effect on Sierra Leoneans, and an hungry man is an angry man. People might have been triggered and incited by some miscreants with political goals, but people responded to that cause of dire economic realities on the ground, that is not to say they should resort to violent protests, but their rights to express how they feel about must also not be ignored and must be talked about by all. 

In a situation like this, in which every citizen is living in fear, not sure of what will happen the next day, not sure of the reactions of Government, especially when President Bio said some measure his government will be taken will discomfort some people, and definitely not sure of the reactions of our law enforcement officers, the country needs a leader that can communicate well, relate with the people, and try to be unified leader that can bring all divided sectors on board for the progress of the nation I stead of terming his own citizens as "terrorists." Like Vickie Remoe said, "if we are to be honest, the only terrorists in Sierra  Leone are SLPP and APC. They breed political extremism and use of violence and intimidation for political gains."

 Let me end by emphasizing here that every peace-loving Sierra Leonean must be fully committed to promoting a culture of peace, harmony and unity. Even if economics, science and information technology are the driving force of this era and in the future, we must not lose sight of tribal harmony and unity. In the final analysis economic development would not be meaningful without understanding, harmony and unity among the people. To me building unity in a multi-tribal society is our Nation’s biggest challenge the challenge that is key to our very survival. 

Our nation needs a UNIFIER, Sierra Leone must be United across party lines, so, in June of 2023, when casting your vote, let this be in your mind, think of a leader that can unite us, think of a leader that can speak on the real problems and not shy from the realities of bringing each and every faction on board for a better solution. 

MAY THE SOUL OF ALL THOSE SLAIN ON AUGUST 10 REST IN PEACE.

MUSA ALIMAMY KAMARA.

Email: kamaramusamark@gmail.com