By.Kabs Kanu
The dirty, cut-throat and nasty politics in Sierra Leone was brought into sharp focus today thousands of miles from the country, as far afield as Senegal.
Unlike what would have transpired in Sierra Leone, the incoming President of Senegal, who has won the country’s presidential elections, Boubaccar Faye and the outgoing President Macky Fall held a congenial meeting today at the presidential palace in Dakar.
The familiarization meeting to discuss the way forward symbolized peace , unity and patriotism, and in comparison to Sierra Leone, proved that Senegal, like Liberia and some other countries in the sub region have forged way ahead of us in respect for democracy, constitutional governance and civilized politics.
According to social media activist, Germino, the meeting had the two rival politicians display the love and patriotism they have for their country.. Both men realized that it is not about them but about their country and the welfare of their people.
If it had been Sierra Leone, the story would have been quite different , given the poisoned and polarized relationship between the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party ( SLPP ) and the opposition All People’s Congress ( APC ) and the lack of respect for democracy, the constitution and law since the SLPP came to power in 2018.
Yes, politics has always been confrontational in Sierra Leone and SLPP/ APC relations have always been very hostile and both parties share a lot of blame for the status quo but the situation worsened when the SLPP came to power.
Since he assumed the presidency of Sierra Leone, President Maada Bio has “used the army and police as a terrorist organization against the APC and anybody who criticized the government in an effort to steal our election and destroy our democracy “, according to Germino.
In Sierra Leone, there could have been no such post- election meeting between the winners and the losers. More often than not, thugs and supporters of the victorious party would have been out in the streets beating, intimidating and burning the homes and businesses of the losing party, as the SLPP did in 2018.
From once being the Athens of West Africa and the Beacon of Light of Africa, Sierra Leone is now one of the most uncivilized countries, politically, since this paopa government ( paopa in local parlance means “Everything must be done and accomplished by force , whether you like it or not ” ).
