Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC) has cautioned President Julius Maada Bio over a statement he Wednesday 22 May this year delivered during the coronation of paramount chiefs in Bo.
The APC made the affirmation in a press release issued last Friday 24 May 2024, in which the opposition expressed strong dissatisfaction over the statement of the President.
The APC is deeply concerned and therefore expressed profound disappointment over a recent speech delivered by President Bio. The opposition urged the president to focus on finding solutions aimed at addressing the burning issues affecting citizens on a daily basis.
“The People’s Congress (APC) was deeply concerned and therefore expressed profound disappointment in the recent speech delivered by President Julius Maada Bio”, In his address, the President threatened citizens that, if they come with a bullet, they would be met with a bullet. The statement was made amid the ongoing economic hardship occasioned by mass hunger, starvation, and economic devastation facing the nation, is deeply troubling notwithstanding, the APC is confident that the people of Sierra Leone understand that the ballot is mightier than the bullet”, part of the press release reads.
It continued that, the President should focused more on the problems that are affecting the people instead of him sending incendiary and threatening language, adding that such rhetoric further divides the nation, which is highly detrimental to the social fabric of Sierra Leone.
“Instead of fostering unity and offering words of encouragement to his people, President Bio has chosen to use incendiary and threatening language. Such rhetoric further divides our nation, which is highly detrimental to the social fabric of Sierra Leone,” the press release further reads.
The APC party reminds the public of the agreement for National Unity, which contains a mutual condemnation of hate speech and violence in the country. It furthered that the agreement was signed by both the SLPP led Government and the APC, and the agreement states: “The government of Sierra Leone and the APC party strictly condemn all citizens at home and abroad who incite violence, spread hate speech and disrupt national cohesion (online and offline), and the government will continue all efforts to bring those involved to justice. However, this agreement was brought to the attention of President Bio so that he could uphold to the principle of the agreement.
The opposition press release described the acts and words of President Bio as ‘ill-advised’ and ‘unfortunate’, noting that leaders of both the APC and the SLPP movements should be diligently working to bring together the nation and foster peace, during these difficult circumstances. It added that it was crucial that they gave the utmost importance to the unity and coherence of their nation.
The APC however, reaffirms its unwavering dedication to the fundamental tenets of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. They oppose the utilization of governmental authority to coerce, persecute, or unlawfully continue individuals on the grounds of their political convictions or associations. The government should halt these unjustified steps and focus on fostering authentic, dialogue and reconciliation, in accordance with the Bintumani Agreement, to guarantee the political stability and peace of Sierra Leone
The opposition APC however encouraged Sierra Leoneans to maintain composure and concentration, and to allow the Tripartite Committee to proceed with its crucial tasks, while patiently awaiting its ultimate findings.
