By: Usman Fambuleh
The recent statement attributed to Zainab Sheriff is not just controversial; it is dangerous and deeply troubling for a country that has suffered from political violence and instability in the past. Any public figure especially a presidential aspirant must be held to a higher standard of speech and responsibility.
Freedom of Expression Has Limits
The 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone clearly guarantees freedom of expression.
Section 25(1) provides that every person shall have the right to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.
However, this right is not absolute.
Section 25(2)(a)(i) of the same Constitution states that freedom of expression can be restricted by law in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, or public health.
In this case, a statement that suggests that people who allegedly come to power “illegitimately” and their entire families must be killed clearly threatens public safety and public order. Such words have the tendency to incite violence, promote collective punishment, and encourage lawlessness. That is not opinion; it is dangerous rhetoric.
Leadership Demands Responsibility
Leadership is not only about ambition; it is about judgment, restraint, and respect for human life. How can someone who seeks the highest office in the land openly make statements that appear to justify violence against families, including women and children?
This raises serious questions:
- If such statements can be made before assuming power, what kind of decisions would follow after?
- Can someone who promotes violence truly defend the Constitution they seek to govern under?
- Should presidential ambition excuse reckless speech?
The Role of the PPRC
The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) is a constitutional body established to regulate political parties and political conduct in Sierra Leone. Its powers include oversight, enforcement, and regulation through delegated legislation, as provided by law.
The action taken by the PPRC in this matter is legal, proactive, and responsible. It sends a strong message that:
- Political freedom does not mean political recklessness.
- Aspiring leaders must operate within the bounds of the Constitution.
- Incitement and threats to national peace will not be tolerated.
The PPRC deserves commendation for acting in the interest of national stability and constitutional order. If its directives are ignored, the Commission is duty-bound to pursue further lawful actions to uphold its mandate.
Rights End Where Harm Begins
A fundamental principle of democracy is that your rights end where another person’s rights begin. Freedom of expression does not include the freedom to promote violence, hatred, or mass punishment. Words matter especially when they come from people seeking power.
The 30% Women’s Participation Debate
This incident also raises a difficult but necessary question:
Do we still need the 30% participation of women in national politics as proposed in the 2025 constitutional review?
The answer should not be emotional, it should be principled.
Women’s participation in politics is meant to:
- Promote inclusion
- Improve representation
- Strengthen governance through diversity
However, gender inclusion must never mean immunity from accountability. Advocacy for women’s participation should go hand-in-hand with responsible leadership, respect for the Constitution, and ethical conduct.
Where are the gender activists and civil society voices to:
- Condemn inciting statements regardless of who makes them?
- Educate aspirants on responsible political communication?
- Make it clear that women in leadership must uphold peace just as men must?
The call for 30% participation should be about quality, competence, and constitutional loyalty, not blind solidarity.
Sierra Leone’s democracy is still fragile. Statements that promote violence especially from presidential aspirants pose a real threat to peace, unity, and constitutional governance.
The Constitution is clear: freedom of expression must not endanger public safety or public order.
The action of the PPRC is lawful and commendable. It must be respected and enforced.
As we move toward constitutional reforms and debates about inclusion, we must ask ourselves:
- What kind of leaders do we want?
- Can democracy survive without responsibility?
- Should ambition ever be louder than the Constitution?
True leadership begins with respect for life, the law, and the people.
