In his speech to the United Nations – UN Security Council calling for the permanent members to rectify the historical injustice that continues to leave Africa out of this critical component of the UN system dealing with global peace and security issues that overwhelmingly involves African states, president Julius Maada Bio made some glowing statements that he should have directed to duty bearers here at home in the interest of addressing our legal, peace, security, representation and development issues.
Meanwhile back at home, the citizens affected by injustices perpetrated by the Bio led government say the president should replace every line in his speech that says UN Security Council with Sierra Leoneans.
There is an urgent need for a reform of our justice system especially the rule of law in Sierra Leone if we are to ensure the maintenance of peace and security across the country. This failure to address justice as it applies to many citizens that have had to deal with a justice system that is accused of giving undue consideration and focus on dictates from above locally referred to as “orders from above” continues to hamper our national development trajectory.
Since our pre-independence achievements, Sierra Leone’s legal system after 63 years of independence and sovereignty needs reform as it remains stuck in time, which is denying the citizenry access to true representation and the benefits of true professional independence by judicial and other public servants in the execution of their mandates.
The state of our justice system is at odds with current realities that undermines its legitimacy and effectiveness. The majority of the 80 recommendations made for electoral reform by the Tripartite Committee have to do with legal reforms dealing with the Judiciary and House of Parliament. How can we expect for reform to our electoral processes if we cannot be assured of an independent and unbiased justice system?
This historical injustice by our legal system that is lenient with one but harsh with another segment of the same society they adjudge has hindered the ability of the citizenry to contribute effectively to nation building and governance issues plaguing our governments. When a people lack access to justice, when they see decisions from judges as being compromised, when they are chased out of their homes and countries for the failures of the legal or justice administration of the state, then they have been side lined and denied access to their full rights as citizens from taking part in the administration of the state which is a matter of continuity, old making way for the new, committed and vibrant.
Political marginalisation in Sierra Leone due to a lack of justice has left deep scars on our body politic and continues to affect our development, stability and even our influence in the region, on the continent and the world.
President Bio has a lot to do with reforming our justice system if we are to enjoy our full rights as citizens. The hope from this country’s coat of arms hinges on the assurance of unity, freedom and justice for the betterment of society. Where there is lack of unity, there cannot be freedom and justice. Lack of one is death to all; focus on two cripples the whole lot. For the unity needed for justice and freedom to prevail is predicated on the application of the rule of law, justice. Where there is a lack of justice, unity and freedom are impossible to take root. Of the three, only justice can lead to or assure the others.
The people of Sierra Leone have been denied equitable representation in the administration of the state, in the judiciary, legislature and government of Sierra Leone leading to inequitable representation. Should president Bio use his tremendous influence in the administration of the state to rectify this historical injustice to the people and state, he will promote greater fairness in the administration of justice, equity and equality in the eyes of the law and vote controllers, and ensure the legitimacy and effectiveness of our governments.
Instead of focusing on straightening and amending historical injustice to Africa, self-preservation is central; Mr Bio must deal with the marginalisation of the people of Sierra Leone in the decision making processes of the nation whose voices continue to be drowned out. This lack of effective representation due to legal issues that would prevent one segment of the society unwilling to trust their justice system and would rather sue for outside help directly impacts on national issues such as conflict prevention, peace and security, conflict resolution and sustainable development.
The mostly poor and uneducated people of Sierra Leone regardless of how they vote continue to have their voices and choices denied by vote stealing regimes that appropriate the people’s mandate by hook or crook. The resulting non-representation and under representation leads to government not being able to adequately deal with the people’s issues as their focus will be on one side, on region and one tribe of the society. The continued disregarding of the voice of the people continues to have disastrous consequences every electoral cycle.
Our government of Sierra Leone of which the president is a part alongside the citizenry must rectify our justice system especially the administration of justice and procedural law as a matter of priority. This injustice perpetrated against the people of Sierra Leone contradicts the government’s principles of justice, equity and democratic representation as it side lines those with direct and meaningful input as the most impacted. People must be allowed to speak up and out without fear of legal reprisal from the justice administrators of the state. Therefore immediate corrective action is crucial.
This demand for justice, to rectify any and all delays, is rooted in the imperative of addressing the people and nation’s challenges and aspirations. Addressing this historical injustice in Sierra Leone will enhance representation to address the needs of our nation’s full population complement.
After 63 years of questionable independence and sovereignty this call for a reform of our justice system to address all issues that can affect our peace and security must have an end date. We cannot continue like this and expect for things to change as if by magic. Sierra Leone’s leaders, especially the administration of justice cannot continue to swim against the tides of justice as reforming the justice system is about equitable representation in Sierra Leone.
By prioritising the people’s concerns, we can effectively address the root causes of the conflicts plaguing this nation, the lack of peace and the instability, and advancing the cause of peace and prosperity for all. We are therefore calling for swift implementation of the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee, unbiased justice system, justice for all those murdered on our streets by ordinary citizens and those in our security sector, electoral justice for candidates and people who don’t know how their votes were tallied by the electoral commission including those disenfranchised, assaulted, murdered while trying to claim their legal franchise as citizens of this country.
The time for change is now; the time for half measures and incremental progress is has ended; it is time for full implementation if we are to enjoy the blessings of God in Sierra Leone.
“Justice delayed is justice denied”, and Sierra Leone cannot wait any longer.
