By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The former Flagbearer and Presidential aspirant for the main opposition All Peoples Congress party, Dr Samura Kamara,s says New laws will not change old, bad habits. He made this statement on 7 June 2023, during his address to the Nation on the outcome of the Tripartite Committee report.
According to Dr Samura Kamara, New laws will not change old, bad habits and therefore, if the current ECSL leadership and personnel are not held accountable for the mismanagement of elections in 2023, they will surely be emboldened, and will close their ranks in order to deal the final blow on democracy in Salone.
He continued that, it is with his firm conviction that the country must now depart from the “old normal”, which is, the business-as-usual style of politics. There can be no progress, no democracy where the people are ignored and deprived of their right to choose. This is the desired politics for the people. In light of what they see happening in many parts of the world, it will be insane for them, political leaders, civil society and international partners, to disregard the people’s demand for electoral justice in Sierra Leone. The sore that was opened in June 2023 cannot be healed unless it is cleaned.
He added that, What happened in Sierra Leone in June 2023 is a precedent, a very bad precedent, which, if not corrected, will be a template for future political parties to copy. In this regard, those who think that the same ECSL that conducted the disastrous 2023 elections will miraculously change and conduct a clean, credible and transparent election in 2028 are certainly dreaming.
He confirmed that he may have his faults, but one thing he have been very careful to avoid, is to allow his ambition for power to put the lives of his innocent supporters at risk. For some people, this may appear as a weakness, but I am convinced that it is a measure of respect for the dignity of human life. At the same time, many have accused him unjustly of selling out the right of the people. Both actions are not and will never ever be my way of life.
“My personal choice remains to avoid these acts and remain, as always throughout my fulfilled professional career, a trusted servant of the people and country. Where I come from, honesty, reliability and integrity are compelling and demonstrated priorities. I do not believe in using their bullet or money to win power simply because I don’t know how to do that, and even if I have the power to do so, I certainly will not,” he said.
He said that the national party leadership has been very active to bring us to where we are today. It is now the responsibility of the party to unite around the continued fight for electoral justice.
“The international community, Civil Society Organizations, the media, religious leaders, and traditional heads may be diplomatic but cannot be neutral, in terms of upholding the truth and ensuring that the right thing is done in the interest of the citizens of this country. They have been in many ways an integral part of this journey, providing strategic technical, advisory and financial support. They must continue to bear responsibility likewise for any fundamental slippages, going forward, in our urge for freedom and democracy. Together, we must all stand for electoral truth and justice,” he said.
