The All People’s Congress APC stalwarts’ decision to sow doubts in the Tripartite Committee has had far-reaching consequences, undermining the fight to restore democracy in Sierra Leone by casting aspersions on the committee’s credibility, these stalwarts have created divisions within the party and diminished the confidence and trust of ordinary people in the entire democratic process. (Photo: Maada and Samura).

The Tripartite Committee was established to address the electoral impasse in Sierra Leone, and its outcomes were expected to pave the way for a peaceful restoration of the people’s mandate. However, the APC stalwarts’ doubts have thrown a spanner in the works, creating an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicions. According to political analyst, Dr Hassan Tejan-Sie “When party leaders sow doubts in a legitimate process, it erodes the trust of the people in that process.”

The effects of these doubts are particularly damaging to the fight to restore democracy in Sierra Leone. By creating divisions within the party, the APC stalwarts are distracting from the real issues at hand, which is the need for a re-run or run-off of the 2023 elections. Dr Lansana Gberie, a political scientist (SLPP), notes that “when party leaders focus on internal squabbles, they lose sight of the bigger picture, which is the struggle for democracy.”

Moreover, these doubts are creating cleavages for the presidential candidate, Dr Samura Kamara, who is now forced to concentrate on fighting against the doubts and mistrust within his own party rather than focusing on the real enemy – the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). According to Dr Kamara, “The APC stalwarts’ doubts are a distraction from the real issues, and we will not let them derail our fight for democracy.”

However, the ordinary people of Sierra Leone are the ultimate losers in this situation. They had placed their trust in the democratic process, and the APC stalwarts’ doubts have shattered that trust, compounded by a head of state who has no heart for the country’s future.  According to a civil society leader, “The people of Sierra Leone are tired of the political games and want a speedy restoration of democratic governance. The APC doubters are a betrayal of that trust.”

In conclusion, the APC stalwarts’ decision to sow doubts in the Tripartite Committee has had devastating effects on the fight to restore democracy in Sierra Leone. It has created divisions within the party, diminished the confidence and trust of ordinary people, and distracted from the real issues at hand. The APC must put aside its internal squabbles and focus on the bigger picture – the struggle for democracy. They owe it to the people of Sierra Leone, not just their APC supporters. “Democracy is not perfect, but it’s the best system we have.” Winston Churchill. We cannot afford to lose it! Not now, not ever!

References:

(1) Tejan-Sie, H. (2022) – The Politics of Doubt in Sierra Leone, Journal of Political Science.

(2) Gberie, L. (2020) – The Consequences of Internal Squabbles in Political Parties, African Journal of Political Science.

(3) Kamara, S. (2023) – Address to the APC National Conference, Freetown, Sierra Leone.

(4) Civil Society Leader (2023) – Interview with the author, Freetown, Sierra Leone.