After listening to his audio, which delivered a scathing rebuke of Mr IB Kargbo, former minister and adviser to ex-President Koroma, I caught up with Mr Mohamed A. Warisay, Spokesman for the Electoral Justice Campaign in Sierra Leone. I asked him a few questions about the content of his audio, as well as other important matters concerning the status of the campaign. (Photo: Mr IB Kargbo is a traitor).

Question: Mr Warisay, how are you doing, and how is the campaign for electoral justice in Sierra Leone going?

Answer: Thank you for the interview – it’s a pleasure speaking to you. Well, I must say, there is a natural mystic flowing, and if you listen carefully, you will hear it. Mr Shaw, if you were in Sierra Leone, I would have asked you to look around and feel what is about to grip our nation. I strongly believe that H.E. Dr Samura Kamara has won the fight for electoral justice.

Question: I listened to your audio response to IB Kargbo. What were the main areas you felt you had to respond to?

Answer: First and most importantly, the former minister was on one of the TV stations, decrying our campaign and berating Dr Samura Kamara. I began by addressing what I described as an ill-intentioned invitation extended to Dr Samura Kamara to attend their elders’ council meeting. I made it clear in my audio that our leader is not in a position right now to respond to such invitations. I believe the invitation came too late and offered too little. That said, I also made it clear that once Dr Samura Kamara is sworn in, one of his top priorities will be to call for peace and reconciliation. Our country needs it, and our people need it. And that must come from someone genuine, like Dr. Samura Kamara – a man who enjoys the popular mandate of the Sierra Leonean people.

Question: In his interview, IB Kargbo mentioned that Dr Samura Kamara is being held hostage by certain individuals and that the Electoral Justice Campaign has nothing to offer to the APC. How would you respond to that?

Answer: Mr Shaw, let me repeat – Dr Samura Kamara has won this generational fight for justice. We are not responsible for the ambivalence within that part of the APC that has gone rogue. One day, they move forward; the next day, they question what Dr Samura Kamara means by electoral justice. As for the claim that he is being held hostage, I believe they are simply throwing tantrums. They’re confused and unsure of how to handle the current situation. They never expected such strength and stamina from someone who has chosen to remain reserved. They know him well, and they know he cannot be held hostage by anyone.

Question: Mr Warisay, when IB Kargbo questioned the credibility of the campaign over the announcement of multiple swearing-in dates for Dr Samura Kamara, your response seemed rather angry. Why was that? (Photo: Mr Warisay, spokesman for the Electoral Justice Campaign based in the US).

Answer: These individuals know that the name Dr Samura Kamara is synonymous with integrity, forthrightness, and honesty. He would never engage in anything that would compromise his character. Furthermore, neither Dr Samura nor anyone associated with the campaign has ever announced a specific date for the swearing-in. It was the illegal President Bio who made commitments, and we expect him to honour them. I believe IB Kargbo, and possibly those who sent him, are determined to keep Maada Bio in power against the will of the Sierra Leonean people. Even as unelected President Bio continues to lose legitimacy in the eyes of the international community and development partners, they still insist he should remain.

Question: As spokesman for the Electoral Justice Campaign, what assurance can you give to the doubting Thomases that the 2023 elections will not go in vain?

Answer: This is a good question. There are many Sierra Leoneans, including the doubters, who still believe that the 2023 elections are done and dusted, as propounded by Sidi Yahya Tunis. I will be categorical here that the 2023 polls are not over until they are over.

Question: What about those who are spreading false information that the international community has betrayed the cause by delaying the democratic process?

Answer: Frankly speaking, anyone who is found criticising the international community should be considered an enemy of the state. For the past years, Sierra Leoneans have protested and submitted petitions to the global partners for redress. Now, they are in Sierra Leone to help us, yet we have detractors insulting them. I see no sense in this.

Question: Mr Warisay, do you have any final thoughts as we conclude this interview?

Answer: I want to thank you, Mr Shaw, for everything you have done in support of the Electoral Justice Campaign and for this opportunity to speak. Dr Samura Kamara is ready to assume the office of the presidency, because it is now evident to everyone that he won the June 24th, 2023 elections. I want to end this interview by extending, on behalf of Dr Samura Kamara, our heartfelt appreciation to members of the international community for standing with the people of Sierra Leone to restore democracy.