Statement by Dr Samura Kamara, Presidential Candidate of the APC, on the Anniversary of the A4NU. “Not Over Until It’s Over!! 19th Oct, 2024

Fellow Sierra Leoneans,

As we recognize the first anniversary of the signing of the Agreement for National Unity, following the internationally mediated cross party dialogue between the APC and the SLPP government, let us with sincerity and a deep sense of Justice, remind ourselves that this effort was born out of a “deeply flawed” multi-tier elections of 24th June, 2023, the results of which were strongly rejected by you and by the leadership of the opposition APC party including myself, as a presidential candidate for the party. (Photo: Dr Samura Kamara).

This position still remains and is sustained by the continuing lack of supporting disaggregated polling station data by ECSL. One year on, since the signing of the ANU, Sierra Leone remains at a critical knife edge. We are saddled with a fight for electoral justice while also suffering from an unprecedented economic slowdown, unabated social hardship and deepening poverty levels across the country.

Notably, the spirit behind the historic cross party Agreement for National Unity is to unearth and solidly correct the pivotal wrongs in our June 24th, 2023 multi-tier elections, while also looking backwards to electoral irregularities during post war electoral cycles. In the Agreement, we must congratulate ourselves for drawing up monumental pathways, which, if fully and rationally followed, will make Sierra Leone a pace setter in resolving a potentially tensed and lethal political conflict without a “drop of blood”.

A comprehensive, determined and unbiased pursuit of Electoral Justice, Social Justice and Economic Justice while strictly abiding by the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, is critical in rebuilding public trust and confidence-the first essential step for securing lasting peace, unity and prosperity. This is present and real. We cannot shy away from this. Sierra Leone cannot afford another self-inflicted destructive stigma unless we demonstrate a clear conviction with respect and take the will of the people to a credible, logical, nationally and internationally acceptable end. God bless Sierra Leone.