By Dr. Doma
Recent events have once again spotlighted the troubling state of Sierra Leone’s politics.
Following the 2023 election, both local and international observers highlighted numerous irregularities, casting doubt on the transparency of the process. These concerns prompted the formation of a tripartite committee in January to investigate the issues and propose electoral reforms. However, the committee’s journey has been marred by political maneuvering and apparent deception.
Anticipation grew as June 19th approached, the scheduled date for the committee’s final report. Yet, just days before, the All People’s Congress (APC) abruptly withdrew their participation from the committee, only to rejoin the day before the report was due.
This back-and-forth raised eyebrows and deepened suspicions about the true intentions of our political leaders.
On June 19th, rather than the eagerly awaited report, citizens were left with more disappointment and confusion. The promised presentation was postponed, and a summary of the committee’s work was presented to the President.
Dr. Samura Kamara, the APC leader and 2023 presidential candidate, addressed the nation on this day.
His words offered little reassurance to a public already disillusioned by the political theater playing out before them.
The sight of Dr. Julius Maada Bio and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) representatives smiling alongside Dr. Samura Kamara and the APC team was presented as a symbol of unity. However, many Sierra Leoneans saw it as a sham, an image masking the deeper realities of political manipulation.
This apparent camaraderie between political rivals did little to convince the public of genuine progress or reform.
The truth is bare: our politicians continue to deceive us, manipulating processes and playing games with our future. Despite the claims of working towards electoral integrity, the actions of these leaders suggest a different agenda—one that prioritizes their power over the needs of the people.
For the youth of Sierra Leone, the future seems particularly gloomy.
The old guard of politicians, who have long held sway, appear unwilling to enact meaningful change, leaving little hope for a better political landscape.
As the cycle of empty promises and strategic deception continues, the nation’s aspirations for genuine democracy and reform remain unmet.
The current state of our politics is a tragic reflection of failed leadership.
Our politicians, through their deceitful actions, have betrayed the trust of the people, perpetuating a system that serves their interests rather than those of the nation.
As citizens, especially the youths, we must pursue a model shift in our attitudes and reduce our dependence on the self-serving political class. Only then can we achieve genuine change, address our hopes and aspirations, and empower ourselves to realize our full potential, taking our rightful place in regional and global societies.
