By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)
In a press conference held at the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) headquarters at Brookfields in Freetown, yesterday 3rd October 2023, the presidential flagbearer of the party referred to the current Maada Bio SLPP administration as illegitimate, insisting that the June 24th 2023 presidential election was widely rigged and stolen. This, he said, is responsible for the present political stalemate in the country.
Aware of the angry state of his members, Dr. Samura Kamara registered his unfettered apology to them for what he referred to as their distress, suffering and pain, directly or indirectly, which they have incurred and continue to endure as a result of an election fraud or electoral coup of historic proportions.
“This is the worst that has ever happened to democratic Sierra Leone, and let me at the outset state that I consider a bounding duty to right this wrong, and I ask all well-meaning Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone to join me in this divine quest, with the strongest conviction and determination in order to save our democracy and the future of our country, both of which we have so assiduously nurtured over the years, and more so, since the end of the 11-year conflict that befell our country,” he said.
Dr. Samura described the actions of the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) Mr. Mohamed Konneh and his cohorts at the Commission who conducted the June 2th 2023 elections as an unforgivable sin against the people of Sierra Leone.
He added that they were arrogantly unaware of the fundamental and disastrous implications of his carefully and consciously designed electoral fraud and that Mr. Konneh has shown no regret or remorse regarding what he has brought upon the people, the loyal voters and the country, as well as our international partners, who observed the election processes with a view to ensuring that the right things were done and that the results were transparent, credible, fair and reflective of the people’s votes.
Why did the people go out to vote in their large numbers and with the strongest determination ever demonstrated in Sierra Leone? Dr. Samura Kamara rhetorically asked.
The senior politician recalled that it has been a little over three months since the hasty announcement of the results of our June 24, 2023 presidential, parliamentary and local council elections, by the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mohamed Konneh, and he did so without making public any supporting polling station vote counts, despite repeated requests and demands from political parties, international and domestic elections observers and the voters. He said it is therefore obvious by now that the results announced by Mr Konneh, on June 26 and June 27, did not represent the WILL and TRUE CHOICE of the people.
In spite of the massive and intense intimidation, violence and malpractices that marred the elections, Dr. Samura said the people’s choice was clear in order to arrest and then quickly recover from their painful experiences of the Paopa regime. “It was a choice of HOPE over FEAR; a choice for UNITY over DIVISIVENESS AND BROKEN PROMISES; a choice for DECENT and ACCOUNTABLE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS over heavily politicized institutions; and a choice for political tolerance over continued political opponents,” he added.
The APC strongman insists that, the people voted believing very strongly that he, Samura Matthew Wilson Kamara, won the June 24 polls with a landslide, and he will credibly work with them to address their abject poverty, a polarized nation and an unbearable rise in the cost of living with the Leone on a free fall, and the cost of basic necessities including fuel, food, transportation, healthcare, education, housing and household electricity rising exponentially since 2018.
However, when it became obvious that the violence, intimidation and election malpractices used had not dampened the spirit of the voters, Dr. Kamara said, Mr. Konneh and his associates went ahead to announce unverified results, thereby claiming victory and reelection of President Julius Maada Bio, adding that, he also announced un-elected seats for SLPP candidates in areas where, in their (APC) estimation, the SLPP would never ever dream of winning except by rigging.
What President Bio and his so-called government are claiming is not victory, Dr Samura Kamara emphasized, calling it a ‘coup’ against the will of the people. He said as a country, they wholeheartedly reject this blatant electoral coup and usurpation of their common will.
“We cannot accept an illegal takeover of government by force of arms or fraudulent means. We cannot allow ourselves to be subjected to a premature end to our hard-earned democracy by a President and a regime that want to retain power despite an abysmal five years record of bad governance, unprovoked human rights violations, several uninvestigated extra-judicial killings, superintending an economy that is now on the brink of an irreparable collapse, and massive electoral rigging just to retain power. What has happened to Sierra Leone since 2018, and, in particular, on June 24, is not how democracy and politics should thrive in any civilized system,’ he attested.
Before, during and after the election, he added their people have suffered politically, socially and economically; losing their dignity, properties and relatives; being displaced, and forced to live in constant fear, or hiding from their neighbors. Dr. Kamara said he need not rewind the clock back to the trials and tribulations the APC party and its unwavering supporters in particular, have endured during these years of the Paopa regime. He said their journey under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio has been fraught with unprecedented challenges, each one testing our resolve and commitment to restoring development momentum, social justice and democracy. He said he feels the pains of his people, as he remained shocked at the length the Paopa regime’s desperation has been stretched, just to remain in power.
Today, and going into the future, our individual and collective resilience, resistance and vigilance should make it difficult for rogue politicians to steal a public election and expect to get away with such conduct without facing the wrath of their people-the voters.
“I want to call on the international community and all Sierra Leoneans to continue to do their part in ensuring that our democracy through building integrity into our elections management bodies, in particular, the Electoral Commission and the security apparatus.
Why we must encourage and participate in the Political Dialogue?
The Dialogue is meant to give peace and diplomacy a chance in solving an impasse that puts the integrity and dishonesty of Mr. Konneh and the ECSL at the center. The two are one and they must realize that their action has put the country at the highest risk of development vulnerability and political instability. It has resulted in a funding squeeze and a tarnishing of the country’s image. The dialogue will also help us to unravel the TRUTH before Sierra Leoneans and the rest of the world. Most importantly, the dialogue offers a unique opportunity for Sierra Leoneans to right the wrongs of the just concluded June 24 elections and restore our democracy which has been ruined because of the quest for power and control by the Bio regime.
The party leadership has been and remains very coherent and is firmly determined to advance the interests of the people. Our regular interaction with the international community in our quiet moments has further strengthened the Party’s resolve to build a sustainable peaceful, united, democratic and resourceful nation. As you are watching our back, be rest assured that we are also doing likewise. Such is what Sierra Leone needs, and it is what the APC party leadership will continue to advocate and fight for, now, tomorrow and ever after.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dr. Samura appreciates himself and the leadership of the party. “Let me commend and thank the grassroots countrywide for your unwavering support, resilience and trust in me. You are my strength; you have kept me going; I am not and I will never ever betray your trust.
I would also like to recognize and thank my Running mate, our party Chairman, his deputy, the National Secretary General and all other Executive officers at all levels for staying focused and providing the leadership that is so needed in these trying times. I pray that we remain steadfast in our noble course. We are fighting a good fight till the end.
I want to express my profound gratitude to the international and local elections observer missions and monitors that worked hard to ensure that the results produced by ECSL reflected the votes cast by Sierra Leoneans. I am proud of the work that they did, and I am grateful for the support provided to the electoral process to secure credible elections.
Accordingly, Mr Konneh, the people of Sierra Leone demand that you produce their polling station vote counts, sooner rather than later which will be subjected to an independent forensic audit. This will determine the next course of action by the party.