The end of the simmering political situation in the country seems to be unpredictable if not far from over, considering the naked schism between the two giant political parties, the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the opposition All People’s Congress (APC).
The present predicament in the country and the way some people are toying with it only reminds us of one of the greatest Jamaican legendary Reggae musical artists, Bob Nestor Marley of blessed memory who, in one of his songs said Only Time alone will tell.” The visionary musician full of compassion for his people was yearning for a lasting solution to the political struggle the tiny Caribbean country was going through at that time.
Like in Jamaica at the period, Sierra Leone by all indications is going through similar problem following the announcement of the June 24th general elections which the country’s electoral body, Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) declared the incumbent President Maada Bio the winner.
Since that time, there has been a stalemate in the country following the main opposition All People’s Congress’ (APC) insistent refusal to accept the results, stressing that they were cooked and therefore was a stolen election.
The APC has been consistent in its call on the international community’s intervention for the rerun of the elections but the governing administration has remained adamant to yield to that call, insisting it cleanly won with majority votes.
This ugly situation has only exacerbated the prevailing harsh economic situation in the country with the poor as usual, bearing the brunt.
The high rate of inflation which has rendered the country’s currency almost useless, has undoubtedly taken a huge toll on the lives of people with unprecedented daily increase in prices of food and other essential commodities.
This has eventually compounded the living conditions of the population with majority still jobless especially the young generation.
The stark reality is that this difficult situation has subjected particularly young people to some kind of criminal activities including the abuse of drugs alcohol and other dangerous substances.
And until something is done by all sides without further delay the country will degenerate into something else and people will continue to languish.
So Sierra Leoneans believe only time now will tell.