“Condemn APC/SLPP Political Violence”
Today, our worst fears have been realized. Once again, the people of Sierra Leone have learned that the APC and SLPP parties have engaged in a shockingly flagrant scheme to divert attention from addressing serious issues that affect the nation.
On 27th April, 2016 political violence broke out in Freetown between members of the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) and rival Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). The violence was provoked by the quest for political superiority and took place amidst celebrations to mark what supposedly 55th anniversary of independence from colonialism.
The violence is especially disgraceful, shameful and outrageous and truly demonstrates a new level of corruption given that both political parties currently stand indicted for corruption, tribalism and for betraying the conscience of the Sierra Leonean nation. While I honestly condemned this development as act of corruption and criminal intents, I call on those two political harsh rivals to desist from violence as it does not reflect the agenda of the nation, but only promotes personal and selfish agendas. I am totally disappointed at the increasing political tensions between supporters of the two parties, APC and SLPP and call on the international community represented by the United Nations, African Union and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to exert pressure on both parties to eschew violence of any kind.
As independent presidential candidate, representing the people of Sierra Leone (the marginalized poor masses), I condemn any form of political violence and today’s violence between two antagonistic political organs is a further confirmation of the chronic kleptomania that has characterized the APC and SLPP. I think it is right to condemn political violence in the strongest terms possible.
By this statement, I wish to register my strong opposition to the recent violence that took place in Freetown on 27th April, 2016. I honestly believe such violence would have been averted if it is not the intention of big party gurus belong to the two rival parties. This is a sign of political immaturity and that the people of Sierra Leone expect the APC and SLPP leaders to address the matter with the urgency it deserves.
Let me conclude by warning the APC and SLPP big party gurus to refrain from conducting themselves in a manner in which they get to offend each other especially, the use of insults and bad language, a situation which may result in violence and subsequent breach of law and order.
May God Save Sierra Leone
Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh (alias ABS)
Independent Presidential candidate-Republic of Sierra Leone.