Commonwealth Secretary-General Calls For Peace Among Sierra Leone’s Political Leaders

The Secretary-General for the Commonwealth, Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland KC on Wednesday issued a statement concerning Sierra Leone encouraging political leaders to adhere to their commitment to peace and unity made in May.

Her statement comes on the heels of the opposition’s All People’s Congress (APC) boycott of governance in Sierra Leone over a dispute on the 2023 presidential election results. Similarly, there have been reports of a failed coup in the country.

Reacting to the development, Scotland called on leaders of various political parties in Sierra Leone to maintain the peace which they all accepted, and honour the terms of the commitment they made on the 25th May. She maintained that the commitment to justice and the rule of law, and an active, collective choice to unite rather than to divide is part of the democratic process which requires calm and responsible leadership, and functioning institutions as required.

Her statement reads; “On 25 May, following months of peaceful and constructive dialogue, the leaders of all of Sierra Leone’s political parties accepted the invitation to stand before the nation and pledged themselves and their supporters to peace. Today, I call on all to honour the terms of that commitment.

“The democratic process requires calm and responsible leadership, functioning institutions, a commitment to justice and the rule of law, and an active, collective choice to unite rather than to divide.

“This is not always easy, but it is the essential foundation for peace and progress, and Sierra Leone’s own history underlines its importance.

“In challenging times, leadership matters. This is the moment for Sierra Leone’s leaders to engage in peaceful, constructive dialogue to honour the promises they made to the people when we stood together in Freetown, and to ensure a strong democratic inheritance for future generations.

“I said then, and I say again now, that the Commonwealth is with you. I offer my full support and engagement in helping to facilitate that peaceful, constructive dialogue, and I share the hopes of millions across Sierra Leone, Africa and the world that the courage, integrity and love which make this nation so special will not fail.”

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

| 2023-08-14 11:37:15

Madam Scotland, you are really on point especially talking about peace among political leaders in sierra Leone.However, you would've directed your message to broad daylight election loaters /riggers that doesn't have respect for democracy and the rule of law.It is necessary to discuss peace but, don't you think is becoming late because the procedure to the peace lack transparency.Thank you for your effort.
Abassaleem | 2023-08-11 16:02:28

My brothers and sisters please let's allow peace and forget to what has passed.what has happened had happened.If there would have been a way to rectify what has happened, would have been long ago, not now .so please my brothers and sisters let's apply ourselves and forget about politics.
| 2023-08-11 10:16:17

Even if the election is conducted a million and one other times HEBio will win the APC. With your agregated data and erudite lawyers why did you not face your instituted court to prove your winning? You are not fit to rule when you cannot be ruled. You have no respect for the constitution and you want to govern. How is that possible? It will surely go down our history books that you destroyed Salone for your sefiishness. APC why? Salone will never know peace as long as you are in opposition. Let us change this narrative a bit.
| 2023-08-11 04:14:40

You all heartless and selfish interest politicians, it is only for five years power you people want to stage war and restless situations in our beloved country, by the grace of Allah non of you shall succeed on that plan, God Almighty will continue to expose your bad plans and punish all of you for putting this country activities into worrisome state. You are all fighting for this power with the sole intent of enriching yourselves. By the grace of Allah, the same stress will return to all your homes and you will never see peace in your useless lives. All Sierra Leone politicians are not honest and truthful, they used our names to enrich themselves only. The rubbish is too much on you people.
| 2023-08-11 00:42:48

Did you hear that idiot calling himself ambassador alie I will not even add a capital letter to the start of your name because you are a stupid fool and you dont know what you are talking about.
| 2023-08-10 22:37:01

Where do you get this justice?Only in court .but because APC don't want peace that why they refuse to go to court. It is this court the injunction over your case was lifted and go to convention
| 2023-08-10 21:44:52

Mrs. Scotland I don't want you to waste your time on this matter, as long as there is no justice there will be no peace. This people have taken the country has if it's their parents property, they don't even want to know about the leah man out there. They rigged the election in broad daylight, then they want peace, they infact don't want peace, they want war, because you don't expect to sow pepper 🌶️🫑 and you expect to reap union. It's a lie, we are not in the ancient days anymore, where you can dump people and go away with that, we're in the modern world now. They only want to iabout themselves and forget about the entire populace. Allah will judge us.
Ambassador Alie | 2023-08-10 21:06:19

The most stupid people on planet earth is SLPP misdirection kush supporter in Sierraloaded, they can not understand simple English. I just want the stupid writer to underline the key words that use in his article, justice, the rule of law, democratic and peace. If really this stupid SLPP writer understand what the commonwealth mean, this SLPP misdirection kush writer should put his hands on his head and cry. You will soon understand the criminal offenses that this illigetimate president has committed on this elections. But don't we will reach there soon.
Jack Hamilton | 2023-08-10 17:57:16

Why is ECSL not adhering to THE APC PARTY REQUEST?I THINK THERE LIES ALL THESE ISSUES.
| 2023-08-10 16:12:25

The statement from the honourable lady was not written only to APC but t to all political parties including, SLPP. Please try and understand simple English.
Alpha Aminata Bangura | 2023-08-10 16:07:09

Would there be peace without justice? You can't convince anyone with hypocrisy. We need justice and stable democracy in our country.
| 2023-08-10 14:36:30

The internet does not misinform any one, they misinform themselves by telling lies in public
| 2023-08-10 13:49:59

How is this in any way is a letter to the APC? Your intent is misleading and could dampen your credibility. Here the Hon. Madam, calls for peace, justice, dialogue and commitment to vows by political parties and state institutions. Her statement resonates with the SLPP and APC, but even more with the ECSL.
| 2023-08-10 13:04:33

The EU secretary General should know that there will be no peace without justice Especially, when they were in the country and saw the broadday light rubbery of the people's choice without telling ECSL and the govt to do the right thing.How hypocritical and deceptive to call for peace,when these peace loving international communities knew what is going on.Sad state.we need visionary leadership that respect the citizens of the nation.
| 2023-08-10 12:33:58

Good talk...peace is all we need in mama salone. We pray for the will of the people to be done to uphold our long embracing Democracy. Ok
A S N TARAWALY | 2023-08-10 11:49:10

Peace is very necessary for the development of any Nation.We need it,so, please give it to us.
| 2023-08-10 11:37:24

You should speak for the people not for ur pocket let the government respect the will of the people by doing that peace will rare
| 2023-08-10 11:23:53

I believe she didn't sent the statement to only one party but all the political parties according to what this post/article reported. I believe the opposition want peace that's why they didn't consented to participate in any government structures. They were beaten on several occasions in the well of parliament during the past 5 years. Going to the parliament again with illegal and highly polarized fraudulent elections the worse will happen to them.
| 2023-08-10 11:13:45

Amen. God bless you Madam Sec. Gen. At least, one have started allaying the fears of well meaning worried Sierra Leoneans and there is hope. Power is not do or die
Mohamed Ibrahim Bangura | 2023-08-10 11:01:36

Good advice secretary gen. We only have one Sierra Leone and we do not have another Sierra Leone let's justice prevail so that the country will run smoothly currently we the Sierra Leoneans are not safe as a result we need to work as one family to achieve our goals.
Joseph | 2023-08-10 10:56:37

Am a bit suprised the way you pass on your information. I have learnt that, you tried to fine tune to help the government to perpetuate more hand hardedness to it citizens. Before I use to lend credence to your news details but now its become more of laybellyism to support the government other than holding them accountable.
| 2023-08-10 10:47:58

Good talk Madam Sectary General👍🙏.We should work together in other to maintain peace and tranquility in our beloved Nation 🇸🇱🇸🇱...