Former and leading Presidential aspirant of the main opposition, Samura Kamara has today, Saturday 13 August 2022 addressed the nation on August 10 violent anti-government protests in Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone that resulted to the deaths of 17 police officers and civilians and injuries of hundreds of others.

Read Samura Kamara’s full speech below:

“My fellow Sierra Leoneans, far and wide.

I reach out to you all today with a heavy heart for the sad events on Wednesday, 10th August 2022, and the very unfortunate loss of valuable lives. My condolences to the bereaved families. You have lost loved ones and may their gentle souls through the mercies of God rest in perfect peace, and May light perpetual shine upon them.

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Fellow Sierra Leoneans, I would like to re-echo and join the soothing, hope-bringing, and reassuring messages of those patriotic citizens and development partners that are calling and recalling for national peace and unity; that are reminding us of the tremendous benefits to all of a tolerant and inclusive society, and of the need to build a Sierra Leone where no one would be unjustly judged, castigated, victimized, marginalized, molested and left to “walk alone” as if they have no hope in their hearts.

Often, civil protests, albeit in a law-abiding and nonviolent manner, have the significance of letting institutional and national leaders know the concerns of the governed. They must be seen to represent a wakeup call for both parties to be self-introspective. It cannot be denied that in many countries, including Sierra Leone, the many forms of social, economic, and political hardship and marginalization are tearing us apart, and many a time, leading to civil unrest and instability. It therefore requires a great sense of maturity, understanding, even handedness and mutual respect to find and apply the appropriate remedial solutions. I pray that in Sierra Leone, we will all bear in mind that we are one people, one nation under one God. We are all Sierra Leoneans and let us make peace to prevail for us to build a better nation.

Neither Violence nor self-denial nor reprisals, nor heavy handedness or state capture of public institutions can solve the ongoing difficult situation in Sierra Leone. What we need at this moment in time is Godly love and Devine intervention for unity and good neighbourliness to reign once again. Dialogue, tolerance, communication, and sincerity can work wonders. Let us make that difference in the lives of our people; let us bring back the spirit and values of our hardworking nation builders to life; and let us don’t allow hate, identity politics, selfish ends, and wrong choices to consume our wonderful country.

Leaders must talk to their people and so must they also encourage their people to talk to them. Even more importantly, leaders must talk to each other. Mutual trust and cross fertilization of positive transformative ideas must dictate our thinking and interpersonal relationships.

As I tweeted a few days ago, let us remain law abiding citizens!

Together we can make it happen!!

God bless Sierra Leone.'”