Dr. Samura Kamara, leader of Sierra Leone’s main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) and former presidential candidate, has made a renewed call for electoral justice, warning that Sierra Leone remains on a “critical knife edge” one year after the signing of the Agreement for National Unity (ANU).
In a statement shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Kamara reiterated the opposition’s rejection of the results of the June 24, 2023, multi-tier elections, which he described as “deeply flawed.”
Kamara emphasized that the APC’s stance remains unchanged due to the continued lack of disaggregated polling data from the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL), a key point of contention that has fueled ongoing disputes over the election’s legitimacy.
Kamara acknowledged the significance of the ANU, which was brokered through international mediation in an effort to ease post-election tensions between the APC and the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
He stressed that the agreement’s goal was to address electoral irregularities and pave the way for justice, describing it as a monumental step towards resolving political conflict without violence.
However, Kamara highlighted the persistent challenges facing the country. “Sierra Leone remains at a critical knife edge,” he said, citing the country’s ongoing fight for electoral justice, deepening economic hardships, and rising poverty levels.
He urged a comprehensive approach to addressing electoral, social, and economic justice, emphasizing that adherence to democratic principles, rule of law, and good
“Sierra Leone cannot afford another self-inflicted destructive stigma unless we demonstrate a clear conviction to respect and take the Will of the people to a credible, logical, nationally and internationally acceptable end,” Kamara warned.
His statement comes amid growing concerns over the country’s political stability, as Sierra Leone grapples with an economic downturn and social unrest. The ANU, signed in 2023, was seen as a crucial step towards healing post-election divisions, but Kamara’s remarks suggest that the road to reconciliation and reform remains fraught with challenges.
As the international community continues to monitor the situation, Kamara’s call for accountability and reform has intensified pressure on the government to address the lingering issues surrounding the contested 2023 elections.
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