Politicians and religion are two fragile elements in any society and should be kept away from each other like a cat and mouse. Also, with the current political climate and the precarious religious sentiments of Sierra Leoneans, it is almost a sin to discuss religion and politics together in the same conversation. As one writer aptly put it, “Don’t mix politics with religion, unless you are ready to do battle.”

For decades, Sierra Leone has enjoyed enviable religious tolerance. The country is revered for its religious tolerance and is regarded as one of the most religiously tolerant countries in the world. Muslims and Christians collaborate and interact with each other peacefully. Religious violence is very rare in the country. Even during the Sierra Leonean Civil War, people were never targeted because of their religion. “Religious and ethnic divisions have only been exercised to demarcate geo-cultural differences, but have never been used to fuel any type of conflicts,” states Abdul Brima, a peace-building expert in Sierra Leone.

In politics, the overwhelming majority of Sierra Leoneans vote for a candidate without regard to the candidate being a Muslim or a Christian. According to national government statistics from 2020, 77 percent of Sierra Leone’s population is Muslim and 22 percent Christian. Even though, Muslims make up the majority of Sierra Leone’s population, all of the country’s Heads of State have been Christians except Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, who was a Muslim.

“The way people in this country live together in peace across religious differences sets an example, from which other countries as well as religious and political leaders worldwide can learn. Sierra Leoneans have good reasons to be proud of this precious heritage,” states the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Heiner Bielefeldt during his visit to Sierra Leone.

However, this precious heritage recently came under serious threat after video and audio clips of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), candidate for Mayor of Freetown, Mohamed Gento Kamara, preaching religious bigotry statements in a mosque in Freetown, went viral on social media. This prompted nationwide outrage and condemnation. The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL), and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress are some of the independent bodies that have openly condemned the religious rhetorics of the politician.

Sadly, today we are witnessing in Sierra Leone, a new breed of politicians using the pulpit of religion to advance their political views.

Let’s not forget that, Sierra Leone went through eleven years of brutal civil war, which led to the vicious killings of thousands of innocent lives. The conflict was characterized by some of the most heinous crimes against humanity recorded in Africa. “Although the people of Sierra Leone have always lived amicably together during “normal” times, the current mounting tension of religious sentiments and tribal hate messages being spread through places of worship and social media are serious causes for concern,” according to Brima.

For now, Sierra Leone is on the path to calm and peaceful elections, but any form of religious violence could put that in danger. Thus, for the peace and stability of the nation to be maintained, religion and politics must not mix.