By Hasbin Shaw in Freetown, Sierra Leone
“In the wake of the announcement of the run-off Presidential Elections slated for March 27, 2018, political leaders and stakeholders have resorted to the igniting of a high level of tribal sentiments that have the potential of plunging our nation into deep-seated tribal and regional conflict.”
Those were the excerpts of statement issued by the Church Leaders of the Body of Christ Sierra Leone. The clergymen are concerned that tribal rhetoric would undercut the peace and tranquility of the country.
Reading a joint statement on behalf of church leaders, Archbishop Tamba Charles said, “Supporters on all sides are engaged in deliberately and blatantly sharing fake news and false information about each other with the intention of influencing the electorates against respective opponents, this false information are very inflammatory and inciting.”
Hate speeches circulated personally by individuals and through the social media bother the Church leaders, and they are saying that if this is not stopped immediately, it may degenerate into inconceivable conflict, which is not good for the nation.
Sierra Leone has a history of 11 years of senseless and brutal civil war that claimed more than 50,000 lives of Sierra Leoneans – men, women and children, the clergymen noted, saying that some were amputated and others made orphans and widows.
“It has also been sadly observed,” says the Church leaders, “that there are waves of attacks in various districts on individuals and business owners fueled by political tolerance and tribalism.”
The Church leaders reminded Sierra Leoneans that they all belong to a common patrimony, and not to any particular group, tribe or person. “We unequivocally and out rightly condemns all acts of violence and political manipulations,” they added.
We are reminding all political actors that the earth is the Lord’s, and that God will bring every work to judgment, whether they are good or bad,” it said.
The bishops and Church Leaders call on the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to be proactive in conducting the run-off election in order to avoid further suspicions, and cautioned political leaders and supporters not to get involved into acts that will bring disrepute to the electoral process.
“We call upon the National Electoral Commission to be more efficient and conduct the run-off elections so as to avoid further suspicions. We urge the general public and the entire citizenry of Sierra Leone to govern themselves accordingly,” the leaders warned.
They draw the attention of the general public to the dire consequences of such unethical and unruly practices such as the breakdown of Law and order, genocidal tendencies, civil and tribal conflicts.
“Any action or behavior with the tendency of undermining the God-giving peace and stability we now enjoy as a country must be stopped forthwith. Let us all enjoy a peaceful co-existence in all communities,” they said.
