By Oumar Farouk Sesay
More than sixty years after gaining independence from Britain, perhaps Sierra Leone stands alone in West Africa as the sole country still being led by the same political parties established before its liberation – the All People’s Congress (APC) and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
This enduring adherence to historical factions perpetuates the same discord and hatred that initially divided the nation's pioneers, seemingly frozen in a perpetual pause. Consequently, contemporary leaders echo the rhetoric and behaviours reminiscent of their independence era figures like Siaka Stevens and Milton Margai—transformed into malevolent mascots within the political arena, engaging in a relentless battle reminiscent of their predecessors decades ago. The toll of this ongoing strife manifests in various forms, including ethno-regional divisions, economic stagnation and a lack of visionary leadership, not to mention the scars left by years of brutal warfare.
The prevalence of negative energy in the political landscape hinges on the perspective of those who don these mascots. The current political tensions, coupled with concerns about electoral integrity and security breaches, necessitate a reassessment of the nation's political trajectory under the influence of these two dominant parties—described by some as tribal gangs.
Despite a decade of brutal civil war followed by two decades of post-war stability, the country finds itself revisiting the grievances of yesteryears, packaging them to bequeath a troubling legacy to a generation that could otherwise easily escape this unfortunate inheritance. Recognizing the trauma we inherit and refraining from passing it on as if encoded in our genes is crucial.
The time has come to wield a metaphorical scalpel and engage in genetic editing to prevent this destructive gene from scripting our national demise. Liberating the nation from the shackles of hate and vendetta that characterize these two dominant parties, is imperative. If Sierra Leone is to thrive as a modern state in the 21st century, these parties must consign themselves to the graveyard of pre-independence political entities. The recurrent plot points and indistinguishable governance episodes suggest a tired author shaping the country's destiny, resulting in a disheartening rerun of bad political performances.
The initial step in this envisioning project involves breaking free from the regressive constraints of regional and ethnic boxes imposed by these parties' narrow-minded ideologies. The second step is to envision a Sierra Leone unburdened by the shackles of ethnicity. Let us hold onto that hopeful vision as we explore avenues for a better Sierra Leone, liberated from the influence of these two dominant parties that have reduced national politics to mere ego battles. With hindsight, it becomes evident that the current events will likely recur, albeit with the same characters swapping roles. The exchange of nooses and guns has become a predictable, linear plot similar to a Zee World soap opera. This repetitive cycle has become monotonous and tiresome. We must break free from this predictable narrative and imagine a new and audacious Sierra Leone that transcends the constraints of ethno-regional politics. What are your thoughts on this matter?
Copyright © 2024 Politico (26/01/24)
