By Nasratu Kargbo
President Julius Maada Bio has called for peace and urged his fellow politicians to find common ground within their political divide, and put the nation first.
Bio made this call whilst making his speech at the State Opening of the Sixth Parliament on the 3rd of August 2023.
The President said: “As Parliamentarians, it is your duty to embody the spirit of statesmanship and to seek dialogue and common goals, even in the face of differing opinions. We can foster progress through such engagement, laying the foundation for Sierra Leone's ascent to middle-income status by 2035”.
He explained that no political party has attained a two-thirds majority in the country’s parliament, stressing the need for urgent dialogue and negotiation. “We must find common ground within the political divides. Through unity, we can achieve stability, progress, and prosperity in our democracy”, the President said.
Bio explained that politicians should not forget that the true holders of power in a democratic state are the people and that they as politicians should always remember the people’s voices, aspiration, and hope for a better future.
“Our individual egos must yield to the greater national cause, and our quest for power must never overshadow our deep-rooted desire to be a Government that genuinely serves the people”, Bio said. He further said that their purpose should exceed their personal enrichment or fame and should be firmly grounded in pursuing the nation and people's collective well-being.
He called on citizens not to take the peace and stability enjoyed in the nation for granted, calling on them to observe the devastating effects of instability in other countries across the continent and the world. He said the consequences emanate because political actors fail to resolve their differences with maturity and respect for the law.
“It falls upon our shoulders to safeguard this democracy, to support our citizens as we propel the economy forward, and to create a safe and stable atmosphere where every Sierra Leonean can flourish, holding their heads high with pride on the global stage,” Bio said.
In addition, he said that he eagerly anticipates collaboration with partners within and beyond the nation’s borders such as ECOWAS, the African Union Commission, and the wider international community. He noted that with their support the government would continue to ignite the flame of hope in the hearts of the citizens.
Bio said: “We gather here to reflect upon the importance of cohesion in politics and to recognise the paramount significance of unity and collaboration in our noble endeavour to serve the people”. He said that the path to greatness lies in putting the nation's interest first, surpassing party loyalty, and forging alliances beyond political affiliations.
The State Opening of the Sixth Parliament was held with only one member of the Opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Mohamed Bangura present. All other fifty-three members have boycotted parliament after their party issued a release that they will not participate in any form of governance because of concerns they said they have with the June Polls.
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