Sierra Leone Democracy –Evenly Distributed or Regionally Skewed?

Sierra Leone Democracy Evenly Distributed or Regionally Skewed

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Sierra Leone Democracy Evenly Distributed or Regionally Skewed?

Thursday, 16 September 2010 10:50 administrator

By Turad Senesie

As at June 2010, if elections were held, the results of such elections would have been 51% as against 49% all things being equal. This shows that the outcome of elections could either go in favour of the SLPP or in favour of the APC at that point in time. The implication for national development is that two regions are going separately and have identified themselves in terms of coloration: Southeast Green and Northwest Red. Power hungry politicians who want to continue having a grip on power will capitalise on this and concentrate on a region in terms of development at the expense of the other regions.

I am seeing this gradually surfacing in Sierra Leone with a number of development projects being taken to a region we all know. If we relate this to the recent past, it reminds us that marginalisation, deprivation and suppression of opinions led to carnage and human suffering as a result of the fact that those who were unable to voice out their dissatisfaction resorted to rebel war. It is expected that we learnt bitter lessons from that and key players do their utmost to ensure a regional balance. However, it is my strongest conviction that those who are bent on bringing a regional divide in this one-time war devastated country only believe that their political agenda can be achieved using the youths. There is a misconception here and a dream far fetched.

Any sober-minded Sierra Leonean should by now be informed that depending on the youths for winning elections is like standing on a slippery ground with no support to hold you up. The past SLPP government is a solid prosecution witness to bear out this fact. The Tejan Kabba led government tried as much as possible to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich by setting the minimum wage rate and at the same time bridge the gap between the old and the youths in terms of civil service, public and private sector appointments. In addition, job creation was the driving force which saw the establishment of NRA, NaCSA, SLRA, NASSIT and some other institutions, all in an effort to create jobs for the youths. Did the youths appreciate all of these? The 2007 election results can best suggest an answer to these. But what is important to note is that the youths are interested in nothing but bread on the table. Any regime that fails to meet these demands should be ready to hand over the mantle of leadership to the opposition peacefully.

Three years in power (2007-date), job creation is by dismissals and appointments to the same positions by party cronies. How many youths have benefited from that? The resource centres for answers to this question are the Sani Abacha Street, King Jimmy, Swazzy, Azoluni Motor Park, Makeni etc. All these irate youths who do not see any future in their daily activities will definitely eat from a pot but vote in another pot come 2012. So those who think divide and rule is the only political vehicle to set in motion for victory come 2012 are preparing a wet bed for a very uncomfortable retirement.

The outlook of the painted map projectionabove might get greener. Effective Governance in Sierra Leone is three years. The fourth year is exit strategy phase where ministers concentrate on nothing other than enriching themselves, not too sure whether the coming election might favour them or not. Even where it favours them, they are not sure if the president will retain them or not. So time is devoted on chapings' (stealing) rather than service delivery. The fifth year is politicking. The youths are no more ready to listen to anyone in government for the truth. Their interest is, this is their time.

The outlook of the projection above is sure to get greener because voters apathy could easily set in Northwest especially when some major players in the APC are now backbenchers, who happened to be the movers and shakers of their regions. From the map above, it is clear that the ruling government must do a lot more to reach out to the opposition in the interest of the future.

Turad Senesie is a (Human Rights Defender and Political commentator)

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