By Kabs Kanu
COCORIOKO is very impressed with the role being played by the European Union Elections Observer Mission in Sierra Leone and the U.S. Embassy in their quest to ensure that free, fair, credible and transparent elections take place in Sierra Leone in June 2023.
By their actions over the years , they have proved that they are committed to their determination to ensure that Sierra Leone’s nascent democracy (Which President Maada Bio is trying to destroy ) remains in one piece.
Very impressively, the operations of the EUOM have truly reflected not only the EU’s long-term commitment to supporting credible, transparent and inclusive elections in Sierra Leone but to ensure that political power is transferred democratically, peacefully and constitutionally. President Maada Bio wants to steal the 2023 elections but the EUOM is proving itself a match to the President’s evil and unconstitutional designs. The U.S Embassy too has not been silent and we doff our hats to them too.
The EU Elections Observer Mission has been identifying trends, issues and problems indicating serious threats to democracy, constitutional governance, respect for fundamental human rights and credible elections in Sierra Leone, especially since President Maada Bio came to power in 2018 and through diplomatic visits, consultations and engagements, have been able to react proactively to early warning signs of political trouble in the country. They have not hesitated to meet with President Bio, his SLPP , opposition parties, the Speaker of Parliament, the Elections Commission and any agency they believe need to be cautioned to stay in line with democratic and good governance principles.
Two days ago, the EUOM met with Kandeh Yumkella of the imploding NGC Party to express grave concerns about the sell game politics he is about to engage in, the threats of uncompetitive elections and the dangers of tribalism. Kandeh Yumkells himself said it when he wrote : “It was a pleasure to welcome the EU Elections Observer Mission to my home earlier today. We discussed the importance of political competition in democracies, contestability and vulnerability of small parties, and the dangers of divisive ethno-regional/identity politics.”
It was also the EU Elections Observer team that has gone into the history books of recently publicly emphasizing that “There is a significant decrease in trust in the essential bodies which play integral roles in the forthcoming elections “.
We, the voice of the people of Sierra Leone , want the EU Elections Observer Mission and the U.S Embassy to know that we are mighty pleased with their commitment to straighten things up in Sierra Leone’s political arena and we say Thank you and wish them all the best.
