By Cristiano Khanu
There has been a tough debate over the years about democracy in Sierra Leone and who are the actual pioneers of that democracy .
It is wise to note that the word DEMOCRACY has always live with us in SIERRA LEONE.
Political parties were established in the early fifties and sixties and there has been elections throughout those periods.
History has thought us that in democracy there are difficult days ahead and power hardly give up without struggle.
Nevertheless, Sierra Leone has always been practicing democracy from colonial days, to the one party, to that of the civil war era ,there was always democracy, with the expectations of the military regimes .
*DEMOCRACY* comprises of standards that are internationally recognized and that the voice or the cry of the people is the most significant component of democracy.
Democracy depends on strong institutions, the welfare of the people,
checks and balances, freedom of association, freedom of belonging, minority right, free press, freedom of speech, right to protest, independent judiciary, and the right to petition the government.
*DEMOCRACY COMPRISES STANDARDS NOT CYNICISM .*
How can a man who has accepted collective responsibility for extra judicial killings be a father of democracy?
How can a man who has participated in toppling a democratic government be a father of democracy?
How can a man who has presided over a kleptocratic regime be a father of democracy?
How can a man who has distracted a polling day in the 1996 elections becomes a father of democracy ?
How can a man who has never allowed internal politics to flow in his party becomes a father of democracy?
How can a man who is denying citizens the right to assemble, the right of association enshrined in our 1991 constitution becomes a father of democracy?
How can a man who is threatening to massacre his people becomes a father of democracy?
How can a man who does not care about the welfare of his people becomes a father of democracy?
How can a man who does not care about accountability and checks and balances becomes a father of democracy?
How can a man whose supporters are above the laws of Sierra Leone becomes a father of democracy?
How can a man who is denying citizens their right to protest becomes a father of democracy ?
How can a man who is preaching tribalism and regionalism and has hand twisted all state institutions be a father of democracy?
*DEMOCRACY* is about legality ,systems and procedures ,elected officials and it must be consistence with international standards and best practices not CYNICISM.If
the standards are not met then, it is not democracy in any way.
*DEMOCRACY* is not the burden of one man or woman alone, some are called to meet a special share of it challenges, it is a duty that must be discharged with dignity, distinction, and determination that are widely admired.
So those who are claiming to be the father of democracy must now know that they must tackle economic turbulence at home,protect the health of those without wealth,and maintain that presecious balance between security which are often threaten and human rights that are often dined.
*It is now clear what democracy is about and the qualities of a father of democracy.*
*West west district*
*PRO*
