𝐀 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲

rticle said, “Let us unite with one heart and one mind”. He was addressing the American people. He served as the third President of the United States of America between 1801 and 1809.

In the aftermath of the Sunday, 26th November, 2023 attempted coup, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, in an address to the nation said, “Let us come together as one people, one nation…Our strength lies in our unity and it is with solidarity that we can overcome challenges that come our way…I call on all political leaders, traditional leaders, civil society and citizens across Sierra Leone, to continue working to preserve the peace of our nation”.

Exactly twenty-one years after the end of the civil war in our country, the least we expect is for some selfish and greedy people to try to reverse all the gains we have collectively made as a nation. We must resist this small group of self-seekers wishing to undermine our national security and stability.

After the military coup that overthrew Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in May 1997, Sierra Leone made a significant retrogression in the area of peace, stability and development.

Sierra Leone became a pariah among civilized nations. All international flights to and from Sierra Leone were banned, the national team Leone Stars were banned from staging international return matches in Freetown because of the security situation in the country, some prominent Sierra Leoneans were stopped and searched at international airports simply because they carry their national passports, all the major mining companies closed down operations in the country, all foreign diplomats fled the country, schools and universities shut down because some teachers and lecturers fled the country. Some of us have consistently called for the need to unite the country. We have done so simply because political intolerance will undermine the stability of the state.

The coup attempt of November 26, 2023 was merely carried out at the behest of one man trying to evade and pervert the course of justice. Truth be told, the APC as a party, had no foreknowledge about the November 26 coup attempt. This point has been underscored by the highly respected IGR (Institute for Governance Reform).

The security forces must continue their investigations and follow wherever the evidence takes them to. Sierra Leoneans want to live a peaceful life. They are tired of running away from their country each time there is unrest in the country. That is the more reason why they refused to embrace the coup plotters on Sunday, November 26, 2023.

We continue to appeal to our compatriots to embrace national unity and eschew any form of political violence and political intolerance that will lead this country back to the early Nineties.

Political, religious and traditional leaders must continue to openly preach unity and national cohesion. Political intolerance in any shape or form must not be tolerated. This country has a track record of religious tolerance. Let us embrace political tolerance as well.

We continue to emphasize that, the only acceptable way to change a government now, is through the ballot box. Any government that emerges out of a military takeover will not be acceptable to the international community. They will be shunned and left lonely by the international community.

Let us unite as a country and try to eradicate any form of political intolerance and tribalism in our country.