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The main opposition APC party have decided not to work with the new government that has emerged after the June 24 multi-tier elections results were announced by the ECSL. They have argued that, the elections were flawed and their outcomes unacceptable. Their defeated Presidential candidate, Dr Samura Kamara, has refused to concede defeat and congratulate President Dr Julius Maada Bio, the man who was declared winner of the June 24 Presidential election by the Chief Electoral Commissioner/National Returning Officer of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone.
Strangely, against the advice of their lead legal adviser, Joseph F. Kamara, the APC party refused to take their complaint to the court where elections disputes are settled. They have decided to boycott Parliament and their newly-elected MPs refused to take part in an induction programme organised for newly elected Members of Parliament. They are not likely to attend the state opening of Parliament on Thursday.
As we see it, the leadership of the APC party must engage in constructive dialogue with the government. Such dialogue must commence now. There is no way any meaningful dialogue with the APC party can take place without the direct involvement of former President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma. He is the proprietor and chief financier of the APC party. He has great influence over the current leadership of the APC party.
President Dr Julius Maada Bio should initiate substantive dialogue with his predecessor, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, to bring to an end this stalemate that has held the country hostage.
President Dr Julius Maada Bio is credited with convincing the RUF leadership to engage in meaningful dialogue with the then in-coming civilian administration headed by Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 1996. He can bring the APC to the negotiating table just like he did with the RUF leadership in 1996. He has the goodwill and temperament to do so.
As the elected President, he is expected to carry the country behind him. There is no way he can effectively govern this country without the cooperation of the main opposition APC. The APC must come to the negotiating table with no pre-condition. If they have genuine concerns, they must be able to put those concerns on the table for them to be addressed once and for all.
We call on both parties to engage in a constructive dialogue to bring to an end this political stalemate that has threatened to undermine the peace, stability and sustainable development of the country.
The SLPP National Chairman, Dr Prince Alex Harding, has openly supported the call for dialogue with the APC in the interest of the country.
May common sense prevail!
