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Thursday, August 23, 2007

Democracy and Sovereignty Means Having a Mind of One's Own

After going through a violent conflict whose atrocities defied human understanding, Sierra Leone is going through a period of democratic transition, the extent of which defies human expectation and imaginations.

The two most significant developments in Sierra Leone is the remarkable institutionalization of democracy. Freedom of expression is enlarged by opposition parties owning radio stations.

In The Gambia, Citizen FM which was open to both the ruling party and the opposition is off the air. The TV and Radio Station appears to be the property of the APRC. Broadcasters even send congratulatory messages to the party leader of the APRC in commemoration of the coup d'etat.

In the area of non state monopoly of the media, Sierra Leone has moved far ahead of The Gambia. The second most remarkable development is the independence of traditional and religious leaders who come together to counsel for peace instead of singing praises to a ruling party. In this area too Sierra Leone has moved far ahead of The Gambia.

The third most remarkable development is the independence of the Electoral commission.

In The Gambia, three chairpersons of the electoral commission had been removed unceremoniously and the last one spoke about going to the head state to receive personal funds to conduct registration exercise. In this area too Sierra Leone has moved far more ahead of The Gambia.

Furthermore, if Sierra Leone were to be The Gambia the opposition would have been celebrating victory for having the highest number of votes but in Sierra Leone one has to have 55% of the votes to be a president in the first round. Today they are preparing to go to the second round to determine the undiluted choice of the people.

There is absolutely no doubt that whoever wins it is all Sierra Leoneans who can claim victory. The system is succeeding. No matter who becomes leader it is certain that if he fails to deliver Sierra Leoneans will never hesitate to show him the thumb down.

We are also following the dramatic development and would expect any new leader to give President Kaba the respect he deserves. The AU, the Commonwealth and the UN should never fail to tap his talents. It is very clear that he has not manipulated the system of political succession in Sierra Leone and has therefore sown the seed of peace and stability. It is left to each Sierra Leonean to own his or her mind and refuse to be a tool of any leader.

allAfrica.com: Gambia: Democracy and Sovereignty Means Having a Mind of One's Own (Page 1 of 1)