Democracy in the Belly of the Beast as Sierra Leoneans Struggle for Justice

By Dr. Fatima Babih

Today marks the first anniversary of a day that signifies a grim reality for the people of Sierra Leone. On this day in 2023, despite facing harsh conditions such as rain, heat, hunger, illness, and intimidation by the notorious Paopa mob justice gang, Sierra Leoneans cast their votes with hopes of changing their dire situations for the better.

Tragically, however, Julius Bio, a menacing beast against democracy, with the help of his Chief Electoral Thief, Mohamed Konneh, swallowed their votes, crushing their hopes.

A year has passed, and the people’s votes remain trapped in the belly of the beast. The All Peoples Congress (APC), a party many thought could save their votes, now appears to be slowly heading into the belly of that beast with its members fighting against each other.

International observers, who call themselves moral guarantors, have attempted to intervene in the search for the people’s stolen votes through a Tripartite. However, their efforts seem futile, as they have also been drawn into the beast’s insatiable jaws.

Desperate and left with no other options, the people called for protests, seeking to reclaim their democracy. Julius Bio, however, responded with threats of bullets, promising violence against those who dared to demand justice.

Meanwhile, amid this turmoil, the man with the Bullets, Julius Bio calls for ‘peace,’ which is being echoed across the land. Now every hindo, musuo and their grandmother in the country is calling for ‘peace. But the people who have endured so much suffering keep asking,

What is peace in a land of extrajudicial killings, starvation, darkness, and injustices?

This, my dear people, is the true and tragic story of how a once peaceful and developing country found itself teetering on the sharp edge of doom. Bulletman Julius Bio’s shadow encircles the dreams of a better future, the cries for justice, and the hopes for genuine democracy. This beast has devoured the very essence of Sierra Leone’s spirit.

As the nation reflects on this sad anniversary, the struggle for a just and democratic Sierra Leone continues, with the people’s unwavering resolve standing as a beacon of hope in these dark times.

#KnowJusticeKnowPeace
#ALutaContinua
#SpeakUpSaveSierraLeone
#TheStruggleContinues