THE ENVIRONMENT Political Intolerance and Disrespect For Legitimate Authority is Untenable and A Recipe For Violent Conflict Posted by on Mar 4, 2008, 03:11

Green Scenery is very concerned about the blatant show of political intolerance as demonstrated by political parties since Sierra Leone’s post elections. The continuous show of this attribute is bound to result into violent conflict that will only retard the gains in Sierra Leone’s hard worn peace, fledging democracy and development aspirations.

Incidents abound where reports have portrayed feudal confrontations between the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party and the All People’s Congress and the Bo city incident Green Scenery believes has brought the situation to a head.

Green Scenery is worried about the flagrant disrespect for elected persons in authority and condemns in all its aspects the denigration of authority ascribed to the President of the republic of Sierra Leone when unknown persons defaced the statute of the President. We equally condemn the act of unlawful apprehension of the Mayor of Bo city as this very act casts disrespect and devalues that very important office. While we believe that no one is above the law, we also strongly believe that caution must be exercised in the act of arresting persons alleged to have committed crimes.

We condemn the vandalizing of offices of rival political parties and urge the police to investigate and bring to account those who carried out the attack on the SLPP office in Bo. We further condemn the police for their inaction to affect protection of property belonging to that political party. This inaction puts into question the objectivity and neutrality of a constitutional body whose primary mandate is to maintain law and order, and protect lives and properties of citizens.

We express serious concern over the tension that is mounting between the APC and SLPP as the country approaches the local council elections. Such development, if allowed to continue, is bound to lead to violence that will not auger well for national cohesion and overall development.

We therefore call for amicable resolution of all existing conflicts between all parties particularly the main opposition SLPP and the ruling APC party. We further call on government to put in place mechanisms for national political reconciliation immediately so as to ensure a violence free and peaceful pending local government elections.

Green Scenery is a national NGO intervening in peacebuilding, environmental security, human rights and democracy and livelihood issues.