President Bio Trappedto Restore Sanity

Benjamin S. Conteh
‘’Today, I feel compelled to speak the truth on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone and the members of the All People’s Congress (APC). It is my duty to shed light on matters that have long remained hidden, despite the challenges, criticisms, and harsh words directed at me. I want to express my gratitude to all those who have both supported and criticized me; it is your passion for the APC that drives me to continue this fight for transparency and accountability.
The APC’s involvement in the National Unity Agreement, signed with the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) under the watchful eye of international partners, is the issue at hand.

This agreement was supposed to pave the way for peace, unity, and electoral justice, but many questions remain unanswered. Before the agreement was signed, certain critical details were presented to the APC leadership, details which some of our party members found troubling, resulting in their refusal to sign.
For instance, Dr. Kaifala Marah, who played a central role as the Chairman of the Tripartite Committee, refused to sign the agreement at the time. His refusal raises serious questions that demand answers. I call on Dr. Marah today to explain to the people, why he chose not to sign the document. His voice is essential in this matter.
I also call upon other significant figures in the APC who were involved in this process to step forward and share the truth:

1. Dr. Kaifala Marah as the chairman of the Tripartite Committee, why did you refuse to sign the National Unity Agreement? What information were you given, and what were the factors that influenced your decision?
2. Dr. Richard Conteh a man of integrity and high standing, your silence on this matter has been noted. Please come forward and reveal what you were told before the Tripartite Committee convened and the National Unity Agreement was signed.
3. Osman Abdul Timbo, Omrie Golly, Prince Toli, and Hon. Alimamy Petito Koroma. Each of you played a part in this agreement. What was the rationale behind it? What assurances or conditions were given by the international community? We need to understand where we stand today and why things have unfolded the way they have.
   This agreement was supposed to unify us, yet many of us in the APC feel left in the dark. I deliberately avoid calling on the national executive to speak, as Tunis, in his role as the national chairperson and party spokesperson, has already spoken for the executive. My focus is on these individuals who were directly involved in the process, and who owe it to the people of Sierra Leone and to APC members to provide clarity.
   We have been left to wonder whether this agreement was truly in our best interest or if it was a misstep that led us down a path of uncertainty. Electoral justice hangs in the balance, and while we are uncertain if the system will deliver the results we desire, we need transparency about the National Unity Agreement and the Tripartite Committee’s recommendations.
   This is not merely about electoral results. It is about the emotional and psychological toll that the uncertainty of this electoral process has taken on APC supporters, parliamentarians, and councilors. We are the ones enduring the stress of a system that appears to work against us. We are the ones who suffer in silence while leaders remain silent on these critical issues.
   It is time for the truth to be told. The people deserve to know what the National Unity Agreement was truly about. What were the international partners’ roles, and what were their promises? What did the APC leadership know before entering into this agreement? This is just the beginning of my quest for the truth. I will not stop until we uncover what really happened, until every party member and every Sierra Leonean understands the decisions that were made behind closed doors. The people deserve to hear from those who were there, and we will not rest until justice, transparency, and accountability are restored.
   The Bio-led SLPP Government as according to the US Press Release, they have to fulfill some conditionalities before the money is released. This medium gathered that what the Bio Government is propagating all over some newspapers are false and misleading.
   It could be recalled that President Bio has signed the United States MCC grant, but President should carefully watch his political actions.