INDEPENDENCE MESSAGE: Liberators SL Calls For Commitment To National Unity

Happy Independence Day to us all Sierra Leoneans, both living in Sierra Leone and abroad. On the nation’s 64th Independence Day Anniversary, the Liberty For All (LFA) congratulates all Sierra Leoneans for achieving another milestone in the country’s history. The Sierra Leonean Independence Day is observed annually on April 27. It is one of the most important holidays in Sierra Leone, since it commemorates the country’s freedom from the colonial bondage of Britain. Some of us will remember the pride we felt sixty-four years ago, in 1961, when Sierra Leone’s Green, White and Blue flag was hoisted to replace Britain’s Union Jack.  For us in the LIBERATORS MOVEMENT, we take great pride in the education and understanding that our country’s Independence was not won on the battlefield with guns, bombs and missiles, but on a battlefield of ideas, patriotism and aspirations, through determination, patience and hard work. We have today grasped with the belief and reality that our political independence from Britain in 1961 dashed us a National Flag, National Anthem, Motto, and other emblems, but failed to give us economic freedom. Today, we continue to commemorate this historic day with pride and gratitude for the priceless sacrifice and efforts made by our ancestors, who fought for our flag independence. Most Sierra Leoneans mark this day also to acknowledge the privilege of our country being a sovereign independent member of the international community through the United Nations and other instruments. This is a day set aside to reflect on the pains suffered by those who were born before our national independence, and to remind Sierra Leoneans never to allow this event to fade away from our memories.  We are at a crucial juncture in our political journey as we commemorate 64 years of independence. We acknowledge that tribalism, political party dynasty, and regional bigotry are some of the social vices and degeneracy that wreak havoc on our country’s peace, democracy, and development. The Liberators believe that the lack of political will to address these issues will take Sierra Leone nowhere. The Liberators recognise that throughout the sixty-four years of independence, selfish politicians have dug deep divides among Sierra Leoneans, inciting hatred between the two larger ethnic groups (i.e. Mende and Temne) against each other. The ethnic issue, for instance, has widened the gap between the country’s regions and has caused distrust and disunity among Sierra Leoneans. Despite the change of governments over the last sixty-four years of independence, selfish, self-centred, egoistic, unpatriotic, corrupt, and inept politicians have done a lot to make our independence bogus and a laughingstock to others. There is no gainsaying the fact that today, most Sierra Leoneans have become unhinged from those cherished principles that define our national identity. Principles such as national belonging, social justice, human rights, rule of law, and national dignity have been mortgaged. The result has been the rise to the ever-increasing poverty in the land. In a country endowed with abundant and rich mineral and natural resources, it is not fair, and it is unjust to see most of the citizens wallow in wholesale poverty, while the few rich and the connected live ostentatious lifestyles. The unfairness of tribalism, regional hegemony, corruption, and misguided beliefs have robbed our young people of their dreams; this is obvious. Sixty-four years of what is supposed to be independence, too many Sierra Leonean children still go to bed hungry, and too many of our elderly citizens have become street beggars. These are not the marks of freedom, but decadence in all social sectors. In such a situation, no one is innocent or immune; and none of us is without sin. The time is now to fix Sierra Leone, or else we allow Sierra Leoneans to become paupers in this 21st century. The youths recognise that Sierra Leone is still struggling to come out of the adverse impact of the 11-year brutal fratricidal war. But turning back to the date of our independence in 1961 to the present period, there is nothing to write home about development in our country’s sixty-four years journey of self-rule. Our struggle for economic transformation and reasonable standard of living for Sierra Leoneans will remain elusive, as long as we continue to produce leaders who are not interested in the development and prosperity of Sierra Leone. The Liberator is of the belief that leadership is not about personal gain, but about providing a noble service to the people you are supposed to serve, particularly the poor, the weak, downtrodden, and impoverished in society. All those ingredients and tenets that are made up of democracy and freedom have come under severe assault in Sierra Leone for so many years now. We therefore commemorate our country’s independence in an environment devoid of national self-confidence and optimism. Take, for instance, instead of inclusive participation in the country’s decision-making process, we see the gradual erosion of democracy and democratic good governance. Instead of sustainable economic growth, we see an economy that isolates and deprives the masses of our people. Instead of a harmonious community based on national belonging and unity, we see the loss of people’s confidence in our democratic process and the further erosion of initiatives for national development and prosperity. On this day of our country’s national Independence, the youths would like to remind our political and civic leaders that as a sovereign nation, we inherited a legacy built on the conviction that with unity, togetherness, we can and must serve our people and country, with humility, integrity, and honour. However, the youths acknowledge that Sierra Leoneans have lost their independence, as they are ever divided due to the unpatriotic and wicked acts of some leaders with a lust for power. Sierra Leone has declined in all aspects of development. Sierra Leone’s development solely depends on unity and how we are in our patriotic zeal and commitment to develop a practical approach to achieve unity and co-existence among our various communities across the country. This is possible only when people are treated with dignity and self-respect. The Liberator is confident that together, we can build a Sierra Leone that works for everyone. We believe we can fix Sierra Leone again and make it become one of the best countries to live in the world. Our country has been blessed with abundant and rich natural and human resources to make our independence meaningful and benefitting to all Sierra Leoneans.

#God Bless All Liberators And God Bless Sierra Leone #