However, he commended Sierra Leoneans for demonstrating high level of maturity in comporting themselves, adding that people generally took into good part the messages and warnings of the Secretariat.
He noted further that the attitude of Sierra Leoneans during the recent election period is a manifestation that the ABC’s nationwide sensitization tour made a huge impact. He admitted that the Secretariat still faces a few challenges which they would overcome even as they mount another campaign to sensitize the masses against the practice of tribalism for a peaceful runoff election.
As the country heads to a second round of voting, Mr. Cole condemned any form of discriminatory message that will divide the people of Sierra Leone. He used the opportunity to advice politicians to refrain from using hate speech and tribal sentiments if they actually have the country at heart and want the peace and tranquility the country has been enjoying for the last three decades to hold.
He warned politicians in the habit of preaching divisive politics to refrain because their messages would only divide the country along tribal and regional lines. He also called on political leaders to preach peace during their campaigns, adding that their messages should not be on tribal/regional lines bust must reflect a nationalistic view because the result of hate or tribal messages would be grave for the country’s fledgling democracy.
He maintained that “Sierra Leone is a very peaceful country as it is one of the few countries where you can see inter-marriage between different religions and between different tribes.” He noted that the Secretariat will be embarking on a massive media campaign against hate speech and tribal/regional sentiments.
