Some thoughts ahead of November 17

Political tolerance is one of the most used words in Sierra Leone these days.

Everyone, even politically intolerant people, seems to use it more than they do water.

Supporters of the two main political rivals – APC and SLPP - preach it yet clearly fall short of practising it.

President Koroma throwing football to jubilant supporters

Hate speech has been identified as a common means of fuelling violence in these [November 17] elections, which is a manifestation of political intolerance.

Brig. General (rtd) Bio, given out education material to a student

At the weekly government press conference on Thursday 8 November, Minister of Information and Communications, Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, hit the nail on the head when he delved on the role of the media in ensuring a peaceful electoral process by not promoting hate speech.

“To us political tolerance is very important… whatever we say on radio, whatever we write on the papers,” should be done in the interest of peace and democracy, Mr Kargbo said.

Admittedly, he is, to me, one of a very rare breed of politicians in this country. Even with frequent taunts directed at him as the ‘greatest liar’ in the APC government, by that his critics mean as government spokesman he defends the government even when it is on the wrong side, the former Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ) president can hardly be linked to irresponsible statements.

He is mature in his reasoning and even when he seeks to make a political point he tries to do without deliberately sacrificing cohesion.

His equivalent in the other side of the divide is Banja Tijan Sie, the National Secretary General of the SLPP.

This was why I was determined to ask Mr Kargbo some questions I had had in my mouth for so long.

Sierra Leone`s democratic credentials are no doubt admirable, especially so for someone coming from a country not so democratic.

Bio & Kadi running mate Kadi Sisay on nomination day in October

APC supporters on nomination back in October

But President Ernest Bai Koroma, who has been given most of this credit, threw away an opportunity when he refused to honour invitation to what could have been the first real presidential debate in the country.

His reason was that his main challenger in the Saturday presidential race, Brigadier (rtd) Julius Maada Bio, wasn’t fit to share a political platform with him as he was a “violent” and “lawless” person.

Forget about the implication of such a statement on the grassroots supporters of both parties. Or the abrasive feelings among Sierra Leoneans who`d been looking forward to a presidential debate.

Is there any chance that Koroma, let`s say he wins, can take a congratulatory call from the SLPP flag bearer?

And more critically, if the results go the other way, can he muster enough courage to pick the phone and congratulate the winner?

Polarized nation

I remember getting emotional when I saw a photo of President Koroma shaking hands with Maada Bio back in July, when the later had gone to pay homage after the death of the president`s mother.

Could it be that we can only soften our feelings towards one another in moments of grief, and not when we embark on inevitable democratic processes like elections?

Like IB Kargbo put it, instances of insults thrown at himself and the president and the president`s late mother has the potential to cause anger and potentially, violence.

I have also come across supporters of the SLPP who feel offended by reference to their presidential candidate as “lawless” and “violent”.

I am not sure about Ernest being the World Best, as giant posters and billboards across the country portray the incumbent president who has suddenly emerged as a soccer star, throwing footballs on crowds of supporters in a fashion only reminiscent of the craze of the biscuit-throwing Yahya Jammeh of Gambia, but I do know that if he moderates his tone and, God helps him, he wins this election, he will not only be sure of presiding over a non-polarized nation, but he could well be on his way to becoming African Best.

Maybe in 2017 [or if he loses in 2013] the Mo Ibrahim Foundation will run out of excuses for not awarding its coveted US$5m prize.