- Title: SIERRA LEONE: Violence fears ahead of elections as campaigns kick off
- Date: 30th October 2012
- Summary: CHILDREN AND MEN SITTING
- Embargoed: 14th November 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Sierra Leone
- Country: Sierra Leone
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA4XQNJ1Q7HN9EZ6LLHS5Y1T2F3
- Story Text: Sierra Leone heads for an election on November 17 that will be a crucial bellwether of the West African state's post-war recovery.
Kenema, a major city in the diamond rich south east and a stronghold of the main opposition party the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), was recently the scene of a large rally drawing hundreds of the ruling All People's Congress (APC) supporters.
Campaigns are in high gear and have been peaceful so far, but both Sierra Leoneans and international observers are concerned about the possibility of violence.
A team of EU observers led by Richard Howitt, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, is already in the country at the invitation of Sierra Leone authorities.
"Many many people, from different parties, ordinary people and civil society groups we speak to say that they have a fear of violence in this country. Given it's history, perhaps that not surprising, but I hope that the very fact that the European Union and the international community is present will be a good influence," said Howitt.
This will be the third elections since war ended 10 years ago.
The 1991-2002 civil war killed 50,000 people, maimed many more and ruined the country's infrastructure.
Sierra Leone's election sees President Ernest Bai Koroma, who came to power in 2007, bidding for a second term in office. Koroma's main opponent is Julius Maada Bio, a former junta leader who is now the presidential candidate of the SLPP.
Koroma's All People's Congress (APC) administration has scored points for infrastructure projects but received criticism for its weak stance on corruption.
Stakes are high in the election, as the next five years will see substantial revenues from new iron ore projects and the possibility of offshore oil coming on line.
One area of concern is the role of traditional leaders, who exist alongside the democratic structures in the country.
The 149 'Paramount Chiefs' in Sierra Leone are meant to stay aloof from party politics, however civil society groups say some push their subjects to vote for particular politicians.
"As long as they want to acquire power, it is possible that they could try to influence us. But it is our place as traditional leaders to try to resist so as to preserve the respectability of the institution of paramount chieftaincy," said Paramount Chief Alameen Kanneh in Kenema.
"People should have the free will to associate and vote for the party they want to vote for. There is so much poverty in this part of the country and as a result of that people are quick to rush to people who have a few Leones to give them to dance for them and even vote for them on polling day," said Civil Society Network chairman for Sierra Leone's eastern region, Augustine Sannoh.
Politics in Sierra Leone traditionally is conducted along ethnic lines, with APC taking support from the Temne and Limba tribes of the north while SLPP is rooted in the Mende of the south and east. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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