By: Ilyasa Baa
Youths of Sierra Leone have been warned to abstain from political violence in the 2023 elections; not allowing politicians to misuse them as used to be the case.
This warning was issued by the Global Youth Platform on the occasion of International Youths Day which was observed in Sierra Leone on the theme: Intergenerational Solidarity: “Creating a world for all ages”.
The acting Director, Global Youth Platform-SL, Sulaiman Kabia said they invited members of political parties to dialogue with them to see how the involvement of young people could be discouraged from perpetuating violence during the electioneering process which starts with the forthcoming registration exercise of those legible to demonstrate their franchises.
He said the Platform is composed of youths in activism adding that they narrowed down their activism to four thematic areas such as women-related issues, Climate change, the Youths as well as Emergency response in disaster prone communities.
He said the youths should be seen as Ambassadors not defaulters or tools of rogue politicians who are on record for distributing drugs to youths during elections. He notes that the youths have played active roles in the nation for instance the Matormeh disaster in 2017, the Ebola endemic, and the Covid 19 pandemic. He said the elections should be allowed to go on smoothly without them involving any form of violence.
According to him, the meeting was geared toward a peaceful electioneering process.
Participants including Bendu Gassama advised that the youths should ensure they abstain from all forms of political violence.
Augusta Bundu said the acts of violence tend to drive away investors from the country.
Alhaji Turay, a final year student at Njala University and youth activist said the youths of Sierra Leone should forget about tribalism and regionalism. He added that they should see themselves as one country one people.
Bendu Ghetewa called on the youths not to listen to ill-motivated advice coming from people overseas using social media platforms inciting violence or public disorder.
Creating a World for All Ages – is the theme for this year. According to the official website, the day “reminds us of a basic truth: we need people of all ages, young and old alike, to join forces to build a better world for all.”
A young group of people from Vienna, Austria, proposed the idea of International Youth Day in 1991. It was in 1998 when a resolution proclaiming August 12 as International Youth Day was adopted.
