By: Aruna Kamara (BO)
The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Bo and Kenema, Right Rev. Solomon Leonard Scot-Manga has strongly cautioned the youth not to be involved in violence in the 2023 elections.
Speaking to A-Z Newspaper in Bo, Bishop Scot-Manga encouraged the youths to be part of the voter’s registration and that the changing of a government should be done through the ballot box but not through violence means.
“I was in England when the August 10 violence protest took place and I told the Sierra Leoneans in England that never again should we allow war in Sierra Leone,” he admonished.
Rev. Scot-Manage said that the youths should not be allowed to be misused by politicians and if the politicians come to them to perpetuate violence, they should tell the politicians that their children should take the lead, ‘adding that it is good that the youths abhor violence.
He noted that the greatest achievement in life is peace and peace is the cheapest commodity on earth as you do not need to pay for it but war is expensive, adding that Sierra Leone is now moving to the trajectory of development.
Bishop Scot-Manga said that if the opposition and ruling party should come together and work it will be good for the development of the country as this country is small when compared to other countries.
He went on to say that the interreligious body has a role to play in the consolidation of peace and national cohesion in the country and the interreligious body still is still playing that role.
Bishop Scot-Managa however, advised the ruling government not to push aside the religious body and it will be good the interreligious councils should be consulted on the decisions for the development of the country.
He noted that they are spiritual heads and God can use them to advise the government but stated that he is not saying that the interreligious body is marginalised and that is just a word of caution.
The Right Rev. Scot-Manga concluded by cautioning against under age voting in the registration process, adding that the they are fulling involved in educating the people to register and they will be monitoring the registration process.
