News Story

FREETOWN: ABDUL OSAIO KAMARA: As an African Women's leader, Miria Matembe of the National Democratic Institute (NDI) has fearlessly taken on totalitarian regimes and coordinated projects aimed at increasing the leverage of women in politics and society. Last week, she did not shy away from expressing deep dissatisfaction with the All Peoples Congress (APC) government of President Ernest Bai Koroma for organising and financing threats of violence (including rape, verbal molestation, and intimidation) by the APC's Task Force gang of political thugs. In a convened press conference, Miria Matembe disclosed that independent female candidates, particularly those who contested for APC party symbols but who were not given those party symbols, are being threatened with rape, beating, and otehr forms of molestation. The objective is for the independent women candidates (who are seen as influential) to feel insecure enough to drop out of the poltical races.

Already, the APC's Task force militia has forced many independent female candidates to drop out of the local government elections race because of these threats and acts of molestation. Matembe said this situation has forced seven female candidates to withdraw from the local council elections.

She further pointed out that"It is disheartening that political parties are using youths to harass female candidates. The youths even threaten to rape them if they fail to withdraw their candidatures." This, Dr. Matembe argued, is unacceptable.

Dr. Matembe continued that it is the government's responsibility to ensure parity and tolerance in politics and party political issues. But the acts of violence organised and directed by the ruling All Peoples Congress and paramount chiefs especially against women candidates is unwarranted and it does not communicate well for the ruling APC government's gender credentials especially in a country where so many gains have been made by women in most sectors.

Dr. Matembe claimed, "It is happening in Kono and some parts of the northern province where it is reported that female candidates are molested and dehumanized." APC Task force members have torn down campaign posters belonging to independent and opposition female candidates and also abused and ridiculed those women candidates in public. She emphasised that the NDI and the 50-50 group in Sierra Leone is calling on the APC government to cease all of these undemocratic and brutal acts against female candidates. "I see no reason why they should not be allowed to participate in the electioneering process," she concluded.

Mrs. Hariet Turay who is president of the local advocacy group, 50/50, stressed that the group joins the international community in condemning these acts of harrassment and intimidation against female candidates and that every Sierra Leone should keep in mind the future of the country rather than just political party sympathies..