Acts of vandalism on government properties have become a phenomena in Sierra Leone today much to the disadvantage of the state and indeed the citizenry. What is even more disheartening is the involvement of youths in such vandalism.

 Charles Margai & Ernest Koroma: Your silence is sending wrong signals to our youths

Indeed, these acts have concerned every well-meaning Sierra Leonean, particularly so when the attendant repercussions directly affects the majority of Sierra Leoneans who are dependent on government for the provision of basic social services such as transportation.

Youthful energy is easily mis-channeled into violent activities and it is universally accepted that youths who lack proper leadership in their communities will resort to such vandalism. This is why the importance of youth mentors in the civilized world is never underestimated. Similarly, the leadership of the countries we so commonly cite as examples of the civilized world and whose way of life we aspire for, always ensure that their words and actions radiate examples for their youth.

In those countries, leaders from both the ruling party and the opposition will quickly coalesce in their condemnation of acts of vandalism and sheer lawlessness in their communities. There is no partisanship when it comes to condemnation of anything that runs counter to the general welfare of their citizens.

This now brings us to today’s concern by the Awareness Times. We are concerned over the shameful silence and tight-lip attitude of those we are expecting to show leadership to our youths. This is especially so for those Sierra Leone leaders in the local opposition parties from whom much leadership is expected but who refrain from uttering a single word of advise for our youths against such hooliganism and vandalism.

We know they are not the Government in power but we are simply stunned that the leading Opposition Parties can keep quiet and refuse to condemn the unnecessarily violent methods of our youth today.

Our youths regularly direct their anger at state social infrastructure and service providing facilities with impunity. This was manifested against the then-newly refurbished National Stadium, when its structure and facilities were damaged. Quite recently, two of the newly acquired government buses, which have so far ameliorated the transportation problem in the city, also became targets of this misdirected youth-led vandalism.

To refuse to utter a word of condemnation for such acts of vandalism might also be misconstrued by these youths to mean that the Opposition is in support of their hooliganism against the green colored buses as green is the colour of the ruling SLPP. After all, the wise men say that Silence means Acquiescence.

The stadium was built by the Chinese for SIERRA LEONE and not for the SLPP or Tejan Kabbah or Solomon Berewa. Similarly, Libya’s Ghaddafi donated those buses to SIERRA LEONEANS and not to Kabbah.

Therefore, when these items are vandalized, it is SIERRA LEONEANS who lose. It is not enough for only the SLPP’s Sama Banya or the SLPP’s Morikeh Fofana to condemn. The entire country must rise up and condemn the destruction of OUR properties. If the APC, PMDC, PLP or UNPP wins the elections in 2007, they will expect the SLPP to strongly condemn such acts of violence regardless of whether the facilities or the buses are painted red or orange in colour.

It is time for every political aspirant to start to show leadership by condemning anything that runs counter to the wellbeing of the state. Regardless of whether the buses were painted green or red or orange, they are for the use of your people and when destroyed, your people suffer. So, please speak out and condemn actions designed to make your people suffer.

It is to be hoped that this shameful silence from our Opposition Leaders will soon be a thing of the past. The society needs to know that you stand on the side of those condemning violence.

You can take a cue from those soldiers who have been vociferous in their condemnation of the recent security breach by Private Abdul Sesay. Those soldiers can teach you Opposition Leaders a thing or two about patriotism.

Awareness Times and the whole country are waiting for your condemnation of these acts of violence on our social facilities and we hope the condemnation will be done very loudly so the country can know where you stand with respect to the destruction of our properties. LONTA!