afrol News, 3 September - Sierra Leone’s second round presidential contenders, Ernest Bai Koroma and Solomon Berewa, have abhorred post electoral violence, asking their supporters to keep peace on or before the weekend polls.

Koroma and Berewa made the statement after talks with the outgoing President, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Mr Kabbah had threatened to impose a state of emergency.

Seven candidates stood for Sierra Leone’s presidential polls held on 11 August. None of the candidates polled the required percentage [55%] of the votes, resulting to a second round of voting between the candidates of opposition APC, Ernest Bai Koroma and the ruling SLPP, Solomon Berewa, respectively. Koroma polled 44% of the votes while Berewa 38%.

There were reported bloody clashes between supporters of both camps at the weekend. The clashes have instilled fear among citizens of a country that is trying hard to remedy the ills caused by a decade-long brutal civil war.

Koroma, who described the talks as “frank,” was optimistic that supporters of both sides would keep the peace. He said Sierra Leoneans should understand that “elections are not about fighting each other.”

The SLPP flag bearer said the security and welfare of Sierra Leoneans was paramount.

The reported presence of former Revolutionary United Front rebels and vigilantes within the midst of both sides has heightened fears that the country might slide back into sixes and sevens again.

But the refusal of both candidates to use vigilantes and former rebels in their campaign has restored hope among peace-loving Sierra Leoneans. Koroma and Berewa urged the police to be more effective and impartial.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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