Poor Governance Fuels Instability, NDC Warns Sierra Leone

Poor Governance Fuels Instability, NDC Warns Sierra Leone

The Director of Programmes at the National Commission for Democracy (NDC), Reverend Gibrila Kargbo, has identified poor governance as a principal catalyst for Sierra Leone's decade-long civil conflict, cautioning that persistent governance deficits must be addressed proactively to avert a resurgence of instability.

During an appearance on AYV’s Wake Up Sierra Leone, Reverend Kargbo articulated that unresolved governance challenges could compel citizens to pursue illicit means of resolution should democratic institutions fail to function effectively. He underscored the critical need for pragmatic, practical policy interventions to uphold national peace and stability.

He asserted that many of the systemic conditions that precipitated the civil war remain active, prompting serious concern regarding the sufficiency of lessons learned from past experience. Reverend Kargbo stressed that preventing a return to instability is a collective obligation requiring concerted action from the government, institutional bodies, and the citizenry.

He cited the January 6, 1999, invasion of Freetown as a stark reminder of the profound consequences of governance failure. He emphatically stated that such events must be prevented from recurring and urged authorities to operate strictly within democratic parameters to safeguard national peace.

The NDC Director further emphasized the indispensable role of accountability, inclusive governance, and sustained civic engagement, warning that negligence in these areas threatens to undermine the country's democratic progress and long-term stability.