Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Abdul Rashid Thomas
Published on 2024-03-24 11:09:35
Sierra Leone, a nation once revered for its resilience and spirit, is currently facing a widespread sense of anxiety that has permeated every aspect of its society. While despair may have dominated the past, anxiety now looms large over the lives of its people, even among children who worry about their next meal. The country has shifted to a state where basic necessities are considered luxuries, and uncertainty clouds every corner.
Despite assurances of free education, the cost of living has risen dramatically, leaving families struggling to make ends meet. The pressing question arises: are people truly better off now than they were just five years ago? Providing the most essential items has become a monumental challenge for many families, often leading to resorting to dubious or criminal means. However, the leadership of Sierra Leone seems indifferent to the plight of its citizens, lacking empathy towards their struggles.
Those who attempt to challenge authority are quickly silenced, drowned out by the oppressive system. In today’s Sierra Leone, law enforcement and justice systems do not provide for the people, but cater to the interests of President Julius Maada Bio. Government ministers, though possibly well-meaning, find themselves compromised and silenced by the fear of losing their positions of power and privilege. Instead of advocating for the people, they praise the president and turn a blind eye to the suffering within their nation.
As a result of this pervasive anxiety, families are torn apart by the strains of daily life. Drug abuse and alcoholism have become coping mechanisms for many, with the breakdown of homes often going unnoticed. In a society where the father traditionally serves as the breadwinner, the inability to support one’s family strikes directly at masculinity, leaving many men feeling lost and desperate. Some parents, in desperation, encourage their daughters to engage in relationships with much older men in exchange for financial support, a heartbreaking situation where parents become unwittingly complicit in the exploitation of their own children for survival.
The future of Sierra Leone remains uncertain as it grapples with this pervasive anxiety. Will the nation continue down the path of despair and desperation, or will there be a collective awakening towards a brighter future? Only time will reveal the outcome. However, one thing is certain: until the root causes of this anxiety are addressed, the people of Sierra Leone will continue to endure, overshadowed by the constant uncertainty that looms over their hopes and dreams.
Read the original article on Sierra Leone Telegraph
