The Center for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL), a civil society body in Sierra Leone has welcome a January 23rd decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC)to try those politicians in Kenya for their roles in the 2007 elections violence.

“The ruling represents a significant step in Africa’s effort to provide justice for victims of election-related violence. It is truly hoped that ICC’s interventions in Kenya and Ivory Coast would send a strong message to African politicians, including those in Sierra Leone, that impunity for politically-motivated crimes will no longer be tolerated by the international criminal justice system,” said CARL’s Executive Director Ibrahim Tommy in a press statement.

The CARL reminded the Government of Sierra Leone that it has a responsibility under national and international law to provide a safe and secure environment for all to freely express their will without fear or intimidation or violence.

“For this reason, the government bears the primary responsibility to bring to justice anyone, regardless of their political affiliation or status, believed to be responsible for instigating or perpetrating violence,” CARL warns.

“Politicians from all sides of the divide must also bear in mind that they will be individually held responsible for their role in incidents of violence, and should not expect any less when the long arm of the law ultimately reaches out for them,” Tommy added.

CARL said since 2008, there has been a wave of politically-motivated crimes across the country, and it is regrettable that only a handful of indictments have been filed in relation to these violations. Even so, the delays that have characterized these trials are such that members of the public are beginning to lose faith in the process. This is certainly unhelpful in terms of efforts at promoting rule of law in the country. As the country prepares for the November 17 elections, the Sierra Leone Government must take the required steps to strengthen public confidence in the law enforcement and justice mechanisms.