ishop
George Biguzzi wandered through the polling stations of his diocese,
Makeni, to assist what may be remembered as a day in the history of
Sierra Leone. He saw long lines forming from the early hours of the
morning, he watched hundreds of men and women line up, diligently,
to express their vote. He defined today’s election in Sierra Leone
as “a triumph of peace and tolerance”.
A path toward reconciliation must be founded on the memory of what occurred, as to confront every issue through a lively, but not violent, debate. I feel that the experience of war taught everyone that no problems can be resolved with violence.
He spoke with enthusiasm of the willingness of the people to “write the word end to the war”. Xaverian Bishop Giorgio Biguzzi of Makeni is finally happy. After years of vehement defense of human rights in this tormented African nation, today before his eyes was a nation where history may really have resumed its time. “The voting took place in great calm, many people chose to go to the polls early in the morning – explained Bishop Biguzzi, contacted over the phone by MISNA – in fact even before the stations opened there were long lines”. It is the hunger for democracy and will to participate in building a future for the nation. The 2.3-m voters of Sierra Leone were called to elect a new parliament and President. “Today was positive – continued the prelate – I see in the great and peaceful turnout to the polls that these people want to put an end to this terrible period of war and mark a new moment in history”. The leadership that takes the reigns of the nation will have to deal with the weight of the disastrous heredity of a conflict, which for a decade devastated Sierra Leone.
“The new government and renewed parliament – underlined Bishop Biguzzi – will have to seriously confront all the problems all nations face”. The two priorities according to Bishop Biguzzi: “First of all continue on the road toward reconciliation, because there are still some unresolved problems; and the re-launching on a national level of reconstruction of structures damaged by war”. According to the Bishop, the presence of the international community in Sierra Leone is considerably helping the nation to revive from a very dark period. But there is a risk. The UN peace mission (which will last until September 30), the NGO’s and aid groups, will eventually leave. “When in a few years this occurs, there may be some difficulties to face – observed the Bishop – and only if the nation has acquired the necessary equilibrium will it be possible to continue on a path toward peace”.
The pastor of the community of Makeni, for years a point of referral in the struggle for peace and defense of human rights in Sierra Leone, traces the path to be undertaken: “A path toward reconciliation must be founded on the memory of what occurred, as to confront every issue through a lively, but not violent, debate – explained Bishop Biguzzi – I feel that the experience of war taught everyone that no problems can be resolved with violence”.
If the nation is able to build new roads for democracy, also the Church will find new spaces: “Our role – continued the prelate – will be principally to continue being people of peace that offer encouragement and hope for a better future. I essentially believe that the little the Church is able to offer across its social services is an example of what can be accomplished”. Yes, but how? Local resources, direct willingness of Sierra Leoneans to take their future in their own hands: these are the keys to success, according to the Bishop. A prophetic vision that undoubtedly goes beyond the terrible reality of tragic war still vivid in the minds of all: “A long term solution will depend on development in the hands of local resources – insisted the Xaverian Bishop – which lies mainly on the actual capacity of these people, rather than external aid. The Church should be an example in this: resorting to inculturation, training, trust and self esteem to move ahead”. Behind is only the specter of a war that in a decade resulted in the death of over 50-thousand people, causing hundreds of thousands to be displaced and just as many to flee the nation. Today before us is democracy.
(From MISNA)