CONGRATULATIONS SIERRA LEONE!   Congratulations to the people of Sierra Leone for the capacity to utilize the democratic process in bringing about a change of government. This will hopefully be an example to our neighbors, some of whom are rotting in ineptitude. The bar for Ernest Koroma and the APC has been raised very high. The celebration should be brief and the task of returning the country to a reasonably decent habitat must commence NOW.  Unlike the outgoing government that retained an almost permanent team of ministers regardless of their non performance, this President must set benchmarks for his cabinet and kick anyone out that fails to produce. He must be wary of 'sacred cows' and 'untouchables', those who might want to believe that they are bigger than the party because of what they might have invested in it. We pray for your success Ernest. Congratulations to you, Congratulations to the APC, Congratulations to Charles Margai for his exemplary display of bravery, and congratulations to the People of Sierra Leone. Crispin Cole Sr SierraConnection.Com September 17, 2007 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     The Rising Sun The Wilting Palm Tree District Koroma APC Berewa SLPP Kailahun 11,631 111,695 Kenema 32,666 160,699 Kono 52,908 74,458 Bombali 125,419 14,095 Kambia 61,250 14,449 Koinadugu 42,178 23,130 Port Loko 132,287 17,789 Tonkolili 101,296 12,958 Bo 37,006 105,459 Bonthe 20,018 28,313 Moyamba 26,485 49,886 Pujehun 2,875 38,107 WA Rural 55,332 22,842 WA Urban 249,056 115,771 Total 950,407 789,651 The Candidates The Parties Votes Andrew Turay (CPP) 28,610-1.56% Amadu Jalloh (NDA) 17,748-0.96% Kandeh Conteh (PLP) 10,556-0.57% Abdul Karim (UNPP) 7,260-0.39% Ernest Koroma (APC) 815,523-44.34% Charles Margai (PMDC) 255,556-13.89% Solomon Berewa (SLPP) 704,012-38.27% ONE NATION, ONE PEOPLE The boat set adrift long before the August election. It is amazing that so many of the cyber apologist for the ruling party turned a blind eye to the sins of the SLPP. They perhaps believed that by not commenting or addressing these glaring and fatal missteps things will eventually go away and the boat will correct its course. Why did these academic activists not apply their critical discipline to rectifying a decaying situation? Only God knows. The current is now very strong. People are jumping ship before the boat capsizes. Only a miracle can prevent the SLPP from losing the run-off election. Whatever done at this point is too little too late. Eleven years is long enough for any party to demonstrate their commitment and seriousness about good governance.  The APC in alliance with PMDC is posed to taking over the reigns of government. The overused argument is that the APC had a terrible track record. This is undisputable. What is different now is that we are living in a different political climate that will not tolerate the old APC's tomfoolery. Ernest Koroma is a fine gentlemen. Charles Magai is a tenacious fighter. Lets give this team a chance, while the SLPP should commence the task of post mortem and take their place as a formidable opposition in parliament. A new day has dawned in Sierra Leone. We are indeed ONE NATION, ONE PEOPLE. Crispin R. Cole Sr. August 21, 2007 The Sierra Leone elections was held peacefully and orderly. Congratulations to the people of Sierra Leone. This is now the critical period of suspense and speculation. Though official results from National Electoral Commission have not yet been published, unofficial reports of the general status of the political parties are being sourced from several independent radio stations in Sierra Leone obtaining their stats from the polling stations. With over 6,000 polling stations to be counted, it is not surprising that the results are coming in drips at this point. The overall picture at present indicates a strong challenge by the All Peoples Congress. The APC seems to have swept all the seats in the Western Area and as expected is picking up lavish gains in the Northern regions. The ruling SLPP perhaps blind sided by the overconfidence of incumbency is presently in shock. It will be herculean for them to get the 55% to avoid a run-off election. The PMDC of Charles Margai is poised to be the king maker. PMDC has deprived SLPP of the exclusive sweep of the South-Eastern regions. The speculation that PMDC will automatically throw its support behind the SLPP in a second round polling is wishful thinking. The sins of the SLPP may not be spontaneously absolved before the run-offs should one be necessary. Deeply etched in the hearts and minds of many in the South-Eastern strongholds is the humiliation, imprisonment and subsequent death of Chief Hinga Norman, a man revered a national hero. It would be remembered that Hinga Noman initiated the idea that civilians could take up arms and defend their localities when the national army colluded with rebels against the rule of law. Charles Margai the Presidential Candidate of the PMDC has no love lost for the SLPP by whom he has been persistently marginalized until he broke away a year ago to form the PMDC challenger. Political analysts would agree that politics in Sierra Leone is less about ideology than regional and tribal affinities. At this stage of the process one would continue to beseech all Sierra Leoneans to respect the democratic process accepting whatever the outcome. All Sierra Leoneans must be ready to throw their weight behind the new government and help accelerate the urgently needed development. One would however caution the new government not to silence formidable opposition voices and critics by bribing them with jobs and offices in the name of 'national reconciliation'. This practice has undermined the watchdog roll of the opposition in parliament. Until the official results are released I will publish assessments and results from different sources. Thanks to all these excellent efforts in desiminating needed information. Please take these for what they are worth till the official results come in. Once again bravo Sierra Leone. Let's accept the changes that democracy is offering this time and get on with the business of rebuilding the people's lives. Crispin R. Cole Sr. SierraConnection.com August 9, 2007