British A-list actor Idris Elba, who also has Sierra Leonean citizenship and heritage, has called for a peaceful general election in Sierra Leone, which will take place on Saturday.
“This election, please let it be peaceful,” he said in a message in pidgin English.
He reminded young people that they have the “power” in this vote, and that if the country is destroyed due to violence, it will be down to Sierra Leonean to have to patch it back up again.
“Not only is the world watching,” he said, but the whole of Africa.
Speaking through a video message shared on social Media, Elba emphasized the importance of a peaceful election and urged the citizens to refrain from any acts of violence.
He specifically addressed the younger generation, reminding them of their crucial role in upholding law and order to ensure stability within the country.
Elba emphasized that the power to shape the nation’s future lies in the hands of the youth and warned against jeopardizing progress by resorting to destructive actions.
He stressed the need to alter the prevailing narrative and cautioned Sierra Leoneans about the close attention that Africa and the rest of the world are paying to the situation.
Saturday’s vote will be the country’s sixth presidential vote since a military takeover in 1992.
It will see the incumbent, President Julius Maada bio of the Sierra Leone people’s party (SLPP), go up against Dr. Samura Kamara of All people’s congress (APC).
Elba’s comments come on the same day that the commonwealth observer group in Sierra Leone, led by former Nigerian vice-president professor Yemi Osinbajo, called for peaceful elections to reflect the will of the people.
