By Alan Luke

When a failed politician uses religious bigotry in his election campaign to win hearts and minds of voters, questions must be asked about the desperation of his ruling SLPP party to stay in power for another five years, despite a litany of human rights abuses in Sierra Leone. 

Speaking to worshippers at the Kissy Road Mosque in Freetown, Mohamed Gento Kamara, the SLPP aspirant for the Mayor of Freetown, told worshippers that Muslims are discriminated against by Christians, resulting in higher levels of unemployment.

Mr Kamara did not provide any empirical research evidence to the congregation at the Mosque to back up his claim, nor did he highlight any other probable cause for the alleged high levels of unemployment he claims are experienced by Muslim youths.

Mr Kamara also specifically mentioned the Krios in his message, stating that they should allow Muslims to hold the position of Mayor of Freetown.

The speech was laced with dog whistle tribalist and religious bigotry, marking a new low to the ethno-regional politics of the Bio led SLPP regime who would do anything to stay in power.