That Mr. Jacob J. Saffa can freely open his mouth to say what he said about President Ernest Bai Koroma and live to bragg about it, is in itself testimoy enough, that our President is quite unlike Mr Mugabe. I am pretty sure that if Mr. Saffa were in Zimbabwe, he would probably be hiding in a foreign embassy, to preserve his life, or at the very least, his welfare, after saying such nonsense about Mugabe.

Being an opposition leader, does not mean that one cannot complement leaders on the other side of the isle, even when they have done or say something constructive for the country as a whole. Mr. Harold Wilson, a former labour prime minister in UK, once gave a brilliant speech in parliament (he was opposition leader at the time), when Mr. McMillan was prime minister. Upon the conclusion of the speech. Mr. McMillan immediately scribbled a note to the opposition leader telling him how impressive his speech was. Is this kind of responsibilty and maturity that is expected of our leaders. So let's grow up for the good of Sierra Leone.

Mohamed Mackie Wurie---USA

M.Wurie, you look like a sycophant. The comparism you are making between president Mugabe and President Koroma does not hold water. Political intimidations are still going on in Sierra Leone, even though people like does not have the moral courage to condemn it. We dont want a repeat of the troubled years in our country, but the APC government is provoking exactly that. You dont threaten people to vote for you, if you think you are doing a great job for the people, leave them to decide. The other problem they are creating is the interferance in student matters. This people use to conduct their own elections, why all of a sudden the APC government is interfering? Is it because they wanted to install purpet government so that they can silence the students? That is impossible, the students are ready to take up the challenge, and that means, trouble for the country. This government should try to do everything that will avert trouble in that country. But they will not listen, because they want to hold on to power at any cost.

It is unpatriotic and irresponsible for any S/Leone political figure like JJ Blood to suggest that our President does not have the moral right to criticize Mugabe. JJ Blood being in opposition does not necessary mean you should say nonsense. Steven (USA)

It is a shame that African leaders care more about the survival of their power rather than the interests of their people and countries. Mr Koroma was aptly correct to ask for power sharing. In my books, Mr Koroma was in fact lenient with MR Mugabe. I see no political reason why any African country should recognize the Mugabe government if they are dedicated to the rule of law and not the rule of man. Reading your comments about APC giving nurture to political intimidations somewhat surprised me. I was reading through to see what examples you would provide... but alas; the allegation was without support. S.L President, Ernest Koroma is working hard to rebuild the reputation of Sierra Leone that the SLPP destroyed in the past 10 years. Hello!

I still think JJ is right. You guys in the US should not be out of touch with political developments in Sierra Leone. In less than one year in office, the APC is at present solely responsible for perpetuating with impunity every reported or known political violence across the country starting from intimidation of female candidates/politicians, attack on opposition rallies and headquarters, use of thugs to oppress opposition members in rural areas, indiscriminate sacking of competent opposition supporters from public offices, interference with student politics and press freedom, closure of opposition radio station etc. etc. If the APC leaders continue to benefit from such undemocratic practices at home that will easily drive the country again into brutal war, what is the moral right they have to denounce undemocratic practices elsewhere? There is nothing like half democracy, it is either democracy or not. I think this is the problem with African leaders; they play safe by making good speeches in international fora, do terrible underground mess with their country, publicly condemn the mess, make friends with western democracies for assistance and protection so they can enrich themselves, send their children abroad and keep the heritage for their children to continue. This is the reality that I cannot change, you cannot change, JJ or SLPP cannot change but I believe time will. I cannot promote the dignity of my president over and on top of the fact. I quote Mr. Obama in his speech on race that “this nation is bigger than the sum of its part”.

It is better to keep quiet and allow people to think you are an idiot than to speak out and remove their doubt. That's exactly what JJ Blood is doing.

What morals does JJ have to talk about violence. Was this not the guy that sent thugs to beat up brother Jimmy Kandeh for criticizing SLPP and Berewa? Was this not the guy that threatened people to support SLPP and his REFORM GROUP or else lose their jobs? Shit! This JJ Blood fellow threatened to imprison my friend, Moses Zombo, for criticizing SLPP. Yes, this very JJ Blood that is talking about violence. Was it not the same JJ Blood that supported SLPP thugs for attacking (now) President Koroma and Charles Margai during their campaign trip to Segbwema and Kailahun. JJ Blood should better keep quiet and sit down with his frustration. How soon people forget!

That Mr.JJ Blood with his irresponsible name is still continuing to open his mouth to say rubbish to the people .He has forgotten that his mouth was responsible for the failure of SLPP.Is really a disgrace for a party like SLPP to have him as their secretary General.He can freely open his mouth to compare Mr.Koroma and Pre.Mugabe,i wish you were in Zimbabwe,you will propably might change to support Mugabe as you look too thausty for power and not patiotic at all.Anyway next time if you have nothing to say allow people to think.(china)

In my point of view,it is absolutely too early for someone to compear our able president to any detator in any way.We must try to have some amount of regard for our leaders. President Koroma has just spent few months in power, and he has not done anything that someone can be compare him to Mr.Robort Mugabe for bad manners of politics.Undoubtedly, there are many people who get away with writing about something they totally know nothing about.In short, I would like to ask Mr.JJ Blood to use his head better before he go on making comments about any figure head of our beloved country SIERRA LEONE. ISMAIL EGYPT

In my dialet there is a saying that " rice that will grow to bear good fruit will known by the farmer when it is still young". I think this idea of condemning citizens from critizing their presidents whether they be a day old or infinitely in power and standing up to let the leaders know their mistakes is partly responsible for the dictatorship ruining our continent. The fact that Mr Earnest Koroma is president of Sierra Leone does not place him above criticism but rather, he is likely to be the most criticized (whether nagatively or positively)gentleman in the country. After voting him to power, we should also be bold enough to point to him his weaknesses with the hope that he will learn from his mistakes. If Mr Koroma and the APC gorvernment does the same or even worse things than the former SLPP government, then was there any need for the election that the Sierra Leoneans went out in their Numbers to vote in 2007. But the truth is that the country has witnessed its worst display regionalism and trbalism under this so called new APC regime. Just look at list of ministers and list of students from institutions of higher learning recently awarded the Sierra Leone Government Grants(SLG) and you will know what I am talking about. Political intimidations and thurgery, and deterriorating standard of living of the majority of Sierra Leoneans since the APC assumed power close to a year now is another testimony of how well Mr Koroma is doing as head of the APC government. To be honest, does a president presiding over such a state of affirs in his country has the moral authority to condemn Mugabe?

These people are really frustrated about the APC government beceuse of their enviable reputation for good and democratic governance. Mr so called Secretary General, don't get confused about president Koroma, he don't even know whether you're existing as a Sierra Leonean, what ever bad things you say about his comment on Mugabe we don't care as long as the world knows he is right. I know if you people would have succeeded in rulling this country, you would have been in partnership with Mugabe.

Mr Secretary, go and do something for your future before it is too late for you and stop confusing your self about our Prophet sent for us by God to rescue us from the fire you people had planned to put us. Kemson (ipam)

28 years ago, Mugabe was the World’s darling. When did he then become a dictator? The answer is he has always being one. All who followed the trend of Mugabe ascendancy to power would testify that from the onset, Mugabe was a dictator. Ask supporters of freedom fighters like Joshua Okombo and people from the Matabeleland. Ironically none including the West criticise him then. Today he is the devils incarnate because he is now challenging those who thought his actions then were not worth criticising. As Sierra Leonean taking cognisance of what we went through, we should all no matter where you are from and which party you support or tribe you belong to, kill the idea of dictatorship before it grow in our politics. When Sierra Leone is on fire none will be safe. Even those in the Diasporas will be affected unless you claim not to have any relative, family or property. What JJ Saffa is doing should be done by the press, the opposition Parliamentarians and the Civil Society groups. Since none has the moral obligation to stand out for Mama Sierra Leone, I think the young man should be hailed instead of receiving bashing for something you and I know is a potential for trouble. Are you safe if others stand out against intimidation?