BEWARE OF SURPRISES OF THE SEVENS…

Monday March 13, 2006      

By Mohamed Sidi Sheriff

Since the 1930s, there is something mystical about the seventh year of every
decade in Sierra Leone.

-In 1937, an outbreak of Small Pox led to the catastrophic death of thousands of
Sierra Leoneans.

– In 1947, an earthquake took place in Sierra Leone

– In 1957, the first political upheaval between Milton and Albert Margai set the
pace for bad governance when the APC party formed three years later came in to
steal the show

– In 1967, for the first time in Africa, a ruling regime was narrowly voted out
of office by an oppostion party which sowed the seed of everything that
represented bad governance in Sierra Leone

-In 1977, a wide spread student demonstration across Sierra Leone adversely
affected the political base, physical infrastructure and the economy of Sierra
Leone, which almost brought down the APC regime

– In 1987, the pace was set for Sierra Leone’s First Vice President, Attoney
General and Minister of Justice – late Francis Minah – to be executed after a
controversial treason trial.

– In 1997, the notorious AFRC junta seized state power and held Sierra Leone to
ransome for nine months amidst national and international outcry.

– In 2007, guess what will happen?