| A reaction to Foday Musa Daboh’s predictions:
Please publish for me – with many thanks
‘CHARLES MARGAI, LIKE KAREFA-SMART, WILL NEVER BECOME PRESIDENT’ Saturday May 13 , 2006 Rejoinder by Agnes K Macauley: Charles Margai will be President of Sierra Leone as it is destined that PMDC will win the 2007 elections under his leadership.
Foday Musa Daboh wrote:
Hashim, Charles lost an opportunity to become president of Sierra Leone in 1995 and I am not sure he is going to have another opportunity. After Kabba won the party’s nomination , Charles was under consideration as a potential running mate but his ego wouldn’t let him serve under someone he considered not SLPP enough. Had he not fled the party like his father did almost five decades ago to join the NUP, he would have been president in 2007.
Mr Foday Musa Daboh you are wrong in assuming that Charles Margai would have automatically become President in 2007 had he served under Kabba as running mate since 1995. First of all, it is not automatic that a VP will just be the next President because of virtue of his position?? Secondly, with your explanation, why bother with conventions any way if the SLPP way is to just shift the posts on a Presidents ‘retirement’?? Thirdly, I think it was very smart of Charles Margai not to serve as running mate then – as he would have been kicked out for various fabricated reasons or like Joe Demby and PMDC would have been deprived of this opportunity to choose him as their Interim Leader. So Thank God that he rejected that offer – he merely just saw in to the future of CORRUPTION upon CORRUPTION and surely would not have coped … or truly most believe he was directed by the Almighty God.
Foday wrote: I don’t see why Charles believes he is the most fit to be president of Sierra Leone. As far as I am concerned the only thing he brings to the table is his family name but I think even that is flawed. The plunder of my country’s resources started with Charles’ father Sir Albert Margai and worse than the plunder was his failed attempt to make Sierra Leone a one party state which inevitably led to the successful introduction of the one party bill in parliament in 1978 by Siaka Stevens.
Foday, it is the democratic right of any Sierra Leonean to contest for the Presidency of the Republic of Sierra Leone and so has Charles Margai. I have no details about how Sir Albert Plundered Sierra Leone resources as you have not given that in your report but what I respect him for is ‘his failed attempt to make Sierra Leone a one party state’ out of greed to remain in power for a long time. This shows that Sir Albert was a true democrat and that his decision has today given the opportunity to Sierra Leone to enjoy multi-party status; given congnisance to opposition parties. The APC under Pa Stevens brought about a one party state – but what did Sierra Leone achieve?
Mr Daboh, my advise to you would be to stay in your corner and leave your brother to stay in his. 2007 will decide the political fate of both Mr Margai and Mr Berewa and Sierra Leone our dear country.
Agnes K Macauley PMDC Interim Chair, UK
Charles Taylor’s request for trial in Freetown: A ploy to induce chaos and anarchy in the region.
By Joseph S. Sherman, Washington, DC
April 9, 2006
Ex-President of Liberia, and indicted war-criminal, Charles Taylor request through his court appointed attorney that he prefers to be tried in Freetown instead of The Hague cast a shadow of suspicion as to what he and his die-hard sympathizers have in the back of their minds with regards the stability of Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Charles Taylor sudden change of mind for his trial to be held in Sierra Leone is in sharp contrast to earlier reports that he prefers the Hague because of his fear that Sierra Leone might be a hostile country and he may not get a fair trial.
What Charles Taylor fails to realize is that he days of manipulation and deceit are over, as the adage goes “you can fool people most of the time but you can’t fool them all the time.” His attempted escape from justice while in Nigeria is indicative of his sinister motives towards Liberia and Sierra Leone had he succeeded in his cowardly scheme.
The history of Charles Taylor being a master of deceit and manipulator started in 1989 when he launched his infamous insurrection in Liberia and reneging over 30 regional and international peace accords. He had created an impenetrable and untouchable kingdom among his sympathizers and admirers to the extent that he is still dreaming of his fools’ paradise’.
Charles Taylor lust for wealth has incriminated him in allegedly backing and supporting the notorious RUF rebels in Sierra Leone resulting in raping, maiming women, children and the elderly and the plunder of Sierra Leone’s natural resources such as diamonds in violation of the country’s national sovereignty.
The demand for justice for victims of Taylor’s sadistic acts is an integral part for lasting peace in Sierra Leone and the ECOWAS region. It will also bring and end to the circle of violence and culture of impunity prevalent among African leaders.
If the international community is interested in seeing peace in the region, Charles Taylor’s last minute request to be tried in Sierra Leone should be ignored because he is not only trying to buy time but a sinister scheme to mobilize his supporters to start an insurrection that will ultimately destroy the fragile peace process in Liberia and Sierra Leone. NOTE : Dr. Kamara , your article below did not format well because it was compressed to the sides without margins. Problem probably caused by the program used. Please if you are not sure of the program ‘s output, send articles in plain letter format. It uploads well. I spent an hour trying different pages but could not get it well aligned. Please resend the interesting article in plain format. Thanks for your effort. SIDIE ALGHALI SACKED, INCREDIBLE!!!!!!
S. I. Kamara
I do not want to know what diplomatic language is used, he has been sacked. But let no one rejoice. Who sacked him? Of course, Kabba, as he appointed him, in the first place.
But didn’t Kabba cause Kanji Daramy to be arraigned before a commission of enquiry when he was head of Salpost? Kanji was found culpable and sacked by Kabba only for that very Kanji to be brought back as Presidential spokesman. I really do not know how to describe such a behaviour.
This is showing to the public and the nation and indeed the world at large that Sierra Leone lacks enough man power to run its institutions. You see the same faces everywhere, being shuffled and those who refuse to tow the line are easily destroyed.
Kabba just believes that with a UN background he is the most knowledgeable Sierra Leonean that has existed and he should know and realize that that is a big fallacy. People like Sidie Alghali have become praise singers for Kabba in order to fill their pockets and in the process they hardly realise the damage they have been doing to other people.
This man called Sidie Alghali, was a member of the National Policy Advisory Council – NPAC that directly advised the President. Among their duties was to vet all cabinet papers before they got to the Cabinet as if all the ministers were idiots. This made Sidie cocky and arrogant as he made people believe that he could make or break anybody in the civil service. This shows once again the calibre of people Kabba surrounds himself with. But wait a minute! Didn’t this very Kabba face the Beoku Betts commission of enquiry in 1967 for the same things his cohorts are being ?sacked’ for today? Is he truthful to himself and the nation? Or is he fighting corruption by such actions? For the Kabbaists and the Akutay of the S.L.P.P. the answer will be yes, but I say that is b.s. Kabba also sacked J B Dauda but brought him back as adviser with full cabinet rank. You would want to ask where J B Dauda’s integrity is. I will say in his pocket. How can Kabba fight corruption when ministers like Momodu Koroma and Alpha Wurie have been enriching themselves to the ruin of the very people they purport to serve?
Sidie Alghali had used his Muslim faith and the Fourah Bay connection to warm his way to Kabba. He is always seen in prayers with the president saying ?dowawus’ that run from Fourah Bay to the holy land of Mecca then turn around and convert the people’s money to his own use. He knows Kabba well. He is sure to sit again in the nights to ?wurrudu’ for Kabba to bring him back and you bet he will be back. Anti Corruption Commission for a person like Sidie Alghali, is a smoke screen which in the end will never yield anything. I just remind readers about the death of Harry Yansaneh and the role of the judicial system. Journalist no journalist all nar buff. A lesson that journalists should always stand by and for the truth for it will always come back to bite them.
Sidie Alghali is not the only one. There are many in the service that have done heinous things and are still going scott free for as long as they sing Kabba’s praises. But how can the nation of Sierra Leone rid itself of such people and such attitudes that have been so detrimental to our nation. The people are treated with irrelevance and impunity until it is time for elections then these very people come around with bags full of our sweat to fry us once more. The APC was in power for more than twenty years during which state power was personalized. The S.L.P.P. then came and has been in power for the passed ten years. The nation is even worse off than ever – city filth, unemployment , injustice, lack of clean drinking water, education despite all the fanfare, has not improved, corruption galore, bad roads etc etc etc. The S.L.P.P. using state money to run its offices. Let them deny it. Then they would want to talk about good governance.
It is now evident that Sierra Leoneans have been entrapped between these two parties – S.L.P.P. and the APC and they have to get themselves loose. The only way left is to vote the S.L.P.P out of power by coming out in massive numbers to vote positively so that there will be no chance to rig the elections. The S.L.P.P. is sure to rig the forth coming general elections as there is no other way they can win the elections.
Sidie Alghali should now realize that Sierra Leone as a nation has a way of punishing those of her children who abuse her – Siaka Stevens with all that ?beberebe’ power, S. I. Koroma, ?agba satani’ died with a beeb around his neck, C A Kamara-Taylor same, A B Kamara and others. But all of these examples have not been sufficient to cause a turnaround in the minds of our leaders. So Sidie, the chicken has come home to roost. Remember the project to sell or put on mortgage government houses so that civil servants would have something to work for rather steal government or the people’s money? You, in particular, killed that project and caused the suffering of so many civil servants. What have you gained in the end? This should be food for thought for you for the rest of your life. You are a Muslim always behave like one, fear God for you know not when you d REJOINDER TO ‘BEREWA COULD BE AN EVEN BETTER LEADER THAN KABBAH’
BY ABDUL HASHIM DABOH
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 28,2006
Dear Editor, I refused (that is after browsing through your pages) to have my usual breakfast of oatmeal until I speak to comrade Foday Musa Daboh. In the simplest term, Foday seemed to be overwhelmed by the dying euphoria and waning rhetoric’s of Berewah. Unless otherwise, but I am tempted to suggest that foday must be somewhere beyond the realms of planet Pluto to even dream a Berewah presidency. Again, is my learned comrade deluded or seemingly in a state of amnesia in his mechalonic detour to opine that, that almighty evader of truth and transparency can be a better leader than his pathetic boss- Tejan. If Sierra Leoneans can elect Solo.B come May 2007, we would have no one to blame, and even the international community that has already written us off the chart of good governance will understand why our leaders are corrupt and why we as a nation deserve them to continue to ruin our lives and the future of generations yet unborn. By convection, deputies who opt to get the top job normally run on records, especially the record of the incumbent. In our case, it will be ngor Tejan’s record though he really has none besides his none existing “going to bed hungry 2007′ food cha-cha. However, if Foday Musa can let Solo address the following with honesty and patriotic fervor, be assured of my vote for solo journey back to his lawyering come 2007 tug-of war elections: ( Did Abass Bundu lie in his recent press statement on the ?facts’ about his 1996 indictment and conclusion of those indictments? ( Did John Leigh actually lie about his transactions with the Pa. and solo regarding financial dealings of the party? ( When and how did solo relocate his family to Atlanta Georgia? ( Why was the CDF included in the special court remit and how was ECOMOG excluded? ( How and when did solo’s cabinet colleague minister especially Momodu and Kanja finance their house(s) in Freetown and elsewhere? ( What role did solo play in the contract transactions with the former triple R ministry? ( Why is J.B D back so soon? ( What is the difference between ?Friends of Berewah’ and the SLPP? ( How much party offices have been built to facilitate the progressive operations of the SLPP and is there any existing record of proper accounting if the party operation? Charity begins at home. ( What has gone wrong with the Yansaneh’s case? ( Has Berewah ever and is he willing to disclose his assets? ( How transparent is the SLPP governance? ( What happened to the Marine Resources indictments? ( What has Berewah done to personally fight financial corruption in kabbah led SLPP government? ( What has been solo is most public oriented legislation? ( What has been solo’s role in improving judicial transparency in Sierra Leone. ( How does Solo fund his presidential campaign tours? ( What is solo is legacy as our VP that would convince us to prefer him to others? ( Lastly, what is the difference between Tejan Kabbah and Berewah? ( What does the VP know about the functions of the CDF leadership? ( Hoe long would it take solo and the Pa. to finally acknowledge the former INEC building as a legitimate party asset. ( Has solo’s boss returned all property belonging to late Sir Albert and others confiscated for similar reasons as ngor Tejan’s whose was graciously returned by late saidu Momoh?
Mr., Daboh, were you to cause answers to these concerns, you and Berewah will surely spend my vote in 2007. However, I am convinced that you know better than what you wrote about what Berewah is, and would become were we to entrust him with our presidency- a corrupt bravado. So join the bandwagon for a positive change. Do not allow your resourceful vision to be clouded by the noise of the ?batou colleagues’ just to maintain the status quo. You and I know that Momodu, Kanja, Wurie and host of others who were so ?rich’ before joining Tejan to misrule us opted to have mansions only during the post war reconstruction funds poured in. Therefore, what is the rap! Do you know that the SLPP is more corrupt than the shaki APC? The stinky nonsense about sticking with the palm tree should not be on our table this 21st century. Rather, we all should be considering who has the strength, willingness and above all patriotic stamina to lead us. And indeed, that leader can be a limba, temmene, mende, Susu, etc, etc. I am form the South, (the so-called SLPP assured constituency), but if Ernest Kromah can be a better leader, I believe he or anyone else imbued with nationalistic sentiments ,respect for the law should be fully supported by all and sundry. The nonsense about regional politics pays nothing, but freaky corruption over our meager resources. It is no secret that in this 21st century, the only reasons dye-hard Berewah supporters can advance for the SLPP leadership continuity in power is regional sentiments, and not what the party has done or could do for the betterment of all Sierra Leoneans. Therefore, bra, nar for go back wase you face fine wae go make you eye go cee betteh person way lek the country and respect we the people not that power hungry corrupt monster- solo. Never again, endeavor to reduce your towering brilliance for such a wallowing defense or propaganda for Berewah. Your towering brilliance should have been rather utilized in finding ways and means to oust Solo and partners in crime from power than what you towing the line. Therefore, bro. ?Musa’, you really need to apologize to all who know and respect you for that Berewah parade-review platoon leadership contest. We know after Momodu, no other bag -carrier shall be endowed. Solo is already over saturated with corruption, so he can only further excruciate the over flowing pains from our raw wounds sustained because of his augmented poor and corrupt stewardship to Tejan. I think there is a better and more progressive choice out there. Think about it.
Kehtamia
Bro. Hashim
Kabba’s Bogus Christmas Address to the Nation By Sidie Yahya Tunis
Monday January 23, 2006
When I read President Kabba’s Christmas address to the nation on the website, I immediately felt the urge to response as it was filled with misleading information and self entitlements, but then also decided to wait as I had hoped that one of the opposition political parties will respond. Since they did not, I do not think that it would be fair to the Sierra Leonean people for that address to go without response.
One of the most fascinating things about the president’s speech is actually crediting himself for achieving national security in our country and claiming that his focus all along has been nation security and that he is happy that he achieved it. Well Mr. President, I first want to remind you that in 1996, when you gave your inaugural speech to the nation, you main focus in that speech was poverty reduction, something that you have to date failed to achieve, but of course you will not the country that. Hypothetically however, let us say national security was your main focus, just how did you achieve this. If you cared so much about national security Mr. President, the 1997 coup would have never taken place in the first place because the entire country now know that you knew about that coup at least a week before it happened and you did nothing stop it from taking place. Do you know what your negligence did to our country and its people Mr. President? Not only did it set our country back economically and developmentally, but it also caused the death of thousands of Sierra Leoneans and left many more amputated. The 1997 coup was reversed, thanks to the help of Sierra Leoneans and the Ecomog troops, not you and you were reinstated. What else happened after that? You did nothing to strengthen the security in our country and you were kicked out again causing the death of more Sierra Leoneans. You know it hurts when you consider all these things and yet tell the people something completely different. Indeed, our country is secured Mr. President, but who should really be given credit for that? I believe you know the answer and it is definitely not you. Sierra Leoneans will always remain thankful to the international community especially the British and the UN, the same international community your foreign minister is now discrediting, for saving our country from the senseless war, which could have been averted if you were security conscious enough.
Putting the 90’s aside, if we are to consider the current activities in our country, you are doing nothing that is in line with national security and in fact everything you are doing now directly jeopardizes national security. First you went to Makeni and manipulated the SLPP convention, thereby imposing your not so healthy and very unpopular VP on the people, then you fired and or intimidated all government officials that refused to vote for Berewa at the convention, then made a trip to London with your Vice President where you both planned and called for Charles Margai’s arrest and now have come up with the most recent bombshell, the arrest of Omorie Golley for subversive behavior. A man you once praised for contributing so much to the peace process in our country and so one that has recently been some how very close to you. Are all these things really in line with national security? What should have really been outlined your speech, Mr. President are the following:
As a Sierra Leonean Mr. President, I have no reason to believe or trust in anything you say because all you really did for Sierra Leoneans is bring us terror and sufferings and believe you mean, you will go down in that country’s history as the worst President ever simply because you let down that country more than any leader it has ever had and that country also sacrificed for you more than any president ever elected. People actually lost their lives for you in standing against the AFRC because they had so much hope that you will change things in that country, but you turned out to be a nightmare and all those hopes of a better Sierra Leone were crushed and now you want us to follow Solo B so that he can continue your dream of poverty reduction (yes indeed). Well, we would rather have someone else reduce our poverty, but not Solo B. He is already made it categorically clear that he is the right man to continue you policies. I don’t think we want anymore of your policies because they are definitely not good for our country, but only for you and your Ministers. Here are however some of the things that you achieved as President:
Bravo for these achievements, but please ensure that the people of Sierra Leone elect their next President freely and fairly and please refrain from the political witch hunting and bogus arrests of citizens because we surely want to continue enjoying the peace we have in our country now and surely do not want to see another image of you on television crying at Lungi Airport. They swallow camels but strain at gnats NO JUSTICE IN SIERRA LEONE By Wilfred Kabs-Kanu When it comes to prosecuting people who undermine their political and economic interests , you will never find them wanting. They will twist every legal dictum and derive a charge under whatever name to build a case against the unfortunate ones. And once charged, the victims are almost always certain of being found guilty . But when it involves the protection of the laws of the country and dispensing justice for the common man, they are always wanting. Only those with an exaggerated perception of this government ever expected it to prosecute the alleged killers of journalist Harry Yansaneh. This breed of men and women ruling our country today provide the worst case scenerio of a government that has no interest in justice. As a newspaper, we do not want to conclude as yet that the government’s case against Mr. Omrie Golley is just another example of bringing the sword against an innocent citizen the government just wants to get out of the way. As a nation, we have supped full of trumped-up charges against innocent citizens by governments .Many Sierra Leoneans have said that the government is just lying on Golley , but as an outspoken , fearless and independent paper , we are holding our views on this and waiting to hear what the charges of subversion against Golley are going to be. We will not jump the gun . However , as a newspaper set up to defend the interests of justice and human rights in Sierra Leone, we can say that we hope the government will dispense justice with fairness and legality in this Golley case. There is what is known in law as THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE. An accused is innocent until he is proved guilty by a competent court of legal jurisdiction. Golley may have been a Spokesman of the much-despiced RUF, but since he is not being held because of his ties with that rebel group, his past must in no way serve as a basis to judge his innocence or guilt in this matter. The government must ensure that every element of whatever crime he will be charged with ( if at all ) is proved beyond a reasonable doubt by a clear and convincing evidence. Sierra Leoneans may hate what the RUF did to this country, but if any citizen is wrongfully prosecuted ( Links with RUF notwithstanding ) , no judicious-minded person in the nation will support the government on such a violation of the constitutional and human rights of that citizen. But then who trusts the government’s judicial machinery to provide justice for the ordinary man in the street ? Nobody believes that justice can be fairly rendered in today’s Sierra Leone. People believe that the government manipulates the law to satisfy its whims and caprices. The Paul Kamara case was a mere flash in the frying pan. And the government has just compounded its problems with credibility where the rule of law is concerned when the Attorney General’s Office announced that it will not charge Fatmata Hassan , her children and other accused for beating Harry Yansaneh to death. Whatever goaded the government to take such a shameful and cruel decision, this is one action that will resonate beyond the borders of Sierra Leone. First of all, at a time when many other West African nations are taking strides to promote justice and the Rule of Law, Sierra Leone will be seen as setting yet another disgraceful precedent as the one country where nothing–Not even the law– works. And this will not improve our ability to get foreign assistance to rebuild our country. Pledges of assistance are different from the actual act of really disbursing the promised funds. We are already internationally famous for being politically undemocratic and unserious over matters of promoting human rights. Some of the worst violations of human rights ever in this world happened in Sierra Leone. You will not find any country where combatants of war amputated the limbs of innocent people . We have not even recovered from this appalling stigma, and look at what our government has done again ? A poor, innocent man is beaten to death just because his aggressor thinks she has power. And we are going to let her go free ? The international community might just as well conclude that we are not committed to the promotion of the rule of law , despite all that Britain , the U.S. and other stakeholders have done to improve our judiciary. Whether they will continue to put their money in a country where the leaders are not serious about justice is purely their own business. But it will take foolish international donor agencies and friendly countries to continue supporting a government that has no respect for the lives of its citizens. Now , people are beginning to see what is creating the Charles Margais and Hinga Normans in our already contentious society. There is too much duplicity in the dispensation of justice. Probably, that is the case Margai wants to prove by planning to provide legal representation for Golley. The government must be careful with this kind of impunity. They are provoking people to take the law into their own hands. If citizens realize that the government will not provide justice when a powerful mamber of society harms or kills their relatives , they will take the law into their own hands to pursue revenge. We are also beginning to see the unwitting creation of a lawless society in our country. When a Fatmata Hassan and her kids beat up a poor man , kick and trample him and leave him lying hopelessly hurt, bleeding and dying and they are set free, even after the man dies, the Tree of the culture of impunity is being nourished in the country . More Fatmata Hassans are going to emerge , who will think that because of their excessive power, they can kill anybody and go free . AND CONVERSELY, an aggrieved and angry populace will arise who will decide that when their relatives get killed, the legal system is not the way to go to get justice. They will be their own jury and executioner and indeed when this happens, it will be utter chaos in the country. Should this be the price that our nation must pay for voting for a worthless and impotent government that does not care for justice ?
<“The Hand of the Diligent will Rule” He stated that he was so disgusted by the behavior of the unruly crowd that We were not at Bo to witness exactly what transpired between Charles Margai Despite the many side-taking statements coming from both political camps in This simple situation could become a violent political strive if the Third, citizens have the right to boo at their leader in a show of Fourth, although this is not intended to hold him responsible for the mob Karamoh Kabba ************************************************ WE ARE TIRED OF PRESIDENT KABBAH’S CARE-FREE ATTITUDE TO THE COUNTRY Wednesday November 16, 2005 Dear Sir, Could I please use your credible medium to tell Teejan Kabba that we are disgusted with his care free attitude towards our country.
Lets call a spade a spade, THE MAN IS USE LESS. How can he call himself a president of a country with a capital city like FreeTown? NO ELECTRICITY, NO WATER SUPPLY, NO HEALTH FACILITIES, ZERO ROADS, FILTH EVERY WHERE and the man is still proud to be called PREFECT. Somalia has been without a government for 15 years, but can boast of electricity and water supply. What is your problem BIG BABY ?.
I know your stupid chronics will read this and hate me, instead of telling you the actual state of the country. But they should be searching for the definition of ECONOMIC TREASON. Lontha ( This is just the Alpha) James Brima. London.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s and in no way reflect our opinions or standpoint : COCORIOKO
SOLO BEE, A BOMB WAITING TO EXPLODE?
By Ahmed Koroma
Wednesday November 2, 2005
Leadership is definitely missing from Sierra Leone, When a country has abundant human and natural resources but still wobbles, it is clear that country has not got good leadership. A country is developed by people and people need someone to organise them, and to train them and to motivate them. They need someone to listen to them, to love and care for them. With these, they are enabled to put in their best and unleash their creative energies.
When a leader is committed and has vision the rest tend to follow. When I read that ?politics is not for beginners’ attributed to VP, I was gob smacked. What a beautiful statement .I was tempted to ask whether the statement was actually Berewa’s language and thought, or simply the thought of the journalist in Concord Times. Many who would probably think like me would want to conclude that the statement is the thought of the journalist. If not, the experienced leadership Berewa is talking about is one that leaves Sierra Leoneans living in abject poverty, no good roads, no pipe borne water, none or rationed electricity, late payment of salaries, quantity education not quality education, the kind of leadership that will leave Sierra Leoneans to suffer and sleep rough on the streets and going around begging day and night on an empty stomach. How can someone who has contested and won an election, sent to jail, become chairman of SLPP southern region and revive a whole political party, minister when our police was revamped; a household name in politics for the right reasons be a novice in governance?
Everyone agrees that a country like ours that has abundant human and natural resources but still wobbles clearly shows that it has not had good leadership. Sierra Leone is a typical example of such a country. The APC and SLPP leadership has been a class that is solely corrupt and concerned more about their personal wellbeing, and fatness of their bank accounts in the USA, UK or Brussels to mention just a few.
How else could this be confirmed, when a Vice President is reported to have a house in Chicago and building a massive complex in Goodrich, a Minister has a house in London where his younger sister stays, and another house in Gillingham belonging to the longest serving minister, when people that have destroyed state institutions like the post office are now Presidential Spokesmen, when people who sold our diplomatic missions went Scot free as people in high places were involved, when corrupt ex-minister are now ambassadors and when someone banned from holding public office is now President . Definitely that country is unlucky with the kind of leadership it has got. A country is developed by people and people need someone to organise them, to train them and to motivate them.
Indeed the Vice President is very right, Sierra Leone’s present leaders are no doubt motivating the citizens at least by making them realise that Sierra Leone is not the best place to live , and that corruption and looting the treasury to make sure they get houses that is not commensurate to there salaries is a good thing. Sierra Leoneans need someone to listen to them, to love them and care for them. With these, they are enabled to put in their best and unleash their creative energies. The Vice President who has a vast experience in government and governance once led the justice ministry we know how retrogressive that department became, how cases were settled like that of Lilian Lisk, how we lost our High Commission building and wasted money on lawyers in London with his perfect Legal advise, his role highlighted in the TRC report for us all to read, how he gave contracts that were never honoured when he was chair of the Tender Board, and how he has travelled out of the country but without bringing any tangible results for us all to see. That is Sierra Leone for you.
On VP’s recent visit to London it created more ripples than wave, After watching the uncut programme on OBE television today 31st October 2005, his failure to propagate his vision for the country but rather his barrage of personal attacks on people like Moijue KaiKai left me with a sad note that indeed SLPP made the wrong choice in my home town, Makeni. VP must know that people don’t need to know him for them to criticise him constructively. He behaves like someone that is vindictive and undiplomatic. Since his election he is making more enemies than friends. When the whole world is going for youthfulness with some amount of experience I must say Berewa lacks that on his performance in London. He failed to win hearts and minds of both compatriots and friends. What was also strange was the deliberate snubbing of the branch party. It was rather strange that the SLPP as a branch party was not only marginalised but there was no statement from its officials among the speakers or no mention was made of them by any of the speakers. Is this what Berewa SLPP is all about? The jury is out for now.
The question is what contribution has Solo Bee’s been in government done to the ordinary man, zero. Berewa portrays the notion that he brought peace to our country. HOW? While this Berewa was whisked away and given safe passage from Freetown by the AFRC boys like Zagalo and Mohamed Bangura (now in the UK) to Guinea .While Sierra Leoneans were fighting for the liberation of our motherland Sierra Leone, he was living quietly in Chicago-USA for most of that time. While the CDF, ECOMOG and loyal soldiers were dying at the battle field, he was globetrotting all over the place for personal reasons. Did he ever visit the battle field to give moral to our fighting forces? nooooooooooo. After the LOYAL SOLDIERS, ECOMOG AND CDF forces have dislodged AFRC/RUF out. Berewa came into the picture as Attorney General and Justice Minister to broker a fudged peace treaty. If he is proud of this then guess want happens next, Berewa left Foday Sankoh with arms and ammunition which he later used to kill innocent civilians for which until he left the justice ministry no conviction has been done ,so why is he proud of such a poor and appalling record?
Sierra Leone is at a cross road. At this time in our country’s history the only men that will fit such a bill is either Positive Man Don Cam- Charles Margai. Or APC’s Ernest Koroma. Or for a better Sierra Leone I am appealing to Charles and Ernest to put SIERRA LEONE first by coming together to form a THIRD FORCE that we are craving for. Sierra Leoneans must know that one of the most successful leaders of the world Bill Clinton was never a VP in his life time. The last time someone was imposed on us we know how Momoh failed. Solo Bee must go into retirement with his boss Kabba.
HINGA NORMAN WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR BAD BLOOD BETWEEN ARMY AND LOCAL DEFENCE UNIT Friday September 23, 2005 First_Name: Marian The local Defense unit first started in Tongo when the people of Bambara chiefdom approached the military commander in Kenema that they wanted to put together their local hunters to help the Army defend Tongo and its environs .There relationship with the army at that time very good . They armed themselves with shot guns(single Barrel) and all their logistics was provided by their local leaders. They never operated or undertook operations by themselves ,neither did they have specific areas of responsibility. They operated purely under the command of the Army. With the Tongo example other areas followed suite and formed their local defense units all under the guidance of the Army. When Kono fell in 1993 it was the local Tamamboro from Kabala who along side the army liberated Kono from the RUF.By then the kono people did not have a local defense unit. It was after the second Attack on kono that they also formed the Donso to help defend Kono.On the southern front there were local vigilante group operating and one such group was under Norman’s control. Since he was the regent chief of Tailu Bongoh and as an ex military man he was given the free hand to coordinate with his vigilantes without much interference. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE SLPP DOES NOT WANT CHARLES MARGAI IN THEIR MIDST Wednesday September 14, 2005 First_Name: Sorie I Last_Name: Kamara Email_Address: [email protected] Comments: I am reading with interest and at times utter dismay, the views expressed about Charles Margai and the SLPP. People seeem to forget that this is the third time the SLPP leadership has denied Charles the leadership. In 1995, his figure was switched and given to Tejan Kabba because according to the leadership then, if Charles had been allowed to go ahead as leader the SLPP would not have won the general elections as the party would have again been looked upon as a mendeman party. It was all so messy that when all the results were computed there were seven more votes than registered delegates. This would have warranted a Supreme Court action that would have favored the military boys including Maada Bio. Charles quit the party then and a lot of invectives were thrown at him. He came back into the party and was received by the late Chairman, Rev Paul Dunbar, Okere Adams, Alusine Deen who was representing the Leader and President, Ahmed Tejan Kabba. Charles was handed over to the Chairman by the then Chairman of the NUP Dr Rahmadan Dumbuya. Charles remained in the party and was even a minister but with the relentless obstruction from Kabba and Berewa, he had to leave. Again he underwent a lot of nastiness from the leadership and its paid agents. In 2002, Charles wanted to force the party hierachy to obey its own constitution by attempting a court injunction on the party executive. The Secretary General then now defeated Dr Prince Harding wrote to the court that Charles had no locus standi to take the party to court as he had left the party. This provoked a swift court action for perjury. When the case opened in the High Court and the lawyer for Charles Margai then, Browne-Marke, quoted a section of the court proceedings that is commonly used by lawyers all the time for judges to sign and bring the alleged offender to court. The judge, Bankole Raschid, sat attentively listening to Browne-Marke, when suddenly supreme court judge Joko Smart appeared from nowhere straight into the court while in session and whispered something in the right ear of the judge. He then stood down the case and followed Joko Smart to the office of the Attorney General and Minster of Justice, Solomon Berewa. When Rashid came back he was a different person. In the end Charles was declared not a member of the SLPP as he could not produce his party card and that all monies deducted directly from his salary as minister to the party were donations. That very day Kabba declared his cad Rashid was at the Hill Station lodge. Under pressure from the rank and file of the party, Kabba had to restore the membership of Charles in the party much to the disappointment of Berewa. As the campaign for the leadership went on the way it became clear to all and sundry that Charles was enormously popular both within the party and without. One would have understood as it holds in any logis that a party puts forward a candidate that is likely to win them power. But that was not to be. Kabba had a different design that Berewa should suceed him at all costs. The rest is now debate. What should Charles do? It is clear that the SLPP does not want Charles in their midst this being the third time round that he has been denied the leadership. So if Berewa believes he is that popular then let him slug it out with Charles to the nation. I support Charles to form his own party after consultations with his supporters. The SLPP must be crazy to do what it has done to this single individual. Everybody or rather those who stand to benefit from Berewa are now saying Charles should go nowhere but stay in the party and give Berewa a smooth ride to power. He is no Tejan Kabba. When Sir Albert underestimated the popularity of Brewah, Kai Samba and Prince Williams, he behaved as Kabba has now behaved and the SLPP lost power. That histoery is there for a lesson to the SLPP. Charles Margai is a Sierra Leonean and was born of a woman. What could he have done so evil to these people to hate this much? Now the Temes say if the Mendes do not want him let them hand over Charles to them and we all know what that means. Let us discuss this affair but without insults, abuses etc.
Up till Monday 15 August 2005, the whole nation and every Sierra Leonean in the universe (dead and alive) breathlessly awaited the end of the long and agonising saga of the Sierra Leone Peoples�?? Party (SLPP) leadership race at the Party�??s National Convention, scheduled for the 19th and 20th of August in Makeni. Now that Chief Hinga Norman�??s injunction has fortunately or unfortunately caused a twist in the tale, it appears we all have to very patiently wait a little longer; but for how long? Only President Kabbah, his cronies and the Old Guards who are bent on pressing the SLPP �??Self Destruct Button�?? will tell.
Nevertheless, it has been a long and exciting period of campaigning in and around the country and even beyond �?” England and America. How sweet the way SLPP politics have captivated the imagination of the country, demonstrating a well-established power and love for the party. On the other hand, this could also be a potent illustration that Sierra Leoneans the world over do care who becomes the next president of the country since being the elected leader of the party could mean a ticket to the presidency.
We may be wrong about that but as wrong or correct as we may be, one thing is very clear in this whole episode of political machinations. What is clear is that both ordinary Sierra Leoneans (party members and non party members alike) want to have the opportunity to freely play a role in determining who their next leader should be after the abysmal performance of President Kabbah. It seems people have learnt from their bitter experiences the consequences of simply accepting a candidate by just good will and no proof of substance as was in the case of the current president. It seems that the country is now awoken to, and prepared to exercise their reasoning power of scrutiny and accountability through a dynamic participatory democratic process.
And what will all of this mean? If our reasoning is correct, many will agree with us that this means Mr Solomon Berewa is in trouble. A good and strong Vice President of a country should, under normal circumstance, have no such problems as VP Berewa is facing to ascending to the throne. So, if the frail old man Berewa is facing such strong resistance, the question is why? Is something wrong with him or is it just that the country is now attuned to the principle of change? Or, maybe, that the SLPP hierarchy have still not learnt their lesson and still living in the past? Or is it that perhaps, they have the telescope in the blind eye?
We will start from where we believe this whole leadership contest actually got on to us by critically examining the whole process that got us to where we are today.
It was about half past five in the evening of July 9th, in London, when a phone call came in from Freetown informing us that the Sierra Leone Peoples�?? Party (SLPP) National Executive Committee (NEC) have cast the dice. It has reached a decision to elect the party�??s leadership officers including the successor to president Kabbah at the party convention on the 19th or 20th of August, 2005 in Makeni.
This news could not have come at a more appropriate time since we were in a political meeting discussing the politics of Sierra Leone, to be more precise, the SLPP leadership. Plans for the convention wherein officers of the party would be elected was common knowledge but to elect the president�??s successor was the real news because it was unexpected though not a surprise.
Unexpected because all initial talks and plans indicated the leadership election was to be at the national convention early next year, but not a surprise because history tells us that unscrupulous and desperate politicians in position of influence who see themselves as vulnerable, lacking in confidence and disadvantaged with regard to retaining their positions will always try one or two tricks. Is this the case with the SLPP NEC? Or is this another political gimmick? Or is it just a way of stating who is in the driving seat? Or perhaps, it is simply a different and better way of doing politics. These are the issues which should be examined in a highly hypothetical and robust way, and juxtaposition the situation into which SLPP has lead itself.
Be it as it may, it appears the SLPP is sleep walking into a trap and could potentially find itself (the whole party machinery and membership) entangled in a complicated, complex and prolonged political web which will certainly create a situation wherein the National Executive Committee of the party and delegates to a convention would elect the leader of the party, hence the presidential nominee that may not be the preferred choice of the majority of the party faithful; thus risking chaos within and splitting support which could have unintended consequences on the entire party come the general and presidential elections in 2007. All indicators today show that we are heading towards that direction.
However, we are where we are and there is no hesitation to say that a significant and potent cross section of the party membership, especially in the Diaspora, is highly suspicious and cynically sceptical about why the decision to elect the presidential candidate on August 19 or 20. Remember, Charles Margai and J B Dauda questioned this decision at a NEC meeting but other members failed to listen. Why? Were other NEC members so determined to rig and satisfy themselves that they gave a blind eye to the negative impact such a decision would have on the credibility of the party? The party has got legal advisers and where were they? It is unimaginable they could not work out the legal implications of that decision. Or, were they all just part of an ill thought, badly planned and reckless plot which they hoped no one would notice, pick up or even have the guts to challenge? How wrong, myopic and complacent can you be? How long can we wait for justice to be done for the SLPP and the people of Sierra Leone?
The past weeks and months have been pre-dominated with declarations by candidates for the top job, political relays and campaigns, manipulations and manoeuvrings, accusations and counter accusations of dirty tricks, dubious deals and spins. In short, the political temperature within the SLPP had been boiling hot and vibrant, surrounded by audacious moods characterised by poignant smells of foul play.
Who was then responsible for the sudden change of mind within the SLPP? Whose idea was it that election for presidential candidate came sooner rather than later and why? Well, the answer is simple as you will soon find out when we examine the dynamics of the campaign and how the leading contenders have conducted themselves so far, taking into consideration their stake and influence in the whole process. What is certain is that such ideas are usually proposed by an old codger on the way out and supported by an oily young person on the way up.
Vice President Berewa and Charles Margai have all along been core contenders in the forefront of the whole political debate as to who would or is likely to succeed President Kabbah. Many would have observed that all indicators have been showing an apparent, if not obvious, lead by Charles Margai over VP Berewa. This has not only put VP Berewa under constant pressure, but has also kept him very worried, anxious, confused and on the run. Unlike Charles Margai, some of Berewa�??s unplanned trips up country, clandestine meetings with Sierra Leoneans in America, some of his outrageous campaign statements and his most recent abysmal encounter with the SLPP UK and Ireland branch combined with his desperate desire (which knows no bounds) to succeed President Kabbah says it all.
So, considering the above, did VP Berewa have anything to do with the decision of the SLPP to bring the election for leader of the party forward? And did he have any role to play in the disgraceful and undemocratic attempt to stifle Charles Margai�??s rightful place on the party�??s National Executive Committee? All signs and evidences seem to be pointing towards that notion and many observers will tell you that VP Berewa has a lot to do with everything and anything that will get Charles Margai out of his way at any cost; and that Berewa would go to any extent to secure his ascendant to the throne. If this is the case, party members and indeed the rest of the country are bound to be worried and sceptical about such unscrupulous practices in disregard of openness, democracy, fairness, transparency, accountability and equality of opportunities within the SLPP.
It may very well be that VP Berewa will win the leadership contest of the SLPP by some dubious means. The only reason why the election for leader was brought forward is because that is VP Berewa�??s strategic move to, as early as possible, stop power slipping from under his feet. It is clear that VP Berewa has been loosing grounds, and loosing it very fast. Charles Margai�??s ferocious and high-powered campaign across the country and in the Diaspora seems to have offset Berewa�??s passionate egoism. It was therefore Berewa�??s only hope that an early election will prevent him loosing more grounds. Sadly enough, the party has succumbed to that unscrupulous Berewa strategy which, whether Berewa wins or loses, but more so if he wins, may inevitably have severe consequences on the whole democratic system and process on the country in general and on the party in particular.
The thought of VP Berewa succeeding President Kabbah with the sole purpose of carrying out the president�??s agenda is unfortunate and nothing but a nightmare and indeed very scary. The country has gone past that stage to allow such to happen to us in this 21st Century. It would be a huge error of judgement and an unforgivable mistake for Sierra Leoneans to allow this to happen.
Below are solid reasons why VP Berewa MUST not be allowed to become the next president of our Sierra Leone.
�?? He has nothing new to offer and void of ideas,
No one has to remind us that it is the moral responsibility of every citizen of Sierra Leone to make sure the country does not again, never again, go down its profound shameful, painful and dark past. NEC members of the SLPP have certainly not lost their wits yet and so is the rest of the country not suffering from psychogenic amnesia. So, we have something to prove �?” to demonstrate that we are all for a progressive Sierra Leone, a country that can embark on reforms, squarely face up to the extreme challenges and be united in our effort to making a difference. We have to demonstrate that we are fed up with the present corrupt system, which is beyond redemption, and that the status quo must change with immediate effect. Those of us who are genuine members of the SLPP appreciate the need for this change and are grateful that the nation has faith in our party. For this reason we are trying to put our foot down and eliminate these corrupt elements from within our party so we can deliver and serve our nation. We will only have ourselves to blame if we do not act now as we have been presented, in this case, with the biggest unique opportunity ever to determine the political path of our country. The choice now is ours �?” to do nothing and allow the country to continue to rot (which is definitely not an option) or to redeem ourselves from a potential demonic and good for nothing administration to be lead by VP Berewa.
For far too long our leaders have taken us for granted and for a ride and far too long we have encouraged them to take liberty over our lives. It is now time to say enough is enough, make them listen to our concerns and take into account our wishes and aspirations. After all, we are the voters and we have the power to vote them in or out. This is a wake up call for everyone so it is time we rise and make our voices heard. If we care for our country, our children and generations yet to come then we must act now or our children will never forgive us for letting them down.
These are anxious and trying times for the country and its citizens. Sierra Leone at the moment is in desperate need for a redeemer who can take us out of our misery and the onus is on the SLPP NEC members and delegates to give us the right person. The unquestionable support and love for the SLPP across the country puts the party in a vantage point and we expect them to deliver to us what we want, as long as it is not VP Berewa because the country deserves better. SLPP is our party and we will always be loyal to it. But this does not mean a blind or sycophantic loyalty. As members of the party, it is our duty to question and scrutinise the performance, policies and decisions of the party leadership. We owe it to the supporters and the citizens of Sierra Leone to do just that. We want to see our party at the centre of positive changes, making a difference in people�??s quality of life and ensuring the party stays in power by delivering the goods through good governance and best practice. The SLPP is a solid embodiment of a many virtues with regard to Sierra Leone politics. Our pride must be demonstrated in what we do in terms of practising and preaching our beliefs and conviction, in our capacity to produce a president stronger in conviction, mightier in battle and victorious at the end.
It is a very sad story that is about to be unfolded before our eyes if we are not careful. Amazing what VP Berewa says when confronted with issues on matters of policy. All he says is that he wants to continue the policies of President Kabbah and that they are giving the lead. Giving the lead to where? The lead back to anarchy, back to chaos, back to corruption and total destruction. As far as we are concern, President Kabbah has three main policies which are CORRUPTION, CORRUPTION AND CORRUPTION. Kabbah�??s policies are a policy of bankruptcy and despair. Berewa may not be clear in his mind about how he, as an individual, intends to lead the nation but we want to say and tell our party faithful and the rest of the country that a lead based on Kabbah�??s three main policies is not the lead we want. We want a president that has an agenda we can disagree to agree on, a programme that will address the needs of the country and not the failed policies of president Kabbah. We believe that by not presenting an alternative policy, Berewa is showing gross disregard for the people of Sierra Leone and taking us for granted. It shows he has nothing new to offer and that he has completely ran out of steam. How wrong can you and your supporters be about the people of this country Mr VP Berewa? You have sat there long enough Mr Berewa; you have offered nothing and have nothing to offer. In God�??s name, go. And for President Kabbah, the country�??s ultimate statesman, to engage himself in electioneering for Mr Berewa in the way he has done is just evident of his consistent bad judgement. This is not statesmanship, this is emotional spasm.
Sooner or later, behind the façade of political controversies, the SLPP will have to face a simple choice �?” to elect Mr Berewa (if he survives the race till then) or Mr Margai. What delegates and the rest of the country should remember is that the fogs of political controversy can obscure many issues. We must be bold enough, in the interest of our country rather than the party or the individual, to accept that our government for far too long has pretended not to see what it does not like. In the words of Joe Grimond, it has put the telescope to the blind eye. It has put the telescope to the blind eye so that it can say there is no enemy in sight. But fellow party members, country men and women, brothers and sisters, there are enemies, there are tough decisions to be made and there is passion to be generated. The enemy is wrong values and complacency, inertia – inertia in the face incompetence, corruption and injustice. These are the enemies we face. Other nations have built their institutions under the hard discipline of a strong and democratic leadership. It is time for us to show that the SLPP, as a party, can do this as free people and without prejudice.
We may be members of the Charles Margai Campaign Group in the United Kingdom but we are open to all forms of objectivity and rational thinking. In this respect, we want to point out that this leadership election is not so much about Charles Margai. It is about CHANGE (change that is necessary to bring our country back on its feet, change that will make us all proud once again to be Sierra Leoneans) and SUBSTANCE (substance in wealth of ideas, vision, conviction and principles). We refuse to believe that the vast majority of Sierra Leoneans really want to be dragged back into the same old system. It is our fervent belief and understanding that people want to move on to make life better for themselves and the country a better and safer place to live in. Sierra Leone deserves a leadership; a leadership that will improve quality of life, provide more and better opportunities for all and a leadership that will make the nation be at peace with itself and its people. We strongly believe that these could only be achieved through a dynamic, visionary and conviction politician like Charles F Margai. This being the crux of the matter, we urge delegates, when the time comes, to go into the convention to vote not with their feet or what personal benefits they stand to gain, but with their hearts and love for the nation and the party. This is an appeal and we hope people will listen for the world is watching. We can prove that as free citizens of a free and democratic nation, by our own power we can change the system and the status quo.
Some of you may not seem to be clear in your minds about what you want but we can tell you that many of us are no longer prepared to act as time servers and we will tell you why. Because we are people of conscience and honour, we are experience people with an unquestionable love for our country and party. There are many people who share our conviction and who will not, over night, become fellow travellers some other people are. In an few weeks or months delegates would be called again to vote for our new leader of the party hence presidential nominee. The result may do this party a grave blow but it is possible to prevent this. There are some of us, I think many of us, who will not accept that this blow need to be more. And there are also many of us who will fight and fight and fight again until we save the country and party we love.
It may very well be that Mr Margai will come out victorious, which would be excellent for the country and for the party. But remember, if Berewa wins he will only be a leader of the SLPP and not the president of Sierra Leone. And if unfortunately Mr Berewa becomes the leader and president, then we warn you all not to be ordinary, we warn you not to get old, we warn you not to fall ill, we warn you not to be educated, we warn you not to be young, we warn you not to be a mother, and we warn the last person to brace him/herself to live in perpetual darkness.
May God bless and guide Sierra Leone and the SLPP.
FROM THE CHARLES F. MARGAI CAMPAIGN GROUP IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
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THE COALITION OF PARTIES IS NOT A THIRD FORCE? Analyst Edie P.J. Vandy- Takes a look at the Coalition’s Dilemma.
Friday August 19, 2005
Mainstream media continues to blog on the rising prominence of a Third Force as count down to the 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections looms near. Already five political parties, with more to join, under the guise of a coalition are set to replace the dominance of the SLPP and the APC. A laudable venture, aimed at streaming down the proliferation of parties (without substance and have no business to be around in the first place), from crowding the political arena. Good.
The question many are asking is, “why the label of a Third Force to bolster this agenda”? Proponents of the initiative walks tall, take credence on their current numerical strength, and supposedly new direction and a leadership underpinning the merger. Opponents contend the notion, and promulgate that mere political pitching and tactical re-grouping of parties does not constitute an ideology of a Third Force: which emphasizes morality and performance, with a leadership structure depicting proven accomplishment in all walks of life. By design, the Third Force symbolizes a new breed of politician’s with a mindset of change. Failed and recycled politicians who’ve outlived their usefulness, and others caught up in corruption scandals should be non-participants in the new dispensation code-named the Third Force. Accountability is a watchword. To them breaking new grounds means taken such tough stands on key core values, on morality, corruption and good governance. A new party, Sierra Leonean Advocate for Progress (SLAP), seems position to hammer home the vision of a THIRD FORCE. They must be commended for taken on this challenge, and we wish them well.
The Coalition of Political Parties on the other hand, depicts a party for all, and downplays the importance of high morals and achievements. Theirs is a win mission at all cost and the formation of the next government, is all that matters. If this is the avowed goal, I see no distinction between the Coalition and the SLPP or APC targeted to replace? I see a continuation of the status quo, as the same political faces: stained, recycled and tired faces, keeps jumping fences from one party to the other for greener pastures. The UNPP, PNC, PPP, NPP and PDP, etc. are all offshoots of the APC, and their leaderships at point in time big time play-makers of their former party. Well meaning citizenry will give a serious thought on their defection, if at all to the coalition on this simple fact.
The Coalition of Parties vow, to take on the might of the ruling SLPP and their patron the APC, but will they? Very doubtful. They will be plaque with a leadership hassle and will not have the numerical strength and funding to play the game like the two targeted for replacement. Along the line, disaster looms. Mark this. The Coalition is going to crumble before you even know it. This is not the first time. Remember the Grand Alliance in 2002? It was another grandiose plan, but choice of leadership sent each parking own way. I hope not this time around. You see, political hallmarks indicate that Coalition of Political Parties has always included key political parties, to take on the incumbency, and victory is certainly assured in most cases. Political Veteran Mwai Kibaki and his National Rainbow coalition (Narc) won a landslide victory over the ruling KANU party in the Dec. 2002 elections. The opposition was formidable. Not the case with the Coalition. For how could they put up a serious fight with the SLPP, without APC participation? Its all media hype and politicking by a few section of the press, who might have a stake in the process itself?
Forget about an en-mass defection by die-hearted SLPP or APC party stalwarts to the Coalition, as it a false premise of hope. Of course, there is frustration in the rank and file of party memberships, and some cross carpeting will definitely happen, but will not translate into massive pledge of alliance with the Coalition. The grass root support base for the SLPP and the APC parties are solid and unshakeable. And they have representation from all walks of life, just like for every other party including the Coalition. Don’t even say that the SLPP and the APC have no representation, because they do. The difference though is in numbers. These two giants have numbers, more than the coalition. Politics is all about numbers.
A review of the current Coalition membership shows terminally brain-dead parties, rejected by the electorates in the 2002 elections, and again marginalized in 1996. The parties cowing under a coalition canopy only exist as labels, and have nothing to show as proof of a serious political party. Their membership is restricted to only the cities? And where they do, could not even put up candidates and representations for contested elections, like parliamentary and local government election across the country. They simply lack manpower, recognition and founding for party politics. See what I mean, In the 2002 Presidential elections, the RUFP, MOP, CUPP, YPP, GAP and UNPP leadership combined, only pulled a mere 4.5 % of the total votes cast, which was disgraceful to say the least. Don’t you get the picture: UNPP is history, with or without Karefa Smart, and he knows it. His best shot is, show solidarity for the Coalition at least in writing. That charismatic leader, the chemistry that once connected with the electorates has evaporated, and he is now forgotten. PDP is obsolete, and dead with the passing off of the founder, late Thaimu Bangura (of blessed memories). Where lies the much talked-about coalition? Come on, this is media rhetoric’s and propaganda? The UNPP, and PDP’s emergence as a force in 1996, has been dubbed as a political miscalculation, and the mistakes now corrected. They were perceived as an appendage of the APC, and voted for thinking that the APC’s political life span was over, following a disgraceful exit from the seat of power in 1992, after near some three decades of stranglehold on power. That was then, this is now, as the APC has made a come back, taken over their support base, and rendering these break away parties impotent in the process.
1996 was the best opportunity for a coalition victory, as the APC was in disarray, at the same time, the SLPP was recuperating from political wilderness after years of hibernation. Self interest, lust for power and pettiness, from amongst there rank and file blew this life giving chance asunder. Ernest Koroma’s APC suffered a humiliating defeat pulling a mere 5 %, whilst Tejan Kabbah’s SLPP managed a moderate 36 % of the total votes cast, far short of forming a government. And the rest of the park, some 11 parties led by UNPP, and the PDP, united they were, would have had a wining streak of 59 % votes, and just enough to have given then a political mandate, under a coalition? The second ballot again perfected a coalition opportunity, under a UNPP alliance. This never happened, as some PDP supporters and SLPP breakaways overwhelmingly supported Tejan Kabbah, given him the needed victory by some 60% over rival John Karefa Smart’s 40%. Weird though few people still do not believe in this victory. Low mindedness, possibly, but who cares?
The political dynamics is now changed, the population more conscious and enlightened. Many called it “awareness”, at all levels, with the grassroots and women fully involved, and a dynamic civil society, just some of the good things coming out of the war. Sierra Leoneans are no longer fools. They know that their own destiny is in own hands. This mindset, translated into a resounding 2002 presidential victory for Tejan Kabbah’s SLPP with a comfortable 70% (in a wow tee-tee victory) of the votes cast, followed by Ernest Koroma’s APC of 22%, with the rest of the other parties trailing by a mere 8%. Could you believe that, just 8%, very awful? What a pity for these parties, now re-grouped under a coalition. Do they stand a chance, definitely no!!
These statistics speaks by themselves. The people will once again reject a Coalition of Parties without APC participation. An APC re-emergence as a political force has been manifested in the 2002 elections, and in 2004 local government election, within the municipality of Freetown, where they made huge inroads, clinching the mayoral seat by a comfortable lead in the process. They are the party position for a meaningful challenge on the SLPP third term bid in 2007. A must win for the Coalition of Parties, is to court the APC to join their rank, which is doubtful, at least for now. Maybe the Coalition should pay homage to the APC, what about that? I see an uphill task for the Coalition to garner victory (with all the cross-carpeting trumpeted) over the APC, let alone the ruling SLPP party. Take my advice, or leave it: This Coalition will only be a force of contention with APC participation. Anything other than that is an illusion. Forget it; don’t even try it whilst you can. What a dilemma in the game politics for the Coalition. HINGA NORMAN’S NAME IS NO.1
By Mohamed Tarawally
John
What took you so long? What took you so long my brother? Nevertheless It is better to be late than never. I was so happy and full with joy when I heard your voice on focus on Africa tonight. You said it all. There are two candidate among the crowd that will mean well for Sierra Leone and Hinga Norman’s name is number one. If a man can give up his life and everything he has to save me there is nothing he cannot do for me. John continue to preach the truth, this is what I call leadership. For those of you who did not listen to the program, John Moriba is a member of parliament from the ruling party, he has broken rank with the party’s silence over the treatment of Hinga Norman. He said the government and the people are ungrateful to Mr. Norman. He said Mr. Norman is the most qualified man to lead the party, he is endorsing Mr. Norman for party leadership and the next President, Thank you my brother, we need more of you.
Mohammed Tarawally THE EXODUS TO IRAQ First_Name: Cillaty Some 100 Sierra Leonean nurses, lab technicians, caterers and plumbers were this This week’s departures will bring to 440 the number of Sierra Leoneans currently The Labor Ministry’s overseas employment officer Ismael Kargbo declined to The recruitment program is not confined to Iraq, Kargbo said, but also includes Labor Minister Alpha Timbo said Nigeria, Ghana and Guinea were also supplying “I personally feel good about the venture and the recruits are happy to go and “Everyone is eager to go as in its present stage, the Sierra Leone economy Though 100 US dollars seems a paltry sum for braving the hazards of Iraq, where Emerging from a decade of brutal civil war marked by the maiming and mutilation Aminata Sesay was one of many mothers who saw off their children on Saturday, “I fully support my son’s decision to travel,” she told AFP. “I just need him to : SYLVIA BLYDEN MUST BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE Sylvia Blyden ran away from SIERRANET and quickly metamorphosed into a journalist producing the poorly-circulating trash called AWARENESS TIMES(Never mind the hype) that is the butt of jokes online ,because she guessed right–COCORIOKO was `about to start letting the cat out of the bag on her. She feels that she can escape the dragnet by becoming a journalist overnight. But she will never escape from the truth. We are not going to go down her sewer by resorting to the bunch of lies she wrote about COCORIOKO and the Editor. We feel compelled to just set straight her wicked lies against us. Contributors to our forum have already said more than we could have said in rebuttal .Those who know the Editor from his days at FBC and Freetown and Monrovia, as well as in New Jersey know that there is no way anyone can equate this Editor with things like slander and libel. We spend more time defending innocent people. The Editor has an immpeccable record in appropriate Christian living. Also, readers of COCORIOKO know that the online newspaper is an embodiment of excellent, objective and interesting journalism. The same Sylvia Blyden was the one who was singing the Editor’s praises to the high heavens online in years gone by. Her chamelionic attitude to COCORIOKO , the very paper that sought to help her gain acceptance from Sierra Leoneans, is reflective of the character of the psychotic woman that stirs trouble wherever she goes and got kicked out of the Young People’s Party ( YPP) and Leonenet-UMBC. She used her familiarity with Christo Johnson to generate a negative response from him about Alex Mansaray’s plans( Not Kabs Kanu’s) to tap him as one of the writers for our soon-to-be-released print edition.We know that Christo had a right to be annoyed because we admittedly( We are humble.We admit our mistakes) made the error of publishing his name without first talking to him–An error for which we want to express our sincere apologies to the journalist. We are reputable men and Christo could do well to enquire about us from the hordes of Sierra Leonean journalists who know us. WE know that he did not say most of the things Sylvia Blyden wrote .This Editor was a close confidante and defender at Leonenet of Sylvia for 5 years so her ugly, gongoli tactics are well known to him. Only those who do not know her will believe that SHE quoted Christo right . Those who know the real Sylvia Blyden will just shake their heads after reading her bunch of lies, exaggeration and malice and sigh : “Oh, Sylvia. She does not change ” But Sylvia has a motive. She has to fabricate things against COCORIOKO now because she is well aware that this is the newspaper that will force her to answer one day what she was doing with Foday Sankoh and Johnny Paul Koroma at a time that Suffering Sierra Leoneans were fighting to get those monsters off the back of the nation. While Foday Sankoh and his brutal and heartless men were hatching plots about how to overrun the country , Sylvia was caressing Foday Sankoh and even constructing a website for him. Only a demonic mortal full of Satan will construct a website for Foday Sankoh. While the rebels were busy chopping off the limbs of innocent people and murdering others in droves, Sylvia Blyden had the guts to become one of Sankoh’s precious gems and `providing him a website to continue to perpetuate his incurable impunity against the nation. As if that was not enough, Sylvia also joined forces with Johnny Paul Koroma after the urchin had usurped power from President Kabbah and his thuggish soldiers were everywhere mercilessly slaughtering innocent people.It is `a symptom of our moral barrennes in Sierra Leone that a woman who almost caused the nation to fall into the hands of rebels and renegade soldiers could be cleared to run a newspaper. And Sierra Leoneans are so naive that they do not know that the donations she is giving to SLAJ and other bodies are all designed to close the mouths of people.It just shows our lack of security consciousness in Sierra Leone that a woman of Sylvia Blyden’s character and dangerous disposition would be allowed to join our Association of journalists and set up her own newspaper. A tiger is a tiger, regardless of her chamelionic character. You do not bring a tiger home and pet and pamper it. Habit nar smoke. E nor dey hide. Sylvia Blyden will put on all kinds of pretences now.But how ever long a human being pretends, she will not succeed to pretend forever. Her true character will come out one day.Sierra Leone will yet rue the day they shut their eyes, let their guard down against the potential danger that is Sylvia Blyden.The folks at the YPP quickly read through her and booted her from the party.Sylvia Blyden was the first person ever BANNED from Leonet-UMBC. We want to call on all our readers and fans in Sierra Leone and all over the world to pay no attention to Sylvia Blyden’s calculatted `lies against COCORIOKO.She is`paranoid after hearing that we are about to launch a print edition in Sierra Leone/. She knows that there is no way she can compete with us if we start publishing a print edition in Freetown. As people on our forum said, the article was provoked by insecurity and envy. You read our articles.You know that we produce hard core news `and analyses .Readers have been praising us from all over the world as could be seen from a reading of our Guest Book. The COCORIOKO you all know is different from the COCORIOKO being portrayed by Sylvia. We also have no lawsuits against us because whatever we have written against Sylvia Blyden can be proved. Sylvia is just lying. We do not write against people.All we have been doing is defending ourselves from Sylvia Blyden’s demonic lies. and flooding of our forum with porn. She will not dare to sue us. Nor is our relationship with the people of New `Jersey unfriendly as she wanted people to believe. . The Editor is highly respected in New Jersey and he has excellent relations with people here. Sylvia Blyden is a psychopathic liar. She does not know anything about the going-ons at New Jersey. But she has to lie because she wants to destroy our names. Kabbah may let Sylvia go but the next government to come to Sierra Leone will help us find out from Sylvia Blyden what she was doing with Foday Sankoh and Johnny Paul at a time that these men were hurting the nation. The truth will surely come out one day .Sylvia Blyden will self-destruct eventually .Even if she does not, we will make sure that she faces justice one day. How ? We know Sylvia. One day her true nature will start coming out and she will hobnob with another set of Foday Sankohs and Johnny Paul’s. She must always be on the wrong side of the law and committing treason. Sylvia can run, but she cannot hide.
NPRC CHICKENS COMING HOME TO ROOST ? First_Name: Mohamed El AHEAD OF THE SLPP PARTY CONVENTION: ANALYST PREDICTS A MARGAI VICTORY!! EPJ VANDY: [email protected] The eagerly anticipated, much talked about “mother of all elections” will now be convened in Makeni, heartland of the red rising sun, on 18-19 August 2005. Some 200 and more SLPP delegates, will assemble in what has been described as a “Conclave”, to elect a new leader to succeed current President Kabbah, expected to step down as leader immediately after the process. Seven (including Special Court Indictee Hinga Norman, if approved-according to COCKORIOKO?) will slug it out in a “bloody political battle” for the leadership of the SLPP. This analyst will attempt a forensic procedure on these candidates, (with exception of Hinga Norman), and their chances, based on current political landscape and mindset of the SLPP mainstream and broader spectrum at large. Already clear dividing lines have been drawn between opposing camps, with animosity and bitterness amongst these loyalists. Dirty politics is at play, at least for now until conclusion of elections, when unity and semblance of order will be upheld once again. The outcome of this election is of essence, as it will showcase the status of the country’s fledging and hard won democracy and it’s conformity to good governance, currently referred to as flawed by many, with a need for improvement to avoid a long legal wrangling at the end of the day. A continuation of the status quo, or a new path bordering on change will be a defining moment for the party going on to 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections, which this party is expected to win, regardless of the aftermath of this election. But the expectations for change precipitate many and a change in guard of the ruling party, to ensure a clean and sweeping victory in 2007, would be most welcome. Solomon Berewa, JB Duada, Charles Margai, Julius Maada Bio, John Leigh, and Lansana Nyallay; these men though different, have one thing in common. Over confidence is what they share in common, with each predicting victory at the end of the day. Pure coincidence. They all happen to be of mende origin. No tribal innuendos conjectured here, unlike what a few have started insinuating. These candidates deserve credit for standing up to take on the leadership challenge, open to all for participation without rancor to tribe or gender. As Gibril Gbanabome Koroma of the Patriotic Vanguard puts it “It will therefore be prudent for the SLPP membership to avoid electing a Mende to lead that party if they want other Sierra Leoneans to take them seriously. A Mende as leader of the SLPP after Makeni will just seal its image as a Mende party, no matter how well-meaning and nationalistic that person may be”. This writer expects the party to look around and seek for a disinterested leadership mind-set on tribal orientation, and not on merits or by the candidates own violation? No way. This has been done in past, the impact still felt under the current leadership. The SLPP is a party of inclusion for every Sierra Leonean, and positions of responsibilities within the party are up for grab by all regardless of tribe, or gender. Plainly put, a Tenme, Krio, Sherbro, Fula, Limba or Madingo etc. interested in the SLPP leadership would have come forward and declared intent, just like the others. Leadership by the way should not be imposed. It should be earned. This nation has moved beyond this tribal mentality, and progress has been made in that direction. Do not bring us back into another tribal rhetoric’s. By the way, why should it be only the SLPP to refrain from electing one of their own? This seems rather bias, don’t you think? This was a distraction; by the way, your candidates are now presented. See their chances. Solomon Berewa, known as “Solo Bee”, the Vice President, is the heir apparent, who since returned as VP in 2002 launched his political bid to ascension. Using state resources and machinery, he has traveled the length and breathe of the countryside campaigning, in the guise of handing over donor-support projects, as government owned initiatives. The VP enters the race as the strong favorite and his chances stand pretty good, not because he is the best, but because he is the Vice President, and he wields power and has money. Don’t you see the logic? The delegates are human beings, most of them pauperized and could be court and bribed to cast their ballots the other way from what their constituents represent. Their selection or appointment is even desired, as most of them bought their way into these positions, and have nothing to lose. Remember the Western Area Party Election, hijacked with money, TV sets and mobile phones? Political commentators report that 6 of the 12 districts have declared support for the VP, including the SLPP Young Generation and Women’s group in Kenema, and the UK and Ireland branch? So pretty much, Solo Bee is over-confident. And time again have said, that he is the most fit of all Sierra Leoneans, to lead this nation forward? Others see it differently, for he is not. For sure he has an enviable CV, but deemed controversial by many. His legacy will be written around the war and the peace process of Abidjan and Lome, the architect of the special court (amidst denial). The forces of nature against the VP though are many and varied. Analysts say, his commitment to the party has been and is still questionable, joining the party only in 2002; his refusal and objection to a deduction from his salary in respect of Party dues, and declaring in the process that he was not a member of the SLPP, continues to linger in the minds of party stalwarts. His critics consider him as the “protector” of interest groups from due prosecution in high charge anti-corruption cases, and under his watch as the Procurement oversight, government money continue to en-rich few interest groups, whilst corruption continues to thrive unabated. Under his watch, many ugly revelations have been unearthed; including the MIK Education contract considered a bogus deal, a scam. Sections of the press who wanted to make this a fight got muted, just like the Education Minister, who got freaky and gave the issue a lip service. Solo Bee represents Shrewdness and arrogance, analyst observed.
To many, a Berewa led-administration is not the best for the SLPP, neither for this nation, as his endorsement of party leader will only make the situation worsened. Enough has been seen and heard of him, and many will applaud his exit. The SLPP has to rise up and stop a continuation of the current status quo. Berewa’s chances stands at one in two, which is pretty good. This man is wounded, bloody and his grip on power almost certain and assured. He can do anything at this time to remain in control. The whole process should be watched critically to avoid any political gimmick. He should be stopped and defeat for him is only by an alliance from the rest of the contenders. JB Duada, popularly known as “Jam Body”, has also put on gloves and stepped into the ring. He is a veteran from the “Old School” of Politicians, including the long ones spent in romance with the APC. And this has hunted him to date, putting him on the defensive and making him edgy. His case for an APC “rock en roll” was to stay alive, unlike many who stood their ground and refused to be intimidated. The late Teacher Largo (may his soul rest in peace), Charles Margai and many more held on to their political beliefs and refused the draft. This was personal gratification, and not for party gains, Mr. Finance Minister! Three decades of mis-rule, tyranny, hardship and poverty, was all that came out of your political ditch. Jam Body has a lot of political explanation to make on his proven record, which remains to be desired. As Finance Minister, many ask the question, are Sierra Leoneans better off now than before? Absolutely no. Under your watch, 70 percent of your people remain in poverty, with 25 percent extreme. At least you’re bold in accepting your government’s poor performance as promised, unlike the administration and the leadership who thinks otherwise. Notwithstanding these things, Jam Body is confident in victory. Commentators give him a favorable lead and support in the east, including Kenema, Kono, with Kailahun playing the waiting game. Pujehun in the south is on a romance path with him, and many northerners trust in him more than the others, as he was one of their own. His chances, looking at the books and current politicking, Jam Body seems a formidable player and could not be dismissed easily. He is going to put a solid fight. His best shots are one in five. This election is not his call, just like Solo Bee, for they are one and the same in overseeing a failed system. An alliance though with Margia, could bolster him up, for another Ministerial appointment, maybe? Julius Maada Bio, former no. 2 man and erstwhile Chairman of the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC), following a palace coup that sent his boss packing for exile, is also poised to take this fight head on. Speculations were that he had previously backed out of the race. But no, he is still in contention. His admired supporter, drawn mainly from the OBBA alumni, a powerful political clan, speaks honorably of him. He was a fine soldier, one of the best. He is considered a perfect gentleman, incapable, of hurting a fly, and very hard working. He is educated, and one of the few who turned a crisis into an opportunity, unlike others who blew theirs away. Maada Bio stands out amongst the others as been a former President of this nation, and he knows the game plan well. Against the backdrop of all these qualities, many still do not like him, partly for bringing down his trusted lieutenant and boss Strasser, on grounds of derailing the political process and attempting to hold on to power, an alibi, hailed by many at that time. And he blew it away. His peace before election campaign (PEBEC) made him a suspect. Sierra Leoneans wanted a change at all cost. Not even bullets were going to simmer down their resolve. Cornered and pressured by the people’s solidarity, he had to let go against his will. His legacy like that of the NPRC was leaving behind a failed and collapsed system, breed for conflict. President Kabbah, could not hold the forth, after the NPRC’s divisive rule and economic bastardization, especially towards the latter part of the Junta’s 4 year rule, plunging the country into chaos and mayhem. Wait a minute. The NPRC did an extremely fine job in the first year going on to two of their rule. A repeat of that rule stands to be one of the Sierra Leone’s finest moments. Now the former military man is back in civilian apparels, only this time with a vengeance to reclaim a leadership that is his. Maada Bio is predicting victory, and is quoted to defeat all the other contenders and heavy weights hands down. So where is his confidence coming from? Don’t forget he is coming from a ruling family, a household name in the south. He has friends, made during his rule hey days, and there are his many colleagues from the OBBA political clan, most of them now in high places and they have contacts. The election outcome would have been different, if mandate was people designed. But this is a vote by a selected few. One in ten are his chances. The nation is not ready to receive him yet. The party too will not want to put him up at this time. Bio’s political career seems bright, but not his call on this occasion. Chairman Bio should play it smart and pull forces with one of the leading contenders. A ministerial appointment awaits him in 2007. That is his platform to the presidency. He needs it to prove that he can lead not with guns but with brains. Former Ambassador to the US, John Leigh is another contender. He is a man of courage but his critics see it differently. To them, he is a man out on a mission to seek vengeance? He is deemed ungrateful, and only crying foul when snubbed by the president in the choice of the Vice President. If by standing out to the President on issues of political correctness, one is deemed ungrateful, then he is a hero. And of course he is one. He challenged the Junta, and served as one of the architects that brought that heinous misrule creeping to its knee. He is a man for the people. He blew the whistle in April 11, 2001 on the TGS-NOPEC Oil Deal, which in many quarters was referred to as shady, and considered anti-progress and not in tune with national interest.
Time and again, John Leigh himself has laid bare the truth of the matter. For the information of the public, he told COCKORIOKO April 11, 2005, ” My real concern in speaking out against the deplorable state of affairs in our country has to do solely with the future of our country and the role of the current LEADERSHIP in shaping our country’s future and the improper way the LEADERSHIP appears to be going about achieving its highly publicized goal of CONTINUITY under the announced candidacy of newcomer Berewa”! People should give audience to John Leigh and they would get to know him better. Like many, has giving so much to the party, one of the many who financially revamped the party when it was fiscally broke to compete in the 1995 presidential and parliamentary election. His imprints were in the Party propaganda material Party Manifesto for the presidential and parliamentary elections in 1995.
John Leigh, unlike many SLPP core are “financially greedy”, starving the party to carry out meaningful reforms, in the process. Frank Kposowa, aspirant for the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) National Publicity Secretary and Editor of the party’s mouthpiece Unity newspaper, intimated Concord Times Tuesday July 5, 2005, on the papers publication said, “since the whole project was conceptualized in March last year and since government ministers and party stalwarts were asked to contribute to the running of the paper, only three ministers, Bobson Sesay, Sidikie Brima and Pascal Egbanda contributed a million and three hundred thousand Leones.” His diplomatic skills and contacts with the US will make a forceful player to market Sierra Leone. And on his chances, he doesn’t stand solid. One in fifteen are his best shot. He might not be popular to the delegates, but will be a fine leader if voted for. His best bet is to form an alliance, with the rest to boot Berewa out. Will A Margai victory make him the Vice President? To many, Dr. Lansana Nyalley, is an outsider. He brings on board, as the man who transformed TEGLOMA from a small club of Mende Socialites to a formable organization, with International clout, position to impart on the political landscape. The Friday July 8, 2005 COCORIOKO EXCLUSIVE, said of Dr. Nyalleh as returning home to challenge the veteran politicians because “Sierra Leone needs a leader with an aggressive, radical and surgical approach to resolve the problems that engulf our people, our country and our society.” Not many think of him in that light. Tegloma was and is still beget with problems that needed answers, what he you do to address them? My predictions! This Doctor of a professor remains the long short. His chances are one in thirty. My advice, come home and stay, and start working for elections in 2012. This election is not your call. Charles Margai, called by some ” Charlie boy” or “CF” and many “Ngo Margai”, needs no introduction. His critics refer to him, as vociferous, pompous and hotheaded. His distracters do not like him for that. The elders of the party hate his guts for calling things by their name and for being a disciplinarian. Some say, he brags about his name, and his parent’s achievement in shaping the party. What’s wrong with that? Name and labels create the impacts. If being what you are makes you get recognition, then fine. He did not choice to be a Margai. This was nature designed, like all of us. They gang up against him for that. Frustrated on many occasions, humiliated and pressured, he has made mistakes, one of which was to leave the party and join the rank and file of the NDP, albeit temporary. Realizing his mistakes, he made amends and came back as prodigal son. Many did not want him back, out of fear, but coming was hailed by many and considered timely. The name Charles Margai, symbolizes fear to those who mean bad for the party’s progress. He is the hope and the future of the party. This man is a true SLPP. Don’t tell me he has not worked for the party. He is a grass root party man. An activist. He has seen tough and terrible times in the party, particularly during the APC one rule. One of the few who stooped down after a hard-won political fight in the 1977 elections. He like others refused to be drafted in the APC, unlike the “Jam Bodies”. This is no “flip flopping”. I am serious. This man stands on principles. Ngo Margai also scored a big success against his long-term friend and colleague, Aloysius Jackson, a heavy weight, a one time Vice-President, and standing, for re-election in Bo Town 11 against, Daramy Rogers. People need to be reminded on this. Those were the times when, politics was thuggery, and election was all about playing crooked, and being smart. Of course the people wanted Daramy, but “Jacko”, held the ace, he was the incumbent and he had power. Margai, and others sacrificed life and blood, and stayed watch over those ballot boxes. No amount of intimidation and threat made them to bulge. It was a big fall for “Jacko”. The people of Bo will never forget this event. Amidst report that Moyamba, in the south, is reportedly split for him, and the north will prefer a Jam Body leadership, Ngo Margai seems to be so confident that he is reported to have booked all the Guest Houses in Makeni? The SLPP desperately needs a system overhaul, a real clean up, as the current system sucks. Ngo Margai symbolizes that change which is eminent. And he is got wisdom. He is not afraid to speak his mind, especially on issues around integrity and social justice. Ngo Margai is the architect of the Party’s political re-engineering. Elected as leader, the party will once more occupy its former glory. His chances are tied with the Vice President, which is a one in two. A clean sweep by Ngo Margai demands an alliance by all the other contenders. Only through that will victory be assured. Disgruntle party stalwarts should not let this opportunity slip by. Though mainstream media have packaged a Berewa victory, I predict the era of another Margai. So where does the aspirant for the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Secretary Generalship, Jacob Jusu Saffa aka JJ Blood, stand on all this? Plainly put, he has no alliance but I know he must be playing his card well. Victory is already assured for JJ Blood standing on the platform for change, which the party desperately needs. Incumbent Secretary, Prince Harding, should definitely hang his booth. This is not about Dr. Harding any longer. It is about the party’s success and demonstration of good governance to the people. JJ Blood has proven competence, and if elected will institute meaningful reforms. May God bless us all!!!! TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON POLITICS First_Name: Eugene THE DILEMA OF A GONGOLI ; EITHER I GET IT OR NOBODY ELSE DOES Posted by Observer on June 29, 2005 at 20:09:02: CULLED FROM THE COCORIOKO FORUM In Reply to: IN OUR ZEAL TO SERVE YOU……… posted by KABS KANU on June 29, 2005 at 19:14:11: Makes real sense, and until we rid ourselves of the mentality of “either I get it or nobody does”, our people are doomed to rot in poverty and rags due to such self destructive practices. It was this very thinking that took Lapra Sankoh to the grave. He was rewarded the same kind of compromise some would like to see on issues like this, but did he respond in good faith after he became VP of the country? No Instead, he subtracted COMPRO from the equation, added -RY to -MISE to further unleash more MISE-RY on our defenseless brothers and sisters. This unfortunately is how some of our folks perceive the graceful art of COMPRO-MISE. Hasn’t the reverend repeatedly appealed to forumites not make personal attacks on this devil? Yes he has. And some you would agree with me he did so time and again. Now, how many of these appeals has this devil made to her cohorts so far? None. But then, where are all of these collaborators today? And what has become of their fate? Summary: 1. Foday had to be paraded naked in the streets of Freetown with children singing mockery songs at him, and shrank then like new khaki in hot water before biting the dust. 2. Masquita was flushed down the toilet like we do real mosquitoes by the very people that had habored him. 3. Johnny has become the Usama of Sa Lone doomed to hide in the caves of YOU-GO-SOBERLAND for the rest of his life. Good will always overcoe evil, and hopefully we will one day come to our senses and be good those who sacrifice their time and resources for us. Lonta! Follow Ups:
THE DILEMA OF A GOGOLI ; EITHER I GET IT OR NOBODY ELSE DOES –A REJOINDER BY GUSTAVUS JOHNSON FROM [email protected] Dear Editor, When I logged in and found your forum flooded with obscenities and insults of your mother, grandmother and some people in the forum like Chez WinnaKabs, Moijue Kai-Kai, King Loggy, Dr. Curtis -Thomas and others, I shook my head in disappointment. There was so much obscene postings the whole forum was clogged and you could only see obscenities all the way down the page. You could see it was a concerted attempt to bring down the forum. I am very disappointed with Sylvia Blyden .I did not expect that she would stoop so low, even though I have no respect for her for constructing a website for the RUF and Foday Sankoh while the rebels were busy slaughtering our people like pigs. When Sylvia threatened that she will bring down the forum with pornographic video and obscenities, I thought she was joking. But during the past wek what we have seen is disgusting and shameful. That a fellow Sierra Leonean will go to such extremes to bring down a forum is cyber-terror and an undemocratic act designed to hinder the flow of the very types of opinions she expressed at Leonenet, the NUP Forum and Africaonline AMONG OTHERS. According to Sylvia’s warning to the owners of the forum , she was trying to bring down the forum because the phrase Freetown Admin was mentioned in another post by Kabs. But is that the way to address the problem ? Lets be very frank, this strategy by Miss Blyden is reminiscent of the rebels who threatened that they will bring down the APC government if Momoh did not resign. In their crazed and malicious quest to bring down Momoh, they ended in bringing down the whole country. This is what Sylvia is also aiming to do. If she brings down the COCORIOKO newspaper has it occured to her how many people she will be bringing down too ? I am afraid for my country. Is this the woman , who at some point in time wants to be President of Sierra Leone ? If she becomes our President, is this the way she will be addressing issues ? This woman is a loose canon and a dangerous dictator in the making. It will be DOOMSDAY for Sierra Leone if she ever becomes President. Miss Blyden is a pblic figure, somebody who has expressed her desire to run for the Presidency in Sierra Leone. As such she must learn to accept other people’s opinions and criticisms. We all blame Kabbah, Momoh and Shaki but do we envisage the kind of leader Sylvia will be ?If she has to resort to cyber-terror because somebody mentioned her name in an article, this has a frightening implication for Sierra Leone. If she holds public office, she will be the kind of leader who will send thugs to newspaper offices to bomb them for criticising her. if people like Sylvia Blyden are the future leaders of Sierra Leone, there is no hope of lasting peace in the country. To me, Sylvia is just envious . She thought she was the only one capable of constructing a forum like the type COCORIOKO now has. She waited for the Reverend to experiment with many different forums and get the same type she had before she started hitting it with porn to bring it down. Bad heart, jealousy which put our country where it is today. It is a shame. EDITOR’S COMMENT We want to continue to keep you abreast of developments since Miss Sylvia Blyden started carrying out her nefarious and malicious designs to bring down our forum. We do not think that Miss Blyden is doing all this because of reference to FREETOWN ADMIN .We believe that she is trying to bring down our forum because she is afraid that forumites will alert the Sierra Leonean people about the dangerous woman she is to our nation. Remember that most of the people in Sierra Leone online forums know about Miss Blyden’s dangerous dealings with the late rebel leader Foday Sankoh , for whom she created a website and Johnny Paul Koroma, the junta leader. As you all know now, Miss Blyden was one of those who we are told were allegedly caressing the ego of the junta leader while his soldiers killed our people on the streets .She was alleged to have been one of those passing secrets about the then exiled Kabbah government to the rebels and junta soldiers . This has been discussed much at Leonenet and the NUP Forum. Miss Blyden knows that wherever there is such an open forum, her role in the RUF and AFRC will always be discussed. Therefore it is the format she is fighting, not the use of her name. We know her agenda already.It is to intimidate and strike terror with the hope of bringing down the forum and silencing people. As christians, we have done everything to diffuse this matter.We have prayed and we have launched passionate appeals to forumites to stop mentioning her name on the forum. We have given our conditions for possible resolution of this issue but each time we do, Miss Blyden , preying on the vulnerability of the format we are using comes in to flood our forum with obscenities. In today’s attacks, not only did she insult my mother in over 100 automated and programmed posts but she also insulted the mothers of forumites like King Loggy, Moijueh Kai-Kai, Dr. Curtis Thomas, Botkidi, Chez Winnakabs whose only crime was not staying away from the forum, and appealing for peace. She called them despicable names today for continuing to participate in the forum. We consider Miss Blyden’s abuses outright intimidation and terror and we call on the Sierra Leonean people to take note. While she is busy flooding our forum with obscene and dirty posts and keeping us on our toes for hours deleting the obscene spam and stopping her from bringing down the forum, not many people are speaking. Sierra Leoneans are fed up with her but we want them to take note. She once threatened Leonenet that she would bring hordes of people to bring down the forum with the same kinds of posts. She hijacked Alim Sesay’s e-mail account and used it surreptitiously to post her objectionable tirades at Leonenet, though she had been expelled for foul language. If this is what being a Sierra Leonean means, we can see why our country is in her present straits. But we will not be intimidated by Miss Blyden. We are working on a more secure and less vulnerable forum to stop her waves of obscene assaults . If she thinks she can silence people by ringing down forums, she is mistaken. People will always be there to expose her. It was not COCORIOKO that uncovered her dangerous dealings with the rebels.Somebody else will expose more treasonable offences she may have also committed. Destroy COCORIOKO and more COCORIOKOS will arise. We want to appeal to all our readers and contributors to our forum to continue to pray for Miss Blyden that God may save her from the error of her ways. We have nothing against her. Infact, when she was being attacked on other forums we defended her at the risks of insults from others. We want to asure her that she will never prevail against us, by the grace of God. We are children of God and our prayers will be answered one day. Long live the Reublic of Sierra Leone.
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SYLVIA BLYDEN IS A DISGRACE TO CIVILIZATION Posted by Saidu Daphay Turay on June 28, 2005 at 07:20:23: It is disheartening to know that people like Sylvia Blyden still engages in mischief and diabolical acts to frustrate freedom of expression even in cyber space. This devilish attitudes of a national of Sierra Leone to frustrate diversity of opinions is the root cause of the devasting state of affairs Sierra Leone finds itself today. Sylvia Blyden should be reminded that gone are the days of stiffling and muzzling the minds of Sierra Leoneans. Her acts of sabotage against publications of the Cocorioko Newspaper is shameful and worthy of outright condemnation. The dark days of thuggery and vandalism has no place in today’s civilized world. Anyone that engages in frustrating the truth needs to be taken to a psychiatrist for mental evaluation because no sane person could involve in such a dastardly act. Until Sierra Leone is weeded out of vandals and saboteurs like Sylvia Blyden, the struggle for the prevalance of truth in Sierra Leone continues! BEYOND KABBAH ; MOBILIZING SIERRA LEONE FOR 2007 First_Name: Sylvanus BEYOND KABBAH – MOBILIZING SIERRA LEONEANS FOR 2007 In my last contribution, I suggested an essay writing project about how the next president should rule Sierra Leone. Here are a few suggestions to help Sierra Leone especially in the light of the coming 2007 elections: 1. Sierra Leoneans, should look beyond President Kabbah from now on. There is nothing more he can or will do for Sierra Leone. It is already too late. “Marade wey go sweet, nar bachelor’s eve you go know.”(It is far past ‘Bachelor’s eve now). “Monkey nor go lef in Black ahn.” “You cannot teach an old dog new tricks.” Already, Pa Kabbah is fast becoming history. The most crucial thing now is who will rule Sierra Leone and how they will be made to rule after the 2007 elections. 2. I suggest that all Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora write well researched, insightful, honest opinions as ?Readers letters,’ and e-mail them not only to Cocorioko’s website, but also to newspapers which publish in Sierra Leone. The papers seem willing to publish them. They have published a one or two of mine recently. In our own little way we could help form public opinion ahead of 2007. However, in expressing these opinions, those in the diaspora, who are generally beyond the reach of the capricious implementation of the Law in Sierra Leone (example, the dreaded Public Order Act of 1965), need to be circumspect. In order for the papers to publish them, they should write their letters strictly as opinions, and in legally defensible ways so that the editors feel comfortable to publish them in their media. I also suggest that name calling, or throwing insults at government officials be avoided, not because some of them may not be deserving of strong language, but rather because Sierra Leoneans must channel their energies effectively, and give their letters the best chance of being published to the local audience. The advantage is that those outside of Sierra Leone can ask questions which the oppressed local people may not be able to ask. You can get the e-mail addresses of local Sierra Leonean newspapers such as Concord Times, For Di People, Standard Times, etc. from All Africa News website. 3. The biggest stick that the people of Sierra Leone now have to reign in their political leaders is the 2007 election. It is not too early to begin to talk about those elections. The people should be encouraged to wave that stick high and ominously by talking about the elections loudly as well as over and over again in the radio, in the newspapers, etc. etc. This is the only thing that politicians will hear. 4. In this regard, I am asking that those in the diaspora mount a literary campaign to help mobilize and educate the people in Sierra Leone, to vote only for those people who are not of the Old Order of Politics and Government in Sierra Leone. The important thing is that these thoughts should be heard in Sierra Leone not only in the internet. Some examples: A. Sierra Leoneans should not vote for Berewah. He is campaigning on a continuity platform. The question is continuity of WHAT? The same failures? Disappointment, betrayal, corruption, muzzling of the press, jailing of Paul Kamaras, betrayal of more Hinga Normans etc. etc. It is not only Berewah, the list includes the Okere Adams, J. B. Dauda etc. etc. i. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY: specifically, are any of the candidates willing to make a commitment to have all and any of their ministers of Government declare their assets before and after they live their cabinet positions? Take the diamond industry for example. It does not matter what the experts say, I cannot find a justification for the fact that diamond exporters only pay 2% tax to government of Sierra Leone. I admit I may need to be educated a little bit more on this but I hope that this 2% tax is different from payroll and company tax on profit? If not who has ever heard of 2% tax from anyone? Even if there is separate taxes for company and payroll taxes, the question is, “Are they being collected effectively”? Furthermore, does any Sierra Leonean pay 2% tax on his PAYE? The last I remember is that if you are earning as little as $150 a month, your taxes was at least 25% or so. You also stood the risk of being taxed for everything including rent Allowance, transportation, allowance, etc. etc. A closer and transparent analysis should be made of all international contracts and treaties to see if they benefit the country. Given the performance of the present government with regards to the setting up of the special court, I doubt how much of the interest of the people of Sierra Leone have been protected in such areas as Rutile, Marine resources, and other trans-national agreements that the government has signed on behalf of its people etc. etc. 5. The Focus on the candidates for 2007 must be on their TRACK RECORD – What have the candidates accomplished in their careers or areas of expertise? The emphasis is on RESULTS. I must mention Pa Kabbah here, unfortunately. Although he served a long time with the UN, I have yet to hear of any singular achievement or innovation during his service. He could have been a mere ?yes man’ at that organization. Similarly, in recent times, and on the internet, as the SLPP leadership succession process kicked into gear, it seems to me that the campaigns around the prospective leadership candidates is on matters of sentiments – (who you know or like). The focus should be on: Who has the required RECORD of ACHIEVEMENTS; blended with a NOBILITY of CHARACTER, and who is a STRONG LEADER of men, capable of inspiring people, to achieve the NATION’S GOALS. The emphasis should be on RESULTS. Let’s be practical, I think that the above criteria would immediately rule out Berewah (track record). Furthermore is Charles Margai suitable? (Flip Flopper? What singular achievement on behalf of the people has he done? Are his kinship ties to SLPP founders relevant to Sierra Leone’s welfare? Some speak of his pride and ego. Could that mask a dictatorial streak which may be bad for democracy in Sierra Leone? Has he made any public or policy statements concerning the 1965 public order act? etc. Interestingly the above criteria would also raise serious questions about Maada Bio, and some of the folks overseas too. Thanks for the opportunity. More contributions to come Sylvanus Koroma BEREWA’S LAMENT : WHAT NEXT ? First_Name: Sylvanus BEREWA ATTEMPTS TO COME CLEAN! What a refreshing report to read in your most recent “Front Page” posting at your website: BEREWA : I DID NOT KNOW CDF WERE GOING TO BE TRIED BY THE SPECIAL COURT: that he did not anticipate the indictment of the CDF fighters, (especially for us Hinga Norman.) I believe he should be lauded for that brave role. I believe he helped his image as a politician and as a leader. But the credit goes to the local journalists who asked him the difficult questions that caused him to respond in this way. Bravo journalists! HOWEVER, why did it take so long for Berewah to admit this fact which everyone else knows? Why has he been trying to hide and explain the mistake away for about three years now? Furthermore, why is it that neither he nor President Kabbah ever expressed open and public and very strong support for Hinga Norman once they realized the enormity of their mistake? They should have stood by their man! That is exactly what Hinga Norman did by going to the bush to fight for the government! Furthermore they should have called for a renegotiation! That leads to our next point: Here is the challenge Mr. Berewah, let us accept that you made a mistake. To err is human, and everyone of us makes mistakes. But wisdom, courage and valor lies in the heart of the one who not only admits a mistake, but learns from it and makes amends. The important thing now is to amend the mistake. Contracts are made to be renegotiated. Why let Hinga Norman rot in Jail when you know in your heart that he was only fighting for the nation? Standing for his man – the President!! But you abandoned him to the elements. And now it is time to do the courageous thing: It is time to renegotiate that special court agreement! Pa Siaka used to have a saying: “nar mortalman make book, nor to book make mortalman.” Laws can be changed, contracts can be renegotiated. The special court is not a monster. It does not have a life by itself except that given to it by the government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations. Sierra Leone is still a sovereign nation and it did not surrender its sovereignty to the special court when it was created. Sovereignty rests with the people of Sierra Leone. Do not make the people of Sierra Leone force you to renegotiate that agreement. It will be to your advantage for you to do it as a hero of the people rather than as a slave to public opinion. I hope that Mr. Berewah can take the challenge, otherwise one is tempted to take a cynics view of things. He has finally come to realize that this issue might cost him the chance of becoming President. He is therefore making noises that he has sensed the people of Sierra Leone want to hear. I also hope that he will go on to encourage Pa Kabbah to release Paul Kamara and repeal the 1965 public order act, and recommend the halt of the farce that is the Parliament investigation in to the ACC. I hope that he will go on to demonstrate commitment to reign in corruption among government officials. Let me close with a reference to my last article “Beyond Kabbah – Mobilizing Sierra Leoneans for 2007.” Berewah is only making these noises because he sees how these issues will affect his chances in the election of 2007. The Lesson: Sierra Leoneans can get the ministers and the ruling party to dance to their tune if they make them see that it will cost them their vote. Sierra Leoneans talk about elections over and over again. This is one of your main ammunition to get the government to behave. Sierra Leoneans let them know you are watching, talk it on the radio, in the newspapers, that they are loosing your vote with their yuki, yuki. Sylvanus Koroma
First_Name: Cornelius Last_Name: Hamelberg Email_Address: [email protected] City: Stockholm Comments: SIERRA LEONE POLICE BRUTALITY AT LUMLEY BEACH ROUNDABOUT posted by Sylvia Blyden is indeed shocking. This kind of criminal violation of fellow citizens’ human rights must be brought to a stop and those in the Police Force should be disciplined. If they are not disciplined then we have sunk lower and our creator is not happy about such behaviour, as a result of which the nation will suffer some more as a divine chastisement. Problem is that the arrogant think that they can cheat God. This is an illusion. It has never happened and that is why Sierra Leone is suffering. Don’t we have compassion for our fellow citizens? Is this not part of our national values? If it is, then those Officers must be punished. Even if they do not understand – they have been here before and will return to claim their punishment, but it’s better that we all make amends now. The Bodhisattvas return to try to put things right. Lets look at this idea of the Bodhisattva, and develop some compassion to our fellow man who is part of us and with whom we share a destiny as a human family. Those who act like animals should not be surprised that they are destroying our lives. Do good and turn from evil. Turn from evil and do good. Do not move from human to become animal. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK First_Name: Nora GOOD WORK First_Name: M. A GREAT SOURCE OF NEWS ABOUT SIERRA LEONE First_Name: Joseph YOU ARE FINE BY ME SO FAR First_Name: Tejan Keep snobbing her. Maybe, that is what is hurting her. Continue your good work with your news. People are appreciating your work as they have been writing to tell you.Please I dont want to see any headline in your newspaper : “NINJA WORWOR MEETS QUEEN ANGELINA JOLIE”. Nuff respect. SIERRA LEONE HAS GROWN ABOVE THE LIKES OF BEREWA First_Name: philip Bob Sierra Leone has grown above the likes of Berewa. The 2007 elections is not a politics of “music and chair”. It is going to be a decisive moment for the people of Sierra Leone, to know whether we are ready to get out of our current mess or remain there forever. Nevertheless, I am confident we are ready to move ahead and leave the Berewas, Sama Banyas and their platoon of crooks in wonderland. No more shall we be fooled into believing that any political party is a religion. We must do everything to erode that traditional or better put, colonial mentality. If President Kabba (h) and his cohorts think the people of Sierra Leone are their political concubines and should be used as and when they like, I must hurry to tell them that they are bound to commit the greatest blunder in their lives. Will John Leigh and Charles Margai be excluded for Berewa ? Reader expresses fear First_Name: Alpha I have no doubt in my mind that the opinion expressed by him reflects the majority of sierra leoneans. His comments about the vice president of his woeful track record in every aspect during his tennure of office does reflect the views of 99.9% of sierra leoneans irrespective of their political allegience. There is no doubt that Mr Berewa, if elected as leader of the party is going to bring the SLPP down in the next elections. Mr Kaikai is therefore right in saying that, we the ordinary members of the SLPP should not allow that to happen. We have competent, strong minded, articulate, vibrant, patriotic SLPP members with enviable track record to lead the party in the next general elections. To name just a few, people like John Earnest Leigh, the former Amberssador to the US and Charles Margai. I have to admit that of the two i have far greater respect for Mr Leigh because his track record in terms of leadership qualities is exceptional. Unlike Mr Margai who has been part and parcel of every corrupt government since the time of APC, eventhough he himself is not corrupt. It is true that people like Mr Leigh and Mr margai would be excluded by every means to mount a challange to Solomon Berewa for the leadership of the party by rouge elements who have now made the SLPP a personal property. But my advise to every member of the party, who actuall cares must be brave enough to stand up to these so called party bigwigs and petition every aspect of their hidden agenda. If petitioning the vice president’s agenda of becoming the leader of the party dosent work, then we have to accept the inevitable as rightly suggested by disgruntled party members of forming an independent party with a credible leader to save the country from disaster. As Tony Blair said in his speech regarding Africa, ” This is the time for Africa and Africans to pull themselves together for a better future”. The time has come for the SLPP party members to take matters into their own hands so that history does’nt repeat itself. WAS OKERE ADAMS EXONERATED ? First_Name: Philip Bob Name: Jaygboy E-Mail: [email protected] Address: Freetown
The Ongoing Debate: My Impressions on the Ills of Sierra Leone!
The ongoing debate and war of words between Former SL Ambassador to the US John Leigh and SLPP Chairman S.S Banya, on one hand and that of him and Hilton Fyle, former BBC Broadcaster, on the other, is but a healthy one, and is coming in very timely. The truth has to be told and events put in its right perspective, for generations to come. Just like the TRC commissioned in 2002, to establish an impartial historic report of the true nature of the conflict. This discussion and verbal rhetoric’s is about telling the truth. Not before a commission this time, but before the many Sierra Leoneans opportune to log on to the Internet and follow up on issues as they are being told. Sierra Leoneans are no longer fools and can read between the lines on who is spinning the truth or hiding the facts. All of us, directly or indirectly have either been a witness or player to the harsh realities on the ground. Too many pundits and polemicists on both side of the aisle try to polarize the issue, and therefore well meaning Sierra Leoneans should not stay back but must lend their voice to the debate and present their own side of the story. I tell you what, no matter how long it takes, the truth always prevail.
John Leigh and other well meaning citizenry working tirelessly round the clock, are highlighting the many ugly social ills and decadence of the country, because of the greed and selfishness of a few people, who have in the past and are still holding this nation as hostage, to progress and fiscal responsibility to it’s people. For speaking out the truth, they are referred to as disloyal and unpatriotic by their distracters or “state enemies”. This is no disloyalty or un-patriotism; call it dissent. Well-meaning compatriots are not only speaking out, but also providing solutions on fixing the mess, created by those haven grips on state authority. A responsive government should have embraced, these good initiatives, where they truly mean well for their people, they purport to serve.
Let’s even say for once that John Leigh is bitter-ed and angry over Pres. Kabbah on his political demise and fall-out. The fact of the matter is that, this man, like many are saying the goddamn truth and thinking like patriots. For once, let us give praise where due. For the old man, “Puawei”, as he is fondly called, the airwaves are now blaring all over, and the red card been called; Sama Banya, and their likes have to exit the corridors of power. Their time is up. If I were he, I will just lie low and quietly hand over the baton of power at the appropriate time. Not be making noise. But like many, despots and failed politicians, despite the fact that they have outlived their usefulness, will continue to cling on, until their fall in disgrace. What a gigantic fall that would be. That day of reckoning is not too far. Party stalwarts should be unified on this, to ensure that, dirty politicking and election manipulations are thwarted and crushed for once. The SLPP “Young Generation” if united can safely handle their likes, but are they? Please Ngo Banya, we implore you to make as transparent and open, the upcoming National Convention, and allow the people to choose, progressive leaders. We are tired of your kind?
Former Radio Broadcaster of the BBC fame, Hilton Fyle was an icon to Sierra Leoneans and admired by many outside the our borders, whilst he was on set. He would have made a fine politician, a highly respected one, had he not taken sides with a regime condemned by the population and the international community at large. His peace before election was a good initiative, but the timing was wrong. In my mind, he misplaced a unique opportunity placed on his lap, which he could have used to even taken a shot at the Presidency? He is now facing the rap of his own music. Persistent denials are no solutions, as your past is hunting you. I know you would not agree with me on this and the many who are saying so. Be bold, accept your own responsibility, and make a clean break. I still have respect for you as you made the nation proud during your hey days.
A “wake up call” for assertiveness is being made to take own destiny in our hands. Steady Bongo in his music; “wake up,” recapped it all. Be proactive and get involved in the decision making process. Keeping silent and not taken actions, have made us accomplices to the dismal situation in the country. What a better time, but now to challenge the many failed policies of this administration. What about protesting crucial appointments to positions of trust made on sentiments, to stop the cycle of mediocrity running the state apparatus. Ministers, Directors and other government officials are embroiled in corruption, with impunity, and they seem to walk free without any fear of persecution. They are wrecking the state resources and bleeding the economy dry. This economy is donor-driven. The irony of it all is that, such vital resources and loans provided by the international community on behalf of the population, end up in some one else’s pocket or directly into private construction projects.
Sierra Leoneans should step-up and follow in the stead of nations that have demanded there failed governments to stand down. Nations like Ukraine, Venezuela, next-door neighbor Togo and most recently Lebanon, have all stood up to the status quo. These regimes have crumbled as a result of “people’s power”, through formidable opposition or organized labor movements. But, do we have an opposition? Institutions of accountability created outside the state apparatus, including organized civil groups, are showing glaring signs of weaknesses. The leadership of these institutions of change has become soft, bought out with lucrative positions, and financial/material possessions. They now enjoy a share of the national cake and have either lost their voices, or taken a back seat; reneging on their divine responsibility to act as the mouthpiece of the voiceless.
The APC, arguably the only real political opposition is near collapsed, bedeviled with a contested leadership crisis, with high turnovers of self-seeking and power thirsty candidates into the mainstream party. As one political commentator remarked, the country is near attainment of a one political dominance, by default.
Come-on, what is happening with the voices of the Zainab Bangura’s, the Charles Mambu’s, and the Festus Mina’s; those voices of hope that the people relied on as their mouthpiece of political change in crisis and hopeless moments the nation is now spiraled in? Disappointment ran through me, when this forum revealed that the once fearless and revered Zainab Bangura, has gone into extinction. The frightening thing though when she was quoted to have said that she owes no obligation to Sierra Leoneans, and whatever she did before her rise to fame and recognition, was done for her own self interest and not for anybody? Using people and dumping them for one’s selfish end is akin to an abuse, and it should not be forgiven.
This nation is tired, on seen the faces of failed politicians parading the political spectrum. For goodness sake, what the “heck” is the likes of Okere Adams, Prince Harding, Kanji Daramy and Emanuel Grant doing in the corridors of power? There time was up since their disgrace and fall to grass. What a disservice to the people of Sierra Leone. JB Duada, should not have been Finance Minister? A possible reason this economy is having a bash? We have a President that does not reshuffle his cabinet. See what he would do if pushed to the shore. Former APC expired and spent Ministers have been rewarded, for no good reason. And this Parliament continues to rubber stamp, at will, the nomination of failed politicians by the President. This is going too far and it is mockery on the population. What is this Parliament doing? I see urgency when it comes to the passing of legislation and bills that have no bearing on the lives of the people.
The SLPP Party will have been far better to have someone else as majority leader, rather than “Teacher Largoa”. No wonder the party is performing dysfunctional. With all respect to the old man, Manna Kpaka, he should not be in parliament? What a stand-up comedy. This is primitive loyalty, at the expense of the state. They are spent forces and should have been retires long time ago. Preso, work out a pension package for them and move in better minds in their stead and don’t tell me that the party is starved of great minds, to move your policies forward.
Sierra Leoneans should be aware that this Presidency, like all the government functionaries is not above the standards of public probity. A political mandate has been accorded the President, back to back albeit to seek the interest of the electorate at large. What we see is a pattern of political compensation for kin’s and cronies, without regard to practical solvencies of the people’s welfare. This President is taken us for a ride. Yes, he has a capital mandate, but that does not warrant him to do things that are hurting to the people? The harsh reality that might have been lost on the President and his power brokers is that, they do not own this country. It is a shared universe in which all of us, big and small, rich and poor, with power and powerless, are legitimate stake holders, whose interests are better served by genuine cooperation, trust and respectful interdependence, than by bullying by one man and his cronies. Sierra Leoneans should be doing better than this, and the country can perform better. But all we have done is resigned to faith. We have folded our hands and allowed the political power brokers to have a field day. And what do we get in return, a mess that has to be dealt with. The TRC in their final document report faulted years of bad governance, endemic corruption and the denial of basic human rights as having created the conditions that made our conflict inevitable, and noted that many of the causes of conflicts have yet to be adequately addressed. Lessons are never learned.
The era of mediocrity and of failed policies and politicians are over. Political appointments should now be based on proven records of performance. A CV of success, hard work and success stories should be the yardstick of political measurement. This country have a huge pool of talents, and a rich pool of human resource-based of technocrats and expatriates in and outside of the country, that could serve as the building blocks to propel the nation forward. These people are making great contributions and are building other economies and institutions, many of them willing and eager to serve their country given the political space. The new Palestinian leadership upon assumption of office, knew that the old cabal of ministers in the former regime has outlived their usefulness, and took the bold decision to give them the red flag. There was no compromise. Knowledge of them and their long-term friendship did not cloud his decision.
Good examples and scenarios are there all over to replicate based on good political will. The country needs men and women who are pro-people agenda driven. Implementation and enforcement of policies, is critical to our success as a nation. In the words of the UN Scribe, Kofi Annan during a two-days AU summit in Abuja, Nigeria on 31st Jan. 2005, “No new promises are needed and we don’t ask for new ones to make this happen – just follow-through on existing ones.” The many institutions and reforms that have been commissioned and set into actions including the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), largely due to pressure from international donors (for which this administration should be commended), have turned out to be subjects to political interference.
2005 should be a turning point than now for all Sierra Leoneans, especially public officials takes personal responsibility of inherent problems in the institutions and offices they are holding? I dove my hat for the likes of Former Information Minister’s Julius Spencer and James Jonah for been amongst the first of Sierra Leoneans to resign their positions when the heat was on and could not take it any longer? I do not agree on the reasons they gave but at least they were bold enough to exit even when they could have stayed and continue to rub shoulders with the status quo. The ACC Commissioner, Mr. Val Collier, NPA boss, Mr. Foday Mannah, the Ombudsman, and others should follow on these proven examples. Follow up on your conviction, maintain your integrity and call it quit if your policies and principles are compromised or if you think you are under funded to produce results. Many are now tired of the empty excuses given out by these people on their lack of performance on their job. By going with the flow, you’re putting your credibility at stake. This administration in the eyes of many is not result oriented. They are Insensitive to the expressed opinion and concerns by well meaning citizenry. Repeated calls made and gray areas in corruption, malpractices, inadequacies and non-performance of public officials, exposed by the citizenry and the forth estate are deliberately ignored and seem to fall on deaf ears.
The NPA boss, though an expert in his area should have been given the sack on his non performance in providing the power infrastructure that underpins development. Making empty promises and engaging in verbal war of words between the Police Boss and CELTEL, cannot be comprehended. Mr. Managing Director, security and development are inextricably linked. The spate of criminality has a bearing on the continuous power cuts or blackouts in the city. And where a business entity provides own power supply, of high operational magnitude, definitely the poor and struggling consumer bears the brunt. Empty promises of under funding, and non-payment of bills are untenable. Disconnect customers on non-payment of bills, if that is the problem. True this machines are obsolete, what did you do about it? Repeated maintenance is not the solution. Brand new machines are the answer. This country is still credit worthy to get loans to this effect if that was an objective. By the way those responsible for wrecking our power sector and providing fake machines and spares, should have been brought to justice and made to account, but did you do it? The problems are known, but another definitive silence, just like in the case of purchase of a white elephant called ” A Street Sweeper”. A whooping sum of LE 500,000,000, gone down the drain, which could have been put to a better use within the council. I hope this blatant compromise of taxpayer’s money should not be pushed under the carpet but be given the attention it deserved, like in the case of the Port Authority “Crane” saga, where justice was seen dispensed.
We need to move forward just like other nations, making progress by the day (not the kind of progress we are making), but with this current administration, and looking at their track record in genuinely eradication poverty, amidst the backdrop of corruption, this nation is going to lag behind. A Berewa regime will only make the situation worsened. Under his watch, many ugly revelations have been unearthed; including the MIK Education contract that was considered a bogus deal, and nothing seems to have come out of it. Sections of the press who wanted to make this a fight got muted, just like the Education Minister, who got freaky and gave the issue a lip service. This is a man, who can do anything to bulldoze his way to power. Be ready for a long fight with the VP, as he is poised to crush anybody who stands in his way, in getting the no. 1 spot. This call is made to all progressive SLPP supporters to challenge him on his aspirations and rally around another candidate.
Sierra Leoneans in and out of the Diaspora should opt for a leadership who can translate the dreams and hopes of the population into a success story. The upcoming elections in 2007, should serve as an opportunity to change the destiny of this nation, and for once dump all that have a made a mess of what we are today. These failed politicians, should be shown the door and retired out of the political game.
The role of the fourth estate is crucial in this liberation. Divided they may be, the few strong, determined and committed ones should without fearlessness push these policies around. The voices of vibrant journalists/newspaper editors in the persons of Christian Kellie-Salone Times, Olu Gordon-Peep Magazine, Paul Kamara-For De People, Karim Sei/Philip Neville-Standard Times, and Pius Foray-The Democrat, are critical to make the desired changes. No amount of oppression, harassment and libel laws should deter them in the handling of their responsibilities. The voices of Umaru Fofanah and DJ Base-of Nightline Radio UNAMSIL and the lyrics and vibes of upcoming musicians like Emerson and Daddy Saj are coming in at the right moment. The World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC), a consortium of international organizations dedicated to the worldwide furtherance of press freedom and freedom of expression, says on African countries, including Sierra Leone will not achieve development if they continue to clamp down on freedom of the media and freedom of expression- (Lusaka, February 8, 2005). This country can do better, if the repressive freedom of information acts and the outdated libel laws could be repealed. Some African governments, including Ghana and Kenya, have taken serious commitments and are now reviewing media-repressive legislation and making the appropriate changes.
I am not giving up the CSM as an instrument of change. They could be a formidable force, as was recently demonstrated following their last labor strike, described by many as a success, because of massive support that it received from all walks of life, bringing the city to a standstill. This should serve as a rude awakening for the leadership, that the people’s power could be the surgical blow. Today it’s the University students; tomorrow the lecturers; the day after, nurses and doctors. But, nobody knows when the CSM will step up again and call for the resignation of this government? A matter of time, I guess..
First_Name: Sylvanus Sierra Leoneans are asking the wrong question about President Kabbah. They ask: Is Pa Kabbah a good man? But that is not the right question to ask of a Nation’s head of State. The right question should be: Is President Kabbah a good leader? Or Is he a leader at all? Is he competent as a Leader of the Nation? Some defend President Kabbah as a good man. Others vilify him. That is because they address the wrong question. Change the question and the citizens of Sierra Leone will be unanimous in their answer! Suppose someone wants to fly from Mammy Yoko hotel to Lungi by helicopter. Let us say that he has an uncle who is very nice to him. That uncle never seems to loose his temper; he is very religious and very kind. Sometimes he could also be generous. He even appears selfless and prefers to live in peace with everyone. But he does not know how to fly helicopters. He has never piloted one before. Will that person entrust his life and that of his family to his ?nice’ Uncle to fly him by helicopter over to Lungi? The accounts of practically all those who have worked closely with President Kabbah state that he is a good man, as good as any individual can get. He is intelligent, kind, religious, a gentleman, and he likes to live in peace. He appears selfless. There is no hard evidence to show that he is corrupt. In short he is type of person one would like to have as an uncle, a friend, a neighbor, a pastor or in his case, an Imam. But is he a good leader? Is he a leader at all? Better yet: As head of state is he competent? The answer must be a definite and big NO! Sierra Leoneans should unite in emphasizing that. They should not dissipate their energy by attacking each other around the wrong issue. How can we tell a good leader? Among other things a good leader is a good Judge of Character; He is Pro-active and Takes Pre-emptive Action; He Sees the Big Picture; He Exercises Control; He Gets Results; as the head of a country he must be fiercely Nationalistic. Let’s use these to examine President Kabbah. Is Pa Kabbah a good judge of character? Over and over again Pa Kabbah has seen it fit to publicly endorse and/or appoint people of questionable character. There are the S. B. Marahs, the J. B. Daudahs, the Foday Sankohs, the Charles Taylors, who have all wrong footed H.E and made him look like a fool. There are the stories (never officially denied) of lost briefcases, of foreign investors who hoodwinked him for false helicopter equipments. There are the Lebanese who when expelled somehow found their way back into the country. The latest example of this inadequacy in H.E is Okere Adams . President Kabbah by the recent press statement from his office has signaled his support for Okere Adams. What a colossal mistake! Those who interacted with Okere Adams before he was made minister have little respect for his person. In 1995, Okere Adams was manager of the National Stadium. He would rent out the stadium hall to more than one person/group for the same time block. The present author experienced that personally. When the crisis came as can be expected, Mr. Adams the manager, was nowhere to be seen. He literally went into hiding! He left the parties to sort it out among themselves. Sometimes it was left to his deputies to sort out things and smooth rough feathers. We never asked how the monies were accounted for. From the newsreports, he has not changed a bit. Back then, after that encounter, the present author would not even have recommended him to run a small social club much less an entire government ministry. What a surprise when H.E. appointed him to a position of importance in 1996. One could only speculate that he has support because of his supposed political clout in the north. But it is only empty air. It is time to call his bluff. But does Pa Kabbah see this? Pa Kabbah also made a big misjudgment of character when the manager of NPA in 1999 (or is it 2000?) promised him that all of Freetown will have electricity by Christmas day. Whilst the rest of the public remained skeptical – Pa Kabbah believed him! This weakness in accurately discerning character will continue. Second Pa Kabbah only knows how to respond to crises in panic, not pre-empt them. He knew that the coup of 1997 was heading his way. But he could only lament afterwards that he knew of the plot before it actually happened (by this admission even he was exposing his weaknesses to the public, censoring his own leadership qualities – but he did not realize that). The same thing was repeated in 1999 as the rebels advanced, he accepted the line that all will be well until he had to flee the capital once again. Most recently, he could not that forsee that public confidence in his government was waning and that his government needs to wake up. He did not wake up the SLPP party when all over the country many of their loyalists tried to run as independents in the local government elections. Thus the SLPP lost the mayoral elections in Freetown. The latest labor congress strike is a warning to Pa Kabbah of the dire consequences of the downward slide in the public’s confidence in his stewardship. His tendency is to respond in panic to a crises for the moment but make no real changes until it bursts forth again and again and again! He still cannot see that his legacy is already marred and that he is loosing time to repair it. History will judge him harshly but does he realize this? Third, Pa Kabbah does not exercise control. In fact he almost never takes responsibility for his governments and ministers actions. His statement during the recent elections went like this: I was not really interested in politics.I only came home to retire and rest. Translation: Do not blame me, it is not my fault, I am only trying to help. Blame yourselves for choosing me. That is a statement of someone who does not take responsibility. Pa Kabbah’s most glaring incompetency is that he fails to take charge, to control, to enforce his will. Examples #1: In the run up to the last elections, be could not bring himself to tell Joe Demby that his time was up. He pushed that responsibility over to the delegates at the SLPP convention. Quite rightly, they put the ball back squarely into his court. Only then did he come out and say he preferred Berewa. Example #2 Instead of taking some personal responsibility for stopping corruption, he appoints a commission (ACC) and then stays aloof from it or denies it his personal authority. Now he deflects criticism by pointing at the ACC and continues to make flowery and ?sincere’ statements about controlling corruption. The Attorney General’s office delays cases, his response: passive acceptance of the status quo. Although he makes nice noises, things continue as usual. What has happened to the move to have a special prosecutor for the ACC? The more desperate the situation the more urgent the measures! When a house is burning you do not appoint a committee to create a fire fighting program. You put out the fire and then create a program. The latest in the line of fine documents is the launching of the National Strategy for Fighting Corruption! Another document! More documents! He even went further at the occasion by chastising the ACC for causing a stir when Okere Adams was arrested! Is Pa Kabbah blind or what. That statement reveals something: Pa Kabbah is now eating directly from the hands of those around him whose interest is not the progress of the nation but their own selfish ends. It means that Pa Kabbah has already abandoned his original values. Woe unto Sierra Leone! That path leads directly to the oppression of the people he said he came to save. Sierra Leoneans can expect more and more oppressive rule in the coming days! The story is the same all over Africa. The more presidents fail the more they clamp down on Freedoms and the more they become blind to their failures. How sad! Blaming the weak justice system instead of taking responsibility for it, is also a classic avoidance strategy of Pa Kabbah. The point in this article, is not that as president, he must interfere arbitrarily in the courts. Nevertheless, as is often the case in a weak democracy, the courts look to him (for good or evil) for the signal that he means business. He must signal his will in no uncertain terms. He must communicate his values by the force of his personality until such structures are able to stand on their own two feet. They will follow his lead if he will walk ahead. When he does not demonstrate a will, there is a power vacuum. H.E wants the courts to take the lead, but he is the Leader. The judiciary seeing his unwillingness to step up and lead, are often found weighing the personal implications (benefits or dangers) of their decisions. Pa Kabbah’s officials know this too. When he does not demonstrate leadership, his officials take over the vacuum and spin some rationalization which he accepts. Thus the ministers and other middle men get their way, the government rolls on, injustice prevails, Pa Kabbah claims innocence, all should be well. Why is it not? He seems to be constantly asking. Alas! His lieutenants seem to go free in the courts or their cases are delayed endlessly whilst and those who oppose him seem to somehow get entangled and sentenced to Jail (such as Paul Kamara; witness the APC debacle in the courts); journalists are arrested/questioned/cautioned (take your pick) by the Attorney General (Olu Gordon most recently). When asked to exercise his powers of pardon, Pa Kabbah is aloof and stubborn – that is until another crises hits his government. The truth, Sierra Leoneans, is that Pa Kabbah has lost his way. No good can come out of him now. He has done his best. His force is spent. From here on it is a downward slide. Example #3 Pa Kabbah would rather talk about corruption than taking the bull by the horns. After such exhortation in his Christmas speech about having the right attitude towards government property, why keep Okere around for goodness sake? Why wait for the courts? Why not suspend him when there is more than a hint of the stain in his hands, already in the public domain? Action speaks louder than words. Oh Woe! He is now shifting responsibility to the ACC or the Court system. The fact is, he is standing by his man but is deflecting responsibility to the courts. The constitution makes it clear: the president need not explain his choice of ministers to any one. It is his prerogative. Mr. President the Buck stops at your Desk! But H.E. is no change agent. On the other hand he is “Mr. Go with the Flow!” At this point let us reiterate once again. Pa Kabbah can be said to be a ?nice’ man as any person can be. He could and should be allowed a little selfishness here and there as any normal person has. But that is beside the point. The nation does not need a perfect person. It needs a competent Leader as Head of State. Fourth, One of Pa Kabbahs inabilities is to produce results. Pa Kabbah’s resume before he ran for president in 1996, should have warned Sierra Leoneans that he is not an achiever. It showed no specific achievement in all his years at the United Nations. There were no citations for excellence or for specific programs and/or causes that he pioneered and championed. It read like a mere international civil servant who pushed his pen over the years. There have been no new citations for significant achievement either. Some say leaders are made, others say leaders are born. It is most likely a combination of both. Thus although some allege that he is typical of people that the United Nations produces, we cannot blame that International Beaucratic juggernaut either. It is the same organization that produced a Dr. James Jonah! In Dr. Kabbah’s case, the truism may apply, and not necessarily with spite either: There is sometimes only a small difference between Diplomats and Doormats. In Sierra Leone Pa Kabbah will be known of his lack of results. Whether it is in the Green Revolution, or the bridge to Lungi, or the War on Poverty, Sierra Leoneans should not expect much. By the way after the rebel war, the next war should have been The War Against Injustice not the war on poverty. Injustice and inequalities in society brought the war, and injustice brings poverty faster than probably any other factor in a nation, whether at a national and structural, or at the individual levels. This leads us to an important question. Pa Kabbah was re-elected because many people believed he was to be credited for bringing peace to the country. He claimed the credit for it in his campaign speeches. But did Pa Kabbah bring peace to Sierra Leone? Really? History will likely conclude no, especially after the failures that are becoming evident during his war-free tenure of office. The fact is peace came to Sierra Leone inspite of President Kabbah not because of him. As president his role was the weakest. True, the country was in tatters when he took over. The APC had wrecked the country in practically every way (in much the same way they are now wrecking their own party – but maybe that is their curse, they are not able to do good, not even for themselves). He did not take pre-emptive action to prevent the 1997 coup. Then he made more and more blunders in his dealings with Charles Taylor, Foday Sankoh, the West Side boys. Under his stewardship, the war worsened. In reality Pa Kabbah was quite ineffective during the war. The real heroes are: 1. God must be credited for answering the urgent and earnest prayers of the Sierra Leonean people. And it was the people who demonstrated in front of Foday Sankoh’s house that May 2000 in which 19 and eventually 21 people died. Whilst Pa Kabbah was cowering in fear, the people took matters into their own hands and stormed Foday Sankoh’s house. IN fact Pa Kabbah’s government did not give their support to that demonstration which eventually brought Foday Sankoh down. Under Pa Kabbah’s proverbial nose Foday Sankoh went to Ivory Coast in handcuffs, a prisoner; he came back a minister of minerals and mining, next in line to the vice president. Less than a mile from his own official residence, Foday Sankoh was receiving international wheeler-dealers and trading the mining rights and minerals of the country until the people put a stop to it. He boasted over the BBC that Pa Kabbah dare not arrest him. In one memorable SLBS program, it showed Pa Kabbah talking with Foday Sankoh across the table. It was embarrassing to see the president avoiding eye contact with Foday Sankoh. Foday Sankoh spoke freely, waved his hands and was spontaneous. Pa Kabbah on the other hand was embarrassed, and fidgety. It looked like he was being forced to sit and listen to Foday Sankoh lecture him. He was the president and Foday Sankoh was the rebel, but their body languages communicated the opposite. The present author realized right then that H.E. seemed personally afraid of the man even though the meeting was taking place at the President’s Lodge! The Kamajohs also did their part. Nothwithstanding their mistakes, they contributed towards peace and the defeat of the rebels. The present author cannot forget how Kamajohs came into Freetown with the just flown-in Nigerian ECOMOG troops, to push back the rebels who had rushed into Freetown on January 6th 1999. Among these Kamajohs was an old man, he must have been at least 65. He held a simple AK 47 rifle. He did not even have battle camouflage on for clothes – just short khaki trousers and a tattered shirt. He even looked malnourished. But as he helped free some of us trapped behind the rebel lines in our part of town, and then guide us to safety, he said: “People please do not worry, we will not allow these wicked boys to destroy our country.” The present author thought: Whilst on this subject, H.E. is making another colossal mistake in his handling of the Hinga Norman issue. It is a classic case of not pre-empting a situation that was developing right under his feet. How could he not have forseen that the special court might try Hinga Norman for human rights violation? How could he not have prevented it or include some clause that would protect his minister of defence in the agreement that was hammered out with the United Nations? How can Pa Kabbah not see that he is indebted to Hinga Norman for his return to power? How can he not realize that wherever there is revolution over things as vital as his country’s sovereignty, and stability, heroes have often been guilty of some abuse in the pursuit of war? How come he has abandoned Hinga Norman to the Special Court? At the same time, how is it that he has consistently ignored, downplayed and outright refuse to give his support to the need for Charles Taylor to account for his crimes? Is this not the worse sort of betrayal expected from a leader? Could Dr. Spencer and Abdul Akim have been victims of human rights violation, if their own rebellion was more than mutilating facts (distorting facts) in their propaganda war to render the AFRC ineffective via FM 98.1? Would those who serve him now expect to be dumped in the future when things get too hot for the president? Let us say that H.E did not forsee Hinga Norman’s arrest and was unable to pre-empt it. Should he not now be giving him support politically and morally? Should he not be apologetic about it? Should he not make it clear how odious the provisions are and state publicly and unequivocally that he will extend the privilege of mercy to his defence minister as soon as he has the opportunity? Did the government entirely abdicate its sovereignty to the Special Court and handing over its citizens? Could not government insist on providing the confinement of Hinga Norman in better quarters as a former minister? Should not Hinga Norman be taken to court hearings in a government provided limousine? If he is innocent until found guilty (a la Okere Adams) should he not be a free man? He was deputy minister of Defence for goodness sake! Was not Museveni the president of Uganda a former rebel leader for the right cause? Does not the international world now commend him as a model African leader today? Did not J. J. Rawlings kill 5 judges in his zeal (wrongly I believe) and then went on to make Ghana what it is today. What soldiers like to be abandoned by their commander when push comes to shove? Did not president Kabbah’s government sign an agreement with the United States government that any American citizen allegedly guilty of human rights crime will be extradited the United States and not be tried in Sierra Leone. Is not Australia working to see how it can free its citizen who was attached to the Special court and who is now accused of juvenile rape? Bottom Line, Country’s protect their own, especially their heroes! Not all may agree with the author on this. Nevertheless, a lot of people can and should see that Hinga Norman certainly deserves better having risked his life to fight for freedom (even if he may have made mistakes doing it.) Some special dispensation should be considered in this case and it is entirely reasonable. Former President Siaka Stevens with all his faults did say some true words: One of them: It is Man who makes Laws, not Laws which make Men. President Kabbah is making a blunder and will live to regret this. 3. The list of those who made significant contribution to peace in Sierra Leone must also include the British government whose soldiers broke the proverbial back of the West Side boys. That sent a signal to them and the other rebels that greater international forces were slowly becoming more and more determined to quell the rebellion. It made the rebels more willing to negotiate. 4. The International Community, especially ECOWAS, and Nigeria in particular, did their part. They put enough pressure on Charles Taylor to stop his support for the rebels and nudge them towards peace. In this situation Pa Kabbah was quite a ?Flip Flopper.’ In fact he seemed to be constantly in need to be propped up by the likes of Dr. Jonah, Dr. Spencer, the FM 98.1 radio people, President Lansana Conte, President Obasanjo, the Religious people, Ambassador John Leigh, etc. etc. Now that some of these truly strong people are no longer around, he is being swallowed whole by the selfish and small minded people who surround him. There is one thing however, honestly speaking, for which Pa Kabbah may be commended: He has apparently given priority to education in the country. Give the devil his due. The nation will probably reap some benefits for this in the future. Having said that, one wonders how much this credit is due to his personal drive, or to some of the fine officials that serve in that ministry. Nevertheless, the bottom line is that Pa Kabbah does not produce results. To the end of his tenure, corruption will continue, poverty will reign, and injustice will plague the courts. He will have Old relics of the past in his government until they die or are too sick to continue in an advisory capacity. He will continue to scorn the views of the ordinary man on the street. He will not discern the seeds of truth, or the urgent, strident, and often shrill cries for change that the people are making often through the journalists, however chaotic that may sound. The saying is true “where there is smoke there is fire.” But he does not see this, he will rather depend more and more on grand ideas, wonderful speeches, nice visions statements and program documents, and the clique of SLPP old timers who if they are not APC are acting in much the same way as their supposed opponents. Fifth, Pa Kabbah also has trouble seeing the big picture. He is short sighted. As stated above his legacy is already tainted. From winning a landslide elections in 2002, he lost the capital to the opposition less than two years later. Let us take the case of Paul Kamara to illustrate this. Pa Kabbah does not see that his theoretical vision for Sierra Leone and that of Paul Kamara, are actually one and the same: A free democratic and prospering nation. In temporary scheme of things Paul Kamara may seem to be a nuisance. But in the long range, in the big picture Paul Kamara is working for change. He is even willing to suffer and sacrifice for the change that he is advocating for. Dr. Spencer who served as Pa Kabbahs trusted lieutenant, was himself also thrown into jail. President Kabbah himself still suffers under the cloud of doubt stemming from the conclusions of a Beoku-Betts Commission of Enquiry. That should caution him to not call evil what others with vested interest call evil. So in the scheme of things, one can see that Paul Kamara could possibly become a hero in the future, possibly a key cabinet minister or even president himself. He may only be paying the price of his greatness now. Did not many a great man spend time in Prison? Was not the black civil rights leader in America for example, Martin Luther King Junior, accused of breaking the law again and again. But Pa Kabbah does not see the big picture-it is lost on him that he not Paul Kamara will become a villain in time. Furthermore, if Pa Kabbah would show some leadership, he would seek to recruit the likes of Paul Kamara and Olu Gordon, and the press to his side in the war on poverty, and corruption. Where there is freedom of the press, there is freedom of information. Where there is freedom of information, the Press are allies not enemies in the fight against corruption. If H.E is serious about stamping out corruption he will see his need for the press as allies. The press is the all powerful tool that will expose 100% more than the Anti-corruption Commission can overnight! Would that the President will take this challenge: Push through the largely one party parliament, a freedom of information act: a repeal of the outdated libel laws. Such an acts should provide for the access to the public of all government information that is not a security risk. Public officials must declare their assets before and when they leave office. Wow! The cabinet ministers will become ?born again’ overnight. Furthermore there will not be much of a need for rumor mongering and inaccurate reporting that the press is so frequently accused of. When he first took office, President Kabbah instituted a laudable program. He had every minister attend a conference wherein they gave an account of their stewardship to the people. He was disappointed because the public failed to take up the offer he was making. Very few people showed up. It seems Pa Kabbah has given up this drive to make the ministers accountable. Here is a challenge to president Kabbah: 1. Create suggestion boxes like the NPRC did all over town; The country will change over night. Not too long ago the minister of Lands, Bobson Turay said that people who have allegations against Lands and Surveys officials should come forward with relevant information. That is a no brainer. How could you expect people to come with a complaint about the referee to the referee? Appoint an Independent Commission. Have people testify in public or in private. Or ask the SLTU or the Student Unions in the country to conduct such a commission. My goodness! What good results you will get Mr. President! Give them subpoena powers. Conduct such an enquiry – in public. Talk about washing dirty linens in public! What a pandora’s box that will be. What is the alternative? Government and ministry officials will not see that they are the servants of the people not the other way around. But this is a digression let us get back to Paul Kamara and the president’s lack of big picture perspective. The point? President Kabbah does not see the big picture. In fact it is quite shameful how the head of state has so many ?small fish’ visitors to his state house lodge, how much time the national news reflects that he was at such and such a place to open WATER WELLS! People come from overseas, donate a $5,000 dollars to the country and it is national news! They get to see the president. What smallness! Let us reiterate once again. A person can be a good person, but a very ineffective leader or not a leader at all. It is a question of Character not personality! No one has ever accused Neville Chamberlain of being a bad person. However, in the face of the advancing Nazi army, the British voted him out in favor of Winston Churchill. Chamberlain was a weak and ineffective leader in the face of the real enemy Hitler. That is the same problem we have with President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. He is absolutely unable to take Sierra Leone out of its mess, despite his very best intentions. Last but certainly not the least, Pa Kabbah is not nationalistic enough! He does not demonstrate a burning passion to advance the cause of his country and his people. In fact it seems that international trends have more say in his policies than the concerns of the people. The people were frustrated again and again during the civil war. It seemed that foreigners were deciding the fate of the country. Pa Kabbah went to peaceconferences and reversed everything that the people had recommended to him. The Jesse Jacksons, Iyademas, the American Ambassadors, etc. all had their field day. The people of Sierra Leone were largely ignored. Today, Parliament has ratified all kinds of international treaties. But legislation that will really improve the country is slow to come by. The country is wide open to international lobbyists, from child advocates, to gay rights activists, to enviromentalists etc. etc. The list is endless. On the economic front the Lebanese and foreigners maintain their grip on the economy. If NPRC was to be commended for one thing, it would probably be that they made citizens – even the lowliest of them feel that they were equal to any Lebanese; that the poorest and most illiterate villager’s interest is more vital than any fly by night so called ?investors.’ After Sierra Leoneans had fled to Guinea and other West African countries, they realized that only in their own country were they truly first class citizens. Yet even this is sometimes denied to them. As refugees and aliens back then, their rights and interests were secondary to those of the citizens in whose country they had fled. But our President and his cabinet have not treated aliens or his citizens, in a way that instills pride in the heart of every Sierra Leonean. His government has not brought aliens to respect the citizens in whose land they live and work and conduct business. Aliens seem to be able to see the ministers of government and their officials almost at will whilst, the citizens wait until the end of the day in vain and is told to come “tomorrow”. But it is only that pride in nationhood, which will cause the citizen to walk into any Lebanese man or any other alien’s shop and look them in the eye not flinch; ask the price for any item on the shelves, and expect to receive a respectful answer. That sense of nationalism is what will cause a government official to negotiate in good faith in negotiations on behalf of his country. It is that sense of pride and nationalism which will cause a junior officer to turn a minister in if he tries to cheat the country out of its resources, especially if there is a witness protection act in place. It is that sense of pride which might stem the ever outward flow of talent and the educated from the country to greener pastures. CONCLUSION: What should be done with President Kabbah then? Replace him of course! By a coup? Of course not? How? By taking advantage of the democratic privileges still available to the citizens of Sierra Leone. By pressuring him to resign and by calling for the holding early elections as soon as possible. By engaging in civil disobedience, demonstrations, writing articles, protest letters etc. by unions going on strike declaring that conditions do not exist to guarantee a reasonable welfare for their workers and especially in the light of the corrupt and opulent lifestyle of senior government officials. The author holds no grudge for this likeable man that is Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. As an uncle, a neighbor, or an Imam he would do just fine. However, Sierra Leone as a nation does not have the luxury of time to see another failed leader serve out his time. The future of the nation’s children is at stake. At least three generations have already been lost to the APC misrule, the war, other interruptions and Pa Kabbah’s first term in office. What this author is advocating may sound radical. The author predicted the failure of the anti-corruption drive three years ago after the late S. B. Marah was acquitted of charges that he slapped a police man on duty. Once again the present author is challenging Sierra Leoneans to ask the hard questions in order that they might find real answers to their problems.
The Special Court Prosecutors’ Unfair and Divide and Conquer Strategies Sami Gandy-Gorgla, Abdul Karim Bangura & Abdul Razak Rahim The Policy Sciences Research Section of the Sierra Leone Working Group
“Experience over the early years of these (International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda−ICTY and ICTR, respectively) Tribunals, in my judgment, leaves an open question whether international courts, and those who serve them as judges and prosecutors, have the will to take the steps and make the sometimes unpopular choices required when justice and due process, rather than convictions, are the overarching goals.” (Larry A. Hammond) The preceding remark is contained in the concluding statement in a testimony presented before the (US) House International Relations Committee on February 28, 2002. In his testimony, Larry Hammond replaced the divine qualities generally assigned to International Tribunals with a more realistic image that calls into play human forces such as politics, urging desire to find someone culpable, and the general assumption that culpability at whatever cost establishes justice. In a world of mounting internal skirmishes, there is that further assumption that meting out convictions through any available measure establishes peace. Peace is definitely a state that is desired and leads to many positive qualities within any country. However, for a connection to exist between peace and justice in a post-conflict situation, justice has to be premised on a credible judicial process, and the integrity of the process must not be compromised at any point of its unfolding. Hammond served on an American Bar Association Task Force that was engaged in an effort to recommend rules to govern the prosecutions that might be brought at The Hague. He also served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General under Attorneys Griffin Bell and Benjamin Civiletti during the Carter Administration. The urge to convict is tied to factors such as meeting the perceived expectations of funding sources, available funding, desire to establish swift justice, and the expectation that the conviction serves as a deterrent to future War Crimes. Funding sources generally would like to see results. In situations wherein there are documented cases of heinous human rights violations and war crimes, nothing takes the place of convictions to bring about the general feeling that “justice” had been carried out and perpetrators will face punishment for their crimes. No God fearing individual would ever want to see perpetrators of crimes set free even on technical grounds. However, the perfect world situation that equates conviction to justice does not exist in all circumstances. In the absences of instruments such as the Hyde Amendment, enacted in 1997 to protect individuals from being arbitrarily indicted and pushed through the United States judicial process, the very factors that create the urge to convict may introduce measures that will subordinate justice to a compelling urge to convict. These measures are often introduced in both the overall structure of the proceedings and in the form of abridgements in what is commonly referred to as “due process of the law.” At the ICTR trial the court reversed itself after acquitting Barayagwiza, hence yielding to political pressure from the Rwandan Government that wanted Barayagwiza convicted. The trials of Kordic, Balaskic, Gotovina at the ICTY have created great concern within the legal profession over issues such as witness coaching, the rights of the accused against witness protection, withholding evidence from the defense, and whether the prosecutors and judges do actually retain independence from each other. Here, we make a cursory probe into the Sierra Leone Special Court (SC) for elements that suggest an urge to convict against the need to preserve the credibility and integrity of international tribunals. We also look at the impact that some of these elements may have on peace-building operation. The SC, unlike the ICTR and ICTY, is not an organ of the United Nations. It is the product of a treaty between the Sierra Leone Government and the United Nations to “try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in the territory of Sierra Leone since November 30, 1996.” The Sierra Leone Constitution stipulates certain procedural requirements before a treaty can be ratified by parliament. Based on a case before the Sierra Leone Supreme Court, these procedures were greatly compromised and in some cases completely ignored. If the allegations of impropriety prove to be true, then the United Nations and the Sierra Leone Government would have succeeded in establishing an institution of justice, the Special Court, on an illegal foundation. Such an illegal precedence will weaken the powers of the Sierra Leone Constitution and negate the claim that the Special Court is designed to restore the rule of law. Total disregard for existing laws and disrespect for constitutional provisions, we must not forget, were contributory factors to the mayhem Sierra Leone experienced for ten years. Human Rights Watch (HRW), in a recent report (prepared around July 30, 2004), expressed some serious concern that greatly undermined “the Special Court’s ability to uphold fair trial rights.” HRW’s concern was centered around (1) inadequate logistical support available to defense teams, (2) lump sum payment structure for defense teams, (3) lack of suitable candidates to serve as investigators and delays in their appointment, (4) insufficient training of defense counsel and investigators, and (5) inconsistent translation.” HRW officials aptly remarked that based on their belief, “these issues could contribute to a perception that rights of the accused are not protected and equality of arms is not adhered to by the Special Court.” All the points of concern highlighted by HRW directly affect the ability of the defense team to mount a formidable defense on behalf of the accused. This in turn enhances the prosecutors’ chances of obtaining a conviction. In the area of logistical support, for example, HRW observed after extensive investigation that:
HRW further observed that the defense team is handicapped by “the lack of suitable candidates to serve as defense investigators and delays in their appointment.” As of the preparation of the HRW report, the defense team had only one full-time investigator drawn from the Sierra Leone Police Force. The choice of a police investigator totally disregards the intricacies of the conflict and the adversarial relationship that existed between the police and some of the groups under indictment. Investigators for the prosecuting team, on the other hand, included both international and national investigators with years of experience in conducting investigation and collection of data. Under the current legal system, prosecutors are responsible for collecting information that is later used in leveling charges against individuals. With the approval of the judges, these are incorporated into the indictment document. The indictment document also contains a general description of environment within which the alleged crime occurred. During trial, the prosecutor is expected to mount an aggressive prosecution to obtain a conviction. It is not difficult to imagine the direction in which justice will be skewed if close alliance between judges and prosecutors exists as is reflective of the structure of both the ICTY and ICTR according to Hammond’s testimony. The nature of the relationship between judges and prosecutors at the Special Court has to come from familiarity with the inner workings of the court. Hence, we will leave comments on this aspect of the Special Court to others with inner knowledge of the system. We will at this phase concentrate on one aspect of the system: that is, the indictment documents’ impact on the peace-building process and how it contributes to the urge to convict. Considering the fact that the indictment documents have gone through many rewritings, revisions, and changes before arriving at the Civil Defense Force (CDF) Consolidated Indictment, the indictment process warrants specific attention. We will, therefore, concentrate on what we consider to be the most disturbing aspect of the indictment−the insidious injection of “tribe” into the trial. As Malcolm X stated over 40 years ago, “The greatest weapon the colonial powers have used in the past against our people has always been divide-and-conquer.” This aspect has emerged as one of the Special Court prosecutors’ strategies. Tribalism or ethnic cleansing is the stereotypical factor behind all conflicts in Africa. Exploiting tribal differences proved to be a convenient system for the colonialists. Hence, we have the widely accepted phrases such as “divide and conquer” and “divide and rule.” It is not immediately apparent how using the tribal factor could help the prosecution’s position. However, let us consider the following. The conflict in Sierra Leone contained no hint of tribal affiliations. The rebels, the renegade Sierra Leone Army, the loyal Sierra Leone Army, and the government sponsored Civil Defense Force; each had all the tribes of Sierra Leone among its ranks. The Civil Defense force consisted of indigenous Sierra Leoneans, who were recognized for the part they played in stopping the ravages of the rebels and the renegade army. The intrusive path of the rebels and the lack of will and ability of the existing government to repel the rebels forced individuals to organize themselves to protect their lives and properties. Hence, these forces were initially associated, primarily in name, with various localities. At this initial stage and more so after, it would be presumptuous to claim that these groups were homogeneous with respect to tribe. The threat posed by the rebels and renegade soldiers spared no tribe. The response from the citizens was also not based on tribal affiliations. Again, because of the invasion path, some areas were forced to organize at a very early stage under the banner of “Kamajors,” the name for local hunters. Journalists, mainly foreign journalists, used the name “Kamajors” synonymously for all local forces that opposed the rebels and renegade soldiers. This practice continued even when the government decided to aid these local groups under the CDF, thereby increasing their range of operation beyond their respective localities. Realistically, credit given the CDF belongs to all the respective groups. In fame and infamy, it will be divisive to highlight only one group. This is precisely what the prosecutors have done. Sidelining other groups has alienated groups to a point wherein people have withheld their moral and material support for the accused. Visiting various Sierra Leone Internet discussion forums, it becomes easily apparent that prosecutors are gaining success in polarizing the country along tribal lines. The accused were indicted based on their alleged position within the command structure of their respective organizations. It is hard to determine that Norman, Kondewa, and Fofana were under indictment for their role within the CDF. The CDF Consolidated Indictment features Kamajors, the Mende local force, more than the CDF. It is hard to imagine that within the CDF, only the Kamajor unit committed all the atrocities and that they were present in areas way outside the region of the original Kamajor. We cannot attribute the selective use of Kamajors in the indictment to the synonymic error of the journalists. It was purposefully designed to “divide and gain conviction.” Indeed, our position is supported by the major finding of the scientifically rigorous study conducted by Macartan Humphreys of Columbia University and Jeremy Weinstein of Stanford University in partnership with the Post-conflict Reintegration Initiative for Development and Empowerment (PRIDE) in Sierra Leone, with the support of Earth Institute of the United States and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Coordination Section of UNAMSIL. According to these investigators, “contrary to common perception, there were no large differences across factions along ethnic, regional, or religious lines, or in terms of political party affiliation.” In essence, the Special Court prosecutors’ strategy to inject “tribalism” into the trial seems to defy logic.
For copies of this article and/or information on the Sierra Leone Working group, please contact: Abdul Karim Bangura School of International Service American University Washington, DC 20016 Telephone: 202.885.1546 Facsimile: 202.885.2494 E-mail:<[email protected]></[email protected]> URL: THE DEBATE ABOUT KABBAH’S HONESTY CONTINUES : HASHIM DABOH REPLIES ISSA KOROMA Issa, grateful that you mounted the courage and the express desire to enter the race to ?reality talk’ in defense of the present SLPP government. I’m humbled by your concern and to realize that Sierra Leoneans, especially those in the Diaspora are on their toes on issues about the country. But I hope that the frigid Canadian winter didn’t play any role in the content of your reply to my article at the ?Rico’; because comparing TJ to a legend like late sir Milton is a disservice to probity, honor and visionary leadership. It reminds me of Jessie Jackson’s comparison of late Sankoh to Nelson Mandela. What a joke! Really, your flawed but limping effort to explain why Tejan and his political appointees are both morally and financially corrupt is simply no effort at all. You failed in your response to either openly rebut allegations of corrupt practices in my initial article or to explain why all is still well in Sierra Leone despite a considerable period of peace and tranquility coupled with international financial generosity poured into the country since the cessation of hostilities. But one thing I should be grateful to you for this time around is not asking for more time for TJ to perform and show his kindness, build both political and economic structures that would be a benchmark for tomorrow leaders to follow. Is good governance a privilege or a right? But coming back to your article, its’ imperative that you and other TJ’s patron stop the APC bashing, just for heavens sake. Posterity knows that the APC was corrupt and indeed TJ knows that. Even at his TRC testimony he made repeated statements of the Red Sun and how it wrecked the country, but that didn’t stop him from patronizing some of their students-ngor JBD is my best testimony. Or is H.E just playing according to the yester year’s book of the Stevens. I think kabbah still maintain a sort of chronic nostalgia for the APC tactics and so his administration does share some outstanding similarities with the RED boys: a) Both came to power through the ballot box b) Both inherited a fragile political atmosphere with a very precarious security situation. c) Both won on regional bases d) Both leadership came from the Visionless training camp whose primary successes were to exploit our ignorance and useless most of our intellectuals by making them into thieves other than activist and descent principled servants. E) Both reduced the masses to street beggars. f) Both very good at promises than real action because all funds should be diverted by their appointees for personal use- a simple definition of embezzlement. g) Both were financially and morally corrupt. h) Both lied to win elections and misused public funds with impunity. I) both had some of the brightest Sierra Leonean to work with. j) Both endowed with visionless leadership and lacked courage to take responsibility for short comings. I careless about Ernest Kromah or otherwise. That is left with the APC to decide. But I felt a bit insulted by your age issue in politics, though on the other hand that helped to define the status of your argument and how well did the SLPP old heads indoctrinated you on leadership. Besides being over thirty five it’s the inherited Right of every Sierra Leonean to play role in the issues that affect the general wellbeing of the country. In North America where both of us currently reside, there are instances where past and recent elections have been won by individuals in their early twenties and thirties. So that age argument about political participation is just your New Year fantasy. And mind you Martin Luther King died in his mid thirties which mean he celebrated his triumphant Civil Right march on Washington a little earlier. But anyway your sequential image of a political participant is synonymous with the power honks of the SLPP. For them anyone below forty should never venture into the politics of leadership. Again, if you’ve been following events back home as much as I do, you must be appalled by the statements of recently transferred US ambassador to Sierra Leone particularly on corruption. He spoke on youth participation in politics in Kailahun, the British council and several other places he was opportune to talk. That also goes for the British Ambassador and scores of foreign Assessors. Moreover the Western world you mention in that paled response do not have or haven’t recently have a twenty nine yr. old Head of State, but neither do they have an ex-UN civil servant as leader, simply because they know better that ex-international civil servants are too bureaucratic and therefore much reluctant to change and sharing. And besides, as I mentioned in my initial piece to this paper, theNPRC boys did turned-on the lights, paid civil servants on time, no long queue for either petrol or rice and both were within affordable reach of the people., roads were being repaired in Freetown and all safe areas. All that was done with only the international donations despite the roaring rebel carnage. But your man has had relative peace with the largest UN peace keeping mission on the Globe coupled with the Donor fundings, yet all we see is promises. But they spent the past holidays with generators beaming their homes with light while the masses keep toiling in the backyard. Just get around Freetown and see how lavishing your ministers are. Corruption is the prime reason why we still can’t enjoy the Italian to-be made Guma,the Kingtom,the post offices, pipe borne water supply, good school,etc,etc. We’re where we’re because we always allow politicians to play games with our lives and our very posterity with indifference from most of those expected to fight it by any means necessary. We’ll wait until the damage is done before we start the shout, but the international community is not sleeping and if things don’t change now, pretty soon our outside donors will walk away. Have you heard Blair lately, he is the most disappointed man with regards to SA. Lone So by the way please get back to the article, read it carefully and address the issues I raised such as the family and relatives of political appointees living abroad, the lack of results for monies used from donors for rehabilitation and development projects and the massive construction network of Kabbah’s appointees. The police have nothing to do with this. JBD just slashed the police force budget earlier set out by the outgoing expatriate IG Keith Biddle. Now he is gone, the government can do anything they want. So actually the police are gradually returning to business as usual. And what about the government contract biddings. How were the Education Department School construction biddings done and what kind of job was done by the Berewa’s favorite contractor. Hey man lets talk and talk, but we should really talk and talk tall. Talk to you again soon.
I WOULD HAVE RENOUNCED MY CITIZENSHIP Hi Rev: I read every article on your site from a I am shocked and appalled by More importantly,she appears to be bogus technically She was lucky to escape prosecution by Mohamed Sesay SHOW US KABBAH’S MANSIONS …… First_Name: Valesius As fas many of us Sierra Leoneans are concerned , Sierra Leone has never had any President who is as honest and transparent as President Kabbah. We will never miss the river until the well runs dry. Dabor should show us the mansions that Kabbah has built or the luxury cars in his possession or the millions of dollars in his bank account. Because if Kabbah is as corrupt as Daboh wants us to believe, this is where we can know. He will stash them in foreign banks or spend them on material things like other corrupt African leaders. Unless people can back up their claims with proof, they better shut up.
Include original text in reply. HINGA NORMAN IS INVESTING MORE FAITH IN HIS TRIBE AND THE KAMAJORS First_Name: KING Again if this alleged letter does exist, Mr. Norman, in my opinion, seem to invest too much faith on his tribe and Kamajors rather than the general population and knowledge of what legal challenges he faces. There was a time on Africa Online when I was against the Special Court. I believed then, and still do, that every individual, group, tribe, region of Sierra Leone have a story to tell about the war. No one, however, have a monopoly to the truth. One can only have a right to their perception of the truth. In other words, Who can stop others from drafting minors to defend their population from senseless invaders? The crude and unfortunate reality now is that Mr. Norman and the Kamajors are being prosecuted for their perception of the truth. Question now is should they persist on promoting their truth, or the new truth that now prevails thanks to the Special Court? Should the Norman camp mobilize public relations people to make their case to the general population or stick only with their kind? I AM PERSONALLY DISTURBED BY HINGA NORMAN’S LETTER First_Name: lawrence I AM A GREAT ADMIRER OF JOHN ERNEST LEIGH
First_Name: Moijue E A man dies in almost all we look to for leadership.Persons who out to be talking are not talking,those who should bark and bite are not doing so,it is rather gratifying that a man has not died in our John Ernest Leigh.For he stood tallest when he was needed,he swam with the people of Sierra Leone when others abandoned them.He provided hope when there was despair.He is one of the few patriots we have around. If President Kabbah does not want such a dynamic patriot by his side but prefers the rogues and incompetents presently around him instead, that is Kabbah’s right and business but he and his people will not be able to successfully blame Mr. Leigh for anything. To me, Mr. Leigh always put the interests of our country first, way above his personal interests, and gave both the SLPP and our country a very good image. Mr. Fyle cannot deny that he was with the AFRC throughout and had been in Sierra Leone long before Tejan Kabbah and the SLPP began campaigning for the 1996 General Elections. As we all know, he had a radio station which he used to promote the policies of the AFRC and to discourage pro-democracy citizens. He continued to work for the junta even after the AFRC entered into a bloody alliance with the RUF. Mr. Leigh has published the Conakry Accord for all of us to read. I would like to read what Mr. Koroma has to say about it, rather than view more insulting words from him. JOHN LEIGH AND HILTON FYLE BETRAYED THEIR INTELLECTUALISM First_Name: Joseph Seidu MIP, MSA Mr. Editor, accept my cogratulations for your bold steps in trying to reconcile Ambassador John Leigh and Mr. Hilton Fyle in the war of words and mud slinging these sons of Sierra Leone are engaging themselves. The act of trying to settle their scores in the media without taking into account their hard-earned reputations is disgraceful and a betrayal of their intellectuallism. With the ongoing conflict with these two sons of Sierra Leone, I will use this forum to shaerra Leone, you are not going to forget. Ethically speaking, why should you? To be forgotten is the final idignity that one’s neighbors can impose on you in your unjust suffering. Forgiveness has a long association with religion. Its association with the teachings of Jesus was central, its association with the sacrament of penance in the long history of Christendom helped to define it as personal, individual, secret and anything-but political I AM SORRY FOR CHIEF HINGA NORMAN First_Name: Dankona I AM PISSED OFF BY JOHN LEIGH’S NONSENSE First_Name: gibril gbanabome PUBLISH MY LETTERS ABOUT JOHN LEIGH First_Name: gibril gbanabome I have written a couple of short messages on this idiot john leigh but you chose not to publish them. you should realise that this leigh scum bag insults a lot of people, not just hilton fyle. you should allow people to respond to him or you will be considered an unfair judge. i am ready to engage leigh, hilton or no hilton. I AM NOT CONVINCED KABBAH AND SPECIAL COURT ARE OUT TO GET MENDES
First_Name: KING Again if this alleged letter does exist, Mr. Norman, in my opinion, seem to invest too much faith on his tribe and Kamajors rather than the general population and knowledge of what legal challenges he faces. There was a time on Africa Online when I was against the Special Court. I believed then, and still do, that every individual, group, tribe, region of Sierra Leone have a story to tell about the war. No one, however, have a monopoly to the truth. One can only have a right to their perception of the truth. In other words, Who can stop others from drafting minors to defend their population from senseless invaders? The crude and unfortunate reality now is that Mr. Norman and the Kamajors are being prosecuted for their perception of the truth. Question now is should they persist on promoting their truth, or the new truth that now prevails thanks to the Special Court? Should the Norman camp mobilize public relations people to make their case to the general population or stick only with their kind? BIG MEN BEHAVING AS BOYS First_Name: Tszyu FRIENDS TODAY, ENEMIES TOMORROW First_Name: Enor LEIGH IS UNFIT FOR AN AMBASSADOR First_Name: SAM I AM READY FOR JOHN ERNEST LEIGH
First_Name: gibril gbanabome JOHN ERNEST LEIGH IS A TRUE PATRIOT First_Name: alpha HILTON FYLE IS ONE OF THE EVILS OF SIERRA LEONE First_Name: issa FINAL JUDGEMENT OF SPECIAL COURT WILL DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF SIERRA LEONEANS
First_Name: Ibrahima sory JOHN LEIGH’S PENCHANT TO LAMBAST AND HUMILIATE OTHERS HAS GOT OUT OF HAND First_Name: Concerned Wednesday October 27, 2004 ________________________________________________________________________________- HILTON FYLE HELPED FUEL THE RUF CARNAGE
am not surprised that Hilton Fyle is supported by his fellow journalists- the usual wall of silence. Let us call a spade a spade. Hilton was one of those who fueled the AFRC junta to continue their carnage. Those of us who were around can testify. Henry ___________________________________________________________________________ First_Name: Saidu Daphay First_Name: gibril gbanabome —————————————————————————- STOP THIS CHILDISH CHARADE First_Name: samret THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SPECIAL COURT IS IN PLACE First_Name: CHARLES International standards surely applies to the just concluded civil war in Sierra Leone. Such international standards are drawn from humanitarian law, also known as LAWS OF WAR. The laws of war has laid down standards that are applicable to armed conflicts, be they internal or international. These laws are composed of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and two 1977 Protocols to the aforementioned four Geneva Conventions. The laws of war cannot be suspended at any time, and NO ONE IS ABOVE THIS LAW, INCLUDING THE POPE! Sierra Leone is bound by the above international law.The law of war’s basic tenet is to protect victims (civilians and sometimes captured combatants). This law goes hand in hand with international human rights law and its application is the responsibility of both the local government and its people of the country in question and also the international community.The UN General Assembly Resolution 2444, adopted by a unanimous vote on december 19, 1968 expressly recognized the above laws. The conflict in Sierra Leone had an intenational flavor, there were fighters from Liberia, Bukina Faso, South Africa , there was ECOMOG(comprising fighters from Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea and Mali) there were fighters from The UK, ETC. One can safely conclude then that with the inclusion of these international forces, the conflict took on an international dimensions. When one adds the ingredients of the laws that I mentioned above, it is not hard for a mentally retarded two year old to applaud the presence of the Special Court of Sierra Leone. It was therefore in place and incumbent upon our president, Tejan Kabbah to approach the united nations and request a national-international court (aka, Special court or SCSL). Given Kabbah’s earlier stint with the UN, he knew what to do. And on that mave Kabbah got a passing score on my exam. So why is the special court special and needed??? Following the end of the the conflict, Sierra Leone justice system laked the capacity to hold perpetrators of crimes accountable. Curruption and political manipulation plague the judiciary. The numbers of judges,magistrates, and prosecutors were inadequate and numerous courtrooms and police stations were distroyed during the conflict. Also, the special court presents an opportunity to help bring a means of accountability in Sierra Leone(GOD, WE NEED THIS BADLY) and also to assist victims and their families of those barbaric atrocities to know that justice has been served and cosequently bring closure( if there can ever be such a thing). Also, for those of us who loves learning, the Special Court is indeed special, it is unprecedented. It is a new model in international jurisprudence, often refered to as ” a mixed” or “hybrid” tribunal. It differs from the international Criminal Tribunal for RWANDA (ICTR) and it also differs from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) . The Special Court’s statute includes both domistic and international crimes. To contrast this with other models one looks at the Special Panels for Serious Crimes in East Timor and regulation 64 Panels in Kosovo , these two consistitute a domistic justice system as opposed to an independent institution. So why should we as Sierra leoneans rejoice over the presence of the special court??? For one thing it is the first stand alone hybrid justice mechanism with primacy over the domestic courts. All this put together means that we will abide by international standards,we will not encourage savagery, barbarism, the dark daysism, we will not encourage local corrupt justice system to rob victims of their rights, that we want to get to the bottom of all this, that we want this to act as a signal to would be “copy cats” Having said all this (and God knows that I have much more to say, but professional time constraint will not let me) I think that any right thinking person, literate or illiterate, Sierra Leonean or non Sierra leonean must applaud the presence of the Special court, and not be like the anti-social Rev. that we all know so well , whose contempt for the court and by extention contempt for a civilized international community is an embarrassment to the black race. Please, let us support the special court, let us learn from our own 911 and resolve to make Sierra Leone a country to be proud of. AS K. DOE WILL FONDLY SAY ” IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE, THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES. REFERENCES: _______________________________________________________________________________ SIERRA LEONE’S VERSION OF 911 First_Name: CHARLES PEACS AND NUFF RESPECT TO ALL YOUR STORIES ARE VERY INTERESTING First_Name: Alhaji ——————————————————————————————– First_Name: Joseph Seidu My first encounter with Zainab was at the British Council In Sierra Leone where she hosted a workshop on good governance and civil liberties in 1997. My impression about her, eventhough I have not interacted with her personally was the role she took to champion and sensitize the masses of Sierra Leone who for the past decades since independence have been compalcent to speak out or challenge the status quo and authoritarian regimes for fear of been exterminated or incacerated. Looking at the background of a woman (Zainab)whose social and economic background represents the trampled and the underprevileged, thus, insignificant to be heard by regimes that have muzzled the minds and hearts of Sierra Leoneans, I am personally thrilled to see a woman of this low status taking up the challenge to educate and sensitize the constituents of her country on burning issues affecting them. If you conduct a survey of prominent and learned men and women in Sierra Leone who should have been the conscience of the suffering masses of Sierra Leone, you will realized that we have a higher percentage who could taken up the challenge which Zainab painstakingly championed, intead these men and women have become collaborators and facilitators of the very ills Zainab was advocating against. If we could have many Zainabs in Sierra Leone who share the same vision and goals to advocate for transparency and accountabilty, I see no reason why Sierra Leone should be labelled as one of the poorest countries in the world. As humans and especially as patriots of a country wrecked by thieves of the highest order, we should learn to appreciate the efforts of others who inspite of the stakes involved, are ready to risk their lives and that of their family to achieve results that will be beneficial to everyone. If the Alhajis, the Hajas, the Reverends and Intellectuals of Sierra Leone that represents the moral conscience of that country sit supinely and watch a nation drowning with corruption and wickedness without continuosly standing against these odds, I raise my hat to Zainab and commend her bravery and sense of commitment in sensitizing the trampled and suffering masses of Sierra Leone. She is indeed a symbol of Women Liberation in Sierra Leone. Aluta Continua! ——————————————————————————————————- The Right to Life ConferenceFreetown Sierra Leone5th November 2005
Sierra Leone is among four countries in West Africa that have carried out the death penalty in the last ten years. In February 1998, twenty-four military officers – among them a female officer were publicly executed by firing squad for treason and collaborating with the former military regime that overthrew the democratic government. Hundreds of Sierra Leonean, most of them political prisoners, had been executed either by hanging or by firing squad. Fifteen people – among them a 16-year-old juvenile – are presently standing trial for treason at the High Court of Sierra Leone and if found guilty will be sentenced to death by hanging as the death penalty is presently entrenched in the Sierra Leone 1991 constitution. The world is now in the new age of evolution of International Criminal Sentencing Practice, principles of international humanitarian law, criminal law and human rights law. The Statute of the Special Court for Sierra Leone established to try those bearing the greatest responsibility for crimes against humanity, war crimes and other serious violations of international law provides a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, while those convicted before national courts of lesser crimes could face execution. African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopted a Resolution envisaging a Moratorium on Death Penalty at the 26 ordinary session held in Kigali, Rwanda in November 1999 as a step towards a total abolition of this inhuman act. Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in it recent report to government also recommended absolute respect for human dignity. It is in this regard that Oury Clark Solicitors is organising a conference on the subject of RIGHT TO LIFE in Freetown Sierra Leone on the 5th November 2004 attended by members of the Sierra Leone Bar, The African Commission, the Sierra Leone judiciary and civil Society organisations, to ignite a debate on the topic. It will be an opportunity for discussions between representatives of International, National, Legal and Civil Society organisations and to appraise the situation at grass root level. Partners Oury Clark Solicitors (London) Sierra Leone Bar Association (LAWCLA) Lawyers Centre for Legal assistance
For more information, contact: Sylvester SuarayParalegal Oury Clark Solicitors 10 John Street London WC1 2EB Tel: 020 7067 4300 Mobile:07944447705Fax:020 7067 4301 Email: [email protected]
Death Penalty in Sierra Leone-a way forward By Sylvester Suaray
Sierra Leone is starting to break boundaries and leap huddles in the race to improve Human Rights in the country. As Human Right organisations round the world stride towards the abolition of the death penalty, Sierra Leone is going to benefit from a one-day conference on the Right to Life. A Human Right and Criminal practice law firm based in London, Oury Clark Solicitors, had secured funding from the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to hold the conference. James Edward Oury, the senior Partner of the law firm, whose love for Sierra Leone grew when he represented war crime indictee Morris Kallon at the Special Court, is pioneering the conference in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Bar Association. James Oury explained the aim of the conference “it is aimed at promoting the right to life in Sierra Leone and to sensitise key groups with a view to provoking constructive debate on the right to life rather than focusing too strongly on abolition of the death penalty.” “The conference is also aim at creating an avenue to influence a monotorium on the subject that would lead to a total abolition of the death penalty in Sierra Leone.” The presence of the Special Court of Sierra Leone that is trying people who are alleged to have committed worse crimes with a maximum sentence of life in imprisonment and the recent Truth and Reconciliation Commission report makes the death penalty in Sierra Leone obsolete. The conference will last for two days in early November and will involve members of both the domestic and international legal communities and representatives of civil society groups. ” We are involving the Sierra Leone Bar association greatly as the project is a sierra Leonean project and I am presently working with a Sierra Leone, Sylvester Suaray, a Paralegal at the firm, whom I met during my work with the Special Court of Sierra Leone” James said. The conference is just the beginning of a long-term venture. According to James Oury “One of the short-term initiatives of the conference would be to establish a resource centre for the project in Sierra Leone. The centre will allow students to produce papers and become involved in similar projects in the future.” The resource centre will have about two Sierra Leonean lawyers a secretary and a couple of law students charged with the responsibility of dealing with cases with capital punishment. Books will also be contributed to the law library at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, where the conference will be held. Various people both international and national would be taking part in the conference by sharing their expertise and experience in legal, Human Right and Social context of the subject. Mr. Oury said, ” The aim of the conference is not only on capital punishment, but subjects like extra judicial killings and other violations of the right to life. The death penalty was first introduced in Sierra Leone over a century ago, in 1898, when the British colonial government executed 96 Sierra Leoneans for refusing to pay the hut tax of 26 pence. The British latter realize that it was an inhuman act and abolished it from their laws. Ironically, it remained a legacy in the Sierra Leonean law and up till date scores or hundreds of people have faced the death penalty either by hanging or firing squad. It is mostly used against political prisoners especially those accused of treason. According to sources at the Law Officers Department, Sierra Leone ppresently has 17 people on death row, all for crimes including murder and robbery with aggravation. There are no political detainees but there is presently a treason trial ongoing in the High Court of Sierra Leone. 15 people, including a juvenile are alleged to have conspired to overthrow the government. The fear is that these accused people may be sentenced to death by hanging. These scenarios and fears of such inhuman death will continue once the death penalty is entrenched in the Sierra Leonean law.
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| Cocorioko’s online edition is produced in Franklin Township , Somerset , New Jersey, USA . The Managing Editor is Rev.Leroy Wilfred Kabs-Kanu. Other officials are : Mr. Alex Mansaray , CEO; Foday Mansaray, Assistant CEO ; Joseph Sherman, Asst.Editor ; Chernor Ojuku Sesay, Editor-In-Chief of the print edition in Freetown and Correspondent of the online edition; Olu Faulkner and Soribah Kalokoh in Sierra Leone , Jlateh Doe in Liberia and Mohamed Legally-Cole in the Gambia (Reporters ).
Write the Editor at [email protected] and for formatting reasons, send all articles and press releases to [email protected] and [email protected] . Please convert adobe documents into simple attachments to facilitate uploading into the site. All pictures should be jpeg or gif. |
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