Subject: Quo Vadis Sierra Leone?
I first read these words "quo vadis - what next" in 1981 when Siaka Massaquoi explored the Liberian situation after the first successful military coup in that country. Well, Sierra Leone has had too many coups for me to explore and to even attempt at conjecture. But couple of quotations from two news agencies, in additions to several in recent times, and Jonah's public disgust of Strasser's juggling of the electoral process by passing decrees day-by-day in attempt to derail the process, makes me wonder how feeble minded we can choose to be sometimes, and how short our thinking spans can be.
FREETOWN, Jan 17 (Reuters)
Kamara said on Wednesday.; From the London Times, Wed 17 Jan '96:
If I could concord with Osman, all that really matters now is an end to the war.
What Next Sierra Leone, is all but What Now Sierra Leone? In the realm of things, everything is relative in the world of Sierra Leone but soldiers are also human beings. That too must be relative. If any of us could be called at work with the news of your home is on fire, and your wife or husband and children are in the emergency room, I guess is OK not to mention it to your employer or co-workers for fear of being considered disloyal to your work.
WHEN Strasser could pull all soldiers to guide Freetown so that the rebels cannot get through Mile 91, that is not regionalising his choice of who is to be saved although a third of the country maybe standing at the edge of their graves.
But WHEN Bio could make mention of his home been destroyed, that is a clear indication of his attempt to save the country on regional lines. Good logic.
WHEN Strasser could be called from his duty station to head SL after Saj Musa's coup, that is the way it should be but if Madaa Bio could make a coup (I don't really think it is a coup anyway - more like an early retirement plan for Strasser and his family) and put himself in charge, that is regionalising the fractured state?
WHEN NPRC recruited over 500 soldiers early in 1992/93(?) without a single soul from South and Eastern provinces, Capt. Turay told reporter that he couldn't find a single qualified person from those areas. That led to the origin of sobels.
So What Next Sierra Leone that we do not already know? TRIBALISM? The irresponsible unconstructive gestures we make, maybe dangerous for the future and health of Sierra Leone. Be my guest...!
Saffa Kemokai @ Browns Mills.