Subject: Brig. Bio : A question of Ambiguity
Which Way Is Bio Going - War or Peace..
Although the speech may be pleasing to the ear, it leaves lots of holes in my own little mind. I applaud his courage to make it anyway. Stories coming out reflect two positions he may be battling with and that bothers me. I like to think that as a second in command, he would have known the position of NPRC as an institution of soldiers on one hand, and the arrangements made regarding the war and the elections including involvement of donor nations with the sting for the blood of Sierra Leoneans to quench their economic appetite.
Reports indicate that (1) Bio would rather pursue the War before embarking on elections; (2) Bio indicated in his speech, he will keep the election process on the February 26 schedule and (3) from these reports, there is the feeling that the coup was pre-arranged. i.e.; in fact it is said that the plans were finalized on Saturday for Strasser to hand over to Bio while NPRC committed to providing him protection and passage out of the SL.
I see problem with 1 and 2 above and 3, I consider a PURE stupidity. Strasser was called in to lead a coup he did not participate in. He could simply have said 'guys, I can't handle it any more, one of you should take over from me' and announce his resignation to the nation. This I think would be more honorable but again, that would not be a military tradition in SL. They have to stage a mock coup.
From 1 and 2, I do not think that Bio is acting in good faith. Even if Bio did not make a public pronouncement of his intention to pursue the war to an end before calling for elections, he probably had said it to the ears of others and granted this is true, then I believe it to form part of his thinking. No problem with that. The problem comes when he announced to carry on with the election process on schedule.
The greatest humanity one could find in a soldier is firmness and purpose of belief. Playing politics is not a doctrine; it is a prescription for disaster in SL. Soldiers by culture are indoctrinated to get a nation out of disaster while politics on the other hand creates disaster for the nation. You cannot be the problem while providing solution to it. Bio would have truly stated his position as a soldier - pursuing the war to an end for the good of SL or holding the election in February for the death of SL. This would be preferable to our understanding as opposed to trying to bridge the gap between peace and war with spider web.
Madaa Bio, which one are you really going after - peace or war? In fairness to you, I define PEACE for SL now as the absence of elections on February 26, and WAR as the presence of elections on February 26. If the concern is as we are made to know the call for democracy for SL as defined by donor nations, here is my suggestion: (1) let them convince foday sankoh to lay down their (donors) weapons and participate in the election process. If they can accomplish that and ensure
that the displaced people will be resettled by February 26, I think most of us will be there to cast our votes. (2) Ask them (donors) why didn't they call for elections in Bosnia before halting hostilities..! Madaa, don't you think they are making mockery of democracy in SL by calling for elections well knowing that only couple of people will cast votes?
Think about it... and good luck with your promotion or new job.
Saffa Kemokai @ Browns Mills, NJ