September 2001
Ethnicity/Political Life, Zainab Bangura - Sami Gorlei
Posted Friday, September 14, 2001 by Saffa Kemokai
Politics aside, I expected a good governance campaign to advocate for adherence to the constitution and also map out strategies for future amendments to the constitution with the express purpose of creating the atmosphere conducive for good governance. Is this "wo 'ala" about consultative conference a step in this direction? Well it depends on: the goal, the participants, the agenda etc. We have yet to see a clear definition coming from those who feel such a conference is needed. Zainab Bangura's reasons for such a conference is more of a sham than substance.
Zainab is, to my reckoning, right. We have a divided nation. Since independence, we could hardly account for well-designed programs and measures that are aimed at fostering national pride, cooperative spirit, and programs that would help individuals identify and establish their rights as citizens of Sierra Leone. Let us consider the economic sector. We are daily clamoring for foreign investors to do this and that. So, when we as Sierra Leoneans meet in the economic sector; we meet as "laborers" working for a foreign boss. It is seldom the case that we cooperate to advance our nation and advance ourselves in the process. It is basically me and my stranger brother/sister working to advance a foreign concern. It is me, my stranger brother/sister, and the foreign concern. We all "get for feet for we 'aid". This is more evident in the political sector, which is a big business in Sierra Leone. This is as far as my agreement with Zainab goes.
The war descended upon a divided Sierra Leone. To the guy in Freetown, Makeni, Moyamba or Kabala; Kailahun district and Pujehun district were "foreign" regions of Sierra Leone. These were not inherent or integral parts of Sierra Leone as defined within the APC conscience. Even with RUF atrocities, government never came together with "civil society and the people of Sierra Leone" to defend the country and the people. Under the NPRC, APC's political exploitation of the war gave way to full economic exploitation. The reaction of the people who were not in war affected areas parallel those of the government. Though Sierra Leoneans did form local civil defense groups, the war never brought us together to defend areas outside our backyards. I would like Zainab to tell me about any group from say Bonthe, Freetown etc. that went to Kailahun or Pujehun purely to defend a part of Sierra Leone and liberate his/her fellow Sierra Leonean from the ravages of RUF. I would also like Zainab to tell me about the roles played by prominent APC politicians and prominent members of the twenty or more parties, in fighting this war. No sister Zainab, we have never been one nation.
Does Zainab really think that a consultative conference is going to unite the country? I think Zainab is more cunning than naive. She claims that "we are talking about politics. We are talking about elections. We are talking about the future of Sierra Leone. And therefore the division becomes more clear." Will it not be the same politics at the conference? I flatly do not believe Zainab when she claims that the conference will not be to replace the current government with an interim government. I am sure the dialogue will be "politics talking" dialogue. The central issue will be "how do we divide the political pie among the participants to bring unity"? Unity as in "wan word". I am sure even Zainab knows that the divide she is alluding to will not be settled by a simple "wan word". Sister Zainab, the depth of the divide embedded in our conscience by political deviousness will not be smoothened out by even a "baby pancake" powder. You go "lubam en lubam e nor go do". (lubam = rubam).
Bangura, who has herself been mentioned as a possible presidential candidate, noted that only six of the 21 registered political parties were represented in parliament. "We don't have any civil society representation in parliament," she told the Voice of America. "And therefore, if we have to engage the entire country, we have a forum other than parliament in which parliament itself can participate." Can anyone tell me what Zainab is really saying? Is this nonsense, absurdity, boto bata, double talk or an attempt at being smart? Zainab, who or what is your civil society? While you are at it, please tell us about the uncivil society. Were all the 21 registered political parties around during the last election? "Doh!" are you surprised that only six are represented in parliament? Zainab is not naive nor is she a dim wit. We need to use her on words to get into her mind.
Perhaps by civil Zainab means NGOs (per Kpejelo). Zainab if this is the case, then why should they be in parliament? Is there any provision within our constitution to admit them to parliament? I guess the constitution is not needed for good governance. The will of Zainab will suffice. I can see this in the very fact that she even mentioned something about all the 21 registered parties not being in parliament. Sister Zainab even with that constitutionally sanctioned process they call election, there is no guarantee that all the registered parties will be in parliament. What do we do then? I get it, come up with a proportional consultative conference group then transform that group into a parliament. Mind you they will not be civil, considering one sense of civility, if RUFP is represented. I never cease to be amazed by the destructive ingenuity of Sierra Leone politicians. Shaki came up with election by selection. Now Zainab seems to be talking about election by consultation. May God help us least we end up with a process known as election by consultative selection.
Since Zainab is on leonenet, I sure wish she could tell us more about what she really means. I am beginning to view her call for good governance as political marketing ploy. This consultative gibberish is not that far removed from the West Side Boys call for an interim government.
Gorglei.