Date: Wednesday, 02-Jul-97 07:53 PM
From: Saffa J. Kemokai /(norwoh@prodigy.net) / for Sami Gorgla
A PLEA FOR THE RESTORATION OF SANITY IN SIERRA LEONE -Part 2
I would like us to look into the process that made Kabba president, focusing primarily on the conceptual changes that process introduced. We should not forget that for the past thirty years, Sierra Leoneans knew only the 'election by selection' method devised by Stevens. Stevens selected the candidates, asked the people to nominate them, then they were declared unopposed in a farce election. The process through which Kabba was elected may not have been a perfect model, but it gave political parties and the people an opportunity to register their preferences.
Again the formula may not have been the golden formula, but all the participants played on the same field under the same rules. Regardless of the nature of the rules, all the principal participants agreed to those rules and abided by them. The election of Kabba was not the only positive outcome of that election. The electoral process itself, though not perfect, provided a basis for building a viable electoral system. We should not forget that the system as designed to allow for the best possible process under the chaotic atmosphere created by RUF and some faction of the Sierra Leone army.
Perhaps the most resounding victory came by way of the resolve and determination of the people. For the first time in our history, Sierra Leoneans defied the violence and macabre atmosphere created by RUF and the army to go out and vote for their preferred party. The will they displayed was strong enough to provide a solid foundation for the molding of a national will power and character. The other product, which came later is that Kabba's short period of presiding over things gave people the notion that they could dream and that with hard work they could realize their dreams.
In the light of these positive gains, the AFRC/RUF coup is a travesty against all human aspirations. Any acceptance or seeming acceptance of the coup is equivalent to giving a stamp of legitimacy to factors which are responsible for our demise and once again giving power to people who, according to teir mouth piece Karefa-Smart, lack what it takes to rule. That is giving power to people who will drag the presidency through the dust. If this coup goes unchallenged, we might as well say good-bye to sanity and give the control of power to the dogs.
If the points raised previously are reasonable, then it is absolutely preposterous that any honest and sincere human being could even consider advocating for a reconciliation, negotiated settlement or whatever they may want to term their approach which is wrought with deception. To talk about negotiated settlement presupposes that both the people of Sierra Leone on the one hand and the AFRC/RUF have legitimate rights which should be protected. Furthermore, the probability that each party will leave the table with something is high.
It is really not worth the effort to talk about AFRC/RUF rights. They negated their rights when they relentlessly murdered, raped, maimed, and pillaged people's properties for years before the coup. They continued these heinous actions during and after the Coup. The Coup itself could be considered as an abrogation of their rights. From the point of view of rights, there is nothing to negotiate. The claim that the coup ended the rebel war is more a case of self fulfilling prophecy There are documented evidences to support the fact that a faction of the Sierra Leone army and the rebels acted in concert. For RUF to cease fighting because of the coup is a farce. We all know that the coalition between the RUF and AFRC was not spontaneous. They have been frolicking for years.
There are three possible outcomes of any negotiation:
(1) That the scoundrels will leave the table with some money and a place outside Sierra Leone. As was the case with Strasser, Bio, etc.
(2) That Sierra Leone would have to look for another president.
(3) That Kabba would come back after yielding to the unsavory demands
of AFRC/RUF
All of the above possibilities are not in the interest of the country. They provide no basis for peace and stability in Sierra Leone. There are all indications that Koromah was opposed to the military relinquishing power and hence was opposed to the election. His primary reason was that other military officers should be given the opportunity to taste power and amass wealth. Foday Sankoh on the other hand has no program or ideology and perhaps is incapable of formulating one. Which military officer or rebel leader would we have to placate next? What gives them the right over all other Sierra Leoneans.?
Searching for another president would mean either having a fresh election or we would have one appointed by our warlords. Both alternatives may be one and the same thing. If either happens, then the most likely candidates for president would be Karefa-Smart or Abass Bundu. We can gleam this from their rhetoric and from the fact that AFRC/RUF have indicated that they do not want Kabba to return as president. Whoever becomes president through their blessing would have to be someone who would protect them from possible charges. Who fits the role better other than someone who understands them and acts as their confidant? Such a reward would really satiate the age-old longing of Karefa-Smart and Bundu. Is this the proper scenario for Sierra Leone to gain a president?
I need not talk about the third point. It is out completely. Anything which falls an inch short of returning Kabba to power with the full force of the Constitution will be a loss to the people. I promise Koromah, Foday Sankoh and our peaceful law abiding brothers; Karefa-Smart and Abass Bundu, that , God Willing, the will of the people will not remain subverted for long. As is already evident, there are groups in all parts of the country resisting the AFRC/RUF. They need our varied support. I have tried as best as possible to refrain from looking at the issue as a reinstatement drive for Kabba. It is true that every soul shall have a taste of death. Q(3:185) The time, manner and place where death overpowers anyone is known only to God. Kabba is no exception.
Principles founded on truth are more important than any individual. These principles must be pursued with constancy. The resistance displayed by Sierra Leoneans is a fight for truth. That is, it is a fight in the course of God. Some will be slain tortured, etc. We expect this and we are not afraid since we are admonished not to consider those who are slain in the way of God as dead. Q(2:154). God is the protector of those who fight in his way. He will help establish the truth, peace and stability.
My plea, therefore, to all Sierra Leoneans is that we should use whatever persuasive measures we have to ask these guys to relinquish all designs they have in holding onto power. If we try and they still hold onto power, then it is our ordained duty to fight them through whatever means one has at his/her disposal. This is our fight. We have to fight it ourselves. We can only accept help from other sources but we should not let them do all the fighting. We have to liberate ourselves from the shackles imposed by our own brothers. We should not forget that the Qur'anic injunction to fight is premised on the fact that tumult and oppression must be eradicated so that justice and faith in God prevails Q(2:193).
One reason for this injunction is that 'tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter' Q(2:191). What is worse than the atrocities committed by AFRC/RUF. With justice, which is founded on faith in God, every inividual will be given the opportunity to realize his/her God given potential.
Security will preval and life will not be uncertain. Think of the thousands of men, women and children who have been killed, raped and maimed by Foday Sankoh's group (RUF) acting in compliance with a faction of the army (Koromah's group) before, during, and after the coup. Are we going to reward them through our acts of complacency, apathy and fear? You might not be able to tote a gun, but you might have the means to feed those who fight, you might be able to talk, write, etc. At this point in time, the form your protest takes is not the main issue. The main issue is that you should register your protest by what ever means you deem necessary. The most important issue is that your fight must be for the establishment of sanity in the affairs of Sierra Leone. That is it should be in the course of God.
If we fail to fight and or support those who are fighting for the just course, may God have mercy on our children, grandchildren, etc., who will be under the oppression of the likes of Foday Sankoh, Koromah, Stevens, etc. May God fogive whomever he pleases to forgive among us for our sin of cowardice.
Thank you .....
Sami Gorlga, Phil. PA.