Date: Wednesday, 02-Jul-97 07:45 PM
From: Saffa J. Kemokai (norwoh@prodigy.net)/for Sami Gorgla \
Subject: A PLEA FOR THE RESTORATION OF ....(PART I)
Leonenet:
You have said it all but you have not read it all. The following story is in two Parts and is submitted by a non-leonenet subscriber. You can forward your Comments to my address and I will forward same to the writter. I caution you to read the second part.
A PLEA FOR THE RESTORATION OF SANITY IN SIERRA LEONE.
Submitted by: Sami Gorgla
All praise is for Allah who enhanced the glory of His Apostles by sending the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). All praise is for Allah for what has already come to pass and what is yet to come. May peace and blessings be on His Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). To those who might not be familiar with the above opening remark, I will only say that it is meant to give the reader an idea of the world-view framework within which I try to cast all my actions - the Islamic framework. I can never articulate the full essence of the Islamic world-view. May Allah forgive me for my mistakes and short comings. Full or perfect knowledge belongs only to Allah. I ask that you, the reader, bear with my short comings and point them out to me so long as they will enhance my efforts along the path revealed to The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).
I would also like to add that I am not in the process of writing a religious treatise. I will be addressing the Sierra Leone issue. As is the case with everyone, our beliefs, experiences, education, and prejudices bleeds through every aspect of our existence. I make no qualms about mine. The recent Armed Forces Revolutionary Council/Revolutionary United Front (AFRC/RUF) coup has precipitated a flurry of discussions at various levels. To simplify my task, I would like to reduce the issue to one main question. That is, should all efforts, including armed insurrection, be exerted to restore the will of the people? I am sure there are some who would like to replace the phrase 'the will of the people' with 'Kabba'.
For the moment, let us accept both readings and see what we can do with them. It is highly inconceivable that the negative response, to the coup, from various international bodies is based on a personal interest in Tejan Kabba. I don't think Kabba's influence, personality, or charisma has anything to do with the response. Serra Leone's history and status among the world body of nations seems to be more a factor than Kabba as an individual. The first thing that any non-Sierra Leonean sees is the reputation which we have earned over the past thirty six years.
From the point of view of political process, Sierra Leone is the country with three coups in five years. With respect to economic prosperity, bountiful Sierra Leone is pulling the bottom rung with countries that are devoid of rich mineral deposits, fertile soils, etc. Considering honesty and ethics, the moral fiber is in complete decay. Bribery, and debauchery are the order of the day. Most non-Sierra Leoneans see these dehumanizing elements as opposed to whether Kabba, Kindo or Smart is president. They further correlate our socialdecadence and economic regression with the absence of political stability, coherent economic policy, social justice, an efficient management system, and moral principles to guide our actions.
In short the position taken by these world leaders is for the introduction of sense and rationality into the affairs of Sierra Leone. They know that the problem with Sierra Leone is systemic and that a coup will not address the problem. They also know that our problem did not begin with Kabba who has been in office for less than two years. Their interest in Sierra Leone is based on the fact that when we foul up things, as we have on numerous occasions, we crawl on our knees hat in hand to these world bodies and other nations begging for handouts. They provide the necessary resources for us to take care of our sick, educate our children, feed almost the entire population, etc. So much for the integrity of our internal affairs. In this light, we may see their demand for the restoration of the will of the people as a prevetive measure.
Although the distinction between the restoration of the will of the people and the reinstatement of Kabba is a fundamental distinction, some Sierra Leoneans still fail to make this distinction. They insist on looking at any intervention as an attempt to reinstate Kabba. Their inability is symptomatic of some of the problems inherent in the Sierra Leone political culture. In this warped culture, the presidency (office) and the president (individual holding the office) are one, a la Shaka Stevens. The law is embodied in the president again as the case was with Shaka Stevens. The nation's treasury is the president's private bank account, another score for Shaka Stevens. Succession is by selection, a process which gave birth to President Joseph S. Momoh.
Politically we had only three classes -The president, the president's men and the nobodies. So we are not accustomed to what people who revere human dignity call rule of law, due process, respect for shared values, etc. Hence the part of the human brain that allws for the distinction between the presidency and the president are fused together in the brains of most Sierra Leoneans. The part that allows for the existence of a rule of law and due process have been surgically removed. In this system, advent to the presidency is through nefarious means. Military coup is the popular choice. Impeccable moral character, astute judgment, and respect for the law are not prerequisites for leadership. Hence any fool with access to a brutal power source aspires to be president of Sierra Leone.
Regrettably, we have had many such cases. The AFRC/RUF coup is seen by many as one too many. The question is, how did we sink to such a low point in human history? While other people are trying to make their respective governments efficient and humane, we are employing all methods to be repressive and inefficient. While other nations are moving towards self sufficiency, pride and dignity, we are daily devising schemes to be a nation of beggars. Understanding some of these forces which moved us to such a despicable state may help us understand why some people are unalterably opposed to the AFRC/RUF coup and also opposed to the hypocritical talks about looking for a compromise. We may also get a glimpse into the stance taken by the Kamajoi-sia.
It is eminent that Sierra Leoneans in general sheepishly accepted the reign of terror which really started with Shaka Stevens. Most of our so called leaders, including the Albert Margais, the Karefa-Smarts, ran like jackals with their tails covering their behinds to flee from the tyranny of Stevens to safe havens in America and Britain. We had no strong conviction and no dedication to any course beyond self preservation. Our leaders were devoid of any positive character. Hence they had nothing to teach by way of positive examples. Sierra Leone lacked men of valor, character and courage. Those who pretended to be leaders waited in the wings like vultures to swoop down on the carnage left by Stevens. Bai Burreh, Kailondo, Ndawa, Lamina Sankoh, etc. are all men of history. A history which we know nothing about and lack the courage to emulate.
The lack of courage and void in real leadership gave a free hand to Stevens in molding the country's political concepts and giving it its philosophical bearing. Being a hief, a moral reprobate and a draconian leader, he defiled the integrity of the office and desecrated the image of a president. He soiled the sanctity of the law and ruled only by his personal decree. He hand picked his successor. As serfs we towed the line behind Momoh who further dragged the presidency into the gutter. Lacking any administrative skills and self-esteem, Momoh created a boys' club, 'Ekute', that ran the country in a manner reminiscent of unreformed school boys. This gave Momoh the opportunity to stay in a perpetual drunken stupor.
The point I am trying to make is that the presidency became the province for anyone. It became a position for acquiring great wealth and exercising complete power and control without accountability. This gave Strasser and his 'diaper squad' the idea to hold on to power. Before the Strasser coup, junior officers handed power to senior officers. If Stevens and Momoh could be presidents, why not Strasser and Bio? We may extend the list to include Koromah and Foday Sanoh. The position had been made profane requiring no special talent. This is what has become of the presidency in Sierra Leone. As a people, we became docile with no sense of our rights, no desire to create one and no will to fight back.
Sami Gorgla, Phila. PA