Attention : The Editor, Cocorioko International

Dear Editor,

Reference: Editorial - “Encouraging signs from erstwhile Heart of Darkness” ( Tuesday April 11, 2006 )

I must mention how beholden I feel to your ‘information outlet' for the comparatively timely, balanced and good quality information on our country.

I commend you for signaling the advent of “Encouraging signs from erstwhile Heart of Darkness” in your editorial of Tuesday April 11, 2006. I sense the delicate line of neutrality you should maintain in the service you are providing but I dare say objectivism must not be seen to be sacrificed at any cost. In that vain let me ask for your permission to disagree with you on the generative mechanism of ‘…. signs from erstwhile Heart of Darkness' in the context of Political Transformation of Sierra Leone

My centre of attention is on the mechanisms and actors at play that have culminated in what you have beautifully put as “the political renaissance that has swept Sierra Leone ” . I am surprised and maybe uncomfortable when the invaluable input of the ordinary Sierra Leonean Man, Woman or Child in the streets of our country is functionally left out of the equation of the genesis of the political status quo that we have all worked hard to achieve. I submit that by so doing, the entire argument may fall flat on its face and disintegrate into unsalvageable inconsistent fragments that may not be very useful. This is because the ordinary man is the hub around which other actors including the international community and whatever Political Party is revolving. To omit that factor, seems to me, is like chasing the wind.

The intension of the editorial is brilliant (apparently intended to recognise the growing political tolerance and freedom of association in our democracy). However the reservation of compliments for the ruling SLPP Party as an actor in the evolution of political pluralism in your words - “However much we criticise the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), we must however not fail to pay tribute to the Grand Old Party that during its incumbency Sierra Leoneans became free once again to exercise their political franchise. In the past, dancing in the streets for another political party was an invitation for systematic KGB and Gestapo-like extermination by the powers-That-Be then” – as compared to “It is a new day in Sierra Leone and we all deserve a pat on our backs” - at the tail end of your article for the rest of mankind; may not be proportionate. This suggests that, the mechanisms and context in which the political actors have interacted to produce outcomes (registration of PMDC to stick to your example) is not as obvious as I tend to assume. This is not to say that SLPP does not deserve commendation on some other aspects of good governance of our beloved country. But I will be derelict in my duty of service to the “land that we love” if it is not reaffirmed here that outcomes that we are witnessing now has been brought about by mechanism in which the SLPP is the weakest link. An unsophisticated example is when the people and the International community were battling it out with the AFRC; SLPP was leaking its wounds in some obscured location after publicly accepting knowledge of the imminent perpetration of the highest crime on our land (overthrow of a democratically elected government by force). Had the people welcomed the Junta, I submit that the outcome would have been different. But we the people of Sierra Leone insisted on voting our leaders in or out through the ballot box and will never allow anybody to shoot his way to political power. When leaders were dining and wining with Foday Sankoh on the eve when that unforgivable criminal was planning to wreck havoc on our country, it was the people who confronted him. I will not shy to insist that had the people not intervened, the outcome would have been different with more serious consequences than the lives of our 22 brothers we lost. When people dived under the bed at the gun shots of the infamous ISUs, in the Siaka Stevens days, the fight was only postponed to be fought another day (as Mr Marley Philosophised) - again with more serious consequences of a colossal more than a quarter of a million deaths. On this, you will see me ‘cautiously blaming' us all (the people of Sierra Leone ) for letting our country down during APC days in my succeeding take on the issue. Resisting Siaka Stevens' negative power (see sections below) by then may have resulted in fewer deaths - but the generation had a huge capacity to absorb negative power because of the geo-political realities – thus my use of ‘cautiously blaming' above (see subsequent sections for contextualisation).

Power is a process that permeates and shapes the control one would have over his/her own life. You would agree with me that it could be positive – where people are empowered, included, encouraged, equity in distribution of resources, access to and ability to obtain services etc. Or it could be negative where people are robbed, marginalised, excluded, dismissed, used and misused etc. When, power is negative, the capacity to accommodate its vices changes with the orientation of the era and generation. This accommodative capacity shrinks as man evolves (now the Monarch is resisted in Nepal of all places as I write – something unimaginable in the not distant past). This theory allows me to put it to you that, had the same Siaka Stevens been around today (with the same cabinet and with this population character as it is now - 2006), it must dawn on you now that; he would have been absolutely incapable of inflicting on our country, what he did in those dark days. At the other end of the spectrum, the capacity to hold positive power is insatiable as more is needed the more you give (Manifest destiny – Man was born free) - political economists would love to explicate this. All what SLPP has done, more for its own continued survival before being consumed by peoples' aspirations, is to recognise the shrinking capacity of Sierra Leoneans to accommodate negative power – an attribute eloquently manifested in recent times (Resistance of NPRC, Civil Defence, AFRC show down, Sankohs' arrest etc) – which as you known brought and sustained the SLPP at the central stage. Positive political power is achieved and not bestowed (Nelson Mandela believed in this position and (his first wife) Evelyn a Jehovah Witness believed God will find a way to save his people. Nelson believed in God - God was good and will not want bad things to befall his people – but he deferred that one have to work hard using God given talents for good things to come about. This irreversible positions lead to what history will now record as Nelson's first divorce). So when people work for positive power the least to be done is to acknowledge it. The South African Government in the Apartheid era was not going to wake up one morning and transfer power to the majority. The huge hatred for PMDC openly showed by SLPP must indicate how powerless they are in the face of demand by our people for positive power. SLPP did not bestow political pluralism on the people of Sierra Leone – the people demanded and achieved political pluralism (from rebels and two brutal Junta – NPRC and AFRC regimes) of which SLPP like PMDC are only but fruits. Since reintroduction of political pluralism in 1996, more than 15 political parties have registered. Therefore, “………today we are free to form alternative political parties” was more pertinent 10 years ago when SLPP registered with other parties in 1996. That PMDC's registration is different from all other registrations to the extent that SLPP should be credited is a mouth watering thesis which I will comprehensively resist due to time constraint. We can congratulate ourselves for another credible force; but SLPP should be busy with whatever they choose. My fear is that we easily and voluntarily create giant tormentors in our midst and end up being incapable to contain them from bringing untold sorrow to our people. Let me don't gild this lily, I will embark on a more critical analysis of the PRINCIPAL role of people in political situations at any point in time when I join you in the ensuing analysis of independence and post-independence evolution of Party politics in Sierra Leone up to the registration of PMDC embedded in theories that could be publicly defended.

Having indicated the direction I am headed; let me continue with “why” I took that position. The popular dictum that “the people deserve the government they have” is accurately embedded in the elementary but valid principle that - outcome of an action follows from mechanisms acting in a particular context. The common example used to illustrate this principle is the question: Does gunpowder explode when a flame is applied? Yes if the conditions are right; is the answer. It doesn't ignite if it is damp, or if the mixture is wrong, or if no oxygen is present or if heat is applied only for a short time. The vital components of the principle outcome (the explosion) of an action (applying flame) follows from mechanisms (chemical composition of the gunpowder) acting in a particular context (particular conditions which allow the reaction to take place). Humans share 98% of their gene in common with Chimpanzee; but we are not Chimps. I am my fathers' son; but I am not my father. We were born by different parents and the time we were born puts us in different context in which different generative mechanism will act and outcome is bound to be different. But I look so much like my late father though; the same name, lived in the same house, he loved and took good care of me, provided protection, we were good friends etc, but my father is my father, I am my father's son. It is quite tricky to compare current and past events of a socio-political nature because of the brutal reality dictated by the above principle. That is why care must be taken before such statements “Three decades ago, it was virtually a crime to form an opposition political party in Sierra Leone . The octogenarian politician, Dr. John Karefa-Smart, will never forget his ordeal at the hands of the then ruling All People's Congress (APC) when he decided to form another political party to challenge the Siaka Stevens oligarchy…..” are made and used to evaluate a group of politician under completely differently circumstance. Smart lived in an era when hooligans were allowed to slaughter people with impunity. Imagine if Charles was President of Liberia in 1967, he would have wiped out the entire sub-region and retire to the balcony of the executive mansion before realising that there is nobody to give him water to drink. When the gunpowder was damp, who dared to arrest Idi Amin Dada and other dictators for the slaughter of our brothers? President Kabbah does not have the luxury to chase news papers out of town like Stevens did with Tablet. With Cocorioko International et al; around the world, running after people in the street of Freetown like a mad dog is not helpful. After all, Stevens did send an email until his death. But you can argue that Kabbah is harassing journalist and imprisonments and deaths here and there. I will agree with you that it is a good argument. But the generative mechanism is dynamic as there is tremendous pressure underway to repel the public order act that allows abitary arrest. This is in the manifesto of a number of political parties. Assume that act is repelled when some other person is in power. Will it be justified to suggest the current President then is so democratic that the public order act has been repelled during his incumbency? I beg to defer. Stevens's resisted multiparty because of the context and mechanisms at work during his era. But if we had multiparty in 1996, is it because NPRC loved democracy? They could not have resisted because the demand for positive power (the people, international community and host of other generative mechanisms) could have consumed them. We are related to the former generation (same country, our fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts etc) but we are different as we emerged in a different context with different generative mechanism acting on us to steer our nation to a different outcome from those that Karefa-Smart went through. Your comparism thus, is only useful to see where we are coming from and maybe tell stories; but not to evaluate adherence to democratic value in retrospect. Some of these guys out there now (from all indications) would have behaved worst than Stevens if it where not for the iron jacket of context and generative mechanism they find themselves. 

When APC went berserk in the late 60s' and used force to cling to power against the wish of the people, it was dealing with a collection of peaceful, well educated and prosperous people highly respected by the rest of the world (Athens of West Africa) and receive independence by negotiation. Our country was rich and Stevens could fry us with our own oil without resort to outside help. Our fathers' generation took a long time to get out of the shock that Stevens sent them into by the introduction of naked violence. The “Dog Police” had perfected violence in Marampa mines where he championed violent strikes. It was reported that he wanted to disrupt the Queens ' visit. Most people where professionals alien to mass resistance which they did not go through to achieve sovereignty. Action was not contemplated; the gunpowder was damp and the mixture was wrong without oxygen for the type of action to take against Stevens who could not understand negotiations through which Sierra Leoneans were thought to resolve their differences. In fact; all avenues where closed for such decent activities with the 1978 One Party. Unfortunately, doing nothing about a situation is in effect; an action for some other mechanism to generate an outcome. The outcome was a collapsed state that bred discontents that became hopeless to the point of doing what they did between 1991-2002. The generation by then had a huge capacity to accommodate negative power because they were novices to the challenge they faced (why I used “cautiously blame” above) and had to adapt by institutionalising subservience thereby abandoning their country to the wimps and caprices of a man who had so much energy and so adroit in bringing the country to her knees. When gunpowder was getting dry in 1977 (people (students) who grew and went to University under Steven's maladministration and started learning the language he could understand) there was no oxygen (the intimidated older generation including labour congress did not support) and so the heat could not be applied long enough to generate mechanism. Since 1977, it was just a matter of time for the country to collapse as an outcome; once Stevens' actions, mechanism and context where maintained.

By 1991 when Charles Margai and others hit the road to resurrect SLPP, (when it was not fashionable) the gunpowder was dry, the mixture was correct and there was enough oxygen (the era had changed and the current generation born and bred in resistance (multiple student strikes in the 70's, 80's and 90's) - took central stage while there fathers weakened by Stevens had long retired together with their tormentor). The country has been militarised (CDF in the 90's) largely in self defence or else one will be killed in cold blood anyway. By 1992 an epitome of the shrinking capacity to accommodate negative power was manifested by the coup of young officers who took the APC by complete surprise. Most of these officers were actually born during Stevens' rule and had nothing to do with the Westminster generation – context has changed. When Sierra Leoneans actually challenged gun toting boys to conduct multi party election in 1996 (that resurrected SLPP); they ushered in different mechanism fashioned on demanding positive power at the cost of even paying the ultimate price. Reminding you about the circumstances under which SLPP gained political power from the 30 year wilderness and locating the Sierra Leoneans (Bintumanni 1 and 2 conferences) in the process should allay your expressed fears “a chronically self-indulgent government would have preferred to fall out with stakeholders and donor agencies than play ball with them and change the country” . It is difficult to glimpse SLPP - full of guys with packed bags ready to fly in thin air at the slightest “Maskita like bush shaking” - thwart political pluralism; hard won with blood and iron by our people who are watching closely and very interested at every twist and turn after they have been baptised with fire for ten and more odd years. The admiration of the Sierra Leonean by the international community for having championed democratic values and the expressed willingness to pay the ultimate price for it; is echoed on every corridor of the international community. They will stand by us to reinforce the generative mechanisms firmly towards stability as part of the correct chemical composition of the gunpowder to achieve positive power outcome for all. The global village with one super power is guarding the mechanism. Cocorioko International on the information super high way is part of tens of thousands of the mechanism at play working towards prosperous and stable Sierra Leone . For any one Party of the poverty stricken country to dream of reversing this forward match is foolhardy and I do not think if I have lost all the respect for SLPP and that they are so irrational with themselves as to attest to your fears above. If any Party should know what the people of Sierra Leone and the rest of the world are capable of doing to achieve freedom; (from Bintumanni 1 1995, February 1996, May 25 1997, January 6 1999, to May 2000) it's the SLPP.

SLLP Did Not Bestow Political Pluralism; Like All Other Political Parties, It's a Fruit of Political Pluralism Demanded and Achieved by the People of Sierra Leone

Editor, having said this, when I sit down and look at what you guys are doing for your countries, I thank God for your lives.

Cheers

Acim Baio ( Portsmouth , UK )

3/4/2006

Dear members of the Press,

I am writing out of disgust over the idea that Charles Taylor should be tried outside the mandate and established venue of the special court, established solely for those who bear the greatest responsibility for war crimes in Sierra Leone . I still have to understand that this decisions bears on the fact that he was President of a rogue state and also an American Liberian with previous intelligence role for the US government. The Special court in Sierra Leone is not a local court. It has the jurisdiction of any international court like the one in Arusha or The Hague . To exaggerate the power and influence of Charles Taylor in disrupting the Special court in Sierra Leone is therefore a deceit and hoax thereby giving him a special status by going to The Hague .

If the RUF and the Civil Defence Force -Kamajors cannot disrupt the Special Court , even when Foday Sankoh and Chief Hinga Norman were there, how can Charles Taylor do so now that he does not have the support of Ivory Coast , Libya and Burkinafaso? Shifting his trial to the Hague at the request of Taylor and the acquisance on the Special court prosecutors is like concluding that he is a SPECIAL WAR CRIMINAL that deserves better than the others in Freetown, when we all know that some one like Hinga Norman was only engaged in the war because of the tacit support of the Liberian Government headed by Charles Taylor. After all Miloshevic was from Europe and was tried in Europe, so if not Freetown why not Arusha in Africa ? The attempt to get Taylor to DenHaag is discriminatory and abortive of the justice for which the Special court was established. The decision therefore to take Taylor to DenHaag should not only be taken by the UN Security council, but by the Parliament of Sierra Leone as well since the legal provision under which Taylor was brought to Freetown 's special court was a joint decision. Let us see how our MP could betray the cause of justice by not speaking out.Some Liberian feel its a humiliation for them having their former rogue President being tried in Sierra Leone and Johnson -Sirleaf wants to score some political points by having Taylor in a more cozy prison.

Were this to happen, Sierra Leoneans Should rally for the dissolution of the Special court to be replaced by a Sierra Leonean court to try the Sierra Leoneans currently held in their custody. Conditions for trial should never be discriminatory. Taylor 's power and influence after his Presidency is being exaggerated. Who had power and influence in those days like the RUF and the CDF? So has there been any security threat? How can Taylor at this time of emptiness import trouble into our secured country. Let it be said that as Americo Liberian and as former rogue President, he should be more favoured. And this ends the credibility of the so-called Special Court . God save us from injustice.

Edwina Fatoma

Ghana

Letter: PLEASE TAKE CHARLES TAYLOR SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!

J.B. JENKINS-JOHNSTON

B.A. (HONS) (DUNELM)

BARRISTER-AT-LAW, SOLICITOR,

COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS,

AND NOTARY PUBLIC

My Ref. JBJJ/chk

Your Ref:

Date: 27 th March 2006.

AYOTUNDE CHAMBERS

4,PERCIVAL STREET,

P O BOX 1164

FREETWON, SIERRA LEONE.

A PLEA TO THE GOVERNMENT And THE SPECIAL COURTPLEASE TAKE CHARLES TAYLOR SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!(Don't disturb our Peace Again!!)By J.B. Jenkins-Johnson Esq.,(A worried Citizen of Sierra Leone.)

I have no doubt that most Sierra Leonenas were pleased to hear the news from Abuja, Nigeria that President Obasanjo had agreed to grant the request of the New Liberian Government of Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for CHARLES TAYLOR, (The former War-Lord turned President) to be handed back to the Authorities in Liberia, in keeping with his earlier promise to hand MR. TAYLOR over to a democratically elected government in Monrovia, considering what role MR. TAYLOR is alleged to have played in our own troubles in Sierra Leone between 1991 and 2002. Indeed we would all like to see him face justice, and if found guilty to be dealt with appropriately according to law.However, I was filled with great foreboding, when I heard over the B.B.C that the next issue to be decided was whether MR. CHARLES TAYLOR should be taken to Monrovia , or whether he should be sent straight to Freetown for trial before THE SPECIAL COURT FOR SIERRA LEONE , as he has already been indicted by that Court. I also heard the views of some people in Monrovia that they did not want TAYLOR taken to Monrovia for fear that the fragile peace in Liberia might be disturbed as MR. TAYLOR still has a substantial following that Country. But what about Sierra Leone – Do we want MR. CHARLES TAYLOR to be brought here, particularly at this time? I can say, speaking for myself, that my answer is a most EMPHATIC NO!!!!

I say so for the following reasons: -

•  We are still struggling to maintain the fragile peace obtaining in the Country at the moment, and those with eyes to see will confirm (if they want to be honest) that it will only take a small spark, to re-ignite a fire in our Country again. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE RISK!

•  Although the guns have been silent for a few years now, it is my considered view that our Government has not tackled, to any appreciable degree, the causes of the war, that is to say, poverty, social injustice: corruption at all levels; youth unemployment, idleness, and the lack of any opportunity to make headway in life: telephone services,) and a general lack of direction of the country. In such a situation I say. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE RISK!

•  I do not know whether CHARLES TAYLOR has any or any substantial following in Sierra Leone, but I do know that there are several hundreds (maybe thousands) of idle ex-Combatants right here in Freetown and all over the Country, and no one can vouch for their loyalty or where their allegiance lies. Added to that, we constantly hear people young and old, saying openly and with feeling, “MAN DEM NOR GLADY OH”, whatever that may be taken to mean. As it is said in Krio, Hint know im master, cabaslot know im missis!”With good reason, I say again, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE RISK!

•  My fourth and final reason is that in as much as MR. CHARLES TAYLOR has been indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone, there is ample provision in the Agreement between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone on the Establishment of a Special Court for Sierra Leone, that the said Court can sit and try cases somewhere else, other than in Sierra Leone, and given our own circumstances here as aforesaid I think it is time to make use of that provision . Article 9 of the said Agreement provides…..

(a) “…… The Special Court shall have its seat in Sierra Leone . The Court may meet away from its seat if it considers it necessary for the efficient exercise of its functions, and may be relocated outside Sierra Leone , if circumstances so require …”to this End maybe the HAGUE in Holland should be considered as a possible Venue.

With the bulk of UNAMSIL gone, I do not think we should take the risk of putting our Armed Forces to the test so soon, even as we struggle with our fragile peace. It is an unfortunate and sad comment that we in Sierra Leone always seem to allow ourselves to be led like lambs to the slaughter by those whose interests are vastly different from ours even to the extent of causing the death and maiming of several hundreds of thousands of our compatriots, before trying rather belatedly to do damage limitation or damage control. I need not give examples; they are there for those with eyes to see and those with ears to hear. We have cried enough, we have suffered enough; we have died enough! And we are tired of fleeing into exile!.Papa Government, Mama Special Court , PLEASE TAKE MR. CHARLES TAYLOR SOMEWHERE ELESE FOR HIM TO FACE TRIAL! DO NOT DISTURB OUR PEACE AGAIN!

Letters to the Editor

20/7/2006

Mr. Editor,

Please permit me space in your widely circulated and respected paper to air my views to the new Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone , Prof. Aiah Kpakima, on his positive moves aimed at reforming the University.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NEW VICE CHANCELLOR AND PRINCIPAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SIERRA LEONE

Dear Sir,

I want to very much thank you for the unprecedented move you have undertaken to correct the mess that have characterized the University of Sierra Leone (USL) for decades, especially Fourah Bay College (FBC), more especially the Department of Law.

Sir, generally, most lecturers in the Law Department have arrogated to themselves the right to make and unmake lawyers arbitrarily. The acts of these lecturers are inspired not by motives that have to do with academic merits; their concerns are exclusively determined by their selfish needs. In their defense for the extremely poor results the Department has been producing over the years, they have struggled to generate explanations for actions that can only be described as maliciously inspired.

All the evidence seem to reinforce the widely held theory that these so-called lecturers have deliberately transformed the Law Department into a monster that wickedly swallows its own products because it hates the anticipated competition from “boys” and “girls” it has nurtured. Some how, these lecturers created some many alarming artificial structures that give the Department some exclusivity, making it “more important” and “powerful” than other Departments, the consequence of which is that there has been no counter balance able to checkmate it, thank God Dr. Ashely later managed to, thought belatedly.

With the advent of you Professor, it seems like the good times are now back or at least they are not far away. The constant happy chatter on the lips of many Sierra Leoneans about the institution of a committee to probe that Department, and hopefully others, has made room for fresh hopes especially for students still in the Department and the nation as a whole.

Over the years, the Law Department suffered the misfortune of having as Head of Department a “fortune teller” who foretells to his students the exact number of those that will qualify to the Law School long before that batch reaches final year. In my year, he “predicted” a said number and true to his word, I was among the exactly “predicted” number that scored the required mark. Under his leadership as Head of the Department, Law has produced some of the worst results. Last academic year saw some of the worst results in that Department. Out of 28 Students, only 11 passed, five flat failures and the rest got what the University of Sierra Leone calls “Allow To Pass” Degrees. Well, for those who passed, who can take them to further their studies with third class degrees anyway? I have never been able to secure a scholarship ever since I qualified as a lawyer because I am THIRD CLASS GRADUATE. For a man to prophesy correctly, who is not in the business of prophecy anyway, sends one logical conclusion, that he maybe actively involved in making his prophesy come true, especially if he is the Head of Department who may have arrogated to himself the right to change marks as and how he feels without the consent of his colleagues who in fact present these marks to him in good faith. Some lecturers are even grumbling around that some of their marks were arbitrarily and significantly changed.

The Law Department is the only Department in the University of Sierra Leone that has never produced a first class student. Is it that in its more than 15 years of existence there has never being a student, not one, that has the capacity to make a first class degree? I beg to differ; rather, I will argue that the lectures are more responsible for bad results from that Department than the students who suffer the humiliation of failure year in year out. On the other hand, there are other students who do not even posses the academic qualifications to enter the Department, but they are being admitted either because they have strong ties with well-placed people in the Department or their family members are staff of the College. These are facts the investigative committee will surely unearthed, trust me, Sir.

Again, the Examinations Office cannot be easily exonerated in all of these. There have been instances in which marks sent by the Department to the Office have been systematically changed. To prove this Sir, let the investigating Committee check the raw scores sent by the lecturers to the Head of Department for onward transmission to the Examinations Office. Let these marks be crosschecked with the records kept by the lecturers themselves. Infact, there are instances in which the marks at the Examinations Office for a particular student are different from those sent to the Computer Room for conversion in line with the Modular System. The whole system is predicated on dangerous corruption.

Sir, I think I will do injustice to my conscience, the University and this country if I indict all of the lecturers in the Law Department. There are others who have displayed the highest peak of integrity. I say THANK YOU to them for their fairness.

Again, I want to thank you very much Mr Vice Chancellor. You are a refreshing breath to the University. Also, the Deputy Registrar and the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, and some people in the Examinations Office, I am told, have been very helpful to those affected students who have launched their protests. To them, I say kudus.

Mr. Vice Chancellor, I have no doubt that you took the right decision in not only forming the committee, but also those who constitute the committee. Justice Bankole Thompson, and Speaker of the House, Edmond Cowan, among others, are just the right people with the right mentality who can restore credibility and justice to that Department. Those who failed but deserved to pass should be passed and the reverse must be done for the other category who only made it to the Law School because they are well connected. LET JUSTICE BE DONE NOW, BECAUSE JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.

Professor Sir, keep up the good job.

A concerned past student.

Dear Editor,

The recent pronouncements by British Ambassador to the UN that a draft resolution which would allow the transfer of FORMER LIBERIA President Charles Taylor to the Dutch city of the Hague is under way , is really demeaning the status of African legal landscape. Charles Taylor is still being held for purportedly crimes “committed” in Sierra Leone .Both Sierra Leone and Liberia are recovering from years of conflict, in which Taylor has been accused of having played a critical role.The decision to transfer Taylor follows Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sir leaf, which took office in January, fears that putting Taylor on trial in any Western Africa country could lead renewed instability in the region.

The article on Charles Taylor that appeared in today's Zambian Post Newspaper Saturday Dated 17/06/2006, reminds me of the words said by Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli recently. He said “handing TAYLOR to International Court of Justice-ICC would undermine Africans credibility and seriously harm Nigeria , which could no longer be considered a haven”. Nigerian deported Taylor to Liberia , who sent him to Sierra Leone where he awaits trial. Gaddaffi reminded the African heads of state that attended a semi summit in Tripoli , who included Sir-leaf and Obassajo, that what has befallen Taylor sets a bad precedent for African leaders. “This also means that every African head of state could meet a similar fate”. In as much as Colonel Gaddaffi and I don't agree with Charles Taylor's policies in West Africa , a principle should be applied. If what American President George Bush and British Tony Blair are doing to other countries like Iraqi, Afghanistan and Iran could also be subjected to the International Court of Justice, then the move to transfer Taylor is valid.

But knowing the western style of selective justice, what they do to others prevails as a bench mark of justice and freedom. Then, Charles Taylor has been unfairly treated. Liberian President Ellen Johnson and her Nigerian counterpart Obassajo, have set a worst precedent on the Africa political landscape. We should not be subjected to colonial legal representations as though we are still a continent in colonial hands. For Gods sake, Africa is a free continent able to legislate as and the way it deems fit. Weather we clumsily wish to deal with him this manner, Charles Taylor is a former Head of Sate of Liberia, who should befittingly be treated as such, and not a mere criminal.

Aubrey Chindefu,

LUSAKA.ZAMBIA. TELEPHONE: 260 097 836651

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29/3/2006

Dear Sir,

It has recently been reported that the Editor of the Concord Times was taken by at least 5 police officers in a Land Rover and to the offices of the CID. This was said to be on the “invitation” of the Attorney General VIA the Inspector General of Police. The Editor is said to have initially been taken to the CID where he was briefly detained and later marched off to the office of the Attorney General where his detention continued and ultimately told by the Attorney General that he was being released to appear again before him on the following day.

Sadly but meekly, the Editor complied and duly appeared before him on the following day. It is unnecessary to go into the Attorney General's diatribe and his pathetic threats before the release of the Editor. However it must be clearly understood that in fact the Editor was under an arrest carried out without first or ever obtaining a warrant of arrest.

Now it must be said for the benefit of:

Firstly all and sundry that the Attorney General's powers of arrest without a warrant are the same and no better than that of the ordinary man in the street that is to say any private person.

Secondly, the Inspector General's powers of arrest without a warrant are not higher or better than those of the ordinary police officer in the street . That is to say the Inspector General and the ordinary policeman have the SAME powers of arrest without a warrant.

Now all these various powers of arrest without a warrant are contained in sections 11 to 14 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1965. I am not sure whether the Attorney General is ignorant of these provisions or in the alternative he has had difficulty in understanding them. In the case of the Inspector General who proudly boasts of having received and benefited from the tutelage (teaching) of KEITH BIDDLE who was infact instrumental to his appointment as Inspector General unfortunately he the Inspector General has progressively over the years become an HIV – His Master's Voice. How else can the Inspector General explain his acceptance and execution of blatantly unlawful orders from the Attorney General? Keith Biddle would have ignored such orders. In fact I do not think the Attorney General would have had the clout to so instruct Biddle.

The Inspector General is reported to have said that this country is one of the safest in the world. How then does he defend or account for putting out dozens of policemen armed with hideous old fashioned guns poised on the ready each time the President attends a Mosque or the Vice President a Church or outside State House when Cabinet is meeting etc etc. Does he not realize that such actions cause fear and alarm in ordinary law – abiding citizens? In the same way does the Inspector General not realize that when he blocks diverts or otherwise disturbs the flow of traffic, unnecessarily and foolishly for hours sometimes just because Kabbah or Berewa is expected that he causes annoyance and frustration to ordinary citizens and hinder the discharge of their duties and commitments?

Mr. I.G if you claim to have studied in the U.K. and elsewhere and to have benefited from understudying Keith Biddle the British policeman let me just tell you that in the last 10 days the Press in the U.K disclosed that Tony Blair the Prime Minister of U.K and his ruling Labour Party had received “loans” in return for granting honours and peerages. Immediately upon such disclosure your counterpart in the U.K namely New Scotland Yard launched an immediate investigation to ascertain whether any crimes had been committed. Would you Mr. I.G ever have reacted in this way? What about the daily press disclosures of billions of leones being unaccounted for etc including an allegation against the son of the President for failure to account for millions of leones worth of medical supplies – indeed one would say – all these just go through your left ear and out of your right ear. Mr. I.G undoubtedly you lack the bottle ( meaning the courage, the nerve or confidence) to appropriately react. Yes Mr. I.G you are not only HMV but conspicuously INEFFECTIVE.

Both you Mr. A.G and Mr. I.G must know that by these respective actions and inactions you are actively assisting the S.L.P.P (Sierra Leone Peoples Party) government to lose vital support and consequently votes. In the case of the A.G his greatest and only distinctive quality is the thickness of his skin and you Mr. I.G your distinction is your HMV. I assure you TWO gentlemen if you persist in these your respective ways – come 2007 we would have been overtaken by DISASTER.

According to the 1965 Criminal Procedure Act , people generally must know that if INVITED by police, you have the right:

•  to inquire the reasons for the invitation.

•  To insist that your lawyer or any other adviser be present.

Or (3) to refuse the invitation.

Yours faithfully,

James Wellington.

10/3/2006

Mr. Sam Abu (Principal of St. Paul's Pujehun) is a disgrace to democracy

The action of Mr.Sam Abu, principal of St. Paul's Pujehun against Mr. Margai and his delegation to Pujehun as reported in the Concord Times newspaper is not surprising to some of us who have known him decades ago.

This same Sam Abu who is now beating the political drums for Berewa was the same Sam Abu who, in the 1982 General Elections between F.M Minah and the late Dr. I. A. Bangura, who was giving information to F.M. Minah about St.Paul's teachers who were not supporting him. As a secret agent for Minah, it was very common for him to drive to Yonni in the cool of the evening on his Yamaha honda to brief the "Pa"(Minah) on the activities of the very teachers of his school.  His secret activities led to the disgrace and molestation of Mr.Jeremiah Kpaka ( A French teacher), Paul Sengeh, and even many students who were not in the camp of F.M. Minah. These teachers were attacked, seriously beaten up by the thugs of Sam Abu and his boss Minah. We still remember when he had a fist fight with Paul Sengeh and where it not for the intervention of another teacher G.G. Kamara he would have ended up in hospital. 

Mr. Abu, you cannot have it both ways, you can't be an APC thug in 1982 and at the same time turn around to become a thug and Secretary General of SLPP for the SLPP and member of Guma Water company board, just for you to keep your job as Principal.
Mr. Abu, some of us who were fortunate to attend St. Paul 's in the 80's know how you and Wundu Pasah waged war against Sam Alfred (the principal then) through F. M. Minah. All you are doing right now is to play that same dirty game you played in the days of Minah to intimidate innocent people in order for you to show Berewa that you are for him.
Mr. Abu sir, those days of intimidation and thuggish behavior in politics is over.

If you don't know, sports activities are, and has always been open to the general public, politicians (including Mr. Margai, Berewa, and even Ernest Koroma).
Your action of reporting Mr. Margai and Josephine Sowa to the police tantamount to the misuse of the Sierra Leone police force.
Sir, let democracy take its course by allowing the people of Pujehun District to listen to the views of different parties. LONTA.

First_Name:  Kennie
Last_Name:  Zoker
Email_Address:  lzoker@yahoo.com

Editor's note: The letter published is unedited and does not reflect the views of Concord Times

10/3/2006

Letter to the Editor: John Leigh Needs Mental Emancipation

I had always vehemently resisted so many Sierra Leonean's suggestions that John Leigh needs a mental emancipation. But when I read his letter to Mr.Wai, I really had no choice but to succumb to those Sierra Leoneans who had always suggested so. When I read that letter or trash, I really perceived how frustrated, depressed and mentally ill John Leigh is and how desperate he is to vent out his dangerous mental venom on every Sierra Leonean. John Leigh needs a mental emancipation.

But again, when we reminiscence into his political involvement in Sierra Leone in the past eight (8) years or so, one can certainly conclude why he is behaving like a wild goose. Some of us had been always angry with the kind of treatment that had been meted out to that man in that country since he surfaced in the lime light of the politics of that nation. I must confess that I used to revere that man and therefore thought he had always been treated unfairly, little realizing that those who had been close to him in all occasions, knew him better.

For those who don't know, that man called John Leigh had been used or misused, abused and dumped by the Kabbah led SLPP to where he belonged. As if that was not enough, Mr.Leigh vied again for the SLPP leadership in Makeni last year. On that occasion, he was not only duped and dumped by the SLPP leadership, but by the very people whom he relied on to campaign for him and then nominate him. No one rose up to nominate him because even his campaign chairman by then knew that the man (J. Leigh) needs a mental emancipation. I was so vexed and mad when I read that news on line that I nearly smashed my monitor, but today, the action of his campaign team has been vindicated, because that man needs a mental emancipation.

 Now, John Leigh, who has no more hope in his Sierra Leonean compatriots and even the country, has resorted to drinking? poyo' at ?poyo' bars, hahahahahaha. Very soon, he will be dumped again by his? poyo' drinking association in ?bomeh' and then eventually by the ?omole' drinking association, who knows where? We therefore have to be on the watch out after his final? omole' dumping. Indeed, John Leigh needs a mental emancipation. 

However, I want to advice Mr. Leigh not to despair, that with PMDC he will find hope and solace.  A PMDC led government in Sierra Leone will certainly get more psychiatrics to assist Dr. Nahim in Sierra Leone to help people like him who are in desperate need of mental emancipation. Indeed, john Leigh needs a mental emancipation

I know this wild goose is going to come out after me after reading this piece. But let me assure him that this piece is just a ?sheeeeee' and that I have all my stones in my hands, mouth, ears and every where (arsenal), ready to throw at him, because he is what we say in Sierra Leone , "fol wae nor dae yeri sheeeee." Indeed, John Leigh needs a mental emancipation.

First_Name:  Denis
Last_Name:  Saidu

10/3/2006

DISAPPOINTED AT JOHN LEIGH'S COMMENTS Thursday March 9, 2006

Comments:  I am so disappointed over John Leigh erroneous and irresponsible behavior towards the youths of sierra Leone . I don't care which part of the world I am, I am still member of the youth of Sierra Leone . Being a youth myself.
I am not so concern about his rhetorical statement against margai. By the way, as a politician Margai should expects any kind of discouraging comments from his opponents. But calling sierra Leone youth with names by people like john Leigh who we expect to advocate for job creation, free thecnical institute education for the youth manifest how irresponsible  a so called attorney of law is john Leigh.
  He is one of those so-called educated fox that our dare country has produced that lack interpersonal skill, despite their academic acheivement and their experience of the western culture.
  Having said that, i can understand John Leigh's  unruling behavior. Having being abandoned and ignored by Kabba, he might be suffering with some kind of psychological disorder. I wonder whether any of his family member have realized his disorderly attitude, and what actually they have done about it. John LEIGH, my advice to you is for you to respect people despite their status, for respect is reciprocal. I thank cocorioko for deleting john's insulting words to the people that don't survive on politician or begger for power like john Leigh, but live out of their own struggle. Bravo to my sand sand brothers and woe unto John Leigh.

First_Name:  mohamed
Last_Name:  jalloh

Email_Address:  mohamedj82@sbcglobal.net

Editor's note: The letter published is unedited and does not reflect the views of Concord Times

Dear Editor

What a patriot you are to comment on an eye sore (“Dirty Freetown.") that has bothered me as a Sierra Leonean living abroad for a long time.

If it were possible to hug and kiss you for being one brave Sierra Leonean, I certainly would.  Thank you so much for bringing this all-important issue to light.

All that was highlighted in the article I agree with.  One question I have has to do with what individual (property owners) are doing to clean up their own (yards), surroundings?  The country may use its prisoners, soldiers etc. as you rightly suggested, but where is sense of cleanliness of the property owner?  Obviously, it appears they have lost their sense of shame.  The soldiers, etc. may clean up Freetown , but if property owners and tenants lack shame and a good sense of personal hygine, what good would it be to all?  May I suggest that you emphasize in your next article, should you decide to write another, the need for people to take personal responsibility rather than always look for the government to  clean up their own mess.  This is part of what makes America and others so great.  Individuals here see the need to look after themselves rather than always look for hand-outs from their government.  Sierra Leoneans need to emulate this good behavior.

In addition to your excellent suggestions, may I add that in  re-instating the NPRC format, emphasize "education."  It is obvious that what ever education has been done in the past has not worked probably because the educators have not persisted.  Be a little bit more forceful in educating the masses.  Unfortunately, I noticed Sierra Leoneans need a little bit of force to get them to act.  Perhaps, a mixture of both could help.  I have not been home in years, but I am equally embarrassed whenever someone returns from there to tell us the terrible thing that has happened to our beloved city.  Several Sierra Leoneans coming back from vacation at home this January had a consistent story - " Freetown is dirty."

Please, please keep up your good plea.  The more it is kept in the public eye, the likely it is that people will wake up from their shameful behavior.  I believe one can gain a great deal of respect from others by keeping one's surrounding clean and livable.  Thanks again for being such a great patriot.

Sam

USA

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Letter to the Editor: Jack Straw was damn right!

Dear Editor,

The comments by Jack Straw –British Foreign Secretary raised by the Editorial analysis of the Zambian Post Newspaper dated 24 th February 2006 needs ululation by most concerned peace and free trade advocates. These are almost the same sentiments as made by British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mr Straw said “If Africa pursued right policies, tackled the right issues and got full support of the international community; the continent could be a success story of the 21 st Century”.

The Post Newspaper pointed out rightly in its analysis, the significance of his-Jack Straw's- concern about Africa on the international platform.

I wish to quote the analysis “Straw and his colleagues in the British Government are very intelligent politicians-probably more intelligent than their American counterparts who are driven much more by arrogance, pride and not reality. Straw and his colleagues may be raising these concerns because they can discern the dangers of a world with gigantic inequalities. They understand very well that this vessel is carrying a lot of inequalities, were both the rich and the poor are all passengers. There fore, their interest may be more of a matter of self preservation”. Unlike Americans, who create enemies from invisible issues, the British have decided to call a spade a spade.

As pointed out above, Americans may not comment in that avenue rather it may, with derogatory and self-proclaimed leadership, impose what Africans may not need as at now. Today's world should avoid hypocrisy in terms of fostering peace and development. Pragmatism should be paramount and acceptability of internationally recognized benchmarks should be practiced by all. The notion of demeaning the standards of good governance and democratic norms being undertaken by perceived enemies of the west, should be avoided. The case in point is Palestine Hamas Victory.

British Government should continue to take the lead in such standardization of acceptable trade and governance standards as it leads EU and G8 Bodies.

Aubrey Chindefu,

LUSAKA . ZAMBIA TELEPHONE: 260 097 836651

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Dear Editor,

The anticipated US state of Union address by its President George Walker Bush to the joint legislative assembly at Capitol Hill is finally over. Believe you me, I was first and foremost, pleased to listen from him TODAY-01/02/2005 accepting that US is addicted to Oil supplies from the unstable Middle East region. This statement is a mile stone in the American political landscape in view of its policy on Middle East . But, Mr. President, the Middle east is not unstable, they just have a different kind of political set up not compatible with American way of life and expectation.The fact that America will now concentrate to invest in other sources of oil production like ethanol; it will increasingly have a positive effect of having a peaceful world once again. They will, according President Bush, do away with the dependence of Middle East oil supplies by about 20% to 25%. This makes Middle East countries relent on its efforts to also antagonize western countries, through clandestine militarism and covert acts of terrorism. The labeling of Muslims as a pervasive faith is not a good signal for a Christian like George Bush.As for Africa, I was not amused to hear him label Zimbabwe as being part to the American next destination of his freedom and peace crusade, together with Syria , Iran , Korea and Burma .

It was not pleasing in the sense that, southern Africa has seen peace ever since we achieved independence, yet here is George Bush planning to instill fear in the minds of Zimbabweans with what is happening in Iraqi. It is not fair. As a neighbor to Zimbabwe , I may be affected in what some pathetic way. It is not that what is transpiring in Zimbabwe is good, but let us give the Neighbours a chance to deal with the Zimbabwe issue in a more peaceful and diplomatic way, rather than send 77 infantry hovering around in neighbouring countries.

For President George Bush, a start is better.

Aubrey Chindefu,

LUSAKA . ZAMBIA . TELEPHONE: 260 097 836651

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Dear Editor,

As a sober alchoholic, I thought I would bring this subject up, What are some of your opinions on alcholol and alchoholics. Let me start by saying I have been alchoholic since age 15, I have had my times of sobriety, lasting for 6yrs at a time. Before it was in my thinking oh ok been clean 6yrs why can't I drink like norml people so I would try, guess what didn't work I would be off to the races again. But I believe as all things there is a root, finding that root and treating it is the key to success. I have not found the root of my problem yet and am searching. I am staying sober as my Anscestors have convinced me of death if I drink, (even one more time) so I am not drinking. I need a clear mind to accomplish my destiny. But I also was taking anabuse which is a medication which causes severe reactions to alchohol. I was taking this also as a deterrent, but realized one day even after having taken anabuse, that if there was an open bottle of gin in my midst chances were I would not resist. I know that drinking eases pain for a moment which is possibly some reasons why we drink, it loosens the tongue and gives boldness to say the things that maybe we would be afraid to say. sometimes makes us feel invincible (beer muscles) but what is the root, that is my quest and goal
Peace
Ifayomi

I am Kwaku Bandele-Ifayomi

Dear Editor,

An interesting  caption 'for defending omrie golley, alliance with apc margai supporters in bo angry' caught my eye.

it should not be lost on any democratic collective that one of the responsibilities of the opposition is to offer a real alternative. they should not only 'oppose' but should be seen to 'propose'. our democratic process clearly permits a coalition government which no doubt will be based on the overall proportional repreentation. the common objective here is the slpp and pmdc makes no secrete about it. our youths should therefore be pleased to know that others are inclined to our ideals and are happy to give the extra boost. this was what the slpp somewhat use to call 'inclusive government'. our youths should remember that one of our tenets is political tolerance.

defending omrie golley is nothing political as charles is only doing what he has been trained to do if only to put bread on his table. legal ethics operates on what is called a 'cab rank' rule which means that a lawyer cannot and should not cheery pick his / her case. 'cab rank' means anyone who needs it and / or can afford justice should get it without discrimination on the basis of the offence. furthermore, the lawyer is paid for his voice and therefore is required to advocate the case for the defendant dispassionately without bearing his own personal outlook on the matter in hand. this is why members of the jury are always warned to remove themselves from all emotions and to concentrate on the evidence before them. the analogy often used is that the lawyer is there to advocate for and not be the judge of the client. the view i have always taken is that if you run with your desperately ill mother to the doctor, the doctor is not required to sit by the bedside and grieve with you but rather should employ every rule in the book that he has been thought to save life. the fact that charles has picked up this case speaks volume about a man anxious to champion the cause of the little man. our youth should be proud and stand a tip-toe for charlie-boy.

against this background our youth should also know there is a paramount factor that should attend every case regardless of its gravity namely, the golden thread rule as detailed in the case of woolmington.everyman should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. this burden and high standard of proof (beyond all reasonable doubts) rests with the prosecution case and therefore effectively the defendant has nothing to his name save if the prosecution can make out his case. for these reasons alone, our youths should not religiously hold that golley has any 'evil intention' for our beloved country. i will now retire and leave the rest to your capable hands. the charliemania fever has just begun. long live pmdc and charliemania

Thanks for this background info.  I assume you intentionally decided not to post it to the entire net????

Dear Editor,

The issue of prosecuting former African heads of state, that has been indicted in a foreign country , has really impressed me in the manner African heads of state , who recently met in Khartoum-Sudan did handle it. It has been resolved never to hand over any former head of state that has or, will ever be indicted in a foreign country other than his/her own.This may seem as using shield law for some foreseeable mistakes or acts of human rights abuse, unfortunately not. No country will be proud to see its former leader persecuted of crimes committed in their respective states, in a foreign country. This bold decision is timely not because I support such crimes, to the contrary. Africa has been receiving unfair conditions ranging from Trade, Aid, human rights and Politics. It is the time we put a stop to this kind of unfairness. I wish to borrow the example put across by Zambia President Levy .P.Mwanawasa “Do you expect to prosecute a former American President in Africa ; American people will take that as a joke”. The same applies to Belgium , on the issue of Former Chadian President Hasene Habre, it is a joke.

The issue prompting this decision has been because of the indictment of Chadian Former President Hasane Habre in Belgium . A purportedly leader of Chadian Victims of Hasene Habre Regime-Clement Abiofuta, has advocated the extradition of this particular former Head of State, who is in exile in Senegal .

Some commentators may argue that I am being hypocritical having supported the appearing of Former Zambian President Fredrick Chiluba before a London Court constituted in Zambia. The point here is the land where the accused is appearing is Zambia . So, there is no hypocrisy about it. The same applies to the Former Iraqi leader Sadam Hussein, who is appearing before a court in Iraqi. All other African leaders should be treated as such.

This is the time to set precedents that may never to revoked, like what has happened to the denial of Sudan the Chairmanship of AU-African Union.

Viva Africa leaders, with you, the continent is set to set high standards.

Aubrey Chindefu,

LUSAKA . ZAMBIA . TELEPHONE: 260 097 836651

DEAR EDITOR,

JJ Saffa should not underestimate and disrespect members of the SLPP diaspora who resign:

Agnes Kumba Macauley

DEAR EDITOR

JJ should know that we may not have direct votes but we have influential votes through families and friends.  Besides it just shows how the SLEEPY SLPP minds operate, praise sing us, you are legitimate friends - criticise us, you are worthless.  JJ will soon take to political poisoning - himself. 

Does JJ know who follow our directives in Sierra Leone, who are families listening to us, friends who will follow suit - JJ must go to a school of real politics - the politics in Sierra Leone is better assessed from afar - as what is happening in your SLPP circles is real gimmick.  JJ is beginning to enjoy the benefits of higher office - welcome to freeeee fringes of political power - enjoy for it will be short-lived when he wakes up for that coffee to see ORANGE - cautioning him to stop and be searched. 

Hello - We are firmly PMDC and we know we are valued and appreciated members even if we are not voters but our views count and mostly because PMDC is for all nationals of Sierra Leone even if you are resident in Australia or Atlanta .

Wake Up JJ Wake UP.

Hullabaloo! - As - SLPP Passes Away From Terminal Disease

When our people of Sierra Leone want anything, they will go for it and obtain peacefully, as eloquently demonstrated by their eternal allegiance to democratic values amidst the chopping off of limbs during the election of a democratic government in 1996; their vitality and resilience against the overthrow of the elected government by brute force in 1997, followed by the nine months infamous junta rule - including the now forgotten and largely unappreciated student challenge to Junta rule of August 18 1997; their steadfastness, vigour and courage under unqualified pressure during reinstatement of the elected government by a multinational military intervention force in 1998; their bravery, resoluteness and valour during the rebel onslaught on the capital - Freetown in 1999; their disapproval, outcry and uproar at the United Nations Peacekeepers hostage crisis of 2000 and if it's a crown, it has to be a Platinum crown; their protest march (unarmed) on Foday Sankoh, patriotically paying with the indescribable price of 22 absolutely promising lives in May 2001.

I have just taken this quick walk down memory lane to remind our compatriots that the basic tenets of the principles of social interaction dictate that the most passive participant (just standby and look) in the political process that unfolded during the last lost decade will never remain the same man or woman. There is more to the politics of Sierra Leone greatly influenced by our recent past than what political miniatures have taken as qualification for political office - membership of SLLP.

Equipped with the above, I submit that preposterous stale jokes floated around far too long after their usefulness i.e. supporting SLPP because one's grandfather or grandfather's father was a member will and must take wings for a number of reasons:

Sierra Leoneans will get officials reflecting their popular choice freely and fairly elected by them to govern but responsible to them while they reserve their unmitigated right to change such elected officials at predictable and regular intervals. They will do so in 2007. Some have tried to intimidate our people and failed. Some more will try and fail.

Our people will trust Power into the hands of their compatriots who satisfy:

From all indications and going by what I know my people for – forthrightness under pressure, then, SLPP has a TERMINAL DISEASE. Hullabaloos from inept officials at this crucial moment before it passes away are not unexpected.

© Acim Baio (23 rd Jan 2006)

Letter to the Editor

c

Today, January 19 2006 marks a historical change in the political map of Sierra Leone with the registration of the People's Movement For Democratic Change (PMDC) as a legitimate political party. What this means for all Sierra Leoneans is that at long last a real alternative for positive change has been presented to the nation. Sierra Leoneans have today been officially presented with a golden opportunity to move away from a deceitful, un-progressive, unreliable and selfish SLPP leadership and government.The current SLPP government and leadership have lost the moral credibility to continue to govern Sierra Leone . They have failed in every respect to protect and provide for the citizens of the country and they continue to rule with deceit and impunity. With PMDC now in the political arena as a mainstream party, we hope Sierra Leoneans will begin to feel that all is not lost and that PMDC, under the able and respectful leadership of Charles F Margai will turn the country round and give back to its people all that has been taken away from them by the greedy and irresponsible SLPP government.  

This article is meant to introduce PMDC while we await the right time and moment to publicise the manifesto and all other relevant documents that may be of interest to the general public. Hopefully this would be done within the next couple of weeks if not sooner.

On behalf of PMDC UK and Ireland Branch, I kindly ask that you please publish this article for the benefit of those millions who are waiting to begin to grab the gist of what PMDC is about.

Thank you and God bless.

JOKO.  

BINGO!!! All this goes to support my assertion from day one: i.e. this special court is a Yuki-Yuki CUT. You are quite correct, the Yuki-Yuki CUT should have denied Kunumunu Tonto Carew's motion. The BOZOS are doing everything they can to keep Kabbahlaria, the biggest fish, from being exposed because they failed to indict him.
This whole thing stinks to sky hell thy kingdom come. This is nothing more than "Let's make a deal!" A very expensive charade, indeed!

Sam:
It appears to me that the Hon. Attorney General, Mr. Carew, had advanced warning of the Defendants' intention to call President Kabbah as a witness in this case.  I'm surprised that Mr. Carew has not reviewed the indictment and TRC testimony before now.  The Court should have denied Mr. Carew's motion to continue because of his dilatory tactics.  Frankly, he is not providing effective assistance to his client, the President!
 Secondly, what is the Constitutional issue pertainng to Mr. Kabbah's appearance as a witness before the SCSL?  Did they cite any provision of the Constitution or current law to support their arguments?  As an independent body, the SCSL could order the President to appear as a witness under Rules 73 ter, 90, etc.  
 Thirdly, why has the Defense not filed its list of witnesses after the close of the Prosecutor's case last year?  The AG could be using this delay to file the list to stall the proceedings!
  Good day!
Peter A. Dumbuya

CID denies knowledge of Editor's arrest

Assistant Director in charge of violence and crime at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Ibrahim Koroma Tuesday denied that he was aware that CID personnel arrested the Editor of Concord Times newspaper, Sahr Musa Yamba.Koroma was responding to a question asked as to why Yamba was arrested without a warrant during the usual police press briefing Tuesday. “I don't know whether Concord Times Editor was invitred or arrested,” Koroma said.The CID third in command said he would only answer to the questions about Yamba after he has consulted on the issue.Yamba was detained for an hour at the CID before taken to the Attorney General's office March 20th.

Plain-clothes policemen arrested Yamba on the instructions of the Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice, Frederick Carew.He was whisked to the CID headquarters detained for an hour, led to the Attorney General's office and later instructed to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) office the next day. But upon appearing before the AG escorted by police, it was learnt that he had no case to answer.The AG took offence about a story published by the Editor captioned, “Golley brands Attorney General a “liar” The AG accused Yamba of publishing falsehoods. He said that Yamba reported he (AG) had an altercation with Golley, first accused in the ongoing treason trial, in court.

Yamba challenged that there is nowhere in the publication that stated the AG had an altercation in court. He read the story over to the AG, which stated Golley branded the AG a “liar” outside the court when he spoke to journalists. His reason for branding the AG a “liar” was because the AG had suggested to the judge that, counsel Charles Margai is not ready to represent him in court.Yamba was released immediately and has no case to answer after all.Several newspapers carried the story including "Concord Times", "Exclusive", "The Spectator" and "Awareness Times."

Editor still jailed in Sierra Leone

The Committee to Protect Journalists is outraged that journalist Paul Kamara remains in jail in Sierra Leone a year after being convicted of “seditious libel” for articles criticizing President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.

Kamara was convicted on October 5, 2004 , and sent to Pademba Road Prison in the capital, Freetown , to serve a two-year sentence. Local and international press freedom groups have repeatedly called for his release. “President Kabbah's government should not hold Paul Kamara in prison one day longer,” CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper said.

“ Sierra Leone is one of the very few countries in Africa that has sentenced a journalist to prison for doing his work. This is not what one expects to see in a democratic country.” Kamara, editor and publisher of the independent daily For Di People, was convicted of two counts of seditious libel under the 1965 Public Order Act.

The charges dated from October 2003, and stemmed from articles in For Di People alleging that President Kabbah was a "convict" and constitutionally unfit to hold office. The articles focused on a 1967 Commission of Inquiry report that allegedly implicated Kabbah in embezzlement of public funds. Kamara's lawyer, J.O.D. Cole, told CPJ that he filed documents with the Appeals Court on October 22, 2004 , seeking to have the conviction overturned. The appeal has still not been heard, and Kamara's requests for bail pending the appeal have been turned down.

Harry Yansaneh, the editor who stepped in to head For Di People, died in July, two months after being brutally beaten in an attack allegedly ordered by Member of Parliament Fatmata Hassan. An inquest found that the attack contributed to his death from kidney failure, and the magistrate ordered the arrest of Hassan and two others.

They were released on bail after a brief detention. “So many protests have been made to the government, but Paul is still in jail when all he did was exercise his constitutional rights and express his opinion,” Kamara's wife, Isatu, told CPJ.