News Story

FREETOWN: DR. SAMA BANYA - PUAWUI: On Thursday, it was no coincidence that when the Awareness Times newspaper reproduced Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma's statement to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, that APC mouthpiece (We Yone) and the pro-government Standard Times newspaper attempted to take attention from the substance of President Koroma's contradictions. Both We Yone and Standard Times, instead, carried front page headlines impugning the character and reputation of one of the finest and most dilligent youngmen in the civil service, Soulay Daramy. Soulay was the State Chief of Protocol at State house under former President Tejan Kabbah; he succeeded Rupert Davies, who had followed Abdul Rahman Wurie. Among other things, the Chief of Protocol arranges the President's appointments, including the commitments of His Excellency; he arranges appointments for those who wish to see the President but with HEs approval. At least that was the system under former President Tejan Kabbah. It was not for the Chief Protocol Officer to decide who would see His Excellency.

Both the above papers, in their editorials, have engaged in the most shameless attacks on the character of this youngman, throwing every filth at him bar the kitchen sink. The Standard Times descended to new depths of indecency and character assassination that only compared with its treatment of Sylvia Blyden. The We Yone newspaper accuses Soulay Daramy of wanting to destroy State house. We are all aware that this government doesn't play the game by the rules, but if the APC hierarchy doesn't want Soulay Daramy, all it has to do is to ask, or perhaps, direct HE to have him replaced. There is no justification for a deliberately baseless and unwarranted attack on his integrity. But then, we are not surprised because this is how our friends do business.

But let us foreground what the then opposition leader, Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, told the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Of significance is the following section of h's statement to the TRC:

The burden of responsibility for the reconstruction of our country and the reconciliation of our people now largely rests with the Sierra Leone Peoples' Party (SLPP) government. It is important for them to stay focussed on this by running the country in a transparent manner and showing genuine committment to building a democratic society where basic human rights, justice and equal opportunity are strictly observed. . . . Among others, the causes of the RUF war included bad governance, political exclusion and poor conduct of elections. These are the evils that are to be avoided especially during this crucial period of healing the social and economic wounds that had been inflicted upon us.

What is alarming at this time is that we are witnessing the vices of bad governance being practised by the SLPP in a manner approaching callousness. We do not see the efforts at fence mending and removing the seeds of division that innitially laid the bases for the war. Instead of progressing towards unity the SLPP is delberately widening the divide between the people. . .

In fact it has gone so bad that many civil servants and public employees are afraid to talk to people known to be members, supporters or even sympathizers of the APC. There is a feeling of siege, a culture of fear among those holding positions in community - a fear that they may lose their jobs if they are seen associating with anyone who is remotely associated with the APC. People are locked out of offices, friends avoid socializing with assumed APC friends, employers hesitate to employ anyone with a taint of APC on him or her. This is depriving individuals of their basic rights and throwing the policy of equal opportunity into the political dustbin. A growing number of Sierra Leoneans now complain of this highly divisive policy. Such a policy of deprivation can only lead to frustration, alienation and ultimate bitterness. It cannot sustain lasting peace. . .

I will invite readers who did not get copies of the Thursday April 17 issue of Awareness Times to plead with the editor for a reprint. I was present when the then leader of the opposition made his statement before the TRC.

Some time ago, I wrote in these columns that the rhetoric of opposition is a far cry from the reality of governance. Considering the harm done to national reconciliation, the vindictiveness inflicted by this APC regime on supporters and perceived supporters of the SLPP, the ethnic and regional bias practiced within the last seven months, the violation of the human rights of others by the so-called APC election task forces, and the continued insincere utterances of HIS excellency and his ministers, one cannot but feel like "throwing-up" at the hypocrisy of it all.

It wouldn't have mattered if that was all there was to it. But as Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma himself said before the TRC "We do not see the efforts at fence mending removing the seeds of division that innitially laid the bases of the war." Today, not only is there a feeling of seige, a culture of fear among those holding positions in in this country, but in reality, some people have actually tasted the bitter pill of the APC's sectionalism, regionalism. victimisation and total callousness all leading to a divided society.

What is even more galling is the attempt by HE and his ministers, as well as the pro APC press to paint the rest of us who point out these dangers as people who do not want reconciliation or unity. I must again ask the advisers of the President whether they give any thought to those who have been so cruelly treated at the hands of this government. Just think of the unjustified sackings that continue.

We are all painfully aware that the last elections have resulted in a regionally divided country with the winner taking all. But, the longest lane has a turning. He who lives long enough will always bear witness to changing events.