Subject: WILL PRESIDENT BEREWA DICTATORIAL TENDENCY GET WORSE?
From: Dr . CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 16:29:45 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
Role of the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice
295. The Commission finds that the erstwhile Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Solomon Berewa, played a particularly conspicuous role in the conduct of both the civilian and military trials of 1998. As Attorney General, Mr. Berewa exercised his discretionary power of prosecution in an arbitrary fashion. Furthermore, Mr. Berewa sat on the Mercy Committee whose role it was to advise the President on the issuance of pardons for the 34 condemned soldiers. The Commission finds that Mr. Berewa held an inappropriate amount of power in deciding the fate of the persons he had himself selected for trial.
288. The then Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Solomon Berewa, set out the policy of the Government towards collaborators in a letter entitled “Present Position relating to the Collaborators of the AFRC Junta” on 13 March 1998. The use of language in this letter was dangerously ambiguous. It was open to wide interpretation and consequently led to abuses and violations on the ground. Mr. Berewa criminalised acts of“collaboration” with the AFRC and sought to have all persons falling into the category of “collaborators” detained in the custody of the state. This new category was not codified in law but it led to the detention of thousands of Sierra Leoneans.
289. The Commission finds that the arrests,detentions, prosecutions and trials that followed the establishment of this Government policy were politically motivated and culminated in numerous human rights violations and abuses. The Commission finds that the departure from recognised legal and constitutional standards was the result of deliberate planning and authorisation by the Government of Sierra Leone. While the Government’s objective – to reassert its political ascendancy and send out a strong message that coup plotters would not be tolerated – was just, the means used were not. The Commission finds that the means employed were unconstitutional and resulted in human rights violations and abuses.
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
Subject: Re: WILL PRESIDENT BEREWA DICTATORIAL TENDENCY GET WORSE?
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 17:17:27 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
If Berewa rigs his way to power, there is no doubt in my mind that this man will become an outright dictator. The TRC report is a damning indictment of Berewa's nefarious blood-soaked role in Kabba's government. Many people are today crying from early graves as a direct result of Berewa's callousness.
When the history books are written and Berewa's role is carefully examined, from the bloody return to power of Kabba and the subsequent incarceration of thousands of political opponents and the brutal execution of dozens, he will be exposed for what he really is: A WAR CRIMINAL.
Subject: Revised - for SENGBE
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 16:09:04 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Berewa 75%? Impossible and the CKC man knows it ...in his heart he knows it and that's where it had better be first confirmed.
Berewa should make a public statement condemning 1. the idea or practice of rigging, 2. any form of intimidation or violence.
There are some who are calling for a national day of prayer and fasting…
No, matter to what extent any single person believes that he has a monopoly of knowing which political party is best for the country, if we truly love Sierra Leone ( people and country) then we want peace and we want the dictatorship of the people’s voice - their choice, in this elections.
For the sake of peace, let there be no rigging , because if a peaceful person like myself can feel very explosive about this, then imagine the masses who are more directly affected on the home turf - and if I were on the ground I would be planning for greater effectiveness against rigging and for dealing with those who have rigged - significantly rigged, in the most harshest way possible – because I do believe in the “one man, one vote” and one man’s vote is not more important than another man’s. My san- san boy sacred ballot is not inferior to ex- ambassador Johnny E. Leigh’s no matter how highly and in what exalted terms he might want to decorate himself, in the presence of the Almighty.
So if it’s one man one vote, why should women, pregnant with ballot papers enter a voting booth to deliver their baby into the ballot box? In the name of democracy? Equality?
As president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah said in that famous “Toothless Chimpanzee” interview with Tim Sebastian, you can’t eliminate corruption 100% - and so too there will be a degree of rigging and Christina Thorpe knows that will be part of her Confessions – not that I am accusing her of complicity at this stage – just dignifying her with consciousness of her own environment (I am so far away) attributing awareness and self- knowledge to her, self, being a part of Sierra Leone.
(Click to watch Kabbah:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/hardtalk/2149188.stm )
Why Nigeria? Because there is a Krio saying “befoe horse nah im behen wan dae falla” and Nigeria is the leader of the area. Olusegun Obasanjo is also a great man. Make no mistake about it.
http://www.google.se/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLJ_en-GBSE234SE234&q=Obasanjo
Nigeria has a population of some 140 million people. When it comes to election rigging, Sierra Leone is not territorially as vastly spread out and uncontrollable or ethnically as diverse/complex as Nigeria which has wholly homogeneously/ ethnically independent/ insulated but densely populated regional blocks to the North (Hausa , Fulani) the East ( Igbo) the West ( Yoruba). At the same time Nigeria is socially porous and even the garden city of Port Harcourt is a rather cosmopolitan – like Freetown in the Sixties.
We ( Sierra Leone) are such a little nation to the extent that were any of Sierra Leone’s major tribal groupings to be subsumed/ incorporated into Nigeria ( as refugees, en masse) the Mendes and the Temnes together, would be almost insignificant minorities in that Federation, on par with say, the Efik, the Ibibios, and still much smaller in number than say the Ijaw as a whole or the Tiv ( Gowon was a Tiv from Benue ( Plateau state which we learned about from Mr. S.A.S. Adams and Mr. Inyang ( heng-an-day) our Nigerian teacher from Calabar, with his Michael Jackson style trousers) in geography class at POW – Plateau State also Tiv, with it’s capital Jos, offering a congenially European friendly climate. At that time, Enugu= coal…in form 3 geography quizzes….…… By the way Odunbaku - apart from Mr. S.L.Sesay and Mr. Ivan Benjamin we also had the Nigerian heavyweight champion Roy Tatrah as our physical education instructor for a while… he was very light on his feet……and lithe….)
If the Mendes and the Temnes were transported en masse - as refugees to Nigeria, we would be more united there, than we are in Sierra Leone – in Nigeria we would become ONE TRIBE – the Sarros, just as Richard Pryor says that in USA, we are one tribe: NIGGERS (united niggers…)
About the texture and density of Nigerian society - well, I saw many light-skinned beggars that had travelled all the way from Chad, to Port Harcourt, in the early 80s Nigeria, under Shehu Shagari. I also met the Chief Justice of one of the States of the Federation (at a party) and he even told me all about MY family tree and spoke Krio to me …. He was wholly Sierra Leonean……
Comparing with Sierra Leone, the complexity -and the corresponding nightmareishness of rigging is one of scale. Much diminished scale. The techniques and modalities and logistics could be the same – and this is no smiling matter.
The three main presidential candidates for the last presidential election in Nigeria, Umaru Yar’adua, Muhammadu Buhari and the then vice-president Atiku Abubakar are all FULANI - and I thought about this when Charles Margai announced his choice of a Fullah/ as his running mate – a wise choice I thought - I thought about the Fullahs/ Fulani and regional West African hegemony and power - of course behind all elections in Nigeria we have what is locally called “ the Kaduna mafia” whose mythical dimensions and mystical powers far exceeds human speculations about its really awesome power, open and underground, be it military or political or – monetary.
As a group, the Fulani with the great historical gestalt of the great Usman Dan Fodio and the Caliphate of Sokoto on the one hand and Kano on the other - takes us back to important history whose currents are very much alive in contemporary culture and politics. Nigeria is indeed a great nation!
Abu Bakr Atiku was also “Sultan of the Sokoto Caliphate or Fulani Empire from 26 October 1837until November 1842 He was the brother of Muhammed Bello.” The Hausa and Fulani of the region from Niger to Ghana – well the Kurds you’ve heard of and they want a State ( Kurdistan) .Regionally today’s people of the Hausa –Fulani Empire is also a back bone of West African hegemony in all but name …….yes, as I said before, that’s what I thought when Charles Margai chose his running mate – and that’s what I think about my former flatmate and now presidential candidate, the honourable Amadu Jalloh … indeed I love Hausa and Fulani people , that I know from Nigeria, Ghana , Guinea, Sierra Leone…..
http://www.google.se/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLJ_en-GBSE234SE234&q=Usman+Dan+Fodio
Anyway, here’s a breakdown of the 1983 Elections which I witnessed in Nigeria - a country that I grew to love in just four years of working there ( 1981-1984 ) – a home that is so close to home – at a time when Dr. Abdulai Conteh was foreign minister . I wrote to him and he was surprised at how well I understood Sierra Leone, after so many years.
Unfortunately Fela’s Party “Movement of the People” is not listed below (perhaps because it was part of his manifesto that he was going to legalise all African herbs and most herbalists thought tit a good idea )
06 August 1983 Presidential Election
Registered Voters 65,300,000 (approx.)
Total Votes (Voter Turnout) Not Available (N/A)
Candidate (Party) % of Votes
Shehu Shagari (NPN) 47.33%
Obafemi Awolowo (UPN) 30.98%
Nnamdi Azikiwe (NPP) 13.88%
Aminu Kano (PRP) 4.08%
Waziri Ibrahim (GNPP) 2.51%
Tunji Braithwaite (NAP) 1.21%
August 1983 National Assembly Election
Senate (20 August 1983)
Registered Voters 65,300,000 (approx.)
Total Votes (Voter Turnout) Not Available (N/A)
House of Representatives (27 August 1983)
Registered Voters 65,300,000 (approx.)
Total Votes (Voter Turnout) Not Available (approx. 39%)
Party Senate House of Representatives
Number of Seats (96) Number of Seats (450)
National Party of Nigeria (NPN) 60 306
Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) 16 51
Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) 12 48
People’s Redemption Party (PRP) 05 41
Greater Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP) 02 -
Vacant 01 04
Nigerian elections
http://africanelections.tripod.com/ng.html
Sierra Leone.
http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9597704
Subject: ALL
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:59:56 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Sorry that i had to use some words i clearly know i should never have used.....If it caused any discomfort, I AM TRUELY SORRY...
KABS nor ban me OH do yah....
Subject: BORBOR PAIN
From: CHIEFDOM RARAY BOYS DEM
To: All
Date Posted: 16:03:20 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
"YOU DON TOTE PAIN DON"?
Subject: REMEMBERING THOSE WHO NURTURED ME.
From: Dr. CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 15:57:36 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
Subject: WILL SIERRA LEONE EVER HAVE THEIR KIND
From: Dr Charles Curtis-Thomas
Sometimes I really wonder what happened to the Salone medical profession, and whether it will ever be the same again.
There was a time when the profession could boast of such doctors as :
--- Dr. Akabi-Davies: he was considered to be one of the best "bone doctors" around. He had a great sense of humor. He knew his job even when he was under the habitual influence of ...
--- Dr. Roxy Harris : he was considered to be one of the best surgeons around. He was deceptively spare of speech,but was willing to listen and offer advice if needed.
--- Dr. R. Eleady-cole : I can still see him in my mind's eyes,in his trademark "hipster" and constantly pulling up his pants. He was an expert in his own right on conditions affecting the heart, including hypertension. I owe my rise from being a NURSING ASSISTANT TO A PHYSICIAN TO HIM. When I had gone for an interview at the School Of Nursing to be trained as a nursing Assistant,I was asked why I wanted to be a nusing assistant. My reply was " because I want to become a physician". The interviewer was angry and promptly sent me to the Connaught Hospital to ask Dr. Eleady-Cole how far it was from a Nursing assistant to being a physician. Dr Eleady-Cole told me " go tell them that as a man thinks so is he. Tell them that one day they will see an MD behind your name"
--- Dr OLU- Williams : he was considered to be one of the best surgeons in Salone.
--- Dr. Ulrick Jones : This is my favorite. Also considered to be one of the best surgeons in Salone. "If you wan for know how bluffman for waka,nar dee man dis". Female nurses at the operating theatre at the Connaught hospital used to "swella pit desirably way Ulrick passed wit en bluffman waka". Incidentally,I had the pleasure of doing a clinical rotation with Dr Ulrick Jones' son, Dr James Jones, at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau,Bahamas. That is another story.
--- Dr Claude Kingsley-williams : another "bluffman". He was considered to be one of the best surgeons in sierra leone. Alot of nurses were afraid of him because of his "no nonesense" mood and his habitual temper tantrum. He was notorious for throwing surgical instruments angryly away during surgery if the instrument was not to his liking or taste.
---Dr Abu Kargbo : one of my favorite, and also one of the best. If a nurse had a problem and no one wants to listen, Dr Kargbo was to way to go.
---Dr Egerton Luke : a fun guy and one of the best physicians. He was unfortunately addicted to "CITY HOTEL AND ITS ILLS", and he spent more time there than at the hospital.
---Dr. Claude Nelson Williams: he was a good physician, and was unfortunately murdered.
WILL THE VOID LEFT BY THESE DOCTORS EVER BE FILLED ?
Subject: Re: REMEMBERING THOSE WHO NURTURED ME.
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 17:28:59 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Reading your fond memories about people from years gone by made me pause and wax nostalgic also about the beautiful and unappreciated past in sweet Sierra Leone. Very warm and touching posting. Thanks.
Subject: THE MOST DESPERATE ERNEST KOROMA PREACHES TRIBALISM IN LUNGI
From: ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA
To: All
Date Posted: 15:56:23 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: SAIDUBANGSO@AOL.COM
Entered From: c-68-34-12-96.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 68.34.12.96
Message:
Speaking to a cross section of APC supporters in Lungi early this week, the unconstitutional and desperate leader of the APC, Ernest Koroma told the people to only vote for him and his party because, the APC is northern based and he is temne.
He falsely claimed that the SLPP belongs to the Mendes. He also misled the people by saying that we have never had a temne or northern leader since independence.
Let me take this oppuntunity to pump some sense into Ernest's sick brains.
Since 1951 when the SLPP was founded, its has always maintained a national character. The SLPP was founded by distinguish krios and people from the north,(Rev.Jones,Bai Farama,Dr.H.Conteh and Dr.J.K.Smart to name a few).It was the SLPP members from the north that invited their brothers and sisters from the south to join the Party. The primary aim of the SLPP is to bring all the peoples of Sierra Leone together under one umbrella.
We know that Ernest Koroma can not present a programme aimed at improving the lives of our people, that is why he is now preaching tribalism and violence. He has nothing to offer our country and people. It is a big shame on Ernest, to misinform the people who he wants to vote for him by saying the following things:
(1) That, he is temne. He knows very well that he is limba(day go Jerusalem).
(2) That, we have never had leaders from the north. He knows that Siaka Stevens,J.S.Momoh and H.E. Tejan Kabba are leaders from the north.
I am most respectfully appealing to the voting public in Sierra Leone to reject Ernest Koroma and his APC because at this point we need a leader who can unite people. We do not need a divider. Our country have seen the dangers of tribalism during the days of Joe Momoh, we do not want to go through that anymore.
Subject: Re: THE MOST DESPERATE ERNEST KOROMA PREACHES TRIBALISM IN L
From: nico
To: All
Date Posted: 17:20:47 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: nicoleconsult@hotmail.com
Entered From: 105.0-136-217.adsl-dyn.isp.belgacom.be at 217.136.0.105
Message:
1) "That, he is temne. He knows very well that he is limba(day go Jerusalem).
(2) That, we have never had leaders from the north. He knows that Siaka Stevens,J.S.Momoh and H.E. Tejan Kabba are leaders from the north."
Saidu: From your above quotes, you are distorting the facts or may be you are ingnorant. Earnest Koroma is a Limba and a temne. So he is entitle to claim temne as his tribe if he wish.
Momodu Koroma claim to be a temne and a mende. But he recently said he was a real temne. So why are you not attacking Momodu Koroma for claiming to be a temne when he is half and half just as Earnest half limba and half temne.
By the way who told you that president kabba is a northerner. Has he ever told you that. The guy was not even born in the north. Like Momodu, Kabba was born in pendembu by a mandigo and mende parent. Check if momodu is infact temne-mende. He may well be mandingo- temne. Please go to bed now. Lota
Subject: CHECK OUT THE PMDC RALLY IN FREETOWN YESTERDAY
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 15:28:34 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
For those unbelieving Thomases, here is food for thought on Saturday. Check the website below...PICTURES OF YESTERDAY'S RALLY IN FREETOWN
Subject: FEW SLPP GUYS ON THE FORUM BUT STRONGER THAN THOUSAND APC,
From: okdok
To: All
Date Posted: 15:56:58 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-45-171-61.dynamic.mts.net at 206.45.171.61
Message:
Its real.
Subject: Sylvia Byden is getting out of hand
From: Nagoday
To: All
Date Posted: 15:09:43 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: nago@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
President George Bush betrayed in Sierra Leone by USAID & Madeleine Albright’s NDI
By Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden (Publisher)
Aug 8, 2007, 20:07
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USAID-NDI’s Betrayal of the United States
Thanks to all those who did not dignify that Betrayal with their Participation!
The National Democratic Institution (NDI) under the chairmanship of Madeleine K. Albright, professes that it works with civic organizations in countries where it operates, to promote democratic and moral values. It also professes that its programs help create an environment in which women can advocate on matters of policy without being subjected to immoral, gender-based humiliation.
Similarly, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) currently under Henrietta H. Fore (Nominated Administrator), was established on November 3rd 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.
Part of Kennedy’s speech back then went thus: "The answer is that there is no escaping our obligations: our moral obligations... to fail to meet those obligations now would be disastrous"
Americans, whether they are in the NDI or in USAID are morally conscious and take pains, especially under a Republican Administration / Presidency, to maintain high moral values. They are careful as to what, where and with whom they associate.
For example, USAID is by law in America not to fund pro-abortion groups regardless of the consequences of those who might be in dire need of such. The Bush administration, careful not to upset its all-important Christian right wing Coalition, is not touching anything that looks, walks or talks like abortion with a ten foot pole.
President George Bush went to the extent of ordering the cessation of funding to birth control clinics in Africa even in the face of a very apparent need to maintain these clinics in places like Kenya.
The George W. Bush administration practises zero tolerance for immorality and/or deviant behaviour. It was such a striving for morality that pushed the U.S. State Department upon the directive of George W. Bush, to stop all USAID funding to the respected Marie Stopes International despite the outcry from International Aid Conglomerates. In summary, USAID should not be seen to be associated with anything or anyone sporting behaviour with even the slightest perception of immorality.
Although the NDI is obviously more liberal minded than the Conservative George W. Bush administration, the fact remains that there is no way personalities like Madeleine K. Albright, Rachelle Horowitz, Paul G. Kirk, Jr.,Walter F. Mondale or Charles T. Manatt will want an immoral reprobate to link up with the NDI to conduct a Presidential Debate after the reprobate bent over backwards to humiliate a woman with the publications of several stark naked faked photomontages.
Needless to say, aside the reluctance of the NDI or Madeleine Albright to ever want to be associated with a Playboy kind of filthy news rag that published photomontages of a seemingly naked woman in a bid to degrade that woman, no serious Presidential Candidate will turn up at such a debate chaired by Playboy Magazine or even by Howard Stern.
Can one even imagine Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton dignifying the invitation of a Committee chaired by a reprobate who published a photomontage of a naked woman on his front pages? Of course not! Who wants to be associated with such?
Obama and Clinton will not even participate on an Howard Stern Presidential Debate let alone on a debate organized by the kind of personality chairing the committee organizing the Presidential Debate that the NDI and USAID in Sierra Leone have shamelessly loaned their institutions’ names and America’s funding to.
It is only in Sierra Leone, Africa that morally-deficient NDI and USAID operatives will agree to fund or be associated with a Presidential Debate organised by a Committee that is chaired by a reprobate who saw nothing wrong in perpetuating the humiliation of a woman who was, as per the NDI, simply trying to advocate on matters of policy in her country.
It is only in West Africa that morally-deficient NDI and USAID operatives, like the ones who have been sent here to Sierra Leone, will take the sacred names and the respected logos of their morally conscious institutions and lend them to a Presidential Debate organized by a committee chaired by a local societal reprobate in Sierra Leone.
And it is only in Africa that these morally-deficient NDI and USAID operatives might hold their foolish belief that their action will go un-noticed and un-denounced. Imagine the fact that Demeter regularly burnishes his NWPC-colored bio/CV...
Thank God for the Wisdom of those who, for whatever reason advanced, decided not to associate themselves with such a shameful betrayal of the sound, morally conscious and ethical policies that the names Madeleine Albright, National Democratic Institution, John F. Kennedy, Henrietta H. Fore and U.S. Agency for International Development bring to the fore.
Before concluding, it must be noted that there are those Sierra Leoneans who understandably love to be associated with anything that carries the NDI or USAID name and logos ($$$Dollar Grants!!!) which is why these Sierra Leoneans who really ought to have known better, turned a blind eye in an amazing turn-round and agreed to moderate and/or chair the Presidential Debates and Vice-Presidential Debates under question. Some of them even agreed in less than 24 hours as soon as the names NDI and USAID were mentioned to them forgetting their moral duty to distance themselves from a man who remorselessly published stark naked photomontages on his front pages.
What a shame Madam Chair of that Vice Presidential Debate considering your recent award from the NDI!
But most of all, what a big shame on the National Democratic Institute (NDI) brought by its operatives in Sierra Leone!
What a big shame on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) brought by its operatives in Sierra Leone!
What a betrayal of the values of the USA! What a shame for Madeleine Albright, Henrietta Fore & George W. Bush!
Subject: Re: Sylvia Byden is getting out of hand
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 15:48:39 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Another Sylvia Bato excuse for her idea-empty, debate-dodging septuagenerian goddaddy, Solomon Berewa.
It is funny though to hear Ms. Blyden with the morality of a skunk, lecturing Madeline Albright and USAID about morals. She must have acquired megalomania from her bosses at SLPP headquarters.
Subject: Re: Sylvia Byden is getting out of hand
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 16:15:28 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
She is usually bereft of good ideas - and even this bit that she's free to paste on her website, could have been some impulese from her capitalist dad, Babatunde....a man of ideas....and rhetorical - even oratorical excellence...
( N. B: Alieu Sesay, I know/ knew him too - and Sylvia's granddada, EDward Blyden 111 - in person.....
Subject: Re: Sylvia Byden is getting out of hand
From: Medico
To: All
Date Posted: 16:20:12 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host-216-226-231-134.wdb.ses-americom.net at 216.226.231.134
Message:
Cornelius, you are the one getting out of hand. A grown man should avoid belittling someone he can give birth to. This way, he will not get cheeked by youngsters. As for Mammy Sweh, no wonder your mother cursed you.
Subject: Re: Sylvia Byden is getting out of hand
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 16:32:58 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
The problem with some of you guys is that you always want to tell someone what to do. Does it give you a sense of authority or familiarity, or what?
We have a broader and more tolerant linguistic view and scope - Yaya Fanusie was talking about the "SLPP sewer rats" yesterday. Iconoclast?
Don't worry old chap - the cultural chasm will only increase as you progress with some of your antiquated ideas and all that jazz about e.g. Salman Rushdie on your pilgrimage route to the grave....
You don’t know how to behave better than me, in any class of society …..Including this one.
Leave me to read my poetry.... be yourself and I won't try to limit you...or Creoledom.... like the impulses from Babatunde to Sylvia.
Who do you think you are to tell me what to think and how to say it…. you don’t even know the sadness that can come out of the scale of e minor……
Subject: Re: Sylvia Byden is getting out of hand
From: fact
To: All
Date Posted: 15:48:22 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
she really hates philip neville. wow.
Subject: Re: Sylvia Byden is getting out of hand
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 15:19:50 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Does she need some viagra for the old boy?
Subject: Re: Sylvia Byden is getting out of hand
From: SLPP SUPPORTER
To: All
Date Posted: 16:21:02 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: masuba@gmail.com
Entered From: prox-a.its.waikato.ac.nz at 130.217.76.77
Message:
Sylvia should be warned before she wrecks havoc in SL. Everyday she is picking up a fight with another person. She has fought with almost everyone with the exception of those who treat her seriously. Can someone tell Sylvia to shut up! Who does she think she is? This rubbish is getting out of hands. From American Ambassador to UN representative to NDI, what is she smoking?
Subject: Re: Sylvia Byden is getting out of hand
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 17:23:08 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
I’m no Sunday school teacher and have never been to Sunday school. Thankfully, the Prince of Wales s was where they did not teach – or indoctrinate the kind of culture that goes with religious knowledge” They did not teach religious knowledge or religion at my school.
For me the last straw was her disrespectful words about Ms. Cassandra Garber - pandering to her slpp gallery..... and you know how it is with respect for elders - part of the code of conduct all civilised societies. Ms Garber’s son Akindele (a wonderful, engaging very cultured young person) has explained what his mother’s cultural society is all about – the Krios have played and continue to play their/ our role in West Africa, in Sierra Leone and the Diasporas – from St. Lucia to Antigua….. And the Krios are an essential part of Sierra Leone more intrinsic as native Sierra Leoneans - born and bred - more so and with a longer history and connection than the Lebanese and are not vying for a greater share of diamonds or retail trade or for the presidency etc. I hope that they continue to play a vital role in fostering education – and in extending the Christian mission, in and out of Sierra Leone.
Concerning what I say – or what you think I say to her either publicly or privately, note that there’s sense of humour in the inflated, the overstated, the bombastic or even disjointed word, and if I am angry or at variance, I express it. I can even understate it – for effect - and don’t have to tread too gently like on hot coals for the non-native- speaker – and to that extent I am not my real, real self, here.
Anyway anyone - even Sylvia can make a mistake and apologise, mend fences, move on...in the Sierra Leone crucible...Babatunde Edward Blyden’s daughter is bound to be a special person, perhaps a little spoilt and naturally strong-willed - I always think of her - with much affection, as Pippi Långstrump
Pippi Långstrump
http://www.google.se/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLJ_en-GBSE234SE234&q=Pippi+L%C3%A5ngstrump&btnG=Search
Subject: Sierra Leone propspects according to the Economist
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 14:52:46 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Sierra Leone
As you were
Aug 2nd 2007 | FREETOWN
From The Economist print edition
Peace, and now elections. But not much else to brag about
Get article background
AT LEAST the presidential and parliamentary elections on August 11th will be the first to be held without the help of international peacekeepers since the end of the civil war that lashed Sierra Leone from 1991 to 2002. That is one welcome sign of progress. And since a British military intervention ended the conflict the country's 6m people no longer run the risk of sudden death at the hands of drugged-up child soldiers.
But, five years of peace and hundreds of millions of dollars of aid money later, the issues that gave rise to the war in the first place are still as much in evidence as ever. And the elections, unfortunately, are not expected to change that.
Unemployment is close to 80%, poverty is widespread and corruption endemic. Any reform and improvement in daily life remain painfully slow. There are 300,000 more children in primary school than during the war, a few more paved roads and some electricity, but seven out of ten people still live on less than a dollar a day. The country has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world.
Where reform has been successful it has been led by foreigners. Take the army. Ill-disciplined soldiers looking to get rich with “blood diamonds” contributed mightily to the mayhem of the civil war. But since 2002 the army has been re-trained by Britain, the former colonial power. The army has been shrinking, but as one officer notes, “Every soldier we chuck out of the army is one more man unemployed and on the streets.”
Now that President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) is standing down after two forgettable five-year terms, it would be reasonable to expect an injection of new faces and energy into the country's politics. But this will not be the case.
Seven parties are contesting the elections, but only three count: the ruling SLPP, its traditional opponent, the All People's Congress, which ruled for 14 venal years under Siaka Stevens, and the new People's Movement for Democratic Change. This split from the SLPP and competes for the same ethnic heartland among the Mende people of the south and east. Since it is run by Charles Margai, nephew of the first prime minister and son of its second, there is little danger of new brooms sweeping through Freetown's shabby corridors of power.
The 69-year old presidential front-runner, Solomon Berewa, is the incumbent vice-president, renowned as a clever and cunning political operator. Some say he has been the real power behind the throne for years. He prefers to describe himself as a man with a proven track record. His critics say he is implicated in all of the current government's failures and shortcomings. “The problem”, says one, “is a small clique running corrupt patronage networks while providing zero services and Berewa will simply embed those networks.”
Stark evidence of what can be done with the right leader in charge comes from across the border in Liberia where Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is in her second year as president. She has tackled poor governance head-on, firing corrupt officials and removing ghost workers from the payroll. By contrast Sierra Leone's Anti-Corruption Commission is now a lame duck, having had its $2m annual funding suspended by exasperated British donors unhappy with the lack of progress. The replacement last year of an energetic former civil servant by the president's brother-in-law as head of the commission strengthened the perception that the government is not serious about tackling corruption. In fact, most agree, it is growing.
The argument goes that the terrible violence of the conflict is so recent and memories so raw that a return to war is unthinkable. But many people in Sierra Leone know only violence as a way to vent their frustration at a government that fails them time and again. With the arrival of peace this is no longer a failed state. It may, however, be a failing one.
Subject: Let's put Sa Leone First.
From: Johnn Colee
To: All
Date Posted: 14:34:45 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: johnncole@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 209.59.106.5
Message:
What's important now is what is best for our nation.
Somepeople have already projected that their parties will loose and they've been filled with so much anger , that they've made the V.P the most sick person to seek public office and have been publishing lies to distort the V.P's credibility.
These are some facts.
Lets compare all the Presidential tickets
candidates :
The V.P has the best CV, and the best job experience to lead Sierra Leone.
He has provided more public service than all the candidates.
The SLPP Presidential ticket is the best ticket.
The SLPP is the most organized party.
No matter which party you belong to, with objective analysis you can agree that the SLPP has made significant accomplishments in the past 8 years.
Can we do more ? Yes we can.
That's why we don't want anybody who will take years to learn about governance. We saw it happen with the late J.S Momoh of blessed memory.
My question is this: if Sierra Leone was your personal bussiness will you hire an inexperienced CEO or someone with a track record ? The outgoing administration has set the foundation for monumental developments in our nation, so we can not take risks at this pivotal point in our nation.
Some people think Governance is heriditary.
Some know little or nothing about governance.
Some are angry and use their anger as a framework to seek the leadership of our nation.
Some can not make speeches without exhibiting their ignorance and arrogance.
To my brothers and sisters I say SLPP deserves to win. The SLPP may not be the ideal political party and i don't think any party in the world is ideal . For now, it is definetely the best alternative for Sierra Leone.
Berewa is healthy and people who've worked with him know him as a workaholic.
So after August 11, when Berewa wins which i believe he will , lets all come together and work for better Sierra Leone.
SLPP the way forward , the only way through.
Subject: Re: Let's put Sa Leone First.
From: John Smith
To: All
Date Posted: 15:49:29 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: smith@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
Some people are filled with so much anger, that they've made the V.P the most sick person to seek public office and have been publishing lies to distort the V.P's credibility.
Well here are some truths:
1. Berewa has the worst human rights record of all the candidates;
2. His public record is tainted with deceit, victimization and marginalization;
3. As chairman overseeing the expenditure of donor funds and award of contracts has compromised his position for selfish interests;
4. He runs on a party ticket which is unconstitutuional;
5. Water wells in the capital city and 2 public latrines at Mabella are his ideas of development.
6. He disrespects the poor and does not believe anything good can come from slum dwellers in freetown;
7. Teachers are demeaned in his public speeches
8. He sleeps on his watch and needs serious medical attention
9. He tends to exhibit Emperor Bokassa tendencies.
10. A vote for him is a vote wasted.
Kroobay will vote no to Berewa on elcetion day.
Subject: Re: Let's put Sa Leone First.
From: Ishmael Yillah
To: All
Date Posted: 14:48:25 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-191-9-197.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.191.9.197
Message:
Which development my friend? You need to put the interest of the country first, hypocrit mortal man.
Subject: Re: Let's put Sa Leone First.
From: Bamaby Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 15:36:25 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
Greetings my brothers and sisters. Mr. Johnn Colee thanks for coming. As I read your piece, I found out what is written there is only fit for a thank you- for-nothing and good-bye.
These are my reasons:
As your purpose is to convince your audience, we have been looking for facts supported with evidence, examples and statistics to name a few. However, none of these were in your speech, as such, we are left with nothing but regret that we even wasted our time. I can give you that you can write eloquently however, the writing is worth nothing.
Lets re-examine your writing.
candidates :
The V.P has the best CV, and the best job experience to lead Sierra Leone. How and why should we believe you?
He has provided more public service than all the candidates. How has this service been relevant to Sierra Leone knowing that he has to live therefore, reaching a working age, under normal conditions, it is obligatory that he works to take care of himself and family?
The SLPP Presidential ticket is the best ticket. Why?
The SLPP is the most organized party. How?
No matter which party you belong to, with objective analysis you can agree that the SLPP has made significant accomplishments in the past 8 years. How, when and where?
Can we do more ? Yes we can. How?
That's why we don't want anybody who will take years to learn about governance. We saw it happen with the late J.S Momoh of blessed memory. What happened and why?
My question is this: if Sierra Leone was your personal bussiness will you hire an inexperienced CEO or someone with a track record ? The outgoing administration has set the foundation for monumental developments in our nation, so we can not take risks at this pivotal point in our nation. Why shouldn’t we?
Some people think Governance is heriditary. Proof?
Some know little or nothing about governance. Proof?
Some are angry and use their anger as a framework to seek the leadership of our nation. How?
Some can not make speeches without exhibiting their ignorance and arrogance. Example?
To my brothers and sisters I say SLPP deserves to win. Why? The SLPP may not be the ideal political party and i don't think any party in the world is ideal . Example and why? For now, it is definetely the best alternative for Sierra Leone. Why?
Berewa is healthy and people who've worked with him know him as a workaholic. Why?
So after August 11, when Berewa wins which i believe he will , lets all come together and work for better Sierra Leone. Why and how?
SLPP the way forward , the only way through. Why?
So these unanswered questions still lingers in the minds of readers therefore, rather than convince us, you live us with these unanswered questions. In that we have questions in our minds as to why the following is till going on, we will be always reminded and will begin to conclude that these are the reasons your front-runner and Vice Presidential candidates have refused to debate with the opposition because they cannot answer questions. Classic example: why is this still in Sierra Leone though they are the best ticket, with work experiences and so one and so forth. Mind you this is an independent body from Britain that has donated time and millions of dolars so that these sad state is removed from our country.
Subject: Re: Let's put Sa Leone First.
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 15:50:21 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
Evidence to support the fact that your candidates do not believ in answering questions and in the democratic process:
Subject: Kenema City Two (10) a Political Hotspot to Watch
From: Bamaby Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 13:46:38 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
Sierra Leone: Caution Constituency Spotlight - Kenema City Two (10) a Political Hotspot to Watch
Concord Times (Freetown)
7 August 2007
Posted to the web 7 August 2007
Mohamed Massaquoi
Freetown
The commercial and political headquarter town of Kenema district in the eastern province is geographically located at the southeastern part of the country.
Kenema is surrounded by the Kamboi hills, which makes the atmospheric condition differ from other parts of the country.
It is a cardinal point where Guinea and Liberia can be easily located; Kenema is a city with a beehive of political activities.
One important monument of Kenema is the yet to be completed clock tower, located at the center of the city, which depicts the political neglect the city has gone through over the years.
Local and national political activities have long divided the town into various sections, which make the metropolitan town to be very unpredictable in terms of politic.
Yet it is a clear fact that all political parties have a very strong hold over parts of the city.
It is a historical fact that residents of Kenema were the brains behind the downfall of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) during the 1967 general elections as local politic was seriously interweaving with national politic.
Paramount chieftaincy is one of the major components that direct political activities in the district, which is to say that if paramount chiefs are not in support of a particular party, it is sometimes difficult for the party to undertake successful political activities within their community.
It has, however, proven difficult for many to say which party is currently in control of Kenema city.
Initially it was thought to be the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party, but with rapid political infiltration of the All Peoples Congress (APC) and the newly established Peoples Movement of Democratic Change (PMDC), things have gradually turned more competitive and difficult to predict - a process that has reflected democratic transitions all over the country.
Constituency ten, (10) covers strategic parts of Kenema and is a battleground for all political parties.
This is so because there is a serious tension between local politic and national political ambition.
The abnormality is that the ruling family in the area, more especially Nyandayama - where aspirants are fighting tooth and nail to command votes among the people - have been separated.
The former chief of that constituency Ahmed Benson Suwu was deposed by some authorities in the chiefdom and later elected his sister Theresa Mojama Suwu as the chief of that area.
Some members of that constituency interpreted Suwu's deposition to have been politically motivated.
These two individuals have joined different political parties (PMDC) and (SLPP) respectively.
Preceding parliamentarians could hardly boast of any developmental progress in constituency 10, as it was traditionally neglected by these politicians simply because they were not directly elected by the people.
In the 2002 general elections, the APC got massive votes in that area because of the dominance of the Temne ethnic group.
This shows that a very large number of Sierra Leoneans will not vote on policy matters, but on tribal lines.
Alpha Kanu, a resident of Nyandyama, expressed his views with regard to the August elections and said he will not vote for APC as he has done in the past. He said past promises made by the APC were never fulfilled and is still undecided as to how he will vote on Saturday.
"All the political parties are the same, because all of them have the same tactics," he said, but hastened to state that the competition for parliamentary seats in that area is very tense as there are newcomers to politics who now have their constituency at heart.
Aminata Bah, a local businesswoman, is frustrated with the current status of her community, and said it is difficult to find a route through the constituency during the raining season, as the link between the central city and the constituency is completely abandoned by politicians.
"The road is poorly constructed with no drainage facility," she said. "It is always muddy and this restricts the flow of vehicular traffic to the area.
We are lacking good water facility and the worst of it is there is no health center in this community. We usually travel to other parts of the city for medical attention." She said the SLPP government did not live up to expectations and she will thoroughly examine all the parties before voting this week.
"I voted for the SLPP in 2002 because of the promises made in their manifesto, which they did not fulfill," she said.
Currently, there are three major political parties running for parliamentary seat in this constituency: The APC, SLPP and PMDC.
Theresa Mojama Suwu is running for the SLPP, Mumin Kallion for the PMDC and Abdul K Karim for the APC. It is shaping up to be a serious battle on Saturday as the local electorate now appears to be divided among these aspirants.
Subject: Re: Kenema City Two (10) a Political Hotspot to Watch
From: nico
To: All
Date Posted: 16:55:14 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: nicoleconsult@hotmail.com
Entered From: 105.0-136-217.adsl-dyn.isp.belgacom.be at 217.136.0.105
Message:
Chief Ahmed Benson Suwu fooled the SLPP. The Chief, who is a man of principle had refused bribes offered to him by president Kabba in kenema for him to return to the SLPP. When the Chief refused, the SLPP calculated that he was going to stand as the PMDC candidate in constituency 10 in kenema. So they gave the party symbol to the Chief's sister in order to contest against him. The chief's mother is temne and his dad hailed from the Kai-Samba house. But the Chief is the first to know that the SLPP is good at dividing families.
The PMDC candidate Mumin kallon is a relative of prof Kelfala and Footballer Mohammed Kallon. Mumin will take this seat for PMDC. Lota
Subject: ALIEU SESAY: THIS IS FOR YOU: BUTTRESSING DR. THOMAS
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 13:45:29 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.15.12
Message:
Sierra Leone
As you were
Aug 2nd 2007 | FREETOWN
From The Economist print edition
Peace, and now elections. But not much else to brag about
AT LEAST the presidential and parliamentary elections on August 11th will be the first to be held without the help of international peacekeepers since the end of the civil war that lashed Sierra Leone from 1991 to 2002. That is one welcome sign of progress. And since a British military intervention ended the conflict the country's 6m people no longer run the risk of sudden death at the hands of drugged-up child soldiers.
But, five years of peace and hundreds of millions of dollars of aid money later, the issues that gave rise to the war in the first place are still as much in evidence as ever. And the elections, unfortunately, are not expected to change that.
Unemployment is close to 80%, poverty is widespread and corruption endemic. Any reform and improvement in daily life remain painfully slow. There are 300,000 more children in primary school than during the war, a few more paved roads and some electricity, but seven out of ten people still live on less than a dollar a day. The country has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world.
Where reform has been successful it has been led by foreigners. Take the army. Ill-disciplined soldiers looking to get rich with “blood diamonds” contributed mightily to the mayhem of the civil war. But since 2002 the army has been re-trained by Britain, the former colonial power. The army has been shrinking, but as one officer notes, “Every soldier we chuck out of the army is one more man unemployed and on the streets.”
Now that President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) is standing down after two forgettable five-year terms, it would be reasonable to expect an injection of new faces and energy into the country's politics. But this will not be the case.
Seven parties are contesting the elections, but only three count: the ruling SLPP, its traditional opponent, the All People's Congress, which ruled for 14 venal years under Siaka Stevens, and the new People's Movement for Democratic Change. This split from the SLPP and competes for the same ethnic heartland among the Mende people of the south and east. Since it is run by Charles Margai, nephew of the first prime minister and son of its second, there is little danger of new brooms sweeping through Freetown's shabby corridors of power.
The 69-year old presidential front-runner, Solomon Berewa, is the incumbent vice-president, renowned as a clever and cunning political operator. Some say he has been the real power behind the throne for years. He prefers to describe himself as a man with a proven track record. His critics say he is implicated in all of the current government's failures and shortcomings. “The problem”, says one, “is a small clique running corrupt patronage networks while providing zero services and Berewa will simply embed those networks.”
Stark evidence of what can be done with the right leader in charge comes from across the border in Liberia where Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is in her second year as president. She has tackled poor governance head-on, firing corrupt officials and removing ghost workers from the payroll. By contrast Sierra Leone's Anti-Corruption Commission is now a lame duck, having had its $2m annual funding suspended by exasperated British donors unhappy with the lack of progress. The replacement last year of an energetic former civil servant by the president's brother-in-law as head of the commission strengthened the perception that the government is not serious about tackling corruption. In fact, most agree, it is growing.
The argument goes that the terrible violence of the conflict is so recent and memories so raw that a return to war is unthinkable. But many people in Sierra Leone know only violence as a way to vent their frustration at a government that fails them time and again. With the arrival of peace this is no longer a failed state. It may, however, be a failing one.
Subject: Re: ALIEU SESAY: THIS IS FOR YOU: BUTTRESSING DR. THOMAS
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 14:14:59 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Farrah! The credibility of the writer/medium is in play on this article.
"the All People's Congress, which ruled for 14 venal years under Siaka Stevens",
So whatever happened to the ten gruesome yrs?
secondly, Liberia is no better than sierra Leone. On the contrary, our country has stabilized, we are on a rebound, there is no subversive activities, our economy is growing, which makes us the envy of the sub-region.
The TRC has people from all works of life and political parties, so if the did not mention Kabbah and Strasser/Bio in their report, they have their reason since they are in a better position to make that judgement than any of us- including "Doc" Curtis
Subject: Re: ALIEU SESAY: THIS IS FOR YOU: BUTTRESSING DR. THOMAS
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 15:36:08 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.100
Message:
Alieu Sesay,
Let us critically analyze the said article.
"But, five years of peace and hundreds of millions of dollars of aid money later,"
What does the country have to show for the hundreds of millions of aid money? ABSOULUTELY NOTHING.
... "the issues that gave rise to the war in the first place are still as much in evidence as ever".
Most on this forum have CHARACTERISZED the rebel/civil war as senseless, but the article is inferring to CORRUPTION, AMBIGUITY and IRRESPONSIBILITY.
"And the elections, unfortunately, are not expected to change that."
NEITHER the S.L.P.P. (your party), A.P.C., P.M.D.C or any of the other parties WOULD CHANGE the SOCIO-ECONOMIC situation of the country. This is predicated on the FACT that THEY ARE ALL INCAPABLE and LOATHING. "... but seven out of ten people still live on less than a dollar a day. The country has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world."
"Unemployment is close to 80%, poverty is widespread and corruption endemic."
8 OUT OF EVERY SIERRA LEONEAN between the ages of 16 and above ARE WITHOUT A JOB. There EXISTS neither a MINIMUM NOR A LIVING WAGE. Those with jobs are not paid PUNCTUALLY, and when they are, cannot MAINTAIN A BASIC STANDARD OF LIVING.
"Where reform has been successful it has been led by foreigners."
The country continues to be ADMINISTERED BY THE COLONIALISTS.
In reference to your FRIEND Kabbah not beign implicated in the TRC report "Now that President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) is standing down after two forgettable five-year terms,"; the emphasis is on 'two forgettable five-year terms'.
"By contrast Sierra Leone's Anti-Corruption Commission is now a lame duck, having had its $2m annual funding suspended by exasperated British donors unhappy with the lack of progress. The replacement last year of an energetic former civil servant by the president's brother-in-law as head of the commission strengthened the perception that the government is not serious about tackling corruption. In fact, most agree, it is growing."
To quote Janet Jackson "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY."
..."it would be reasonable to expect an injection of new faces and energy into the country's politics. But this will not be the case." BE TWAH!
With regards to the 'NEW A.P.C. "... the All People's Congress, which ruled for 14 venal years under Siaka Stevens," THE REST THEY SAY IS HISTORY.
... "there is little danger of new brooms sweeping through Freetown's shabby corridors of power." S.L.P.P is GUARANTEED TO WIN BY RIGGING THE ELECTIONS .
This is an INTERESTING CHARACTERIZATION of the NEXT President of Sierra Leone and his party, the S.L.P.P.
"The 69-year old presidential front-runner, Solomon Berewa, is the incumbent vice-president, renowned as a clever and cunning political operator. Some say he has been the real power behind the throne for years. He prefers to describe himself as a man with a proven track record. His critics say he is implicated in all of the current government's failures and shortcomings. “The problem”, says one, “is a small clique running corrupt patronage networks while providing zero services and Berewa will simply embed those networks.”
THESE ARE PROPHETIC, "With the arrival of peace this is no longer a failed state. It may, however, be a failing one."
Lord forbid, if there is another uprising Sierra Leone will be WORSE than SOMALIA.
Subject: Re: ALIEU SESAY: THIS IS FOR YOU: BUTTRESSING DR. THOMAS
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:45:33 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
BRA! You know what? I give this to you.. You've done well. Took your time to dissect the article and present it to suit your beliefs.
It might be prophetic but we all hope we do not get back to the days that lead to our demise, we hope and pray that FARRAH supports BEREWA when he wins, we hope and pray that one day salone will be the CARRIBEAN of West Africa.
And under Berewa we will get there.
INSHALLAH
Subject: Re: ALIEU SESAY: THIS IS FOR YOU: BUTTRESSING DR. THOMAS
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 14:41:16 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS on August 08, 2007 at 13:54:45:
In Reply to: Re: ALL POLITICAL PARTIES WERE RESPONSIBLE AND GUILTY OF... posted by alieu sesay on August 08, 2007 at 13:40:03:
Mismanagement of the State Security Apparatus in the SLPP’s First Year in Office
271. The SLPP Government was remiss in allowing such a high degree of ambiguity to develop around the dual role of Chief Sam Hinga Norman as Deputy Minister of Defence and National Co-ordinator ofthe Civil Defence Forces (CDF). Most soldiers perceived Hinga Norman’srole as being highly partisan in favour of the CDF. The failure on the part of the executive to address these negative perceptions in the military contributed significantly to the military coup of 25 May 1997.
272. The down sizing of the Army and the commensurate reduction in rice rations by the SLPP Government was badly handled. At a time when transparency and trust should have been at a premium,the Government practised neither. Failure accurately to diagnose the symptoms of discontent among the soldiers of its national Army was a recurring blight on the authority of the Government. It was a costly failure for the security of the nation as a whole.
273. The Commission finds that President Kabbah misjudged the seriousness of at least two warnings of alleged coup plots from those in his military High Command. The implicated persons in these alleged plots subsequently proved themselves to be genuine threats. The President’s failure to address the concerns of his Deputy Minister of Defence, Chief Sam Hinga Norman, on 16 May 1997 resulted in the coup that ultimately unseated the President and caused untold suffering for the citizens of the country.
( Sierra Leone Truth And Reconciliation Commission Report)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S. Next time when educated people are "talking" just "shut-up" and sit at their feet and absorb knowledge. IT IS BETTER TO SHUT-UP AND BE THOUGHT OF AS A FOOL THAN TO OPEN YOUR ILLITERATE MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT.
P.S. HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS "TOAD FOR SUPPER"!
Subject: Re: ALIEU SESAY: THIS IS FOR YOU: BUTTRESSING DR. THOMAS
From: Budu
To: All
Date Posted: 15:13:03 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
"next time read before you open your illiterate mouth! "
Curtis, reading won't cure SLPP alieu sesay's stupidity. The man never understands what he reads, like he has been told..
Subject: Re: ALIEU SESAY: THIS IS FOR YOU: BUTTRESSING DR. THOMAS
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 14:55:36 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Curtis!I have a undergrad and Grad degrees from southern US.
I went to a REAL school; unlike you whose degrees and schools are not on the map anywhere.
More educated than you, smarter than you, i do not copy and past articles like you do, i write how and what i feel....
If the word " illiteracy" is a new word in your vocabulary, you are misusing it.
Why do i have to comment on a TRC report posted by an "IDIOT"?
I pick what i reply to and how.
If you have a PROBLEM with that: F you.
You make ar Broke me oath.. you DUMMY
Subject: hehehehehahahahah
From: CHIEFDOM RARAY BOYS DEM
To: All
Date Posted: 15:37:01 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
hehehehehahahahah. yerri way you mek we laugh ooooh !
Subject: ALL POLITICAL PARTIES WERE RESPONSIBLE AND GUILTY OF...
From: Dr. CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 13:21:15 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
68. The Commission holds the political elite of successive regimes in the post-independence period responsible for creating the conditions for conflict(and deterioration) in Sierra Leone. The governments headed by Sir Milton Margai, Sir Albert Margai, Colonel A. T. Juxon Smith,Siaka Probyn Stevens and General Joseph Saidu Momoh all bear a share of this responsibility. These leaders together with the entire political elite collectively placed their personal and political interests above those of the nation.
( Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
P.S. To the above group kindly add Tejan Kabbah'S SLPP and the NPRC. (Dr. Curtis-Thomas)
Subject: Re: ALL POLITICAL PARTIES WERE RESPONSIBLE AND GUILTY OF...
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:27:15 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
"To the above group kindly add Tejan Kabbah'S SLPP and the NPRC. (Dr. Curtis-Thomas)"
TRC would have aded them if they thought so.
Subject: Re: ALL POLITICAL PARTIES WERE RESPONSIBLE AND GUILTY OF...
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 13:33:37 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
If you are a Sierra Leonean, you should be ashame of yourself because you are oblivious of the factors that are responsible for Sierra Leone's Problems.
A CRYING SHAME, MY FRIEND, A CRYING SHAME!
Subject: Re: ALL POLITICAL PARTIES WERE RESPONSIBLE AND GUILTY OF...
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:40:03 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Doc! why should i be ashamed of myself for pointing out to you that the TRC did not think that Kabbah should be named part of the Poverty spreaders.
Are you SMARTER and well informed than those that comprise the TRC?
I have nothing to be ashamed of sir.
Subject: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 13:54:45 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
Mismanagement of the State Security Apparatus in the SLPP’s First Year in Office
271. The SLPP Government was remiss in allowing such a high degree of ambiguity to develop around the dual role of Chief Sam Hinga Norman as Deputy Minister of Defence and National Co-ordinator ofthe Civil Defence Forces (CDF). Most soldiers perceived Hinga Norman’srole as being highly partisan in favour of the CDF. The failure on the part of the executive to address these negative perceptions in the military contributed significantly to the military coup of 25 May 1997.
272. The down sizing of the Army and the commensurate reduction in rice rations by the SLPP Government was badly handled. At a time when transparency and trust should have been at a premium,the Government practised neither. Failure accurately to diagnose the symptoms of discontent among the soldiers of its national Army was a recurring blight on the authority of the Government. It was a costly failure for the security of the nation as a whole.
273. The Commission finds that President Kabbah misjudged the seriousness of at least two warnings of alleged coup plots from those in his military High Command. The implicated persons in these alleged plots subsequently proved themselves to be genuine threats. The President’s failure to address the concerns of his Deputy Minister of Defence, Chief Sam Hinga Norman, on 16 May 1997 resulted in the coup that ultimately unseated the President and caused untold suffering for the citizens of the country.
( Sierra Leone Truth And Reconciliation Commission Report)
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P.S. Next time when educated people are "talking" just "shut-up" and sit at their feet and absorb knowledge. IT IS BETTER TO SHUT-UP AND BE THOUGHT OF AS A FOOL THAN TO OPEN YOUR ILLITERATE MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT.
P.S. HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS "TOAD FOR SUPPER"!
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: Njai
To: All
Date Posted: 14:39:13 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: static-70-20-197-79.phil.east.verizon.net at 70.20.197.79
Message:
71. The SLPP Government was remiss in allowing such a high degree of ambiguity to develop around the dual role of Chief Sam Hinga Norman as Deputy Minister of Defence and National Co-ordinator ofthe Civil Defence Forces (CDF). Most soldiers perceived Hinga Norman’srole as being highly partisan in favour of the CDF. The failure on the part of the executive to address these negative perceptions in the military contributed significantly to the military coup of 25 May 1997.
272. The down sizing of the Army and the commensurate reduction in rice rations by the SLPP Government was badly handled. At a time when transparency and trust should have been at a premium,the Government practised neither. Failure accurately to diagnose the symptoms of discontent among the soldiers of its national Army was a recurring blight on the authority of the Government. It was a costly failure for the security of the nation as a whole.
273. The Commission finds that President Kabbah misjudged the seriousness of at least two warnings of alleged coup plots from those in his military High Command. The implicated persons in these alleged plots subsequently proved themselves to be genuine threats. The President’s failure to address the concerns of his Deputy Minister of Defence, Chief Sam Hinga Norman, on 16 May 1997 resulted in the coup that ultimately unseated the President and caused untold suffering for the citizens of the country.
( Sierra Leone Truth And Reconciliation Commission Report)
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P.S. Next time when educated people are "talking" just "shut-up" and sit at their feet and absorb knowledge. IT IS BETTER TO SHUT-UP AND BE THOUGHT OF AS A FOOL THAN TO OPEN YOUR ILLITERATE MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT.
P.S. HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS "TOAD FOR SUPPER"!
And with of these the TRC did not add Kabba and the NPRC in your previous posting quoted from the TRC report.
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 15:46:11 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER...
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:50:09 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
You are right.. since we are not from a fictitious school of medical history..
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:29:33 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Njai nor men dah fool and fake doctor dae..
That is the point i made, he got all worked up....
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 15:44:32 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER...
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 14:20:34 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
I pissed him off already.. Damn am good!
By the way, i am Probably more educated and smarter
than you MR " DOC".
PS. IF YOU LIVE IN A GLASS HOUSE DO NOT THROW STONES...
JUST A WARNING... I DO NOT CURSE MY ELDERS
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 14:37:49 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
I gave you a reference from the SLTRCR and, as expected, not a word was said about it.
NEXT TIME IF YOU WANT TO RUN WITH THE BIG DOGS DO NOT PEE LIKE SOME "OKURU PUPPY"...just a warning!
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:34:04 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
When you start posting using your BRAIN, then i will start treating you like a man with brain, until then, you will be treated like a FOOL..
I( Alieu Sesay)Debate or converse with people who use their own materials, not CUT and PASTE doctors.
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 15:41:46 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h-67-103-183-222.mclnva23.covad.net at 67.103.183.222
Message:
I( Alieu Sesay)Debate or converse with people who use their own materials, not CUT and PASTE doctors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In academia they call this process "citing or giving references". Guess you never covered that in GRAD school, did you?
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:48:14 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
But for how long will you be citing and using others wholly and solely as a source of your CRAP?
You do it day in day out...
Thats all you do...
And you have the BALLS to call someone "ILLITERATE"..
You nor know me?
Subject: Re: next time read before you open your illiterate mouth!
From: ARIOBO
To: All
Date Posted: 16:51:32 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
nOR MEN AM YA ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA SESAY EE NOR KNOW YOU.
Subject: Kabbah sheds crocodile tears over environmental degradation
From: Tombo
To: All
Date Posted: 12:04:41 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: Tomba@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
One thing that President Kabbah has never been is a visionary leader. He knew about the 1997 coup but never acted; he saw his ministers squander donor funds but kept silent; he saw his lands minister allocate all hillside lands to his party cronies and did nothing about it. He sidelined the Mayor of Freetown.
Now he wants to plant trees, save the hillsides of Freetown and leave a legacy. Too late Mr. president. Your crocodile tears over environmental degradation in Freetown are not worth spilling. Save them for your party's loss at the pools.
Subject: Kabbah to become Chairman of the SLPP after the elections
From: Twin Mama
To: All
Date Posted: 11:39:48 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: Twin@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
Berewa is not very happy that President Kabbah is planning to dictate that he be elected as SLPP Party Chairman after the elections in order to enable him keep a rein on party activities.
Berewa has already prepared a draft Bill for the appointemnet of a Second Vice President and we know who he wants to put in that spot if he wins the elections.
Subject: I HEARD MOMODU KOROMA HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD, WHY?
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 11:25:09 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
I heard Momodu Koroma's campaigning has been put on hold because he does not get along with Berewa? They say he is a baggage because:
1. Because he claims he is neither Madingo nor Temne
2. He is neither Northerner nor Southerner
3. He is still by disfavored by Berewa in favor of Kanja Sesay.
HMMMMM WHAT A TEAM FALLING APART AT THE SEAMS TOWARD THE END!
Subject: Re: I HEARD MOMODU KOROMA HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD, WHY?
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 11:49:34 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Toegbondoe have some decency BRA. You are becoming a JOKE- Craise-man.
You sound so desperate that ALIEU ISCANDRI is actually using you to say what he can't say for BAMBAI.. You fool..
After the elections, you will go back to your usual two jobs and pay up all the bills you have piled up during your unemployment period.
You were hoping Margai will win and make you minister of Dis-information..
You nor well...
Subject: Re: I HEARD MOMODU KOROMA HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD, WHY?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:41:31 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
"You sound so desperate that ALIEU ISCANDRI is actually using you to say what he can't say for BAMBAI"
Holy Mackrel how am I doing that please tell me. By the way I will say whatever I have to say within reason. I have no one to fear but God who breathed life into me and who at his own time will help me take my last breath. INSHALLAH
Subject: ISCANDARIE AGAIN WITH DEN SAY? OH MY GOD {LAWYER}
From: okdok
To: All
Date Posted: 16:02:01 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-45-171-61.dynamic.mts.net at 206.45.171.61
Message:
Do you realyy have honest people to give you news?
Subject: Re: I HEARD MOMODU KOROMA HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD, WHY?
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:22:16 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
"I will say whatever I have to say within reason".
What about those beyond reason?
The above is exactly why you are using him to propagate all these lies... Because you nar lawyer..playing smart..
( NOR TO ME MOT UNA YERI AM OH NAR TOEGBONDOE SAY SO)
Kapish
Subject: ALIEU SASAY,ISCANDARIE IS DEN SAY LAWYER
From: okdok
To: All
Date Posted: 16:05:19 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-45-171-61.dynamic.mts.net at 206.45.171.61
Message:
Trus me ALIEU ISCANDARIE is the only lawyer who deals with den say.
Subject: Re: I HEARD MOMODU KOROMA HAS BEEN PUT ON HOLD, WHY?
From: STUPID TOEGONDOE
To: All
Date Posted: 11:44:47 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-201-16.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.201.16
Message:
Is there a limit to your stupidity? Can somebody ask this brother to talk sense for a change? Sallop!
Subject: WHY IS SOLOMON JR NOT HELPING HIS DAD IN FREETOWN?
From: THAVARISH
To: All
Date Posted: 11:07:00 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
Solo Jr who was in Salone during the REGISTRATION period has been ordered by his father Pa Berewa not to return,because according to WORLD AROUND ATLANTA(WAA) the elections has been lost to Ernest Koroma,and he does not want him to waste his time campaigning for a losing cause.WAA is he almost quit the race after what he saw during the introduction of the APC MANISFESTO.Kanja Sesay,Momudu Koroma and Ortenjeh were the once who talked him out of it.
Subject: Re: WHY IS SOLOMON JR NOT HELPING HIS DAD IN FREETOWN?
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 11:10:56 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
He is in the Dominican Republic living in, watching over and waiting for his dad to retire. The new mansion is in a plush resort area of the Dominican Republic. I am not kidding. Check the website below and read the article about "SLPP BOMBSHELL"
Subject: Re: WHY IS SOLOMON JR NOT HELPING HIS DAD IN FREETOWN?
From: STUPID TOEGONDOE
To: All
Date Posted: 11:46:32 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-201-16.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.201.16
Message:
The last house you said was in Virginia and it had 15 bedrooms. How many bedrooms and toilets are in this one?
Subject: Re: WHY IS SOLOMON JR NOT HELPING HIS DAD IN FREETOWN?
From: Love2vote
To: All
Date Posted: 12:32:11 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 87.114.65.128.plusnet.thn-ag2.dyn.plus.net at 87.114.65.128
Message:
none because berewa only knows how to build wan palar and latrines.
Subject: Very Important Disclaimer
From: SLPP
To: All
Date Posted: 10:46:08 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 195.166.237.254
Message:
We wish to inform all supporters of SLPP that we do not have anything to do with this e-mail address "presidentberewa@yahoo.com". Some agent of destruction is using this e-mail address to send destructive materials out, we have abadoned the e-mail for more than 3month now. We urge you not to even read the e-mail being sent through this particular address, the best thing is just to delete it without reading.
Thank You
Our Victory is certain
Subject: SLPP and Co versus God Almighty
From: Emmanuel J.M.Stafford
To: All
Date Posted: 10:11:17 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: ejmstafford@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: at 89.243.74.67
Message:
Looking at the malicious and vindictive attack launched by the SLPP against the people of Sierra Leone in a form of propaganda against the opposition parties, one can clearly state that SLPP is still doubting the credibility of the people and taking them for fun.
Even if they executed the remaining barbaric plans/propaganda including the following that they have allegedly plan: To burn down one of the SLPP Vehicles and say it was done by the opposition-APC/ PMDC, To pay some youths who will dress in Red and some in Orange ...using abusive languages and say it is the opposition, To do other very bad things that i don't which to write as it is still allegation...
Please SLPP stop, because even if you succeeded in doing all these barbaric deeds, you cannot triumph against the people. Take note that 'the voice of the People is the voice of God', and the fact that the people are tired of you is a clear manifestation that the Lord God Almighty is tired of you.
Even if you are aided in your propaganda by Obasanjo, Qaddafi, Iranian President ,and some of our selfish newspapers in Freetown, Soloman Berewa, this battle is between you (solo. B)/SLPP and Co versus the Lord God Almighty-So just wait and see who will be the victor in the next few days! O God, help Sa. Lone, amen.
Subject: Re: SLPP and Co versus God Almighty
From: Me Salone
To: All
Date Posted: 11:06:44 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c120189.upc-c.chello.nl at 212.187.120.189
Message:
Mr Stafford may God bless you for vouching the name of God that he is omniscient. No man is baove him and by his power he will redeem the people of Sierra Leone whom politicians like Berewa have made them to sink in a bottomless pit.
We all are praying for his grace and power to cover our poor people who will go out in this raining season to give their country a leader that loves the Almighty.
We are all hoping that our Father in heaven will free our people from bad people.
Subject: Re: SLPP and Co versus God Almighty
From: Correction
To: All
Date Posted: 11:33:16 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c120189.upc-c.chello.nl at 212.187.120.189
Message:
Mr Stafford may God bless you for vouching the name of God that he is omniscient. No man is above him and by his power he will redeem the people of Sierra Leone whom politicians like Berewa have made them to sink in a bottomless pit.
We all are praying for his grace and power to cover our poor people who will go out in this raining season to give their country a leader that loves the Almighty.
We are all hoping that our Father in heaven will free our people from bad people.
Subject: Re: SLPP and Co versus God Almighty
From: Correction
To: All
Date Posted: 11:32:45 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c120189.upc-c.chello.nl at 212.187.120.189
Message:
Mr Stafford may God bless you for vouching the name of God that he is omniscient. No man is baove him and by his power he will redeem the people of Sierra Leone whom politicians like Berewa have made them to sink in a bottomless pit.
We all are praying for his grace and power to cover our poor people who will go out in this raining season to give their country a leader that loves the Almighty.
We are all hoping that our Father in heaven will free our people from bad people.
Subject: Why Alpha Kanu must Resign....
From: Tamba Moiwo
To: All
Date Posted: 09:56:54 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: moiwo@hotmail.co.uk
Entered From: host86-146-135-112.range86-146.btcentralplus.com at 86.146.135.112
Message:
Integrity of the APC Presidential Spokesman Mr Alpha Kanu is compromised.Time for him to exit.
It will be recalled that following the Tom Nyuma beatings he put out a full positional statement as to what had transpired.He concluded that Nyuma was 'sent' to assasinate Ernest Koroma.
In the end,his statement were a veritable tissue of lies and a desire or reckless as to whether the public was deceived or not.
Now....Wait for it..This self-styled Spokesman is howling that the SLPP is propagating lies and misinformation.
Now thats very rich given his deliberate untruthful statements about what took place at that Motel in BO.
Is this Man really woth opening his enormous beck about propaganda and lies?Wouldn't the honourable thing be for him to distance himself from all things to do with being a Spokesman?
Shame on you Mr Alpha Kanu for feeding the local and international Community with lies and damn falsehoods.
Subject: Re: Why Alpha Kanu must Resign....
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:32:12 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Tamba Moiwo, you are not a member of the APC and therefore do not have any STANDING to dictate to us as to who stays and who goes. Dont you think that you are getting a little bit biugger than your breaches can hold young man? Go back to the grave and Chill bra
Subject: Re: Why Alpha Kanu must Resign....
From: Johnn Colee
To: All
Date Posted: 13:53:05 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: johnncole@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 209.59.106.5
Message:
This is the same Hon. Alpha Kanu , the self styled bussinessman who kept Mecca Pilgrims stranded at Lungi for 2 consecutive years.
So what a credible Spokesman!
I 'm not suprised about the press conference he had to misinform the people of Sierra Leone.
We need credible people to LEAD Sierra Leone.
Berewa's SLPP provides this option.
See how the SLPP conducted the RECENT primary constituency elections!
Support Berewa's SLPP , the party that has the vision and the capcity to continue to move our nation forward.
Subject: Re: Why Alpha Kanu is loved by so many
From: Joseph Smith
To: All
Date Posted: 10:30:20 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: Joseph@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
Tamba Moiwo sounds like one of those who are envious and jealous of people who excel in life. Mr. Alpha Kanu is not self-styled spokesperson. As a Sierra Leonean he shares our desire for the re-building of the nation, creating jobs and a business friendly environment; improving our schools and the provision of adequate health care for the men, women and children of Sierra Leone. Over the past 30 years, he has developed successful business skills, and has the enthusiasm, the energy, the time, and the tenacity to fight for the rights of all Sierra Leoneans on the floor of Parliament.
He has been very instrumental and productive on the floor of Parliament, and his eloquence, charisma and charm are some of the positive attributes, which haters like Tamba Moiwo are envious of.
Tamba Moiwo may not be in tune with recent political atrocities and the one sided approach the police and the courts have taken in investigating matters relating to election violence perpetrated by the SLPP. He is even not aware that as Vice President Berewah is Chairman of the Police Council and no police officer who wants to retain his job would act impartially in any matter relating to the SLPP. The Kailahun, Kono and Bo incidents speak for themselves.Incidents abound of SLPP violation of the election non-violence code, which are dismissed with no consequences.
From constitutionality of Berewah's right to contest the presidential elections to the faked assassination charges levied against Charles margai for an incident in Bo, the SLPP propaganda machine of which Tamba Moiwo is part is using the state machinery to muzzle vibrant opposition.
You should be ashamed of yourself for making such derogatory statements against a true Sierra Leonean as Mr. Carr. You are typical of the SLPP cabal that believes in setting up a dynasty. In three days from now, the people of Sierra Leone will reach their decision and Alpha Kanu is doing an excellent job as spokesperson for the APC party.
Subject: Re: Why Alpha Kanu must Resign....
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 10:01:14 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
The reason exactly why VICTOR FOH has been side-lined... because he refused to make a statement on the FICTITIOUS ASSASINATION BRUHAHA.
Subject: Re: Why Alpha Kanu must Resign....
From: LIAR
To: All
Date Posted: 11:06:26 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
Stop this fabrication. Do you know how many times victor-foh spoke of the assassination attempt? Is there anyone in the SLPP now that speak truth to power? Politics doesn't always means formenting lies, but an ideology that benefit a nation.
Subject: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: ALPHA SAIDU SESAY
To: All
Date Posted: 09:53:38 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
News reaching this reporter is that Berewah the VP of sierra leone is gravely ill with cancer and diabetes. Which is why he wants to achieve his dreams of being president of sierra leone before he dies.
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: Dr. Fatmata Hassan Komeh
To: All
Date Posted: 10:39:07 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 87.114.65.128.plusnet.thn-ag2.dyn.plus.net at 87.114.65.128
Message:
there is nothing wrong with berewa his only got a slight cold and cronic "TIFFTIACIS" and both dr kabba and okereh adams are looking after him at sama banyas hospital in kenema.
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 11:14:23 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
Ohhhh God! This is laughing Theater day. I couldn't stop laughing.
"Tiffticis" as in "DonorMoneyasis"?
Oh boy!!!!
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: Emmanuel J.M.Stafford
To: All
Date Posted: 10:21:53 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: ejmstafford@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: at 89.243.74.67
Message:
Berewa pee frequently and he is suffering from what most people call 'sleeping sickness'now with the alleged cancer and diabetes don't you think that Berewa is not fit to even be our Vice President let alone our President (Father forgive)?. Let us wait and see after the elections.
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 10:28:32 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
If Berewa is soooo(gravely) ill as you want us to believe, how come he is in the provinces on campaign?
How come he is the most active of the other aspirants?
How come he goes to bed at 2am in the morning and up at 6am..
If Berewa was a TOEGBONDOE in the US.. Berewa would have made huge sums of money...The man nar man..He can effectively do TWO jobs in America no Doubt.
Can you say that for the others? NOPE
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 11:21:59 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
Come on Alie, you well know Berewa will not go to bed at 2 am. The man barely stay awake during the day. You know that.
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 11:41:39 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Political!None of the other dudes have half the energy SOLO B has.
Da wan nor to SNORE e bin dae SNORE wae den nak nar im door for 45 mins before e wake up en tell Leatherboot for stop im REBEL bizness?
Solo is sound, well, fit and ready to continue the good works of Kabbah.
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: oxymoron
To: All
Date Posted: 12:19:35 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
the good works of Kabbah.
Is this what they call an OXYMORON
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:17:46 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Kabbah and GOOD WORK do not go hand in hand?
You guys are really ungrateful.
You cried for a new leader when Milton margai/ Albert margai were prime ministers, we got a "dog catcher".
Our country went completely down hill from there.
Kabbah has done well in bringing us back to a state of capability to improve...
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: Amadu
To: All
Date Posted: 15:05:52 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
"Kabbah has done well in bringing us back to a state of capability to improve..."
What you are doing is proving that you never understand anything you read! Check out the meaning of "oxymoron." Then look up the meaning of "baned for life from holding public office" as Kabbah was.
Then, just maybe, you will begin to understand why Kabbah is the worst president in the hsitory of Sa Lon.
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:26:51 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
I think it you who did not understand my post. OXYMORON.. using two opposite and or contradictory words....like girly men, faith unfaithful..
What has banned for life got to do with "Kabbah and GOOD JOB"?
My friend next time go to the initial post before you reply...please..
Or maybe, only maybe you do not really know what is the word OXYMORON
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 11:20:43 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE HE IS?
Haven't you heard that Tom Nyuma, Maada Bio and John Benjamin are now the ones going around harassing people in the guise of a campaign. Have you not heard of the rounds of ammunition John Benjamin took with him from Freetown to the Provinces?
Momodu Koroma has been put on hold because he does not get along with Berewa
MAN! THEY ARE MIS-INFORMING YOU. TOO MANY SPLINTERED GROUPS IN THE SLPP. YOU ARE ON THE OUTSIDE LISTENING IN.
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: STUPID TOEGONDOE
To: All
Date Posted: 11:39:25 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-201-16.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.201.16
Message:
Is there any conceivable limit to your stupidity and rumor mongering? At this stage, one would expect you to be telling Sierra Leoneans how you're going to change their lives. Idiot.
Non-partisan and non-Sierra Leonean observer but with a Sierra Leonean girlfriend whose father is an APC candidate.
Subject: Re: BEREWAH IS GRAVELY ILL WITH CANCER AND DIABETES
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 11:37:43 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Unlike you.. i am talking form the inside. nor to KONGOSA and LE...
Subject: Good review
From: Sorba S.
To: All
Date Posted: 08:42:26 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: sorba_1@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 209.116.81.187
Message:
When I posted my "first time" yesterday, I got a lot of response. Some good some bad but the good out come the bad which is a good thing.
Some of you I have met and some of you, I have no idea. The good thing is we are all Sierra Leoneans first and foremost.
As time goes on, you will see some of my posting. At the moment, I will take a back bench and read from the politicians or the interested politicians.
For the guy that is asking for fish, visit me at Shenge and you will be glad you did. I will be home for christmas.
Subject: Re: Good review
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 08:44:29 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Shenge or Sembehun-Nestucker?
That name is familiar... sorba-S....Hmm
Subject: ARE THERE ANY VISIBLE SLPP SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SALONE?
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 08:23:03 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
Fellows please help me out here.
In the SLPP of the 1960s there was Milton Margai Teachers College, Bo Teachers College, Makeni Teachers College. Electricity, water supply and tar roads in every district town. The Bo to Kenema was a tarred road, FBC was expanded, Guma Dam supplied water to Freetown, many many secondary and primary schools built, Bank of Salone, Post Office etc. etc.
In the APC administration, there is Siaka Steven Stadium, YUWI Building, First Class roads in the north, Dodo Hydro now supplies electricity to Bo and Kenema, Bumbuna Hydro was started etc. etc.
HELP ME OUT HERE...WHAT ARE THE MONUMENTS OF PROGRESS FROM THE PAST 10 YEARS OF THIS SLPP GOVERNMENT?
Subject: Re: ARE THERE ANY VISIBLE SLPP SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SALONE?
From: Love2vote
To: All
Date Posted: 10:26:08 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 87.114.65.128.plusnet.thn-ag2.dyn.plus.net at 87.114.65.128
Message:
Gboo Ngor Toe u nor know?
1. dig water well nar city
2. build court barray en markit bafa den all over the country
2. turn city hall to latrine for pusher man dem
3. build dorty block hos for we paramount chief dem
4. put fehfeh lamp pan treet pole
5. manufacture plenty kabba lion
6. import plenty fake medicine for population control
7. build school with tarpoline roof
8. create borku raray gyal (kolonko) for jc dem
9. turn Freetown to dorty box
10.make education by sababu.
11. kill woman soja en free man rebel dem
12. bom two ship ress en flog am nar Ghana.
Subject: Re: ARE THERE ANY VISIBLE SLPP SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SALONE?
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 11:07:04 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
Love2Vote,
You got me craking more than anything else this whole day. You are soooooo right. I should not have asked the question. But, in deed, YOU ARE GOOG! I have archived your list. Those are the SLPP monuments. I added KABBA TIGER GENERATORS and MOROCCO ABUSED ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR.
Everyone please add more to this, I shall provide an article on it in Cocorioko and my website before week is over
Subject: Re: ARE THERE ANY VISIBLE SLPP SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SALONE?
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 09:58:29 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
our administration believes in across the board development strategy. Hence we have intangible and tangible development.
1. Goal to complete Bumbuna by 08.
2. Set up of Pension for retirees-
3. Decentralization- we gave back power to the people
4. Building of Medical facilities in all parts of the country.. Most are walking distance from most villages
5. We have balanced budget, debt relief, and a positive economic growth.
6. We have freedom of speech, association and above all
7. WE have given you TOEGBONDO Democracy...Only under the SLPP.. You go craise do am under APC?
Finally: Two things...No YUWI building in sierra Leone and No Siaka Stevens stadium in Sierra Leone.
Subject: Re: ARE THERE ANY VISIBLE SLPP SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SALONE?
From: BRA ENVIABLE
To: All
Date Posted: 09:39:34 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Bra, did you say there were "First Class roads in the North" during APC rule in Sierra Leone? What parts of the North are you talking about? What are "First Class roads" in this specific case?
Subject: Re: ARE THERE ANY VISIBLE SLPP SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SALONE?
From: Sengbe
To: All
Date Posted: 10:17:16 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: red_dog.niehs.nih.gov at 157.98.76.127
Message:
Thanks a bunch, Bra E, for asking Toegondoe those pertinent questions.
Toegondoe, my brother, I don't mean any harm by asking you this question; are you on 'crack'?
I really wonder sometimes.
Your LYING politics really stinks.
You see, or read Bra E; he is pmdc, but he does not usually LIE on behalf of the PMDC, does he? So why do you ALWAYS do so? Are the akartas having an undue influence on you these days? You used to be such a gentleman. I even called you an icon in the old Africa-online/SLIS/NUP days. What happened, brotheman? What happened to you, and your ideals of the past.
This is a bloody shame!!!
Subject: Re: ARE THERE ANY VISIBLE SLPP SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SALONE?
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 11:39:06 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.100
Message:
Sengbe,
Konouwah why have been ignoring my posting?
Bra E aka Jimmy Kandeh was P.M.D.C. and now is S.L.P.P.. Maybe Uncle Solo will appoint him as Foreign Minister.
You S.L.P.P. has not done Jack Sh--.
Check this out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_sierra_leone_slum/html/1.stm
Subject: Re: ARE THERE ANY VISIBLE SLPP SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN SALONE?
From: Sengbe
To: All
Date Posted: 12:24:44 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: red_dog.niehs.nih.gov at 157.98.76.127
Message:
Farrah Tolu, I have not been ignoring your posting. I went to present a paper in Seoul, South Korea. I just got back yesterday. This means that I have not participated on this forum for the past 11 days.
What posting are you alluding to anyway?
Subject: SLPP will lose... rigging is an option for Berewa
From: Insider
To: All
Date Posted: 05:37:06 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 73-66-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.66.73
Message:
Inside sources say that the SLPP has put all modalities in place to rig the elctions. According to sources, the party has kept fictitious ballot papers in different parts of the Country to stuff it in the boxes. All eyes need to open at the airport, border areas and in some hamlets. John Benjamin and Maarda Bio should be watched carefully. They are at the centre of the diabolical plan to rig the elctions. Opposition agents should make sure that all ballot boxes in their area of operation being shaken to see that no pre ballot papers are inside the boxes.
The queue is another area the SLPP will want to deny smooth voting. It is the duty of the opposition agents to ask the monitors and security officers to take away anyone off the line if any argument ensued. Quarrelling voters must be taken away till they are manage to sort their problems. They say the ink is indelible, but there are people out there who will even go as far as using acid to get rid of the ink. One of the ways to tackle such act, is to look at the fingers properly of voters. If there is a sore, that person must not be given a chance to vote.
Berewa blasphed in his quest to rule Sierra Leone. He will go at great lengh to kill anyone who dare challenge him from being a President. Please, opposition menbers take this message to your constituents and organise radio programs to create awareness of the SLPP plans to steal the people's victory.
The SLPP party plans to interrupt the voting in some areas as its paid security personnel will open fire to scare voters and in the ensuing melee, SLPP will stuff ballot papers inside the boxes. The SLPP rogues are counting on bad weather to make their plan works. The opposition should not allow the ballot boxes to be taken to any centres for counting. All counting must be done at the polling booth even if it takes four sleepless nights to count the ballot papers.Opposition supporters must ensure they have many people to keep the watch. They should work in shift so that to help everyone not to lose energy.
It is inconceivable for Berewa to win outrightly whenm the whole Northern Province will vote en masse for the APC. The PMDC is in pole postion in the South East. And the APC will slug it out with the PMDC in the western area. in the North Kabbah/Berewa killed many soldiers from that region and he will not have support there. The people re pleased to clad with SLPP colours to collect money and vote their conscience. Infact the two SLPP flag bearers are from one region that is BO. The SLPP propaganda machine headed ny an ignoramus called sia is busy to paint Momodu Koroma as a Temne to draw tribal votes. But the Temnes are not fools. They know their children and they will give their impartial votes to those who want to win prosperity for Sierra Leone.
Berewa and the SLPP will have scattered voting in some places. Bacause of the SLPP tfreatment of the residents in Freetown, it will not win any seat there.
The SLPP is counting on rigging and the support of some ex army/rebel fighters to rig the elctions. Opposition supporters must ask the Police and the army to stay neutral during this all important elections.
Subject: Re: SLPP will lose... rigging is an option for Berewa
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 13:46:30 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
There are some who are calling for national day of prayer and fasting…
No, matter to what extent any single person believes that he has a monopoly of knowing which political party is best for the country, if we truly love Sierra Leone ( people and country) then we want peace and we want the dictatorship of the people’s voice - their choice, in this elections.
For the sake of peace, let there be no rigging , because if a peaceful person like myself can feel very explosive about this - and if I were on the ground I would be planning for greater effectiveness against rigging and for dealing with those who have rigged - significantly rigged, in the most harshest way possible – because I do believe that one man - one man’s vote is not more important than another man’s - that my san- san boy sacred ballot is not inferior to ex- ambassador Johnny E. Leigh’s no matter how highly and in what exalted terms he might want to decorate himself, in the presence of the Almighty.
So if it’s one man one vote, why should women, pregnant with ballot papers enter a voting booth to deliver their baby into the ballot box? In the name of democracy? Equality?
As president Ahmad Tejan Kabbah said in that famous “Toothless Chimpanzee” interview with Tim Sebastian, you can’t eliminate corruption 100% - and so too there will be a degree of rigging and Christina Thorpe knows that will be part of her Confessions – not that I am accusing her of complicity at this stage – just dignifying her with consciousness of her own environment (I am so far away) attributing awareness and self- knowledge to her, self, being a part of Sierra Leone.
Nigeria has a population of some 140 million people. When it comes to election rigging, Sierra Leone is not territorially as vastly spread out or ethnically as diverse/complex as Nigeria which has wholly homogeneously/ ethnically independent/ insulated but densely populated regional blocks to the North (Hausa , Fulani) the East ( Igbo) the West ( Yoruba) and yet socially as porous as Nigeria – to the extent that were any of the major tribal groupings to be subsumed/ incorporated into Nigeria ( as refugees en masse) the Mendes or the Temnes would be almost insignificant minorities in that Federation, on par with say, the Efik, the Ibibios, and still much smaller in number than say the Ijaw or the Tiv – Gowon was a Tiv Benue ( Plateau state, capital Jos -Tiv) offering a congenially European
friendly climate………
About the texture and density of Nigerian society - well, I saw many light skinned beggars that had travelled all the way from Chad, to Port Harcourt, in the early 80s Nigeria, under Shehu Shagari. I also met the Chief Justice of one of the States of the Federation (at a party) and he even told me all about MY family tree and spoke Krio to me…… (ah FBC)
Comparing with Sierra Leone, the complexity -and the corresponding nightmareishness of rigging is one of scale. Much diminished scale. The techniques and modalities and logistics could be the same – and this is no smiling matter.
The three main presidential candidates for the last presidential election in Nigeria, Umaru Yar’adua, Muhammadu Buhari and the then vice-president Atiku Abubakar are all FULANI - and I thought about this when Charles Margai announced his choice of a Fullah/ as his running mate – a wise choice I though - I thought about the Fullahs/ Fulani and regional West African hegemony and power - of course behind all elections in Nigeria we have is locally called “ the Kaduna mafia” whose mythical dimensions and mystical powers far exceeds human speculations about it’s really awesome power, be it military or political or – monetary.
AS a group, the Fulani with the great historical gestalt of the great Usman Dan Fodio and the Caliphate of Sokoto on the one hand and Kano on the other - takes us back to important history whose currents are very much alive in contemporary culture and politics. Nigeria is indeed a great nation! Abu Bakr Atiku was also “ sultan of the Sokoto Caliphate or Fulani Empire from 26 October 1837 until November 1842. He was the brother of Muhammed Bello.” The Hausa and Fulani of the region from Niger to Ghana – well the Kurds you’ve heard of and they want a State ( Kurdistan) .Regionally today’s people of the Hausa –Fulani Empire is also a back bone of West African hegemony in all but name …….yes, as I said before, that’s what I thought when Charles Margai chose his running mate – and that’s what I think about my former flatmate and now presidential candidate, the honourable Amadu Jalloh … indeed I love Hausa and Fulani people , that I know from Nigeria, Ghana , Guinea, Sierra Leone…..
http://www.google.se/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLJ_en-GBSE234SE234&q=Usman+Dan+Fodio
Anyway, here’s a break down of the 1983 Elections which I witnessed in Nigeria - a country that I grew to love in just four years of working there ( 1981-1984 ) – a home that is so close to home – at a time when Dr. Abdulai Conteh was foreign minister . I wrote to him and he was surprised at how well I understood Sierra Leone, after so many years.
06 August 1983 Presidential Election
Registered Voters 65,300,000 (approx.)
Total Votes (Voter Turnout) Not Available (N/A)
Candidate (Party) % of Votes
Shehu Shagari (NPN) 47.33%
Obafemi Awolowo (UPN) 30.98%
Nnamdi Azikiwe (NPP) 13.88%
Aminu Kano (PRP) 4.08%
Waziri Ibrahim (GNPP) 2.51%
Tunji Braithwaite (NAP) 1.21%
August 1983 National Assembly Election
Senate (20 August 1983)
Registered Voters 65,300,000 (approx.)
Total Votes (Voter Turnout) Not Available (N/A)
House of Representatives (27 August 1983)
Registered Voters 65,300,000 (approx.)
Total Votes (Voter Turnout) Not Available (approx. 39%)
Party Senate House of Representatives
Number of Seats (96) Number of Seats (450)
National Party of Nigeria (NPN) 60 306
Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) 16 51
Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) 12 48
People’s Redemption Party (PRP) 05 41
Greater Nigerian People’s Party (GNPP) 02 -
Vacant 01 04
Nigerian elections
http://africanelections.tripod.com/ng.html
Sierra Leone.
http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9597704
Subject: Re: SLPP will lose... rigging is an option for Berewa
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 08:10:44 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
I am glad everyone is coming around to this fact. I have been writing about it all along. The SLPP knows that they cannot win this election freely and fairly. They have no record. It will be a miracle for ballots to be counted under electricity (beside generators).
They have no record to run on except documents. This Commission, that Commission. Good governance here, good governance there. Anti corruption here, anti corruption there...WITH NO VISIBLE OR TANGIBLE RESULTS ANYWHERE
So RIGGING is their only weapon to win this election BUT ALL EYES AND EARS ARE OPEN. Christiana Thorps is being watched seriously.
See some of my writings on the website below
Subject: Re: SLPP will lose... rigging is an option for Berewa
From: Sengbe
To: All
Date Posted: 10:03:02 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: red_dog.niehs.nih.gov at 157.98.76.127
Message:
So! Toegondoe, what is the record of the pmdc?
You state, and I quote:
"...The SLPP knows that they cannot win this election freely and fairly. They have no record..."
What is the record of the pmdc, and charles margai, in particular?
What record does the pmdc stand on presently?
Please tell us truthfully, instead of always falsely pulling the fire alarm in a crowded movie house. If you cannot do this in all honesty then you are perpetrating the HIGHEST form of irresponsibility in cyberdom with all of the dishonest articles you have been writing crying down honourable people like Bra Solo, and others, who have stayed behind to rebuild our home country while some of us help to develop our adopted countries. I think that you should be grateful for their loyal service to our motherland instead of WRONGFULLY, and LYINGLY decrying them in the eyes of the whole world.
Please answer this very simple question as succinctly as you possibly can.
I await your response in all sincerity.
Thank you kindly.
Sengbe
Subject: Re: SLPP will lose... rigging is an option for Berewa
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 15:18:06 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Sengbe,
Milton, Albert, the great Siaka, Joseph, Valentine,
Maada, Johnny-Paul(the rascal) Ahmad,
OK I haven't named everyone and maybe you in 2012 but in the meantime refresh &
Click to watch
Subject: Re: SLPP will lose... rigging is an option for Berewa
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 15:01:53 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Sengbe,
"they have to be free of rigging"
Subject: Re: SLPP will lose... rigging is an option for Berewa
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 08:10:30 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
First stage:
Voice of America:
Subject: Is Komkanda really a neutral journalist?
From: Kamara-Jones
To: All
Date Posted: 05:01:35 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: kamara@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-127-53-17.hsd1.va.comcast.net at 24.127.53.17
Message:
PMDC leader : SLPP has declared war on the people by arming Maada Bio and other NPRC Boys
By Joseph Kamanda
*****************************************************
The Newspaper of this Forum should ensure that there is total and complete transparency. Is Mr. Komkanda not an Atlanta front man for PMDC? Why is his article not identified as a partisan report but a news item?
Subject: Re: Is Komkanda really a neutral journalist?
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 11:10:15 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
The Author is not Komkanda. Please make sure you read articles clearly before commenting on them. The author JOSEPH KAMANDA, NOT KOMKANDA. These are two different names to be mistaking for each other
Subject: Old APC is Masking itself in “New” APC
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 04:43:26 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-127-138-41.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 68.127.138.41
Message:
Old APC is Masking itself in “New” APC: Ernest Koroma is not ready for Leadership
By Saidu B. Turay, Ph.D. USA
Aug 7, 2007, 19:52 Email this article
Printer friendly page
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The APC’s years in the 1970s and 1980s were marked by a muddle of incompetence and crass disregard for human dignity with no respect for the rule of law, good governance, and responsible fiscal discipline. As a member of the party, I expect us to change that image in our presentation of policies to the Sierra Leonean people. Unfortunately, our current APC leadership clearly lacks the integrity to undertake such a task. What is more frightening is that the same scoundrels are lining up behind the equally unacceptable face of Ernest Koroma. At a private reception for Ernest Koroma (where family members like me and friends and APC supporters were invited), I nearly choked on my drink, for instance, when Victor Foh said that the “new APC” would tackle corruption. I really wished I could believe the statement until I realized but the image of Victor Foh making the statement kept standing in the way of analysis. And then, when Ernest Koroma presented his vision for Sierra Leone as one of the continuity of the APC tradition of Siaka Stevens and J. S. Momoh, I just could not believe that Ernest Koroma would be that tactless. If he was talking to the APC grassroots, I could understand; but this was a national and international statement. Indeed, Ernest Koroma is not ready to provide a new direction and leadership for the APC.
IT IS NOT IN THE INTEREST OF SIERRA LEONE TO ELECT ERNEST KOROMA. I say this truth without fear or favor. Ernest Koroma is my own family, and I am a born and bred APC member. For selfish reasons, I can easily stay quiet until he wins, and then I will benefit from his rule because of my relationship with him and the party. BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE NATIONAL INTEREST IS MORE IMPORTANT, AND THE NATIONAL INTEREST DICTATES THAT ERNEST KOROMA NOT BECOME THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THAT COUNTRY.
ERNEST KOROMA PROMOTES SECTIONAL INTERESTS RATHER THAN NATIONAL INTERESTS. The APC is full of selfish and sectional interests. Ernest Koroma is interested in the APC leadership because he believes that it is the next step in his validating himself. Ernest Koroma as a person is NOT A UNIFIER. He does not consult with the senior leadership of the APC; he has not been consulting with traditional chiefs and community leaders in APC strongholds; he has played sections of the party against one another; he has continued to encourage cronyism within the APC. This is not good leadership, and one wonders how much worse Ernest will get if given power.
ERNEST KOROMA HAS NOT SHED THE APC LEGACY OF IRRATIONAL APC VIOLENCE. I was thoroughly embarrassed when I read press reports of Ernest Koroma trying to justify the near-killing of a political opponent. Nyuma may have helped overthrow the APC, but he is not of much consequence any more. Why beat him to near death? And to imagine that Ernest Koroma would surround himself with Idriss “Leatherboot” sends shivers down my spine. If this really new APC, then why recruit such a brute as “Leatherboots” to head a possible Presidential Guard? What is Ernest Koroma communicating about civil liberties and what Sierra Leoneans should expect from a possible APC government? Ernest Koroma has to convince Sierra Leoneans that the “new” APC is not about irrational violence and the willful violation of the rule of law. Ernest Koroma must signal that by not justifying acts of violence by raw brutes like “Leatherboots” or even associating with or surrounding himself with people of that ilk. If Ernest Koroma is honest about violence-free elections, why can he not make the statement that the APC will not be engaged in violence of any sort as it goes to the polls? The APC must shed this image of violence and its association with thugs if it is to promote itself as a “new” party.
ERNEST KOROMA HAS NOT PROMOTED ACCOUNTABILITY. The proverbial saying that “show me your friends, and I can tell you who you are” applies in Ernest Koroma’s rationalization of continued association with disgraced people like Victor Foh and the disgraced elements of the old APC. It does not matter what Victor Foh has sacrificed for the party, how long he has held the party membership card, or whether he was elected by the bunch of old scoundrels who are hiding their faces behind Ernest Koroma’s supposed image. The bottom line is that his involvement in the vouchergate scandal was a national disgrace, and such a person seen at the helm of the party sends the wrong message to Sierra Leoneans about the seriousness of a new APC leader. Campaign funds have not been accounted for and there are allegations of bribery within the APC. If you Ernest Koroma has started running his campaign with sacred cows, what do we expect when he gets to power? All of this does not bode well for Sierra Leone if Ernest Koroma is voted president. How does one expect a man who cannot promote accountability even in his own party to promote accountability in the nation as a whole?
ERNEST KOROMA’S CHOICE OF RUNNING MATE SHOWS THAT THE OLD, DUBIOUS APC PRACTICES ARE STILL ALIVE. The APC leadership has failed or refused to comment on allegations that Sam Sumana has been peddling Kono diamonds for a Houston, Texas (USA) based blood diamond dealer, and that he received a significant bribe of $250,000 toward the APC campaign if he appointed Sam Sumana running mate. This dubious appointment smacks of insincerity and a readiness to peddle the integrity and interest of the country to the highest bidder. This is unethical.
SIERRA LEONEANS MUST NOT VOTE ERNEST KOROMA ON AUGUST 11. HE IS A DISASTER IN WAITING. THE APC CAN BE BETTER ORGANIZED. BUT Ernest Koroma’s cheap politics of masquerades and drunkenness, beatings of political opponents, and “injectment notice” songs is plainly an embarrassment to the dignity of all APC supporters. We should reject this kind of leader.
Subject: Re: Old APC is Masking itself in “New” APC
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 05:48:32 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Saidu B. Turay, Ph.D. USA
No matter what you say, the people will decide on Saturday.
You are not deaf and you know and have heard about the extent of corruption in your country, Sierra Leone – the country that you claim that you are trying to salvage from destruction. I know that if you were given a million dollar bribe, you would do exactly what I would do: refuse it.
Having said all the things that you have to say, in your futile attempt at character assassination of hon. Ernest Bai Koroma, what is conspicuously absent from your charge sheet is any evidence of bribery and corruption that you can lay on Hon. Ernest Bai Koroma.
When it comes to the public servants of the SLPP can you challenge the world that the SLPP is clean and absolved of such charges when Mr. Kabbah himself says that corruption pervades / permeates all sections of his society?
What do you say, still “not guilty” of any bribery or corruption, when Mr. Kabbah appointed Henry Joko-Smart - one of his in-laws as Chairman of the Anti-Corruption squad, when the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has been in existence since 2002 and up till now has only found a dozen low collar workers guilty of corruption? When right before leaving office, the SLPP has been anxious to pass protective legislation that guarantees them freedom from persecution for economic and other crimes that they may have perpetrated whilst in Office? When the SLPP wants to win by hook or by crook – for fear that a new government might investigate their financial misdemeanours and set up a Commission of Enquiry like the Justice Beoku-Betts type of Commission of Enquiry which found the very same Mr. Kabbah guilty of financial misconduct - in 1968 – and recommended that he (Kabbah) should never be trusted to ever hold public office in Sierra Leone.
What must we expect when such a recommendation is violated – and instead of talking about the consequences of disregarding such a serious recommendation, you have set out to savage Hon. Ernest Bai Koroma who does not have any ban on his eligibility to hold public office, a man who today, as leader of the opposition APC is more popular than Kabbah or Mr. Berewa (a bird of the same feather) who wants to give continuity to Mr. Kabbah’s way of doing things?
You may be a hack writer - for the SLPP and there are many of your clan and ilk.
You haven’t been saying this your recent news , all this time, but woke up at this late moment to take upon yourself the task of ”Warner” – when the sycophants start praising the one and vilifying the other, the question is how much do they want, how much do they get paid for their labours?
Here’s another challenge to the other one who calls himself ”Winakabs in Europe” who wants to ” debate” on behalf of his uncle Berewa.
Well the topic I propose is this:” Berewa is not the Messiah (of Sierra Leone) “
Right now, I have to make a few calls - but I intend to get back to you on this issue and other “things” you have had to say in your diatribe.
That Beoku Betts Commission of Enquiry
Subject: Re: Old APC is Masking itself in “New” APC
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 07:55:32 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Correction: the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has been in existence since 3rd February 2000
Sierra Leone news
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=news%3A+sierra+leone&ei=utf-8&fr=b2ie7
Subject: APC Brains on Jamba!!!!
From: Santigie Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 00:49:36 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: new-5000.cadence.com at 158.140.1.25
Message:
When you listen to Ernest Koroma and his APC Cabal, you cannot help but think that they are all smoking taffie...
Ernest has repeatedly stated that the APC has already won the elections. He has stated that there is no way that the APC will not get 70 % of the vote. He has gone on to state that if the APC does not win the elections, then the elections would have been rigged....
Is Ernest on Jamba? Where the hell is APC going to get 30 % of the total votes, let alone 70 %? APC will not even get more than 40 % in the North. Is this just a strategy to delegitimize the election results (given that they expect to lose big time),and cuase "kata-kata" when the results are announced?
APC HAS BEEN A HOPELESS OPPOSITION
APC WAS A HOPELESS RULING PARTY FOR 24 YEARS
WHY VOTE THEM IN FOR THEM TO BURY SALONE ONCE AND FOR ALL????
Subject: Re: APC Brains on Jamba!!!!
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 06:09:53 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Who said he is going to win with 75% of the vote and avoid a runoff? Wait! It is that debate-dodging, sleep-walking, chain-smoking, nursing home-ready, criminally incompetent disaster called Solomon Berewa.
APC on Jamba? Someone please check what the Rigger-in-chief, Berewa, is puffing in those innocent looking cigarette rolls. Methinks it is Crack!
Subject: Re: APC Brains on Jamba!!!!
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 02:11:04 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Eastern region registered voters, 633,438
Western area registered voters, 605,375
Northern region registered voters, 846,557
Southern region registered voters, 536,943
On a LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, Berewa it is who says "confidently" that he is going to get 75% of the vote.
Now Santigie Koroma please tell us whether he was dreaming, or merely talking in his sleep when he said that.
He must have learned this quotation over at CKC: “Your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” You think that this is the time?
As Bob Dylan sang, “but in order to dream you gotta still be asleep”
We all know that Berewa is known to have that sleeping sickness/weakness of falling asleep in the middle of his speech…..
http://www.bobdylan.com/songs/wakeup.html
Please realise that you are not talking to a bunch of idiots who should be lolling in retirement but to genuine people who are sufficiently concerned and therefore prepared to debate fairly on this public Forum, under their own names.
Do you Santigie Koroma believe that 75% of Sierra Leone is going to vote for your 69-year-old so called "de bomber"?
If it rains I suppose some helicopters will transport the ballot boxes from where there are impassable roads – but those boxes are going to be under the watchful eyes of watchers – and will not be out of sight for a single second.
Whatever the SLPP soothsayers may say, and whatever dreams their old men may dream, the APC is there to respect the decision of the people of Sierra Leone – and if the people are not satisfied today and want a change, then that change should be respected.
You know damn well that Berewa is not the most popular Sierra Leonean today, so who are you trying to fool?
The results should start rolling in on Sunday, 12th August ....
Subject: Re: APC Brains on Jamba!!!!
From: marlin
To: All
Date Posted: 06:46:35 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns1.multinet.sl at 41.220.80.50
Message:
Point of correction. Berewa's 'official age' is 69; his real age is well past that.
Subject: Re: APC Brains on Jamba!!!!
From: NAR U SABI
To: All
Date Posted: 07:33:20 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-154-57-94.range81-154.btcentralplus.com at 81.154.57.94
Message:
NAR U SABI
Subject: Re: APC Brains on Jamba!!!!
From: Santigie Koroma
To: All
Date Posted: 04:40:17 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-127-138-41.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 68.127.138.41
Message:
Old Man,
August 12th is just around the corner....
Some of you will not show your faces around here after this election.
Subject: Re: APC Brains on Jamba!!!!
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 06:05:13 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Old man/Old boy/ boy Santigie/ Pa Santigie Koroma,
You don’t know how kind and considerate I am being, mostly because of Momodou Koroma. Don’t let me go ballistic. Perhaps you don’t understand what I mean by ballistic
Your daddy probably had you when he was weak and older than you, and you survived.
I am not like him. You think that the SLPP feeds or has ever fed me? I do not eat that kind of meat. Whenever somebody disagrees with you lot, you say that person is crazy. Berewa says he will get 75% of the votes. Who is crazy and old, me or him?
Who falls asleep in the Middle of important meetings? You expect the marginalised youth to vote for him?
It's also obvious that you do not understand what you read. What reason should I have for not showing my face here or anywhere before or after even the Israeli elections?
Or do you think that the HAMAS victory was rigged?
You are living on another planet and Sierra Leone is still a basket case at 176/177 with an economy based that is 65% based on foreign donations. What else do you have to tell me about continuity?
Don’t start talking about corruption of your old men.
Please don't bite off more than you can chew.
Subject: Re: APC Brains on Jamba!!!!
From: FORREST GUMP
To: All
Date Posted: 05:32:07 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-154-57-94.range81-154.btcentralplus.com at 81.154.57.94
Message:
Dem go Alla ME MOT FULL , YOU MEAN SLPP GET 80 PERCENT OF THE VOTES , MY MOUYH IS FULL (PA SHAKI)
FORREST
Subject: Which of the Presidential Candidates has been accused Before
From: Conteh
To: All
Date Posted: 23:53:30 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 41.205.186.86
Message:
Which of the Presidential Candidates has been accused of the Truth and Reconciliation Commisson of trying and executing Sierra Leoneans purportedly under the self created law against self defined "collaborators"?
Subject: Re: Which of the Presidential Candidates has been accused Before
From: kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 06:47:32 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 195.166.237.254
Message:
Berewa of course, he did in the interest of the nation
Subject: which of the Presidential Candidates has been accused of the
From: Conteh
To: All
Date Posted: 23:50:38 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 41.205.186.86
Message:
which of the Presidential Candidates has been accused of the Truth and Reconciliation Commisson of trying and executing Sierra Leoneans purportedly under the self created law against self defined "collaborators"?
Subject: Re: which of the Presidential Candidates has been accused of the
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 02:27:29 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Ex Post Facto law is a law which was made to try crimes which occurred in the past at a time when the law was not in existence and thus the act was not a crime at the time it was committed. Ex post facto laws are specifically prohibited by the US constitution.
The answer to your question is BEREWAH and that is my final answer. Next Question?
Subject: Re: which of the Presidential Candidates has been accused of the
From: Tamba Moiwo
To: All
Date Posted: 09:22:09 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: moiwo@hotmail.co.uk
Entered From: host86-146-135-112.range86-146.btcentralplus.com at 86.146.135.112
Message:
Alieu, my next but not unrelated question is the integrity of the APC Presidential Spokesman Mr Alpha Kanu.
It will be recalled that following the Tom Nyuma beatings he put out a full positional statement as to what had transpired.He concluded that Nyuma was 'sent' to assasinate Ernest Koroma.
In the end,his statement were a veritable tissue of lies and a desire or reckless as to whether the public was deceived or not.
Now....Wait for it..This self-styled Spokesman is howling that the SLPP is propagating lies and misinformation.
Now thats very rich given his deliberate untruthful statements about what took place at that Motel in BO.
Is this Man really woth opening his enormous beck about propaganda and lies?Wouldn't the honourable thing be for him to distance himself from all things to do with being a Spokesman?
Shame on you Mr Alpha Kanu for feeding the local and international Community with lies and damn falsehoods.
Subject: This is kabbah and Berewa's achievement
From: Ishmael Yillah
To: All
Date Posted: 22:50:25 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-191-9-197.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.191.9.197
Message:
Check this out. clean debate please!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_sierra_leone_slum/html/1.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/africa_sierra_leone_slum/html/1.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm
Subject: HOW MANY SIERRA LEONEANS WILL RETURN HOME IF DEPORTED?
From: okdok
To: All
Date Posted: 23:16:23 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-164-24.dynamic.mts.net at 142.161.164.24
Message:
Many will stay around so TOM NYUMA is really brave to say.I know many who are in Liberia.
Subject: Re: HOW MANY SIERRA LEONEANS WILL RETURN HOME IF DEPORTED?
From: Bamaby Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 01:11:38 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
Greetings my brothers and sisters. I will definately go because I can be of service to my people. The many Sierra Leoneans who live in Sierra Leone are making sacrifices and managing their lives therefore, we are no exception.
But what permeates such a question about a land that we were born and raised? The reason or reasons that gave rise to such a question is what we have to correct so that no one would be afraid of his or her mother land or give need for such a question to be asked.
The filth that is shown in that picture can only accumulate to that magnitude when people who do not care about their country rule such a country. The Kabba-Berewa team is an angry bunch who is never forgiving, which is why all those slaughter of innocent people took place.
That picture, that filth, will never develop or improve a country's economy. We must be proud of members of the International Community who visit our country. They love us.
Tourism, education, health and the general economy is affected by that filth alone. This is how, and I am convinced you would agree with me, as I believe the Hon. Earnest Koroma whose area I am focusing my attention on: business would, That those investors are turned-off from investing in Sierra Leone for the following reasons:
The fear that their endeavor will be directed towards hospital bills and Insurance coverage because anywhere such filth exists, the tendency for people to be sick is greater. Therefore, they would not want their focus and endeavor to be a waste of time and money.
Secondly, health is wealth. The people of Sierra Leone can be more productive when they are healthier. Such filth will not ensure proper health and proper work-ethics.
Thirdly, a sound mind in a sound body. The children will only learn when they are healthy but the situation there has proven that that filth will have an adverse impact on pupils, students and teachers. This is why the educational system has dwindled considerably.
Psychologically, a country that has just emerged from war should not be reminded of filthy situations that most of the people endured during the war. The smell of rotten animals reminds them of the smell of our dead fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers left to rot in the bush. Therefore, the Kabba-Berewa team should have made it a priority to dispose of every minute reminder of such sad days. It never happened though the entire country cried about it.
Finally, every Sierra Leonean is willing to go back. But if we are to take Berewa back to the Presidency, this is what we would be saying to the International Community and these investors: “we love to live in filth and do not care if you come or not. But as I am confident that Sierra Leonean people are clean people, in that we have the reputation as the best dressed and clean people, who want to raise their children in a clean environ, they will show “the king” the door and tell the “king-maker” did you loose your hat somewhere, wait here we will bring it for you and bye for now.
Subject: THATS WHY I ADMIRE NYUMA BUDDY
From: okdok
To: All
Date Posted: 06:40:29 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-171-254.dynamic.mts.net at 142.161.171.254
Message:
Thanks for your response.He is sure SLPP will do better.
Subject: I heard this before. Sheka Tarawalie in Manchester, U.K.
From: Bamaby Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 22:26:25 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
Posted by Sheka Tarawalie (Shekito) in Manchester, UK on Aug 7, 2007, 20:00
Now, from the outset, I would like to state that the thrust of this article is based on suppositions, meaning it is predominantly an opinion, but I would like to emphasise that it is also full of propositions borne out of genuine convictions.
Congratulations.....Shekito and Rose Tarawalie tied the knots recently
As I am writing, I am in exile in the United Kingdom, which clearly means I cannot vote in the all-important forthcoming presidential and general elections in my country. And far be it from the truth that I am writing with any hard feelings about the events - or the key players of the events - that forced me to seek solace in another country. What I have learnt in life is that God has a purpose for anything that happens, and by all means I should be thankful for being in the United Kingdom where I have just recently got married.
From the outset again, I would like to state that had Johnny Paul Koroma been around to contest as leader of the People’s Liberation Party and I were in Sierra Leone to vote, you would guess right where I would have leaned. But that is the basis of another debate that will be well needed at the proper time.
As at now, as things stand on the political cross-roads in Sierra Leone, a great burden of conscience-searching has been placed on the electorates to choose between the lesser of two evils. But it is not in the manner of choosing between the devil and the great blue sea; or, to put the metaphor in more practical terms, of being caught in a tragic web between a Sam Bockarie and a Moinina Fofanah. After all, the APC and the SLPP have both had an opportunity to govern Sierra Leone with each having things to point at as landmarks.
I would not like to see the PMDC as a contender, but rather as a contestant or at best a competitor of SLPP parentage out with a great flare to primarily create a leveller playing field (perhaps leading to a run-off) for the only two political parties that have ruled Sierra Leone since Independence. And I would rather this article be perceived not as a mechanism to upset the current status quo, but as a piece of art coded in history by which people can either commend or condemn the artist - and whichever side of the scale you are standing or would eventually stand, you would understand that Sierra Leoneans will be making a big blunder if they allow the SLPP to win the elections again. This is primarily to the effect that the elections would be conducted on the strength of not actually the parties themselves but on that of the presidential candidates. And this leaves us with the personalities of Solomon Berewa and Ernest Koroma.
Berewa is the shrewd lawyer who has a history of defending treason suspects but when he found himself in power as Attorney General literally held Kabbah’s hands behind his back to butcher hapless treason suspects, and then he forced Kabbah to displace Joe Demby from the position of Vice President so that now he has virtually unseated Kabbah, with the only hurdle on his way being Ernest Koroma. Ernest is the shrewd businessman who bailed a dying or dead insurance company from the doldrums to make it a national envy, only to leave it and become leader of a once-fragmented if not dying APC which has now been revived to the proportion of becoming the favourite for the formation of the next government - and he has never killed a fly in the process.
If it were all about conscience and nationalism or patriotism, then the choice between the two would not be hard to make. But as recent reports of thuggery, political vandalism and primitive loyalty indicate, it would be far-fetched to say the majority’s eyes are now open enough to change the establishment. The next few days are very crucial in making this possible.
By all indications, Berewa has portrayed himself as the obedient political assistant who has got enough experience from Kabbah’s rule. The facts, as hinted earlier, are that Kabbah had been the king while Berewa was the king-maker (you wouldn’t ask who wielded greater power). You only need to speak to insiders and realize how Berewa’s decisions, even in cabinet, have always carried the day even at the expense of Kabbah’s opinion. So, in reality, it was Berewa’s policies that have been implemented since Kabbah was named president. After all, it was Berewa that influenced the NPRC (through Tom Nyuma and Maada Bio of course! No wonder the chickens are coming home to roost!) to make Kabbah Chairman of the Advisory Council of which Berewa himself was member - and they nearly sold the country’s citizenship to the Lebanese!
But, for the sake of the argument, let’s even agree that Berewa was merely a minister and a vice president who has now learnt enough to feel able to become president. The problem is that Berewa would clearly be seen as an apprentice to a bad teacher not worth emulating. When the dust of the present lie - or, if you like, confusion - about who brought peace to Sierra Leone would have settled and the history books written about Heads of State who bore the greatest responsibility in killing innocent people in the war, and if matched with the other war-time counterparts in the persons of Joseph Momoh, Valentine Strasser, Maada Bio, and Johnny Paul Koroma (all military men), I’m afraid that Kabbah (the only civilian) would certainly be recorded as a villain who had given more directives to kill than all the others combined. Kabbah’s suspicious marriage to the villainous Sanni Abacha could not have helped more. And Berewa cherished the moment!
Or let’s put the analysis on a less negative, but perhaps more tragic, angle. If historians were to record a Head of State who had the greatest opportunity to turn Sierra Leone around but abused and misused it, again matched with the aforementioned former leaders or even extending to Siaka Stevens and the Margai brothers, the lot would fall on Kabbah. But many would hardly see this at the moment, because it is all coated in propaganda perpetuated by the machinery of incumbency. Apparently, Kabbah is not gentleman enough to publicly state, as Momoh did, that he has failed the nation; but those who would remember the promises he made in the 1996 elections, during the exile months, and in the 2002 polls, placed side-by-side with what actually happened in Sierra Leone since then, would have wished that part of our history would not be written at all. But there it is, staring us in the face. And Berewa has got experience from that.
What would he do with such tattered experience? It is Berewa, though claiming to be a democrat, who would say younger people should keep quiet in society or they could die young like Jesus Christ, it is Berewa who would put a certain date as to when electricity supply would be restored in Freetown but would deny making that statement when the promised light was nowhere to be seen, and it is Berewa who would urge Sierra Leoneans to be happy about being ranked the least-developed nation in the world because it would attract international donors. For goodness sake, Sierra Leone is rich enough to be a beggarly nation; but fake promises of not going to bed hungry when the rice meant for the people is sold to another country and virtual control of mineral resources handed over to foreigners for a mess of porridge under a Kabbah-Berewa tutelage have made us look like a cursed people. What would you say when even a chunk of our territory has been literally given to Guinea!
But we are not a cursed people. And Ernest Koroma has the answer. In 2002, I did not feel that way. But after seeing the charismatic leadership he has provided as an opposition leader and has been able to unite his party by bringing together all dissident forces even to the extent of naming a runningmate that is virtually new to the APC without causing a new rumpus, I think Ernest has the potential to turn things around; and Sierra Leoneans would be doing a great service to themselves by electing him as president. It is not rocket science; it merely requires sober conscience. Just compare the formidable nature of the reconstituted APC with the tumultuous crumbling of the SLPP since Berewa was anointed as heir-apparent to Kabbah. The late democracy-drunk kamajor-apparelled Sam Hinga Norman was the first to challenge Berewa’s legitimacy, then the fluctuating Charles Margai broke away cussing Berewa’s appointment, and since then Berewa has stood on slippery ground as erstwhile strong SLPP supporters keep defecting and floundering. The leadership qualities of Berewa are understandably questionable, and be reminded of the age-old saying, “ A house divided against itself cannot stand”. A divided APC could not stand in 2002; a divided SLPP would not stand in 2007.
Therefore, if I were in Sierra Leone at this crucial time, I would certainly have voted for the APC, irrespective of its past (good or bad), and I would have thought it to be a vote for a better Sierra Leone. But I am in the UK and just trying to settle down into marriage life. I can only hope Berewa would not win by one vote. God bless Sierra Leone.
Subject: WHY ARE YOU GUYS STILL USING THE WORD "REBEL" ?
From: JOSEPH JOHNSON
To: All
Date Posted: 21:50:05 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Why are some people still calling others rebels and AFRC collaborators when both opposition parties and the government are working hand in hand with former RUF fighters, the NPRC and the Junta killers?
The APC has both RUF and Junta fighters. The SLPP has Bio and Nyuma. So why are some people still making a big deal out of other people's past?
If the APC's Ernest Koroma is cool with RUF/AFRC fighters, and if the the SLPP has similar people, what the heck are you noise makers in the U.S. talking about rebels and AFRC collaborators? Is Sylvia Blyden not the latest propaganda channel for thesame SLPP she was trying to overthrow? Bo woona lef man yah.
Subject: Re: WHY ARE YOU GUYS STILL USING THE WORD "REBEL" ?
From: SEARCH LIGHT
To: All
Date Posted: 23:04:56 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 194.32.41.72
Message:
Sorry Joseph, what I meant to say in that posting is :'You are Joseph right'(excuse my tpographical error), and that is why there will always be problem in that country, because of so many turn coats. And who suffer? Poor people. Our aim is to get rid or rather purify these stained characters before they join the human race again. That's where the TRC should have served better than a selective Special Court, which allowed the likes of Gibril Massaquoi to give evidence against his recruits. Don't fret
Subject: Re: WHY ARE YOU GUYS STILL USING THE WORD "REBEL" ?
From: SEARCH LIGHT
To: All
Date Posted: 23:02:29 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 194.32.41.72
Message:
You are Joseph, and that is why there will always be p[roblem in that country, because of so many turn coats. And who suffer? Poor people. Our aim is to get rid or rather purify these stained characters before they join the human race again. That's where the TRC should have served better than a selective Special Court, which allowed the likes of Gibril Massaquoi to give evidence against his recruits. Don't fret
Subject: WILL THE REAL SHEKITO PLEASE STAND UP?
From: THE SEARCH LIGHT
To: All
Date Posted: 21:21:50 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 194.32.41.72
Message:
1. I WOULD FIRST OF ALL START BY ASSERTING THAT SHEKITO IS NOT ONLY A COLLABORATOR, BUT A REBEL WHO ACTUALLY RETREATED WITH THE AFRC/RUF INTO THE JUNGLE...FULL STOP.
Kabs Kanu and the entire Forum should be aware of this midget of a rogue. When I logged on to Cocorioko today it was to read about latest developments back home. I was therefore, to be honest, disappointed to see splashed right accross the page a picture of a rebel groom and bride who seems to being forced into smiling for the cameras. Marriage of convenience...ummmm? The little rascal is really smart. Having failed to gain a fake politcal assylum in the UK the self promoting opportunist is now using every means at his disposal to gain a residential status.
The truth is Shekito travelled to the UK on a legitimate visa facilitated by the British Council in Freetown. Upon arrival in London, he changed his mind and tried to seek an assylum. Whislt studying his case the British Governnment temporarily accomodated him in Manchester. After the case study, he was outrightly rejected, but with a right to appeal. Shekito who was hibernating solicited help from some sierra leonean journalists in the UK to sign a petition addressed to the Home Office. These journalists snubbed him due to the fact that he refused to associate himself with them when he first arrived.
Meanwhile, whilst his case was been studied by the Home Office, he continued to write articles published by junta-related papers abroad. Those of us who know his style of writing realised that he was Stephen Lawrence faking to be some where in a Scadinavian country.
As a Voluntary Call Centre helper, the first opprtunity he got to get closer to Princess Anne, some one way below the pecking order of the British Royal family, that he used as a photo opportunity and published in news outlets, including the discredited Awareness Times. The next thing we heard of was that Shekito, a very ungodly character, though forstered by Late Rev. Y.M.Koroma, was now a regular with the Church of England (COE). That in UK today is one sure spring board of attaining a residential status. The next step is marry someone with a residential status...bingo!
So you see how Shekito who is past his mid thirties is ever so willing to announce to the whole world that he has married and is trying to settle into married life. Why the coincidence of a publication of an article pledging his imaginary vote to the APC whislt at the same time flashing his matrimonial photos in both Cocorioko and Standard Times? The UK's Home Office must know that he is coming home eh? Why didn't he use Awareness Times this time round? The answer is simple. Because COCORIOKO is widely read than the former.
Truth is Shekito has always been an opportunist. He was never the real hero at The Torch Light. The unsung hero was Tumoe. He did all the dirty work whilst Shekito collected the brown envelopes from the likes of Lilian Lisk.
Shekito can easily pass as a candidate for crimes against humanity, if the Rwanada example of trying journalist is anything to go by. Shekito is running away from his acts back home. How would he ever explain to the likes of Abdul Thorlu Bangura why he kicked him on the stomach and called for their execution whislt those brave SLPP politicians were in detention at COCKERIL? Why? Just because an SLPP dominated parliament jailed him for his irresponsible journalism. The real Shekito is a vindictive selfish compatriot, who is exploiting the havens offered by a civilise world to shout foul.
I donot begrudge him for seeking an assylum, but when one uses that to tarnish the image of one's country, then it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth.
My advise to him is, go insearch of the status you require but please don't mess with my SLPP, otherwise we shall forward your dossier to the Home Office.
Subject: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: Ishmael Yillah
To: All
Date Posted: 21:20:45 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-191-9-197.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.191.9.197
Message:
What is your take Dr. Charles Curtis-Thomas? I know MD takes oath to protect and save lives and knowing that you are neutral in this electoral process, but what is your take about sierra leone under a medical doctor? I learned from one of your previous article about Dr. sorie fornah, a charismatic medical doctor who had fallen apart with shaka Steven's government for human right abuse and abuse of power, was a man of principles. what is your take again to the fact that Sierra Leone
may not realy need a highly educated person (except doctors) after all, because all the educated elite has brought only misery to the country. For instance Valentine Strasser had only fith form education, but he had good intention for the country, but he was undermined by(country-man dem)power hunger like Bio, nyuma, kabba, john benjamin, john karimu, idriss karama, abass bundu.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: confused man
To: All
Date Posted: 02:26:46 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dhcp6042.4u.com.gh at 41.204.60.42
Message:
I thought Predsident Kabbah is a medical Doctor??
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 22:29:04 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Another infamous African dictator, the late president-for-life of Malawi, Hastings Kamuzu Banda was a medical doctor. He killed many people and left his country starving and in ruins. As soon as they become presidents, doctors flush down the Hippocratic oath and become loathsome oppressors.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: Ishmae Yillah
To: All
Date Posted: 22:51:55 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-191-9-197.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.191.9.197
Message:
Good to know, thanks!
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 21:26:12 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
How about a Vice President as MD right now since your man is not in the running? Dr. I. I. Tejan Jalloh of PMDC and Charles Margai's running mate. Vote for them
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: STUPID TOEGONDOE
To: All
Date Posted: 22:37:31 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-201-16.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.201.16
Message:
Mr. Toegondoe, what did Dr Tejan Jalloh achieve as Minister of Health? His record indicates that he was ineffective, incompetent, and unproductive. Why PMDC chose him as running mate apart from covering their naked butts after making stupid remarks about us, Fulas and Susus as pro-SLPP Guineans, just beats my imagination. The only good thing about him is that he has never been involved in a corruption scandal.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 07:46:29 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
That's is far more worthy than Berewa having a Fulla Concubine (while his wife was still alive), and then all of SLPP thinking he will carry the Fulla vote because he sticks that dead stick in such a young thing
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as presiden
From: nico
To: All
Date Posted: 01:58:35 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: nicoleconsult@hotmail.com
Entered From: 187.6-240-81.adsl-dyn.isp.belgacom.be at 81.240.6.187
Message:
"The only good thing about him is that he has never been involved in a corruption scandal"
I am a fula, born in kenema and I am supporting and campaigning for Charles Margai. Margai did not say what was aluded to him by the desperate and fading SLPP. All Sierra Leoneans, no matter where you originate or your tribe have a right to vote as long as they are citizens.
Being a Fula from Guinea does not preclude you from voting if you are a citizen of Sierra Leone. Or being a mende from Liberia does not preclude you from voting if you are a citizen of Sierra Leone.
The PMDC cannot and will not tolerate any tribalism like the one propagated by the criminal Sia Tiyaama.
Our tasks in government is to ensure every Sierra Leonean is given equal opportunity and treated equally.
Fulas are the most industrous and contribute enormously to their country's economy. The PMDC will make full support them and make full use of their talent for the good of our nation.
You said Dr Tejan Jalloh is not involved in corruption scandal. Corruption, as you would agree with me, is the greatest destroyer of lives and hopes in Sierra Leone. I would certainly vote for anyone not tainted with corruption.
You said Dr Jalloh was incompetent as Kabba's minister.
Please don't blame him even if you are correct, because Kabba is a megalomeniac and a dictator. He does not allow his ministers to do their work and he sometimes undermined them. He recently reversed the sport minister's decision to sack the SLFA management without even consulting or discussing it with the minister.
And finally my girl friend is a fula with a guinean nationality still living with me in Kenema. But she will be voting for Charles Margai on Saturday, rain or storm.
Believe U me the SLPP is out of power ater saturday. Join the PMDC to build a better and fair country for all. The PMDC problem is not with tribe or where someone comes from but with the rogueS, greedy and thieving rascals who called themselves government. We are one nation and will remain one nation marching for progress and peace under the leadership of President Charles Margai. Please do not waste your vote to re- elect proven rogues. They will not stop stealing our resources.
Vote for a secured future with Charles Margai.
Vote for PMDC
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: Ishmael Yillah
To: All
Date Posted: 22:04:30 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-191-9-197.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.191.9.197
Message:
I cannot vote, i am in the states.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: SUBWANALAI
To: All
Date Posted: 23:28:58 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 194.32.41.72
Message:
WELL, LETS TRY DOCTOR NAHIM OF THE KISSY MENTAL HOME.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone needs may need a medical doctor as president
From: news
To: All
Date Posted: 04:52:44 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 73-66-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.66.73
Message:
Try Who? Dr Nahim! Did you listen his interview on Al Jazzera. Shameful. The Islamic Bank gave millions of dollars to refurbish the Kissy mental home. Guess what? The hospital is still chaining patients and using pre historic method to help patients inspite of the millions of dollars given tothe department. When asked by the presenter where all the money has gone to chnage the equipment of the hospital, a pitiful Dr Nahim said the money was properly used.
The presenter was forced to laugh and ridicule Dr Nahim.
Sierra Leone is in a difficult period with so many tricksters.
Subject: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 21:08:41 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I have just been informed that a huge batch of the ballot papers have been printed by some overseas SLPP Supporters in the US and on its way to being delivered in Freetown. It is my understanding that these ballot papers are exact replicas of the actual ballots that will be used. The intent is to distribute these ballots o slpp supporters in heaviliy contesteed areas such as the south and North so that they will pre fill the ballots and then place them in the ballot boxes. Thus each SLPP supporter may then have a multiplicity of votes for each entrance into the polling booth.
The APC asks that all polling station agents be on the look out for any attempts at ballot stuffing by members of the SLPP.
Subject: Re: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 00:00:39 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 63.164.47.227
Message:
Stop making an ass of yourself!
Whenever you clowns smell defeat you begin to make all sorts of hopeless allegations.
YOU THINK SAY SLPP NAR APC?
NAR APC BIN DAE DO DEN KIND THING DAY EVEN WAY WE BIN GET ONE PARTY SYSTEM....USELESS APC
Subject: Re: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: BEHAVE YOURSELF
To: All
Date Posted: 11:34:40 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ag14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.117.142
Message:
Rudenwess is not a substitute for sound argument. Behave yourself. This is a civilized forum, not an SLPP conbention.
Subject: OH LAWYER ISCANDARIE WITH DEN SAY
From: okdok
To: All
Date Posted: 22:03:44 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-164-24.dynamic.mts.net at 142.161.164.24
Message:
My friend why cant you come and see this for yourself?
Subject: Re: OH LAWYER ISCANDARIE WITH DEN SAY
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 02:09:11 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I take extreme umbrage at people misspelling my name particularly where I have clearly spelt it out for them. it is ISCANDARI There is no EEEEEEEEEEEEEE. Got it?
Oh BTW my sources are so close to una pa en flag bearer. I know when he sleeps, who he sleeps with and sometimes even where he may go for dinner and what he may eat.
Many of my closest friends are mende and strong SLPP supporters. I have at least 10 friends and family who are members of FOSB. I am deep under cover in this one. Shhhhhhhh dont blow my cover I will say no more.
Subject: Re: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: SUWANALAI
To: All
Date Posted: 21:55:34 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 194.32.41.72
Message:
Thank Alieu for bringing this to my attention, as Chiefdom police, I would ensure that it does noe happen. Not on my watch. Den wan ya den don stupid en den go go
Subject: Re: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 21:23:25 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
There you GO! I have been writing about these SLPP diabolic plots to rig the elections and now they are coming home to roost.
I am not surprised at the source being the US SLPP supporters because I have been hearing most of them bragging that they own the government, they have the opportunity to rig at their leisure since they have and control all the instruments of power.
Berewa is merely using disuation tactics to put peoples minds away from their diabolic plots. So now he is going around sounding that APC wants to rig.
How stupid is this man to think anyone will buy into it knowing its the government that has the power to RIG and is doing its best to RIG. see more articles on the SLPP diabolic plots to rig below
Subject: Re: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: STUPID TOEGONDOE
To: All
Date Posted: 22:44:39 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-201-16.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.201.16
Message:
Your one man opinions are incoherent and stupid. They make absolutely no sense. Stop making an idiot of yourself.
Subject: Re: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 07:51:49 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
Do you have any brains to make a one man opinion?
NONE! You fried it with Jamba at FBC. Your genes are not good enough. Go back and study with your students in the 4 part time colleges you are teaching in, since you can't hold a full time teaching position.
Colleges know you are worthless. Keep teachin PS-101
Subject: Re: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: nico
To: All
Date Posted: 02:29:34 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: nicoleconsult@hotmail.com
Entered From: 187.6-240-81.adsl-dyn.isp.belgacom.be at 81.240.6.187
Message:
You are damn wrong, Toe is not a one man opinion. He is only articulating what many people believes the SLPP is up to. The SLPP is doing everything to win this election by rigging. They realised that even bribing the poor voters and using our country's money to campaign will not be enough to return them to power.
I remember an SLPP supporter, a former school mate of mine said to me: have you seen an incombent lose an election in Africa?
Well it will happen on Saturday. The SLPP will declare war if they try to implement their dirty plans to subvert democracy in Sierra Leone.Lota
Subject: Re: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: Pa Sorie
To: All
Date Posted: 21:58:36 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-24-168-3-117.si.res.rr.com at 24.168.3.117
Message:
And this coming from a lawyer...is that all you can give us.....proof......reasonable doubt.....u call u sef lawyer.....
Subject: Re: ELECTION FRAUD ALERT
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:29:44 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
proof......reasonable doubt
Do you need some instructions on what these words mean and the implications? Leave well enough alone and lets dont go there. No comment on the rest of your comments.
Subject: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 20:46:52 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
Its more than contempt, its an outright total disrespect for the people of Sierra Leone. This man and his Boss Kabba and his mate Momodu are known for having respect for nobody. AND THEY HAVE TAKEN ALL SIERRA lEONEANS FOR GRANTED. "SALONE MAN DON BE DEN PLAY PIECES"
A great moment like a day to debate and let Sierra Leoneans know what you have in store for them for the next 5 years, came and went without Berewa caring to show up. He claims APC has to denounce violence first. How small a thinker does Berewa think every Sierra Leonean is not to know the hoax and prank he has pulled off just to avoid a debate.
I think that Berewa took notice from the previous BBC debate that he is no match for ANY OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, not just Charles Margai, but any of the others.
I listened to his BBC debate and, Lord have mercy, the man has the ugliest voice I have ever heard come out of a politician. He also realized how little a chance he stood with the other candidates.
So the answer for his incompetitive nature was to find an inconvenient excuse to stow away and hide from the debates.
I REALLY CANNOT IMAGINE ANYONE VOTING FOR THIS MAN KNOWINGN HOW POLITICALLY LACKLUSTER HE IS. I HONESTLY THINK THAT WHAT YOU HEAR IS WHAT YOU GET IN THIS MAN. HE IS AS DULL AS HIS ADMINISTRATION WILL BE (God forbid)
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: Special Cut
To: All
Date Posted: 21:24:58 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: gw1.dc.gov at 164.82.146.3
Message:
Berewa is a poor orator.He scored a D- at his last UN presentation. Debating with a guy like Charles and the rest will be too much for Berewa to handle.Who knows? The 69 year old cletch might even fall asleep during the debate.
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: marlin
To: All
Date Posted: 07:08:33 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns1.multinet.sl at 41.220.80.50
Message:
The man is 'officially 69'. In Sierra Leone, I believe this means he is well over that age. The man is either a late septugenarian (forgive spelling mistake if any)or an octogenarian. I honestly believe he is in his early 80s which could explain why he needs to cat-nap so often.
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 21:29:16 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
You are right. Good stats and perception. I think he has sleeping sickness disease. You know the one spread by some mosquitoes
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 07:21:09 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
You nar foool Pa for real. Who says mosquitoes cause sleeping sickness? Go back to school
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: Ishmael Yillah
To: All
Date Posted: 22:21:55 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-191-9-197.washdc.east.verizon.net at 71.191.9.197
Message:
"Trypanosomiasis" or African sleeping sickness is caused by an insect and it affects mostly people in the central African countries and some parts of west africa.
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 05:29:12 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Then I guess berewa has been bitten by the tse-tse fly.
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 07:56:09 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
Thanks Born Sweh, I made a mistake. I did know of the Tse-tse Fly. But as you can see the other Dumbo had no clue except curse
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: Kohtoh Kamal
To: All
Date Posted: 20:56:55 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: kamal@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-127-53-17.hsd1.va.comcast.net at 24.127.53.17
Message:
Charles is a thug. Anyone who debates him will be debating Hitler. Hitler was also eloquent, but all he did was kill people for nothing but power.
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: marlin
To: All
Date Posted: 07:12:54 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns1.multinet.sl at 41.220.80.50
Message:
Face it mate your man was afraid to show up. Tell the truth and damn the devil. Name calling will never get us anywhere.
Subject: Re: For TOEGOENDO
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 21:56:42 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
"THE ENEMY OF MY ENEMY IS MY FRIEND" Please forgive me for all the fights that we had on the NUP africaonline and SLIS forums because you are indeed socking it to the SLPP now. matter of fact I hereby crown you "King of Kings" "Chief Legbechere Ojo" "Defender of the oppressed" "National conscience" "Chief Tamer of the Low down Dirty dawgs of the Slpp" " Prempreh the almighty" " Kakaray Agba of the great Awo" " Omo Langboku himself". "baba okiki baba sah" " Chief Illeafiri of the agbo and registered Agbo Master" "Mixer of things bitter" " The chief Akonedi the Meresin man" I bow down to you sah and I troway Salute.
can I call you "brother"?
Subject: Re: For TOEGOENDO...Brother M A Iscandri
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 10:40:30 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
You have really made my day, man. I am not flattered by all the adjectives and nomenclature, but by the fact that ONLY YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED AN UNDERSTANDING OF MY OBJECTIVE...That of doing whatever I can to fight for the country and the people MY OWN WAY AND THE BEST WAY I CAN.
Let it be known, bro! that I am a competively spirited human being. Not by hatred or jealousy but by good naturedness. I simply am tired of Salone being dumped upon as the worst in the world in everything. And no one else can change that except the government.
You can probably remember how I used to dump on the APC so badly on behalf of the SLPP. But the SLPP has neutralized my stance, they have turned out to be just as bad, if not worse. Because one thing, I never heard of the APC attempting to kill a Presidential candidate (granted that it was a one party state). This is an undemocratic, barbaric and violent way of engaging in what they are calling democratic elections.
Worst and shamelessly now, Berewa is going around accusing APC of violence...the pot calling the charcoal black
Call me anything, Bro! That's why I officially called you that way on the header.
Thanks, man.
Subject: Re: For Agba Iscandri!
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 12:35:59 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Agba Iscandri, Oh doh weh reh! Eh mi Obasai Ojeh. keep up the good work.
Subject: Re: For TOEGOENDO
From: fact
To: All
Date Posted: 04:17:12 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
one thing about Toe is that he never gets angry. the more you slap him, the more he advances and returns the slap with a kick in the groin as a bonus. he has a method and he sticks to it and he is never distracted. Very focussed and very deadly, stinging like a bee and floating like a butterfly. He is never afraid of jumping into the gutter and fighting like hell as if there is no tomorrow. I hear charles margai is very proud of him.
Subject: Re: For TOEGOENDO
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 10:50:56 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
Bro! You've said it all. That's a good descr1ption of my character in a situation like this. I want to believe that you know me personally.
In deed, I am surprised when you said I never get angry. That is exactly what most people think about me, that I get angry and begin to lash out, NO! NO!! NO!!! In fact, I enjoy it and sometimes its a therapy from the days gruelling work.
Honestly speaking, I get a kick at someone who writes what I deplore or who attacks me for example. My wife always knows when she is near and I am on these emails. She said to me every time I hear you say "Hmmmmm" or "Ennnnnnn", I know you are going on the attack.
As for Charles we talk any time, I like that.
Subject: Re: WHAT A DISREPECXT BEREWA HAS FOR THE PEOPLE OF SALONE
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 21:10:08 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
Yeah you are right!
1. He hired the US-Deported, wife-beating, Presidential candidate killer, Rambo Thug Tom Nyuma
2. He hired the Thug Commander of them all, Maada Bio
3. He hired the Wild Wild East Gun-toting Ambassador Foya who attempted to kill Charles Margai in Kailahun
4. He hired the thugs that beat up a PMDC woman and stripped her naked and left her to die, except saved by Margai
5. He hired the thugs who went into action in Kono about 5 days ago attacking APC.
6. He hired the thugs that went around burning down homes of PMDC supporters in Bo and Pujehun.
Bo LEF WE YAA, SLPP DON MAKE DI OLD APC LOOK LEHK ANGELS. WUNA DON DON.
You've turned into the most violent barbarians on the fact of the planet. Can't wait for Saturday. Go to this website and read all you can read
Subject: Dem front-runners play defense at Soldier Field
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 20:10:37 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney, left, stands on the stage with seven of the eight Democratic presidential candidates, from left to right, N.M. Gov. Bill Richardson, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., and Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio.
View related photos
Subject: Re: Dem front-runners play defense at Soldier Field
From: SUBWANALAI
To: All
Date Posted: 22:11:40 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 194.32.41.72
Message:
THANK YOU VERY MUCH BAMBAY FOR YOUR USUAL UPDATE. BUT YOU KNOW WETIN DAE HAPPEN BRA, FORGET ABOUT AMERIKIN POLITICS FUSS. HEY WEY.HOW YOU SEE WE ALL DON JOIN HAN SO LEH WE PUSH WE KONTRI IM ELECTION GO BEFOE. NA DEN KINE TIN YA TWO FOOT ARATA DAE PRAY FOR- DIVERSION, SO THAT EE GO TIFF DE BALLOT PAPERS. CHRISTIANA THORPE YOU DAE DAE...WATCH YOU NEIBA YA.
COCORIOKO/ TEH HINI YEH TEH GEY WONE GA/ COCORIOKO/ NYA LIMA ERNEST YEH GEY WONE GA/ COCORIOKO/ TEH HINI YEH TEH GEY WONE GA
Subject: People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjami
From: NEC
To: All
Date Posted: 19:49:59 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host-216-226-231-134.wdb.ses-americom.net at 216.226.231.134
Message:
People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjamin’s Premises in Bo
By Unisa Koroma
Aug 7, 2007, 20:00 Email this article
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With False Accusations of an Illegal Storage of Electoral Materials...
PMDC Men Attack John Benjamin’s Company Premises
The Parliamentary Candidate of the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) for Bo Town I Constituency, Mr. Tony Alie has reportedly led a gang of irate PMDC youths clothed in their bright orange colours, to the premises of the Bo Branch of the African Information Technology Holdings (AITH) upon the allegation that the PMDC had received "intelligence reports" that counterfeit electoral ballot boxes were being hidden upon the premises by the owner of AITH, Mr. John Benjamin. Benjamin is the Sierra Leone Minister of Finance whose excellent handling of the country’s financial matters over the last two years, has made him one of the top assets that the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party can boast of and by correlation, he is now a target of sustained unwarranted vilification efforts by opposition agents.
The latest incident occurred around 3pm last Sunday August 5th 2007 when according to Mr. Dennis Amara, the AITH Bo Branch Manager who resides in the compound, the PMDC’s Tony Alie arrived at the compound with a large gang of PMDC supporters.
"I was inside my residential quarters of the premises when one of my staff came running in to inform me that some PMDC men had parked vehicles outside the gate and were trying to come inside," Amara explained.
Mr. Dennis Amara further explained that upon leaving his room and going outside, he met Tony Alie who he knows very well and he enquired of him what was the matter to which Alie brusquely remarked that they were there because they had received what Alie reportedly termed attack as "intelligence reports" that John Benjamin had secretly brought in counterfeit electoral materials to the premises which the SLPP was planning to use on Elections Day.
"Mr. John Benjamin has not been to the AITH offices in Bo for two years now. Ever since he was made Minister of Finance, he has not set foot in this compound and so I laughed at the information thinking that Tony Alie was joking," Amara further explained only for him to realise that Alie was not joking.
"It was at this point that I realised that the PMDC men were not laughing back and were instead firing threatening remarks about what they will do on Elections Day. So, I immediately used my mobile telephone to call the Bo Town’s Police Chief, F.U.K. Dabo who asked me to pass the telephone to Alie which I did" Amara continued.
"After LUC Daboh spoke to Alie, two police officers were later sent to the premises and they conducted a thorough search of both the offices and residential part of AITH premises but they did not even find a campaign poster let alone electoral materials," Dennis Amara stated.
However, although Amara has filed a complaint against Tony Alie concerning the threats made, the Bo Police station is yet to formally invite Alie for questioning neither have they invited any of the other PMDC men.
When the Police Station in Bo was contacted, they confirmed that they were "investigating a report against the PMDC Candidate for threatening remarks against one Dennis Amara".
Awareness Times was unable to get on to Mr. John Benjamin himself as he was reported to have been campaigning in Kailahun where he hails from.
As reported earlier, John Benjamin’s successes for the SLPP have made him a target of attacks from the opposition. The John Benjamin led team at the Ministry of Finance last year set a historical record time for the creation, delivery and acceptance of the national budget by Parliament.
Later under the Benjamin leadership, the country not only gained debt relief but also wooed back several international financial institutions such as the African Development Bank(ADB), to set up shop in Sierra Leone.
In light of his contributions towards the attractiveness of the SLPP at the polls, it is no surprise that Benjamin has not been spared the ongoing campaign of calumny by the opposition. He is especially targeted by the political cohorts of the PMDC, the All People’s Congress (APC) who have also reportedly threatened him for the role he is reported to have played in their demise in 1992.
© Copyright by Awareness Times Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
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Subject: Re: People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjami
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 20:58:16 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
Man stop your alarmist propaganda here. You did fine by bringing us the news but the header and content do not match.
The attack was NOT on John Benjamin but AT John Benjamin's office. An office he hadn't visited in 2 years. I would have had the heading."An Attack At One Of John Benjamin's Offices. That would have match the content of your story.
And by the way, he hadn't performed well at all. In fact, if you did read a while back, he was summoned by Parliament to explain the reason for the failed nature of the economy.
And all that has happened in this adminstration is A RELATIVE "stabilization of the hitherto floating currency. But even that is not due to gross national productivity or a better financial management process,
ITS'S FROM THE VERY LARGE INFUSION OF FOREIGN CASH INTO THE ECONOMY...THE RECENT INTERNATIONAL DONOR MONEY FLOOD. Read more at:
Subject: Re: People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjami
From: STUPID TOEGONDOE
To: All
Date Posted: 23:09:02 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-75-53-201-16.dsl.hstntx.sbcglobal.net at 75.53.201.16
Message:
OK Stupid Toegondoe. Does all of this justify the violent PMDC attack on John Benjamin's office?
Subject: Re: People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjami
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 08:01:34 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
So you are "STUPID TOEGONDOE" who posted this nonsense. And then you wrote "OK Stupid Toegondoe". Excuse me, Are you referring to yourself?
I told you that your brain was fried by Jamba at FBC, now you can see what I mean. You can't think. Hahahaaaaaaaaaaa El Dumbo
Subject: Re: People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjami
From: Amadu Kabbah
To: All
Date Posted: 20:18:09 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: amadutkabbah@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.78.170.125
Message:
"Later under the Benjamin leadership, the country not only gained debt relief but also wooed back several international financial institutions such as the African Development Bank(ADB), to set up shop in Sierra Leone." This sounds so ridiculous to me and every well meaning Sierra Leonean. I am beginnig to feel that we are heading for a greater doom. If some body can refer to gaining debt relief and wooing creditors to set a shop in Sierra Leone as success, then I am afraid that we would always be happy to ask for more debts in the name of the country when we have the resources to earn us more than what we go to ask for as debt. Now the shop owners are in the country to help take away our wealth. They will be dictating how to sleep and when to wake up. Can't we put an end to dependence? Sierra Leone has a lot to get her out of the net of donors and debtors; don't you know that? I don't know what is in John Benjamine that is worth admiring to the extent of referring to him as a successful Minister. This very writer could have succeeded in getting the same debt relief if he were a Minister of Finance. That is nothing exceptional that can warrant praise. Even a fool could have done it. The debtors are merely sympathising with us. It is not because John Benjamine is a Minister and looks like a whiteman. John Benjamine had a lot to do for him to be admired when he was in the NPRC, but he fell down flat. He was drowned by his own very actions with the NPRC boys. Do you know that the laws do not allow him to hold public office as a businessman? But because the SLPP will bend the laws for somethings tohappen in their favor. He is just another cheap one who would accept any offers because because he wants to line his pocket with some bribes. Salone, MOST OF WE NOR GET SHAME, DEN WAPE MAN EN DEBT E CALL-AM SUCCESS! John Benjamine,like Kabbah, needs to appologize for what he did to Sierra Leone. But God will judge them all.
Subject: Re: People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjami
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 20:13:20 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Source of this info? Answer: Awareness Times, that SLPP mouth piece with as much credibility as Berewa in a convention of Mandelas. PU-LEEEZE!
Subject: Re: People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjami
From: Kohtoh Kamal
To: All
Date Posted: 20:51:24 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: kamal@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-127-53-17.hsd1.va.comcast.net at 24.127.53.17
Message:
that this did not happen? You love Margai that much? He is an ordinary thug who wants to be presdient at all costs.
Subject: Re: People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjami
From: marlin
To: All
Date Posted: 07:17:31 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ns1.multinet.sl at 41.220.80.50
Message:
I wonder what you mean by asserting that Margai is a Thug? Could you enlighten us?
Subject: Re: People’s Movement for Democratic Change attacks John Benjami
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 05:53:46 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Sylvia Blyden's SLPP BATO rag has long ago exhausted its credibility. They have gutted the truth and manufactured so many lies against their perceived enemies that when Awareness Times says HAMBURGER, I will look for MALOMBO!
So if they are the source of the story, I don't believe it happened.
Subject: Pa Kabbah
From: Salone patriot
To: All
Date Posted: 18:59:34 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dhcp6042.4u.com.gh at 41.204.60.42
Message:
Pa Kabbah is one of the Heros of Africa, and his name will go down with stars like Nyere,Ken Kaunda,Sekou Toure,Kwame Nkrumah and I will say, perhaps Mandela is his junior.Idiots like Obasanjo made name because of Nigerian wealth, but he is no match to Kabbah.Bravo Dr Kabbah, Long live Dr Kabbah and long live the republic of Sierra Leone.God bless us all, and may God produce 2 or 3 more sons of Sierra Leone like Kabbah.
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: Jackal
To: All
Date Posted: 03:41:55 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: epa@gmail.com
Entered From: c-67-173-181-21.hsd1.il.comcast.net at 67.173.181.21
Message:
Kabbah took an unknown amount of cash and bought a huge waterfront property in Cuba. How do I know? I was on vacation in the resort next door. I have a propensity for the SLPP, but I will piss on him...like pee.
He is going to Cuba in November...my Cuban girlfriend told me...I will be down there...piss ina cup and throw it at him everlasting halaki...sweh fool.
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: Amadu Kabbah
To: All
Date Posted: 20:36:17 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: amadutkabbah@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.78.170.125
Message:
If you don't feel proud of yourself then you are another Kabbah. I was sitting by Kabbah( you know he is my uncle)when he read these comaparison you made of him. He didn't appreciate your wishes for him. Heinterpreted them as a curse, and he said God nor go listen to you for the lies you are saying about him. Isn't that strange? Paddy Blow for bless Kabbah. He is my uncle (blood Uncle) but I always would pray that he does not go free with all he has done to Sierra Leone.
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 20:26:18 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Sycophancy makes me sick and is itself a disease.
At least we used to joke in Ghana that Kofi Busia had left his brains in Oxford.
Where did Kabbah leave his? We know that some of his loving sycophants don’t have any, because if they did they would be just a little more balanced in their views.
Others have more hair on their head than brains.
“perhaps Mandela is his junior.”
What is the relationship between the two men and what does “Salone patriot” know about the other African leaders that he mentioned?
Kabbah and his best friend Abacha.
Kabbah the merciful where is your compassion?
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 19:55:09 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Kabba who? Sierra Leone has already moved on. Another of Africa's calamitous disappointments! Entrenched corruption eating at every sinew of the government, overwhelming unemployment, horrific health care, bottom bucket in all development indices; permanently dark, filthy, garbage strewn cities. Systematic, cold-blooded thievery of billions of dollars in development aid and the wilful stealing of rice aid from the growling tummies of the desperately hungry. Too many indictments, too little time from this criminally incompetent joke of a president. And to add salt to injury, he is now trying to inflict another diabolical incompetent to continue the evisceration of our poor nation. And all through this, very intelligent Sierra Leoneans are applauding this tragedy.
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: Amadu Kabbah
To: All
Date Posted: 20:27:17 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: amadutkabbah@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.78.170.125
Message:
Boyz, how you sabi so? He has fought so hard to get SOLO-B and Momodu (who may have forgotten Physics he so eloquently taught in NJALA) so that they can cover is back. But he would be surprised to see tha his back would not be covered.
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: M. Alieu Iscandari esq
To: All
Date Posted: 20:17:46 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
And all through this, very intelligent Sierra Leoneans are applauding this tragedy.
And that my friend is the TRAGEDY in all of this.....
Stay blessed
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: Jackal
To: All
Date Posted: 19:11:35 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: epa@gmail.com
Entered From: c-67-173-181-21.hsd1.il.comcast.net at 67.173.181.21
Message:
"Heros" yes. Hero? na emphatical na na na...here is to a man who was banned from holding public office. Try again.
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: Amadu Kabbah
To: All
Date Posted: 19:47:24 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: amadutkabbah@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.78.170.125
Message:
My brother,you are telling the truth; we were lulled into voting for him in the 1996 elections. He is a big time rogue. When Paul Kamara exposed him, he was arrested. When Philip Neville said the President remained silent over what the President of Libya gave to Sierra Leone, he was deatined. But those were gospel truths. God go judge them.
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: Lock Chest
To: All
Date Posted: 20:06:46 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 194.32.41.72
Message:
The guy is just trying to wind people up. This is what we call in some local krio parlance, 'lock chest'. He can't be serious to compare Kabbah to some of Africa's greats. Tejan Kabbah? Shioor...John Paul Koroma sef betteh pass am. Lets compare him and Corporal Foday Sankoh
Subject: Re: Pa Kabbah
From: Amadu Kabbah
To: All
Date Posted: 20:22:17 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: amadutkabbah@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.78.170.125
Message:
But Sankoh is better than Kabbah. Sankoh dae tief jaran-jaran, Kabbah dae tief leh arrata.
Subject: Sierra Leone's 2007 poll : A look at the front runners
From: DR. MICHEL SHO-SAWYER
To: All
Date Posted: 18:51:59 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: global.life.edu at 72.16.214.206
Message:
Sierra Leone's 2007 poll : A look at the front runners - 06/08/2007
*Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, EXPO TIMES, Bristol
As we fast-track to the end of the Tejan Kabbah presidency climaxing into the historic August 11 2007 vote, I have elected to take a critical look at the chances of the three front runners: Solomon Berewa (SLPP), Ernest Koroma (APC) and Charles Margai (PMDC) in that alphabetical order of their surnames. For each of these presidential hopefuls, I would look at their strengths and weaknesses in the context of the most important issues that are likely to factor in as potential vote winners, issues such as peace, stability, good governance and human development. I would also examine the potential role of the running mates in the overall outcome.
Solomon Berewa: Conducting his campaign on the ticket of the ruling SLPP, and above all as the country's running vice president, Berewa has all the trappings of the incumbency advantage although of course this can only strongly manifest itself in a situation where the incumbent has got a lot to show to justify re-election. Going by his election manifesto 2007-2012, it is clear that Berewa is campaigning on the platform of continuity—that is building on the gains, whether major, slight, or nothing of the Kabbah presidency —rather than that of any fundamental point of departure. For a candidate enjoying an incumbency advantage, the choice between continuity and change is indeed a very tricky one, particularly so when they in the first place enjoy the full endorsement of the out-going president. In my series on Tejan Kabbah's legacy, I concluded that ‘while the Kabbah presidency, at least on average, fared better in the promotion of the people's political liberties, especially in sustaining the much cherished civic democratic culture and institutions, albeit this was watered down a bit by his high-handed handling of the press and far from satisfactory campaign against corruption, its handling of their fundamental human development was hardly an unqualified success'. True to his words, Tejan Kabbah acknowledged this critical appraisal in a way when he, in his Foreword to Berewa's 2007-2012 presidential campaign manifesto launched on July 1, declared: ‘We have built the foundations for sustainable peace by setting up the framework for good governance. This peace will easily disappear if we do not build on this foundation, the economic opportunities for our children to enjoy higher living conditions. This is the next step in our country's journey to prosperity. We should now focus on creating jobs, empowering our youth and women, harnessing the enormous economic potential that we failed to exploit in the past. This time around we must do it with appropriate policies, modern systems of management, good governance, discipline, and the rule of law.'
Tejan Kabbah was bold enough to admit the many shortcomings of his presidency, which he warned may undermine efforts to sustain the peace and stability the country has enjoyed in the last five years of his regime. The outgoing president however sounded upbeat when he said that his successor Berewa, having survived all the trials with him over the years, is well placed to face the challenge of addressing these failures in the reconstruction process. This is indeed a very tall order for Kabbah's chosen successor. Critics say how on earth can Berewa succeed in pragmatically turning things around where his predecessor fell short when in fact, for the past five years at least, he had served as the country's no. 2 man. But sympathisers would always say that Berewa would only show himself fully when he is properly in charge and not when he is answering to some one else. Although of course some other critics would counter this defence by saying that Berewa has always been loyal to his boss, and moreover the fact that they never on record had any misunderstanding on state policy matters makes it less likely for Berewa to pursue any radical reforms. And yet others would want to caution that it is indeed too early to think that Berewa would not do things differently, even if it means kicking against some of the policies of his predecessor if elected. It is interesting for example to see how new British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been cautiously, but unapologetically, trying to stay clear of his predecessor's aggressive pro-US Iraqi policy. And the sudden u-turn of French strongman Nicolas Sarkozy against his former bosses of the same ruling party, Chirac and Villepin, who in less than a month after handing over, were brought for questioning for alleged abuse of power also comes to mind. It is of course difficult to draw a parallel between Sarkozy and Berewa, since the former openly campaigned on a platform that significantly departed from that of his predecessor, and was never in fact his choice to succeed him, while the contrary in either case was largely true of the latter. Berewa can however in a way be likened to Brown in as far as traditional loyalty to their predecessors is concerned, and because the latter has recently started doing things slightly differently at least going by the recent foreign policy ranting of his foreign secretary David Miliband regarding British-US cooperation in Iraq, we must wait and see what Berewa would do if he gets there.
In launching his presidential campaign manifesto, Berewa himself was smart enough to recognize the shortfalls of his government which he thinks may not help his chances in the poll. In politics you are more likely to be acceptable to the electorate if you are bold enough to accept mistakes that have been made under your stewardship, accompanied of course by a clear cut strategy and pragmatic strategy to put things straight once you are given a second chance. In admitting his government's drawback in the all important area of human development, Berewa invited all Sierra Leoneans at home and in the Diaspora to join hands, ‘Together as one people we can do it. … we will improve the chances of this country attaining the targets of the Millennium Development Goals; and above all we will give hope to our youth especially the women, that the peace is here to stay and that jobs and prosperity are the new targets for our onslaught.' These are indeed fine words that have the potential to resonate very well with the electorate but skeptics may want to dismiss it as nothing but a promise, which for all you know may, like all others before it, remain so.
Berewa reacted to critics who dismiss his ‘continuity' platform as nothing short of a perpetuation of the failures of the presidency of his boss Tejan Kabbah from which he cannot dissociate himself since he was officially next in command by saying that they indeed missed his own interpretation of ‘continuity' ‘It is now manifestly clear that continuity here simply means proceeding to the implementation stage arising from the long and torturous studies, debates, analyses, investigations that His Excellency Tejan Kabbah and myself had quietly conducted through interaction with people, through involvement with the work of NGOs, Parastatals, donor countries, through the scrutiny and detailed analysis of various reports and studies conducted, which finally gave us not only a clear global picture, but also a detailed understanding of the problems of Sierra Leone and pointing to the potential solutions.' The SLPP presidential hopeful tried to score some political points by likening himself to a medic who is now ready to administer the right treatment to the country's daunting problems after spending all these years diagnosing them, arguing that it is better to leave him continue this than have a new medic who would need to spend another time on the diagnosis before coming to the treatment proper. Despite his echoes of continuity, Berewa promised to form an inclusive government that would design ‘a completely new administrative, economic, social and commercial system for Sierra Leone that will serve as a sound foundation and guarantee peace, freedom, development, progress and prosperity for all. The operative word here is ‘new' but critics would still go around this bluff by arguing that given his traditional loyalty to Tejan Kabbah, it is highly unlikely that he would depart, fundamentally, from his policies. Others would however hasten to caution that it is too early to tell the surprises Berewa may have in store for us.
Going by the title of his election manifesto, “A Platform for Peace Consolidation and Prosperity”, it is clear that Berewa openly draws on one of the key achievements of his government to boost his chances for the presidency. At least Berewa would beat his chest as the man who President Kabbah entrusted as the chief government negotiator at all the peace conferences held to end the civil war although it is on record that some of the important peace accords that came out of them were all but followed to the letter. That notwithstanding, critics would say, it is now over five years since peace was restored and so it is not a very strong political point to make at this time, particularly so when his government is yet to deliver on human development which is supposed to consolidate the peace.
As if Kabbah knew Berewa was going to be the man to step in his shoes, he made him the chief government negotiator at most donors' conferences where his leadership resulted into the huge flow of foreign aid to Sierra Leone. Kabbah also sent his number 2 man to deputize him at some international conferences. All this is good news for the Berewa bid although some people may want to ask where all the aid money has gone as almost 70 per cent of the country's population continues to live in abject poverty. Others may want to argue that the fact that the huge aid money is yet to translate into a genuine human development it is better to look for alternative ways of harnessing the country's human and natural resources for the benefit of the people. If for instance the country's macro and micro economic stability, for which the Kabbah presidency has been hugely commended, had succeeded in bringing about economic prosperity in human terms—improved standard of living, health care, food, water, electricity, education, jobs, decent wages, etc---, the Berewa presidential campaign machine would have been by now busy making political capital out of it. Well the Berewa camp may well argue that after all the incumbent government has visibly scored in health care and education and that it is only a matter of time to do the same in the other human development sectors of the country.
In terms of good governance and transparency, Berewa can easily point to the success of his government in at least putting in place some of the institutions such as the Ombudsman and the Anti-Corruption Commission but may not have much to talk home about when it comes to their actual delivery of a transparent and corruption-free society. At least there is no mention in the Berewa manifesto of any plans to address the shortfalls of these institutions, plans such as empowering them to dispense justice independently without any interference from neither the country's mainstream judiciary nor the other organs of government. But again some sympathizers of the Berewa camp may argue that you cannot put everything in a manifesto and that in political campaigns of this nature it is always better to have back-ups that you can always conjure up at the appropriate times. In which case we have to wait and see.
In the area of connecting with the grassroots, Berewa is on record to have in the early part of the campaign attempted to reach out to the youths of Sierra Leone who happen to constitute 60 per cent of the voting population. He has in his VP capacity been involved in the commissioning of some youth projects particularly in the Western Area all of which he cleverly used to appeal for the votes of that important constituency. He has often admitted, albeit regrettably, that his government is yet to tackle the problems of the youths, particularly unemployment, promising to make these concerns among his top priorities if elected. This could in a way be interpreted as an admission of the failure of his government to tackle the problems affecting the welfare of the youths even when the Truth and Reconciliation Commission identified it as one of the main causes of the country's almost 11 years civil war; this could however be seen to score a political point for Berewa since his sympathizers might as well argue that it is better to accept the mistakes that have been made and try to put things straight than merely sweep them under the carpet.
In the human rights sector, Berewa may as well capitalize and build on the slight gains made by his government in the area of freedom of expression, religion and association, although he would have to contend with the huge criticism his government received for most of the killings of so-called junta collaborators noted in the TRC report, as well as the reprisal killings of so-called pro-Kabbah government supporters; the hasty execution of the 24 convicted AFRC officers despite repeated calls by the international community to commit the sentences to life imprisonment; and above all, the failure to review the death penalty and the obnoxious Public Order Act of 1965 that criminalizes libel thereby imposing undue restrictions on free speech. While the Berewa sympathizers may say after all the country was then in a state of crisis and there was nothing his government could have done to stop the mob justice his critics may argue that the government encouraged impunity because not a single individual among the killers of the so-called junta collaborators was brought to justice even when some of them were identified by leading rights organizations. But the Berewa sympathizers may also say their man is not to blame for the hasty execution of the 24 convicted AFRC soldiers because he was merely following orders according to the constitution of the land. Moreover they may argue that it is unfair to pass judgment on Berewa based on violations committed under his predecessor because things may turn out to be different if he is in charge. Although his critics may of course say that he fell short of announcing what he intends to do with the death penalty and the Public Order Act in his election manifesto, and may as well point to the setback the recent detention of Standard Times editor Philip Neville invoking the latter may have caused his campaign for the presidency.
Some critics may also want to point to the celebrated espionage case in March 1997 involving my two colleagues and I of the Expo Times invoking the same Public Order Act in which Berewa, then as Justice Minister, went the extra mile to lash out at us in his office under special police escort with the threat “We would send you down for 15 years and when you come out you will wash your hands off journalism.' We spent about a month in maximum security Pademba prison after we were persistently refused bail. But that is all in the past now and, for all you know, in an apparent demonstration of political correctness, Berewa magnanimously jumped at the opportunity to mend fences with me when we met five years later at a World Bank sponsored Donors Conference in Paris with a big embrace assuring me to come back home in the spirit of peace and reconciliation, then the new buzz word in the country.
Regarding the issue of Berewa's running mate Alhaji Momodu Koroma making any impact for his campaign, although of course generally speaking running mates are yet to prove important in swinging votes in presidential elections in Sierra Leone, his religious background as a Muslim and close confidant of out-going President Kabbah might be helpful. If qualified voters of the estimated 70% Muslim population come out to vote on polling day, then Berewa's SLPP would have the advantage over the other two front runners although, the PMDC's Muslim running mate Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Tejan Jalloh also has the potential of clawing in a substantial part of the Muslim vote. The fact that Momodu Koroma has also been able to demonstrably trace his background to the Northern province of Sierra Leone may well mean that he is poised to bring in some more votes from that region, which is traditional known as an APC stronghold.
Ernest Koroma: Of all the three front runners, Ernest Koroma is generally considered as the newest entrant to politics. He started his political career following his election as the All People's Congress party flag-bearer for the 2002 presidential election in which he came second. From the look of things on the ground he seems poised to give Berewa and Margai a good run for their money. Until recently, Ernest has been a little known political quantity, although of course he has succeeded in carving out a niche for himself as a very successful insurance entrepreneur being the Chief Executive of Ritcorp, one of the most viable insurance companies in Sierra Leone. He is also largely believed to be a man of unblemished character who has come to inject new blood into the APC. His critics however see him as a front for the old hands in the APC who are hiding behind the scenes waiting for the opportunity to openly show their old ways of doing things. And yet vibrant APC MP Alhaji Alpha Kanu, who is also spokesman for Ernest Koroma, recently played down the corruption and mismanagement that characterized the 24-year APC rule saying that it was no were near the broad day light corruption characteristic of the ruling SLPP government . He hinted that during the reign of their own party public officials used to steal just a little and leave the rest for the people to benefit where as in the case of the SLPP government public officials have been busy clearing most of what is meant for the people they are supposed to be ruling hence the shortfall in meeting their basic human needs despite the huge aid inflow and the country's natural resources.
Ernest Koroma however failed to echo this binary point of bad and worse evil of corruption during APC and SLPP reigns, respectively, in his campaign manifesto leaving critics to think that while he is campaigning on a platform of change—end corruption and mismanagement, and restore the country's human development—he is not prepared to cry down the shortcomings under APC rule, no matter how big or small, or, to put it bluntly, bad or worse. For some of us who have lived and worked as journalists under both regimes we know that you cannot be further from the truth by saying that there were more shortcomings in the one than the other, but you can by saying that the one is a devil and the other is an angel.
What received prominence in the APC campaign 2007 manifesto titled ‘Agenda for Change', is a recall of its achievements: ‘In its twenty four years in governance, the nation experienced relative peace and stability, as well as remarkable social and infrastructural development. These achievements were neither by accident, nor were they by dint of good fortune. They were the result of carefully calculated and prudent policies, underlined by wise counsel, visionary leadership and a good knowledge of the politics and people of Sierra Leone. It is on this well established tradition that the All Peoples Congress Party presents itself for the 2007 elections as your next government'. Yes it is true that some gains were indeed made under APC rule particularly in the area of infrastructural development but it also true that some very grave mistakes were made. Corruption and political patronage were as true under APC rule as under the ruling SLPP, the only difference if there is any, as Alpha Kanu would want us believe, is the degree of these vices under each of these regimes. At least it is on record that former president Joseph Saidu Momoh publicly admitted to have failed his people particularly in the area of his much talked-about green revolution. Moreover, the TRC report pointed to corruption and youth exclusion as the main causes of the almost 11 year civil war, although of course the APC may want to dismiss this as pure politics. I know it could be politically suicidal sometimes to play up mistakes that were made by the predecessors of one's party but it is also politically sensible to admit them, no matter how small or big they were, even if in passing, and pledge to put them straight and build on the achievements. Voters are more likely to trust political leaders who are honest with the truth.
That an APC government, going by its 2007 manifesto, ‘is determined to lift this country from its current state of disrepair and desperation by rebuilding its human resources, its social services and physical infrastructure that will gear the nation towards equitable and sustainable economic growth' gives the impression that the APC is presenting itself as the party that is coming to redeem and rebuild the country. Critics may say the APC could not be the appropriate redeemer and re-builder when in the first place they also contributed to the decadence that is refusing to go away. Well their sympathisers may argue that the APC is a party that has been born-again, and that like new labour in Great Britain, it is poised to bring in new and more pragmatic initiatives to tackle the decadence. Moreover, some may want to argue that they have not been in government for the past 15 years and that the country really dramatically went downhill since their overthrow by the NPRC junta. The latter may want to point to Sierra Leone's very poor performance in the UN Human Development Index in the last 10 years to strengthen their argument since they may say that after all things were not that bad during their time and that the NPRC coup and the civil war were major interruptions to the development initiatives that were then in motion.
Going by their manifesto, the APC position on transparency and accountability in the context of the war against corruption and the promotion of good governance is one of zero tolerance. To show that it means business, the APC has pledged to ‘ensure strict adherence to these principles and practices, and will subject itself to an African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and any other international benchmarks'. It is indeed a good idea to subject one's government to peer review and make use of best practice that has succeeded in making a difference elsewhere but again the APC critics may want to argue that you cannot as a government replicate best practice that has worked perfectly elsewhere in ending corruption and mismanagement without first tackling the very root of corruption, which is poverty, which in turn translates into poor wages and other working conditions.
The APC party manifesto did indeed recognize that the country's public service is ‘saddled with low salaries and poor conditions of service, and that one of its objectives would be to ‘take immediate action to look into the present discriminatory two-tier system of remuneration of public officials', and that one of its key strategies is to improve the salary and conditions of the public service with a view to making it attractive and competitive'. But the APC critics may say if they were that sincere they would have done this when they had the opportunity 15 years ago. Although of course the APC sympathizers may counter this by saying that with the new vision of their much revived party, coupled with the leadership of Ernest Koroma with his clean record of service as an insurance executive, it would be entirely different this time if they are allowed a come back. But again one may want to ask whether the conditions of service of employees at Ritcorp, where Ernest Koroma served as chief executive for over two decades, are any special to make people, particularly his critics, see in him somebody who would replicate this at the national level if given the opportunity. It is hard to tell for some of us who are writing from the Diaspora.
The APC also made a very huge promise in the area of human development, especially the provision of basic social services which, they say, ‘many other countries take for granted, but which our people continue to be deprived of. Necessities such as affordable staple food (rice), electricity, water, basic health care, an expanded education system, and jobs for the bulging numbers of unemployed youth. All these will be our focus.' Nice words that would no doubt sing melodious music in the ears of Sierra Leoneans who have long been waiting for these social services to be delivered. Déjà vu. The question remains as to whether the APC would this time move beyond the rhetoric.
The APC also places a high premium on the issue of the people's fundamental human rights—political and civil rights to be more precise. It recognises that ‘much of the misery and injustice of our time is the result of the reckless use of power' and yet many human violations were committed under the 24 year APC rule, even when under a civilian regime, albeit of course to a much lesser scale compared to anything that we saw since their ouster some 15 years ago; whether they are going to be doing things differently this time around if given the opportunity remains to be seen.
In the area of press freedom it is hard to trust the APC to do things differently next time around when there were equally as many incidences of press freedom violations under their 24-year rule as we saw under Kabbah's SLPP government, if not more. At least I had my baptism of imprisonment as a journalist under APC rule, just a couple of weeks before the coup that ousted them from power in 1992, although of course I suffered more persecutions under SLPP rule; but that is all in the past now as things have been getting better in this area recently. Yet the Public Order Act of 1965, that most obnoxious of all legislations as far as upholding the fundamental freedoms of the people is concerned, is still darkening the pages of our law books. It is the Act that criminalises libel making it very difficult for journalists to serve their noble role as watchdogs of their society. Having suffered harassment and imprisonment on many occasions in the name of that Act, I recently joined other colleagues in Sierra Leone in calling for its review and possible replacement with a law that would not be easily abused by the authorities who may want to settle scores with some ‘troublesome' journalists. Something concrete is yet to emerge from efforts by SLAJ and the Media Commission to review this law. While Berewa is yet to make an official declaration regarding his position on this law, Ernest Koroma, has at least in his manifesto promised to enhance the role of a free, unfettered and responsible press', with a view of ‘reviewing the 1965 Public Order Act' as one of the key strategies of his government in ensuring this freedom if elected.
In terms of Ernest Koroma's running mate, Samuel Sam-Sumana, very little was indeed known about him until his recent nomination to that position. But looking at his background as another successful businessman in the mining industry and a member of one of the leading traditional ruling families in the Kono district, he should not be dismissed as just another ordinary running mate who is there only to complete the presidential bid requirement. I used to know him personally as a sixth form class mate at Ahmaddiya Secondary School in Freetown where he served as a senior prefect. It is a long time now but I still remember how he used to be a cool, but firm, disciplinarian. One obvious advantage that Sam-Sumana is bound to bring to Ernest Koroma's campaign for the presidency is regional and ethnic balance. The Konos are generally known to be a very united people who always rally behind their kith and kin when it comes to elections for the highest offices of the land. The fact that he is the first Kono man to be appointed running mate for a party that is a strong contender in the poll means that the APC is poised to gain most of the votes in that district that has in all 8 parliamentary seats that are up for grabs, and almost half of the voting population in the Eastern province. As a matter of fact, two Kono SLPP MPs, including Bockarie Torto, recently switched to APC probably because they saw it coming. The konos are saying that this is the nearest they have come to the seat of power and so they would not let this opportunity slip away from them as they are never sure when next they would have it.
Charles Margai: He is no stranger to Sierra Leone politics. His father Sir Albert Margai ruled Sierra Leone between 1965 and 1967 after taking over from his elder brother Sir Milton Margai following his sudden death. Charles Margai has since the restoration of multi-party democracy in 1992 been nursing ambition for the country's presidency. He was then elected Vice Chairman of the SLPP representing the Southern Province. In the 1996 primaries, he lost the party leadership contest to Tejan Kabbah who later went on to win the presidential election. Things have not been rosy between the two since then. Although Charles Margai was later appointed Internal Affairs minister by President Kabbah, the cold war between the two continued and finally resurfaced when the former was denied the party leadership for the second time, in the primaries of 2005, this time losing out to Berewa. Margai accused Kabbah to have interfered with the primaries since he openly campaigned for Berewa to succeed him. It is in this context of frustration that Margai set up a new political party—the People's Movement for Democratic Change—that has fast emerged as a third force in the mainstream Sierra Leone politics with a huge potential to pose a major threat to the more established SLPP and APC.
Going by the PMDC 2007 manifesto, it is clear that the party has a populist agenda that has more resonance for the youths of Sierra Leone. And since the youths constitute about 60 per cent of the voting population, it would be a monumental mistake to dismiss the PMDC as nothing but a third force that would only make a big splash and disappear. Political observers think that the presence of the PMDC as a buffer between the two traditional parties is good for democracy as it prevents the prospects of having a straight fight between these two traditional parties like what we saw in the 2002 elections.
The PMDC is poised to make inroads in the Western Area (APC traditional base), Northern Province (APC traditional base), and above all in the East and the South (SLPP traditional strongholds), particularly in the Bo and Moyamba districts, homes to very huge youth populations.
Margai is campaigning on a platform of ‘positive change', which means a huge pledge of a complete departure from the APC and SLPP styles of leadership and policies. But critics may want to argue that Margai has got nothing new to bring to the job since he also served as government minister under Tejan Kabbah's SLPP government . His sympathisers may however counter this by saying that it would be totally different if he is completely in charge. Margai is seen by his supporters as a pragmatic and down-to-earth politician.
A key highlight of the PMDC manifesto is its promise to put civil society participation in their government at the very heart of their policies. It also has on its cards the determination to create more extra departmental commissions such as NaCSA and NCP, ensure transparency and accountability in their transactions, ensure that funds are channelled to the right priorities and that such funds are properly accounted for, and above all ensure that these commissions complement and supplement the programmes of mainstream government ministries rather than duplicate them. In terms of the privatisation of state parastatals, the PMDC is also promising to encourage the participation of local Sierra Leonean businessmen.
In the area of working with the NGO community, the PMDC's plan to ‘put in place a monitoring and tracking system that would enhance and guarantee more transparency and accountability in the operations of NGOs, both local and international' sounds good if implemented. So is also their promise to ensure that the greatest benefits of the activities of the NGOs actually meet the people for whom the funding was meant. These are indeed very interesting, but tall, benchmarks to meet.
In terms of foreign policy, the PMDC pledge to commit to the fight against global terrorism to ensure a more peaceful and stable world would no doubt have great resonance for the country's relationship with the international community. This is a plus for the PMDC, particularly so when the APC and SLPP manifestos fell short of making any such commitment to what has become the most important global concern of the 21st century.
In the area of financial management, the PMDC government is promising to guarantee transparency, probity and accountability in the management of the nation's finances. Critics of Margai would however want to argue that it is very difficult for him to succeed in bringing financial sanity when he himself was recently accused of committing financial impropriety during his tenure as Internal Affairs minister by awarding a government contract to a company allegedly owned by his close relative. But some Margai sympathisers may want to argue that awarding a government contract to a relative has got nothing to do with financial impropriety as long as there is evidence that the contract obligations were duly met within the agreed time frame. They may want to continue that their man has got a clean record and that this accusation was just a propaganda by some SLPP sympathisers to frustrate his campaign.
The PMDC under Margai has got good vision in the area of financial management strategies, the most prominent of which are ‘Introduction of Volunteer Corps for Youths in both agriculture and road construction' and the ‘introduction of adaptive technology that befits the endowment of each district for the establishment of small-scale factories, for example, Garri making factories in the Bo and Moyamba Districts, Ginger in Moyamba District, Fruit canning factory in the Koinadugu District, Garra and Cloth making factory(ies) in the Bombali and Kailahun Districts respectively, Groundnut Oil and Cream making factory in the Port Loko District, local building materials factory in Pujehun District' and more…
The PMDC is also making a strong commitment to human development, particularly in the area of making sure that people all over the country have access to electricity and safe drinking water. In the area of agriculture and food production, the PMDC is pledging to prioritise food production for the population, provision of employment provision of source of income, earning foreign exchange through export etc. It's aim to boost trade and industry by ‘creating a Small Businesses Commission to examine government interventions, monitor the progress of small businesses and keep their needs on the government's agenda' is also a very good initiative. The PMDC has also got some very ambitious programmes in the provision of other social services such as health, sanitation the environment, education, public works and housing.
Realising that it needs the support of the youths to foster its populist agenda, the PMDC commits to making youth empowerment at the very core of its objectives, which in particular includes providing them the opportunities for them ‘to achieve the highest of their potential.'
In the area of human rights—political and civil liberties—the PMDC promises to boost the judiciary and make it operate as independently as possible from the executive so that justice shall be dispensed to all without fear or favour. It also promises to make information free, open and easily accessible. Of particular importance to freedom of the press is the PMDC pledge to ‘embark on comprehensive legal reforms to address the imbalances in our society, including a review of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965' which criminalises libel making it impossible for journalists to feel unfettered in carrying out their watch dog role in society. While this is a welcome news to all Sierra Leoneans, particularly journalists and others who use other creative arts such as music and drama to voice their opinions regarding the ills of society, it remains to be seen whether the PMDC would be ready to succeed where all others before them had failed.
The PMDC leader himself cannot count himself to be a very good friend of the press as I remember very well my bitter legal encounter with him when he was practising law in Bo. I remember quite well how he then used his contacts with the NPRC junta in 1994 to ensure my arrest in Freetown together with my deputy editor, Abdul Abass Dumbuya, then of Afro Times, and then taken to Bo where we were detained, appeared in court the following day and remanded in custody because we were refused bail. Can you imagine that! And Margai was only a lawyer then although he claimed that our front page report of a scandal involving some bailiffs who had arbitrarily acted on his orders had tarnished his political image since he was then still recognised as the SLPP Southern region vice chairman. We were then charged with defamatory libel and for all you know the 1965 Public Order Act was ostensibly invoked since we were arbitrarily arrested and detained even before the matter was brought to court. We spent about three more days in remand custody in Bo prison where we were virtually reduced to common criminals before we were granted bail in the next hearing thanks to a strong intervention from SLAJ. And that was Margai power at work when he was by then not in government.
That matter dragged on at the Bo Magistrate Court for almost six months, which saw us shuttling between Freetown and Bo almost every two weeks accompanied by our defence counsel. And guess what! The matter was finally withdrawn from court by the prosecution which was led by Margai himself after realising that the more the matter continued the more embarrassing revelations were made. But that is all in the past now and I can only hope that if Margai emerges as the winner of the August 11 poll he would make good his promise of getting rid of the 1965 Public Order Act so that he may be at least prevented from invoking it again to deal with another colleague.
Coming now to Margai's running mate, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Tejan-Jalloh, it is clear that his religious background as a Muslim is bound to win their party some of the over 70 per cent Muslim vote in the country. This means that the PMDC and the SLPP would definitely be sharing the Muslim vote while the APC would be the loser here. The fact that Dr Tejan Jalloh is also a fullah from Kabala in the North means that he is sure of gaining a substantial part of the fullah vote in particular, and the northern vote in general.
To conclude, it is safe to say that all three parties have got better chances to make the difference in the August 11 poll and so it is highly expected that the election would go into a run-off where the party that is able to rally the support of the smaller parties would be better placed to win. May the better side that is capable of delivering the country from its current mess prevail.
*Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw is Publisher and Editor-in-chief, Expo Times, and Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Politics, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
Subject: THE ELECTIONS ARE ON AUGUST 11. SEE!
From: Amadu Kabbah
To: All
Date Posted: 18:39:31 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: amadutkabbah@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.78.170.125
Message:
THE ELECTIONS ARE ON AUGUST 11, SEE!
Sierra Leone is a country with an alarming number (in millions) of its population that is ill-housed, ill-educated, ill-clad, ill- nourished. This was the situation before the civil war and has not changed much even after the war with the ‘democratic’ government. The unemployment rate has not changed much too. Some commentators are arguing that that has even worsened, because jobs are made available ONLY to party supporters.
It is sufficient to say that the SLPP has used the war to stay in power all this while, much to the disadvantage of the people. It has blamed its inefficiency and ineffectiveness on the war and the battered economy it says it inherited, for which some of its present members are equally responsible.
Over the period of the SLPP rule, the poverty rate has worsened. It has become even more alarming. It is believed that about 96% of the population is in such a desperate need- and cannot afford a complete meal on a daily bases, yet the President and his party and government says they have achieved food security. Many of us have found it difficult to see a way government policy affects the economy in a positive way, and the kinds of government policies that are effective. It saddens ones heart to see a government that has support of the international community that cannot deliver the basic needs of the people. It makes a people cry when they think of how much they have lost to retain a party and how abounds in their soil as wealth but cannot feed or send their children to school, cannot sleep in decent houses, cannot drink clean water, cannot see electricity in a modern world, except when they have elections at their doorsteps.
Sometimes reflections bring sad memories but they can be useful, because they can make one to be al3rt and awake. The AFRC unconstitutionally took power from the SLPP in 1997 for which that regime received world condemnation, the result of which was its collapse and an eventual trial of its members and those they referred to as collaborators. But if the truth is to be told, the nine months of that Junta regime can be classified as relatively better than the many years of the SLPP when one looks at some of their service provision during that period and compares them to what is obtaining these days. Let me recount a few that we can all remember quickly. Just think with me.
1. During the 9 months of the AFRC, Freetown had 24 /7 days of electricity in the capital where their activities were restricted. They used the same machine they had inherited from the SLPP. With the SLPP in power, “Susan 4” went permanently silent and was replaced by Kabbah Tiger. The city only started getting the semblance of electricity when the elections were at our doorsteps. How should one feel about this? How long will they be fooling us?
Whilst they live in affluence, the rest of people hardly feed in a day. We are not being jealous; we deserve an explanation. But since that will never come because they will ever remain to be telling us that they inherited a battered economy and a war, we should bring an end to flimsy excuses and bring in another team. The better alternative captain to lead the team would be Ernest Koroma, who, no doubt, has the ability and proven capability to grow a one time small company to become one of the leading (if not the leading) insurance company in the country. He had a small company and he transformed it into a big one. This is a proven record that can stand out as a plus in his favor and would make us investors to invest in him, because if we give him a bigger one, the sky would surely be his limit.
2. During the same period, the AFRC paid salaries of all government workers and their backlogs the SLPP could not pay even when there was civil disobedience. With SLPP, the basic students’ grants-in-aid and university lecturers salaries and other benefits cannot be paid. Isn’t this ridiculous? Tell me how long the country would be going through such a calamity?
3. During the AFRC period, our staple food, rice, was the cheapest (it was sold for 16,000 Leones). Can you tell me how much it is being sold these days? One needs to sell his house to buy a sack of rice. When I heard the cost of a bag of rice, I nearly got heart failure. I lost sleep.
4. When the AFRC was here, they provided transportation for our school-going children and teachers. There were buses on the roads to take them to school and for free. When the SLPP returned from Conakry, they charged fee for the use of the buses by the same people.
These are just a few I want to mention as reminders so that we can be able to know how inefficient and ineffective this government is (of course you know more). Should the SLPP be honest and sincere with the country and the people; should they not only want to stay in power for the sake of the benefits they personally are receiving at the disadvantages of the poor masses, they would take exit and see what the APC can do. Let us retain a government and party in power by what they have offered and not by our relationship with those who make decisions. Sierra Leone should be paramount on our minds. We have suffered for too long to allow this bunch of dishonest people to continue to make us live on donors when we have the resources to make these donors become our partners in development.
Mineral Resources:
Sierra Leone’s current mining laws and policies are too badly outdated. They seem to have been founded and crafted in the colonial era, designed fundamentally to exploit the resource of the nation, and accord maximum and grossly unfair benefits to the colonial investing agents. For example, nearly 150 million dollars worth of diamonds were exported in 2006. The government received a ridiculous 3% of that amount which equals a miserable four and half million dollars. I am quoting what is in the records. The government callously ignores that which is smuggled and reports that the $150 million only represents the small portion that was not smuggled. The same government relies on the senseless Kimberly Certification as the control mechanism over our diamonds. Just look at the Certificate of Origin and what it contains and give anyone a large or small piece of diamond without the so-called Certificate of Origin and see if that person won’t find a buyer! If industrialized and modern mining risk financing economics is properly used, Sierra Leone can easily earn upwards of 500 million dollars annually from diamonds alone as against 4.5 million dollars which it earned last year and will earn every year with that same mediocre policy. Add the gold and improve the gravity gold mining into ionic gold and you could be looking at serious revenue from gold and diamonds. But these guys in power tell us different things that would cause one to think that they have are doing something dubious. And indeed they are.
In their mining policy, holders of diamond mining licenses are to report two pieces of diamonds during the year of mining. I don’t recall the lines verbatim, but that is what dimly comes to mind. The designers of that rule, if one may refer to it that way, do not see anything wrong with it. They are short of a lot of valuable analysis to see what they have designed. Tell me if soem thief will not go away with a lot if he has that kind of rule to abide by-(report two pieces of diamonds during the year). They did not consider the sizes of diamonds the license owner should report to say the least. It could be the smallest sizes of diamond unless it is a diamond, as long as two pieces are reported. There are so many flaws in that policy that one would begin to think if we can ever stop asking for donor aid. But the honorable Mines Minister is a Mines Engineer as I was made to learn. One begins to wonder if he is really in tune with what is happening in the mineral resources world. But this is the government we are hailing so loudly. We need to be careful or else, we will never stop begging.
Our wealth in the name of mineral resources we need to use to develop our country has been given away by this government to plunderers in the name of INVESTORS. The people need to know something! Our Rutile Mines was owned by a company in Ohio in the United States. After a period, that company sold it to another in Australia. Currently, it has been sold to a British Company with British government interest. That must be the reason why DFID is stepping up to revisit the Rutile Mining agreement. Tell me, DFID is a British agency; whose interest would a British agency protect? When one looks at the significance of Rutile in the world today, and considers what the SLPP government is making noise about as receipt (9 million US Dollars annually), I am forced to believe that something is happening that needs to be investigated.
Rutile is the single most valuable natural wealth has. Our Rutile is the purest and easy to be mined natural Rutile. Apart from this, records show that Sierra Leone has the largest deposit of natural Rutile. Unfortunately, it is receiving the least cost for such a valuable mineral. Credible trade statistics will show that Sierra Leone is being cheated close to $5 billion dollars on Rutile alone. It is sad to believe that this government would sit down complacently and make us believe that they do not know the World Market prices of this valuable mineral. If they don’t know then they should take exit. If they continue to hold power, the country will remain waiting for donors before it feeds. This MUST end so that we can become a nation that lives on earth. It saddens ones heart to see a nation that has an abundance of valuable natural resources that have very high significance and use and carry very high market prices, but cannot feed unless donors make financial pledges.
We as a people have the mandate to stop this kind of living (dependence). The time to do it is on the Saturday, August 11, through the ballot box when we would elect the man who has the nerve and the compassion to end dependence. We cannot remain to be beggars until the next generation comes to ask us what we had been doing. We cannot allow ourselves to be recolonized. We are a sovereign nation and have the right to what God has given to us and will not allow a small group of dishonest people to continue leading us to the trash can. We must come out and vote for APC, to bring an end to dependence.
FROM AMADU T. KABBAH
Subject: Presidential Debate 2007 & Solo B's Contempt
From: James Lahai
To: All
Date Posted: 18:30:06 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: jameslahai1@yahoo.co.uk
Entered From: at 84.54.30.6
Message:
Dear Presenter,
Please help me in saying “thumbs up” to the people of Sierra Leone for the holding of the country’s first ever Presidential debate this evening on 7th August 2007. It was really a novelty for the people of Sierra Leone as all but one of the aspiring presidential candidates gave the masses the opportunity to have them subjected to intense public scrutiny, thereby enabling the people of Sierra Leone to reach an informed judgement on who will be best suited to address the many problems of the country.
Unfortunately, the one candidate that failed to show up was the ruling SLPP Party’s candidate who doubles as the Vice-President of Sierra Leone, Mr. Solomon Berewa. Indeed his action was very contemptuous and can best be regarded as an affront to the dignity of the electorate. This is especially so when his party, with his blessing, categorically said that Mr Berewa will not be participating in the Presidential debate for the flimsy reason that his two key opponents need to denounce violence before he can take part in any debate.
WELL SIERRA LEONEANS YOU BE THE JUDGE BY CLEARLY METTING OUT THE SAME CONTEMPTUOUS TREATMENT TO MR BEREWA BY NOT VOTING FOR HIM IN THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!
Regards,
James Lahai.
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Subject: Re: Presidential Debate 2007 & Solo B's Contempt
From: Amadu Kabbah
To: All
Date Posted: 19:16:27 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: amadutkabbah@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.78.170.125
Message:
My dear brother, if you know the krio saying, "man fraid en yone shadow," then you shouldn't be surprise at what Solomon Berewa did. He has a lot to hide but would not fear his creator to tell the public that he has a clean slate. Berewa would disappoint Sierra Leoneans big time if he ever wins this election. But God and the people of Sierra Leone will deny him a win. He takes bribes do you know that? He did it during the treason trials of the last coupists. He thought you were going to ask him about that and many more, so he decided to back out in the name of possible violence. SLPP itself is a disappointment. Go to my article I just posted and see how they are valuing the people's lives. They have no regards for the electorate, yet they cry aloud that they are the best party. You know what God will not let them go free. Berewa cursed the SLP for not arresting mere jubilant supporters during their party rally. He could not curse the Ministers ans other people who are ruining the economy. He could not curse himself for what he has been doing. But you know that's how they do-silent their opponents. God go pull dem komot.
Subject: Shekito don do-am!
From: Amadu Kabbah
To: All
Date Posted: 18:10:06 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: amadutkabbah@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.78.170.125
Message:
Shekito, I must commend you for taking the bold step to walk out of the PALAMPOW program. After Kabbah's chase, I found it difficult to trace you. I was worried. I thought you also fell as a collaborator because of your pen. Thank God you are alive and kicking hard in the embrace of the Rose. Borbor, Kabbah missam naim Rose katch-am nar London. Rose thank you very much for guiding my brother. Don't release him for Freetown until after August 11 when those who chased him would have passed away.
Shekito you need to send me your e-mail address so that I can touch base with you. You are great. Kabbah and Berewa missd me too and I am here in the hands of God. Post it on the forum.
Subject: Re: Shekito don do-am!
From: MP
To: All
Date Posted: 19:02:20 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dhcp6042.4u.com.gh at 41.204.60.42
Message:
Na crase man da wan dae.We locked him up, for his stupid utternaces.Now he is talking rubbish from London.Let him come back to Salone and talk his nonsense, and we will teach him a lesson.Na rebel da wan de.
Subject: Re: Shekito don do-am!
From: Amadu Kabbah
To: All
Date Posted: 19:35:45 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 65.78.170.125
Message:
You sewe SLPP and its supporters, they hate the truth. Because he is a prolific writter who did not support their way of doing things, Shekito has become a rebel and crase man. These mediocre supporters are so insignificant like this one would issue threat of arrest. When would stop arresting people who oppose you? But I bet you Shekito will come to Sierra Leone and you will not point a finger at him.
Subject: KABBAH SHOULD NOT GO AWAY WITH IMPUNITY
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 17:46:42 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
Who so ever becomes the next President has a moral obligation to interrogate kabbah and get him into custody.This monster brought untold misery to the nation.He slaughtered the innocent in cold blooded,today Sierra-Leone is deeply divided along tribal and regional lines,Sierra-Leoneans are suspicious of each other and the social fabric of the once harmonized communities are at disarray.Numerous pathetic untold sufferings and scenarios.A friend of mine was butchered by the Kamajors in cold blooded,he was searched and a photo was found in which there was a military officer,also he couldn't speak mende.The Nazist in Europe shattered that continent by hatred and mass murder,almost exterminating other groups of people which lead to an all out war and eventually to a world war.After the war,Germany rebuild and reconstructed its economy along side many western European states.It became the economic power of Europe and the third largest in the world.Attention!what Sierra-Leone and its people gained after the hideous abuse and mass slaughter?Poverty,poverty and poverty combined with humilation and insecurity.
Subject: Re: KABBAH SHOULD NOT GO AWAY WITH IMPUNITY
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 20:29:43 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
"Who so ever becomes the next President has a moral obligation to interrogate kabbah and get him into custody"
Musa my dear friend, dont you think that it is premature to make these conclusions that whosoever becomes presideent should immediately take Kabba into custody? That is not the plans of the APC and I hope that you are not purporting that they are. It is time that we do stop this idea of Retributive justice wher those who weild power oppress the others. It is this fear of being wrongly judged, that makes african leaders cling to power until they are taken out violently.
Rather, I would liek to see a smooth transition of power from the SLPP to the APC with all its pomp and regalia and fanfare, reminiscent of the days of yore and the days of siaka stevens when sa lone was known as a haven of peace and tranquility.
While I may understand that you as my brother are just blowing off steam, there are many amongst us who would seize on any mistatements by any of us APC supporters, to keep the wheelsof their everpresent propaganda machine churning. I wouldnt want to give them fodder for their ignoble cause would you?
Long live Unity Freedom and Justice in the province of Freedom. Long Live the APC. Now on to Victory. Send the texts and ask the voters to go out and vote for the onmly party that can radically change sierra leone for the better. Vote APC and its leader the Incorruptible Ernest Bai Koroma for President. Long live Musa Kamara and I appreciate your contributions. Stay Blessed Brother
Subject: first time in the forum
From: Sorba S.
To: All
Date Posted: 16:17:11 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: sorba_1@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 209.116.81.187
Message:
Hi every one
I am been reading this forum and getting cake out of it. I will be posting some briefs and I hope I am welcome.
The man from Shenge
Subject: Re: first time in the forum
From: Man not from Shenge
To: All
Date Posted: 19:04:55 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dhcp6042.4u.com.gh at 41.204.60.42
Message:
We wecome everyone on this Forum, as long as you talk sense,patriotism, and in the interest of the Nation.Try not to be a partisan, and if you do, come up openly, like Alieu Iscandri, with solid and constructive arguments.
Subject: Re: first time in the forum
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 20:05:57 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Glad to know that I am a paradigm for good.
Subject: Re: first time in the forum
From: FORREST GUMP
To: All
Date Posted: 07:19:24 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-154-57-94.range81-154.btcentralplus.com at 81.154.57.94
Message:
Not for long mate, not for long, you would soon be a cross carpeter.(laugh)
FORREST
Subject: Re: first time in the forum
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 09:46:19 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
a cross carpeter
That my friend is Heresy. You are hereby sentenced ............... to the same sentence as socrates was for the same crime. Heresy. Banishment is oing to be your sentence.
Subject: Re: first time in the forum
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 17:26:24 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Welcome Sorba S. Can't wait to enjoy your contributions on the forum. The more the merrier!
Subject: Re: first time in the forum
From: nico
To: All
Date Posted: 16:40:19 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: nicoleconsult@hotmail.com
Entered From: 187.6-240-81.adsl-dyn.isp.belgacom.be at 81.240.6.187
Message:
Waht a poor start, please check befor you post.
Subject: Re: first time in the forum
From: The guy next door
To: All
Date Posted: 01:24:41 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-249-220-77.dsl.wotnoh.ameritech.net at 68.249.220.77
Message:
Check what? you made a typo too:"Waht a poor start, please check befor you post". Go easy on the guy nico.
Subject: Re: first time in the forum
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 18:34:44 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
nico, it is too early to attack the guy. In Sa leone as we all know we honor new people and strangers. This is our culture isn't it? Just look at the libanese. So let's keep it that way for our brothers too.
Subject: Re: first time in the forum
From: SUBWANALAI
To: All
Date Posted: 21:40:24 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 194.32.41.72
Message:
Naaah man, dis nor to Awujoh. Leh di guy just post. Right now na dis elektion bisness dae na we han, we nor geh time for begin nak tabule say Alayjo don kam. Anyway, welcome me man from oosai...hey..Shenge? Bra you kormot far oh. You sen fish for we?
WE DAE ASK PAPAH/ WETIN YOU BRING FOR WE /ANGRI DAE KETCH WE WE NOR GEH NATIN FOR EAT...NA DAT MAKE /WAE WE SEE YOU KAM /WE ALL DON GLADI WE DAE TELL YOU KARBOH...KARBOH OH KARBOH OH...
Subject: IF SIA TIYAAMA CAN FREELY REVEAL PRIVATE EMAIL WHY NOT HIS?
From: TRUTH KNOWN
To: All
Date Posted: 15:46:58 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
The hypocracy is too obvious with this so called Sia Tiyaama. He has the leisure time to reveal private emails between two people, but refuse to reveal his identity. His credibility is now at negative point in Sierra Leone politics. I even question those emails. It must have been created by him and posted them as a conversation between two people. Sia, you are a coward. What do you have to say now as one of your operatives have concluded that Sam Summana indeed graduated from the school you claim to have contacted. Judge yourself, we are the jury to sentence you.
Subject: Re: IF SIA TIYAAMA CAN FREELY REVEAL PRIVATE EMAIL WHY NOT HIS?
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 18:06:45 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Time will tell, but this mysterious Sia Tiyaama may well turn out to be the creation of the dirty tricks department of the SLPP. This fella throws out uncorroborated allegations against the SLPP's opponents and the public eats it up! Yet, no one has ever seen this person. I will however give kudos to the SLPP's propaganda department for creating this slimy political operative and then slapping on him a veneer of respectability by calling him Professor. We are all talking about Tiyaama, aren't we? Yep, the SLPP may be lousy governors but they sure are superb masters of deception. I just saw some BBC pictures on this forum showing the horrific poverty in Kroo Bay. SLPP's answer to that? Create an apparition called Sia Tiyaama to divert attention from their miserable rule. My original theory that Sia Tiyaama is actually Sylvia Blyden may have been discredited by Kabs-Kanu. But we will continue to turn the spotlight on the SLPP's record and chicanery.
Subject: Re: IF SIA TIYAAMA CAN FREELY REVEAL PRIVATE EMAIL WHY NOT H
From: nico
To: All
Date Posted: 17:07:02 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: nicoleconsult@hotmail.com
Entered From: 187.6-240-81.adsl-dyn.isp.belgacom.be at 81.240.6.187
Message:
Sia Tiyaama is not just a hypocrite, but a shameless lier and a criminal. Do not waste your time on him. He is now a confused man, still afraid to tell us who she is, where she was born and why she only specialised in writing trash about people and not sell what she thinks are the SLPP achievements. The SLPP and the JJ blood are really dissappointed and wish they had never hired him to write gossips and rudeness about superior people.
It would have been far better for this fellow to hide behind a usual name than that silly Tiyaama.
He is not cleaver is it? I suggest he use the name Moses Pessima Puiwu from now on. Lotta.
Subject: IS SOLO B. SMELLING THE LOOSING ODOR?
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 15:32:21 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
The accusation by the SLPP leader Solo B is weird. Solo B. recently told concord times that he is confident to win 75% of the votes(land slide). Things seems changing by the minute as the election day closes. In a desperation, Mr. Berewa now telling the same news paper on Friday that the APC is formenting ways to rig the election. Weird eh?
It is just impossible for the APC to rig the election for the simple reasons.
A. The electoral commissioner was appointed by the SLPP. So the SLPP either believe the director is independent or on their favor.This is why they appointed her.
B. The police is supporting the government of the day as Acha Brima has said.
C. SLPP is using the country's money to campaign which give them an edge financially to buy votes, bribe commissioners and pay thugs like Nyuma to disrupt opposition supporters.
D. The SLPP is in power and that give them tremendous advantage to rig the election. So why Berewa is accusing the APC of rigging the elections?
Subject: Re: IS SOLO B. SMELLING THE LOOSING ODOR?
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 17:18:48 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
Political, it is easy to understand the .V.P's frustration. During the last two elections particularly, during the 2002 elections, the war had just come to an end therefore, their misdeeds though transparent yet, people wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt to ensure that the peace held.
The A.P.C. was at a disadvantage also, being that there was division, such of, within the party.
Let me tell you what has brought the V.P to realization. The constituencies or areas where they had strong support have been divided. Part of the vote will definitely go to Mr. Charles Margai while the other half will be divided between them and the A.P.C; while the A.P.C. maintains a firm grip on their electoral support base. The defectors who supported the S.L.P.P. because of the said division or an observatory leave for the sake of peace have returned to increase the A.P.C's electoral votes. So how hard is it to understand that with all the lies told the people of Sierra Leone for what they the S.L.P.P. Kabba-Berewa team did not do but claimed they did has been unveiled therefore, the people will vote-in a new man who has not been blemished by any political filth. This is why the story is changed because the truth will definately pop-up no matter how hard one try's to hide it.
As such, the V.P. is now seeing his back against the villa with his head on his hand. Sorry, I take that back; his head with his hand. Gush! His hand on his head. Was he crying?
Subject: Just Wondering....
From: The General
To: All
Date Posted: 14:32:09 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-140-39-238.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.39.238
Message:
1.Why is it that someone whose identity is in question can openly accuse another person of having fake diplomas.Will Sia Tiyaama please tell us the university that s/he attended and the university that s/he teaches so that we can indeed verify his/her existence.If not,then s/he has no credibility in asking people to produce their diplomas.
2.Will the elections in Sierra Leone be conducted fairly.
3.Will Berewa accept defeat if he happens to lose or will he rely on his kinsmen with military background to disrupt the electpral process.
4.Will the special court have the balls to indict Kabbah when he relinquishes power.
5.Will the evil face of thuggery manifest itself during Saturday elections.
6.If APC wins the election,will the old corrupt guard resurface or will it be a new beginning.
7.If Berewa wins,will he be able to dissociate himself from the failed policies of his mentor or will he have his own vision on how Sierra Leone would be.
8.If Margai wins,will he be a dictator.With all the vices dragging down our country,does Sierra Leone not need a benevolent dictator in this stage of our (under)development.
9.Does western style democracy work in a country where majority of the people cannot read and write.
10.Was the word INJECTMENT in one of APC's banner meant to be a krio word.If yes,what all the fuss about it usage.Is krio not broken english.
11.Will all the presidential candidates declare their assets before Saturday's election.
12.Why is Berewa giving a flimsy excuse not to debate his opponebts.Are all the parties not involved in violence in one way or another.
13.After all that the country has gone through,why are the youths of Sierra Leone still been used to perpetrate violence against one another.Did they ever learnt their lesson.
14.Is it true that Maarda Bio was also asked to leave the U.S after he completed his studies.
15.Why are people jealous of the wonderful job that Kabs Kanu and co are doing.
To be continued........
Subject: ALIEU SESAY THANKS FOR A GREAT JOB
From: Man on the Ground
To: All
Date Posted: 12:45:40 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-44c29146.dyn.optonline.net at 68.194.145.70
Message:
Great job Alieu standing up to these APC half-illiterates and thugs on this forum.
We are here on the ground pushing the campaign for Berewa. I arrived from the States a month ago to help with the campaign. Things are going well and I'm sure come August 11 Berewa will be on his way to succeeding Kabbah as Sierra Leone's president.
I did some campaigning in the North too and from what I saw, I believe we are going to kick their ass right in their backyard. These guys (APC) are very disorganised are therefore easy to pick apart. Keep up the good work, Bro.
Subject: Re: ALIEU SESAY THANKS FOR A GREAT JOB
From: MOHAMED SESAY
To: All
Date Posted: 14:00:49 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: SESAY@HOTMAIL.COM
Entered From: at 66.23.15.6
Message:
PROFESSOR I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR EXPOSING APC THROUGH HISTORY.THE WHOLE WORLD WILL NOW KNOW THROUGH HISTORY THAT THEY ARE ,THEY WERE AND WILL ALWAYS BE A VIOLENT PARTY AND BUNCH OF LIARS.THEY ATTACKED TOM NYUMAN IN AN HOTEL WITH THE INTENTION OF PUTTING AN END TO HIS CAMPAIGN THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING VOTERS AWAY FROM THEIR ROUGH CAMP IN THE KAILAHUN AREA INCLUDING BUEDU WHERE TOM MET,SPOKE AND COVERTED ALL OF THE CHIEFS BACK TO SLPP.KEEP ON WRITING AND EXPOSING THESE ROUGH THAT RUINED SIERRA LEONE FOR OVER TWENTY FIVE YEARS IN THOSE DAYS WHEN THE WORLD ECONOMY IN GENERAL WAS NOT AS UGLY AS IT IS TODAY.GOD BLESS YOU KEEP WRITING.APC WANTS TO CHANGE SIERRA LEONE AGAIN INTO ONE PARTY STATE.I WILL DEFINATELY VOTE SLPP FOR A PEACEFUL AND VIOLENT FREE SIERRA LEONE.
SHAME,SHAME,SHAME APC
History Alive! (Part 4) A Reaction to Ernest Koroma’s Recent “Policy Statement”
By Professor Joe A.D.Alie
Aug 6, 2007, 21:02 Email this article
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In Part 3 of History Alive we showed how morally bankrupt the APC was; the party had little regard for the Constitution, the rule of law and the people of Sierra Leone, from whom it was expected to derive its legitimacy. For instance, the APC transformed Sierra Leone into a republic on 19th April 1971 without the endorsement of the electorate as provided for in the Constitution. Siaka Stevens had "justified" their unconstitutional action by saying:
Bearing in mind the fact that the country cannot now afford the expense of holding a general election for this purpose (Republic), my Government has decided that the constitutional way of acceding to the public demand is to usher in a Republic on the 1967 Republican Constitution bill. Parliament has already taken the constitutional step in amending Section 51 of the 1961 Constitution to enable this to be done.
The APC was notorious for introducing dangerous and divisive elements into the body politic, for example, the institutionalisation of thuggery and violence. The party increasingly made use of emergency powers to stifle the opposition. It also methodically engineered the fragmentation of the security forces and especially the military.
In this piece we continue our examination of Siaka Stevens’s authoritarian rule and its attendant consequences.
APC-style elections
The manner in which the APC won the 1967 elections is still the subject of great controversy. Perhaps older members of that party owe Sierra Leoneans an honest explanation. Following his election victory in 1967, Siaka Stevens had very cleverly, through constitutional manoeuvres, avoided facing the electorate but the Parliamentarians had to. After five years in office there was nothing the party could boast of in terms of socio-economic development. To make up for this poor economic record, Stevens devised an ingenious if dastardly method for his party to hold on to power. First, the APC introduced a system of ‘consultation’ and ‘selection’ for the 1973 elections. Next, most of the APC candidates were returned "unopposed" through the use of unbridled and unprovoked violence against SLPP opponents.
Commenting on the ‘election by consultation’ aberration, the SLPP leader Salia Jusu-Sheriff, said, inter alia, that "it is tragic that a party that was in opposition for five years and was given every opportunity to contest elections, when it comes into office, its President tells me that it is correct that elections should be by selection and consultation." The SLPP consequently withdrew from the elections, professing fear of violence. The party’s leadership then issued the following statement to the Electoral Commission, observing, among other things, that:
When the Sierra Leone People’s Party decided to take part in the nominations of 24th April 1973. . .for the General Elections scheduled to take place on the 11th May 1973, it had no illusion about the potential of violence, rigging and danger to life which the APC had planned against our party and the people of this country in a bid to retain power. . . .The violence and rigging have not only been unprecedented in their extent but have been most appalling in degree. . . .In any event as a political party we cannot continue to take part in a General Election which had been rigged and polluted right from Nomination Day. We therefore here inform you that all Nominated SLPP candidates have been advised to withdraw from the elections. . . .
Significantly, these were the first nationwide elections that the APC had ever conducted. Through these flawed elections, the APC had established a virtual monopoly over political power in Sierra Leone and the country became a de facto one-party state. The methods by which the APC had won the 1968-69 bye-elections and the 1973 general elections clearly indicated that the electorate no longer mattered and from then on, elections would be a mere formality and a race of ‘survival of the fittest’.
A revolution consumes its own children
The United Democratic Party (UDP) was banned in 1970 but the APC still feared that its leaders might make a comeback. This possibility had to be forestalled by any means. On 17th July 1974 Sierra Leoneans were informed that some unknown persons had attempted to kill Second Vice President C. A. Kamara-Taylor by dynamiting his house (he and his family escaped unhurt). President Stevens was out of the country then. The public was further told that this was part of a grander plan to overthrow the government. Another broadcast indicated that the ‘coup plotters’ were Dr. Mohamed S. Forna, Ibrahim Taqi, ex-Paramount Chief Bai Makari N’Silk (all members of the defunct UDP), some soldiers including ex-Brigadier David Lansana and others. A total of fifteen persons were charged with treason. The accused persons suffered from gross human rights violations in prison. Most of them were found guilty and their request for a Supreme Court hearing was turned down.
The condemned persons including the First Accused Mohamed Sorie Forna and Ibrahim Taqi, like Brigadier Bangura before them, appealed to President Stevens to exercise his prerogative of mercy and pardon them in view of the crucial role they had played in the formative years of the APC. Their letters of appeal, and particularly that of Dr. Forna, also ridiculed not only the treason trial, but an earlier trial, following the banning of the UDP in 1970. For instance, after his arrest in October 1970, the local newspapers carried a story that £125,000 worth of ammunition was found in Dr. Forna’s residence at Tengbeh Town in western Freetown. In his letter of appeal, Dr. Forna wrote:
To this date, I cannot understand how the news originated. But if it was intended to mean that the arms that were brought from Guinea had been siphoned away and kept by me for some violent purpose, that was and still is, grossly unfair. I am not steeped deep in political intrigues. I attended a medical school in Aberdeen, Scotland, not the Konsomol Institute in Russia. For the next four years, the CID (Criminal Investigations Department) roamed the country looking for. . .arms I am alleged to have hidden all over the country. Trouble-makers used it as a weapon against people they did not like; scores of people were harassed all over the country particularly in Tonkolili District. No arms were found because I had none.
He was obviously making reference to the arms that the APC had acquired while in exile in Guinea for the invasion of Sierra Leone. On the treason trial just concluded, Dr. Forna remarked as follows:
The case. . .was a plot to overthrow the government, a plot which I can only describe as conceived in idiocity and executed in stupidity. You know me. . .stupidity and cowardice are not my traits. I will not send twenty odd people to be machine-gunned at the places they were meant to attack. These places are guarded by men armed with machine guns. How can twenty people seize these places and overthrow a government with nearly eight thousand well-trained and well-armed security forces? Cast your mind back to Conakry, in January 1968. I took all the risks and insisted on well-trained people. But even more important. . .this country now has three mutually exclusive security forces. Anyone who thinks these can be overcome by dynamites carried by twenty people must be living in a fool’s paradise. I don’t live in a fool’s paradise. Again in 1968, it was only God’s grace that saved us from a mass suicide party if we had entered Sierra Leone from Guinea. . . .I am not a man of violence, in this political thing I have grown a lot wiser since the idealism of 1968. The country is not mine alone. I have no sense of manifest destiny, to either deliver it or rule it. Time solves all problems. I can wait, if power is all I want. I have no quarrel with any of the people in Government, you know it. So I will not wish to kill them for power, let alone their families.
Ibrahim Taqi said that his "conviction was based on evidence which was completely fabricated" and he could not understand:
How any group of persons could in one breath swear to tell only the truth in such a grave matter and in the very next breath proceed to tell the most wicked lies. Such gross contradiction in human behaviour can only be ascribed to the fact that the witnesses’ degree of development of "conscience" and respect for the sacredness of truth is such that they cannot see in the simple set of swearing on the Bible or Koran, a reason compelling enough to speak the truth especially in a matter in which they had a purpose of their own to serve.
His remarks about the post-1967 period are illuminating:
You Sir, described that (APC) victory (in 1967) as a record, for it was the first time, that an opposition party had defeated a ruling party in general elections in black Africa. To me Sir, that period was the most challenging and finest in our political history. Regrettably enough, the conditions of 1967 and their aftermath brought in a period of politics of hatred, intrigue and organised and institutionalised violence. If I remained in politics after that, it was because I was determined to fight and fight until that ugly trend of things was removed and unity and decency were re-ushered into our body politic. The price for me has been incalculable.
In spite of their plea for clemency, Dr. Forna, Taqi, Lansana, N’Silk and four others were executed on 19th July 1975 at Pademba Road Prisons.
These executions were important for several reasons. They again showed that the APC regime had little regard for the rule of law and that fundamental human rights could be abused with impunity. Moreover, the trials indicated the extent to which the Judiciary had been politicised and corrupted, and finally Stevens, after the execution of Brigadier John Bangura in 1971, was fully determined, without any remorse, to eliminate his political opponents regardless of whatever role they may have played in furthering his and his party’s interests. He also wanted to send a very strong message to the ‘Tonkolili Block’ (most of the condemned persons were from Tonkolili District), and the nation in general, that the right of dissent had no place in the political vocabulary of the APC.
Centralisation of power
Stevens developed a highly centralised administration and consequently all major decisions emanated from State House. He slowly stripped Parliament of its powers and functions and reduced it to rubber stamp. He also abolished local councils on the grounds that they were inefficient and corrupt. But he did not use the same stick to scrap the central government which was equally corrupt and inefficient. Stevens’s main motive was to discourage the emergence of real grassroots leaders who might challenge his rule.
The disintegration of local government had a serious impact on the people. It marginalised them politically, socially and economically. Over-centralisation contracted the country’s economic space, thereby significantly reducing the ability of the central government to generate enough revenue and to provide adequate services for its citizens. There was also lack of equity in resource allocat1on, leading over the years to a feeling of deprivation and alienation of the majority of Sierra Leoneans.
Over-centralisation also accelerated the disintegration of the State, with complete loss of control over political space. This made it possible for neighbouring rogue states to encroach on Sierra Leone’s sovereignty by involving themselves in its politics directly and by hosting dissident movements. It further created the conditions for mob action and revolt with no institutions capable of forestalling or containing such unrests.
Fellow Sierra Leoneans, do we wish to be denied our inalienable rights and freedoms again? Do we desire jungle justice? Do we want an inefficient, corrupt, over-centralised administration that would completely marginalise us? If the answer to each question is a big NO, then consider the APC leader’s promise to take us back to the Siaka Stevens’s era. The choice is yours.
© Copyright by Awareness Times Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
You May Click Here To Read or Discuss Views About This Article
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Subject: Re: ALIEU SESAY THANKS FOR A GREAT JOB
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:06:36 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
"man on the ground".. You guys are the ones that are doing the excellent job.
Thank you very much and hope to see Us all in Freetown soon.
Kudos to you sir...
Subject: HISTORY ALIVE - PART 4
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 12:05:02 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-200-246.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.200.246
Message:
History Alive! (Part 4) A Reaction to Ernest Koroma’s Recent “Policy Statement”
By Professor Joe A.D.Alie
Aug 6, 2007, 21:02
In Part 3 of History Alive we showed how morally bankrupt the APC was; the party had little regard for the Constitution, the rule of law and the people of Sierra Leone, from whom it was expected to derive its legitimacy. For instance, the APC transformed Sierra Leone into a republic on 19th April 1971 without the endorsement of the electorate as provided for in the Constitution. Siaka Stevens had "justified" their unconstitutional action by saying:
Bearing in mind the fact that the country cannot now afford the expense of holding a general election for this purpose (Republic), my Government has decided that the constitutional way of acceding to the public demand is to usher in a Republic on the 1967 Republican Constitution bill. Parliament has already taken the constitutional step in amending Section 51 of the 1961 Constitution to enable this to be done.
The APC was notorious for introducing dangerous and divisive elements into the body politic, for example, the institutionalisation of thuggery and violence. The party increasingly made use of emergency powers to stifle the opposition. It also methodically engineered the fragmentation of the security forces and especially the military.
In this piece we continue our examination of Siaka Stevens’s authoritarian rule and its attendant consequences.
APC-style elections
The manner in which the APC won the 1967 elections is still the subject of great controversy. Perhaps older members of that party owe Sierra Leoneans an honest explanation. Following his election victory in 1967, Siaka Stevens had very cleverly, through constitutional manoeuvres, avoided facing the electorate but the Parliamentarians had to. After five years in office there was nothing the party could boast of in terms of socio-economic development. To make up for this poor economic record, Stevens devised an ingenious if dastardly method for his party to hold on to power. First, the APC introduced a system of ‘consultation’ and ‘selection’ for the 1973 elections. Next, most of the APC candidates were returned "unopposed" through the use of unbridled and unprovoked violence against SLPP opponents.
Commenting on the ‘election by consultation’ aberration, the SLPP leader Salia Jusu-Sheriff, said, inter alia, that "it is tragic that a party that was in opposition for five years and was given every opportunity to contest elections, when it comes into office, its President tells me that it is correct that elections should be by selection and consultation." The SLPP consequently withdrew from the elections, professing fear of violence. The party’s leadership then issued the following statement to the Electoral Commission, observing, among other things, that:
When the Sierra Leone People’s Party decided to take part in the nominations of 24th April 1973. . .for the General Elections scheduled to take place on the 11th May 1973, it had no illusion about the potential of violence, rigging and danger to life which the APC had planned against our party and the people of this country in a bid to retain power. . . .The violence and rigging have not only been unprecedented in their extent but have been most appalling in degree. . . .In any event as a political party we cannot continue to take part in a General Election which had been rigged and polluted right from Nomination Day. We therefore here inform you that all Nominated SLPP candidates have been advised to withdraw from the elections. . . .
Significantly, these were the first nationwide elections that the APC had ever conducted. Through these flawed elections, the APC had established a virtual monopoly over political power in Sierra Leone and the country became a de facto one-party state. The methods by which the APC had won the 1968-69 bye-elections and the 1973 general elections clearly indicated that the electorate no longer mattered and from then on, elections would be a mere formality and a race of ‘survival of the fittest’.
A revolution consumes its own children
The United Democratic Party (UDP) was banned in 1970 but the APC still feared that its leaders might make a comeback. This possibility had to be forestalled by any means. On 17th July 1974 Sierra Leoneans were informed that some unknown persons had attempted to kill Second Vice President C. A. Kamara-Taylor by dynamiting his house (he and his family escaped unhurt). President Stevens was out of the country then. The public was further told that this was part of a grander plan to overthrow the government. Another broadcast indicated that the ‘coup plotters’ were Dr. Mohamed S. Forna, Ibrahim Taqi, ex-Paramount Chief Bai Makari N’Silk (all members of the defunct UDP), some soldiers including ex-Brigadier David Lansana and others. A total of fifteen persons were charged with treason. The accused persons suffered from gross human rights violations in prison. Most of them were found guilty and their request for a Supreme Court hearing was turned down.
The condemned persons including the First Accused Mohamed Sorie Forna and Ibrahim Taqi, like Brigadier Bangura before them, appealed to President Stevens to exercise his prerogative of mercy and pardon them in view of the crucial role they had played in the formative years of the APC. Their letters of appeal, and particularly that of Dr. Forna, also ridiculed not only the treason trial, but an earlier trial, following the banning of the UDP in 1970. For instance, after his arrest in October 1970, the local newspapers carried a story that £125,000 worth of ammunition was found in Dr. Forna’s residence at Tengbeh Town in western Freetown. In his letter of appeal, Dr. Forna wrote:
To this date, I cannot understand how the news originated. But if it was intended to mean that the arms that were brought from Guinea had been siphoned away and kept by me for some violent purpose, that was and still is, grossly unfair. I am not steeped deep in political intrigues. I attended a medical school in Aberdeen, Scotland, not the Konsomol Institute in Russia. For the next four years, the CID (Criminal Investigations Department) roamed the country looking for. . .arms I am alleged to have hidden all over the country. Trouble-makers used it as a weapon against people they did not like; scores of people were harassed all over the country particularly in Tonkolili District. No arms were found because I had none.
He was obviously making reference to the arms that the APC had acquired while in exile in Guinea for the invasion of Sierra Leone. On the treason trial just concluded, Dr. Forna remarked as follows:
The case. . .was a plot to overthrow the government, a plot which I can only describe as conceived in idiocity and executed in stupidity. You know me. . .stupidity and cowardice are not my traits. I will not send twenty odd people to be machine-gunned at the places they were meant to attack. These places are guarded by men armed with machine guns. How can twenty people seize these places and overthrow a government with nearly eight thousand well-trained and well-armed security forces? Cast your mind back to Conakry, in January 1968. I took all the risks and insisted on well-trained people. But even more important. . .this country now has three mutually exclusive security forces. Anyone who thinks these can be overcome by dynamites carried by twenty people must be living in a fool’s paradise. I don’t live in a fool’s paradise. Again in 1968, it was only God’s grace that saved us from a mass suicide party if we had entered Sierra Leone from Guinea. . . .I am not a man of violence, in this political thing I have grown a lot wiser since the idealism of 1968. The country is not mine alone. I have no sense of manifest destiny, to either deliver it or rule it. Time solves all problems. I can wait, if power is all I want. I have no quarrel with any of the people in Government, you know it. So I will not wish to kill them for power, let alone their families.
Ibrahim Taqi said that his "conviction was based on evidence which was completely fabricated" and he could not understand:
How any group of persons could in one breath swear to tell only the truth in such a grave matter and in the very next breath proceed to tell the most wicked lies. Such gross contradiction in human behaviour can only be ascribed to the fact that the witnesses’ degree of development of "conscience" and respect for the sacredness of truth is such that they cannot see in the simple set of swearing on the Bible or Koran, a reason compelling enough to speak the truth especially in a matter in which they had a purpose of their own to serve.
His remarks about the post-1967 period are illuminating:
You Sir, described that (APC) victory (in 1967) as a record, for it was the first time, that an opposition party had defeated a ruling party in general elections in black Africa. To me Sir, that period was the most challenging and finest in our political history. Regrettably enough, the conditions of 1967 and their aftermath brought in a period of politics of hatred, intrigue and organised and institutionalised violence. If I remained in politics after that, it was because I was determined to fight and fight until that ugly trend of things was removed and unity and decency were re-ushered into our body politic. The price for me has been incalculable.
In spite of their plea for clemency, Dr. Forna, Taqi, Lansana, N’Silk and four others were executed on 19th July 1975 at Pademba Road Prisons.
These executions were important for several reasons. They again showed that the APC regime had little regard for the rule of law and that fundamental human rights could be abused with impunity. Moreover, the trials indicated the extent to which the Judiciary had been politicised and corrupted, and finally Stevens, after the execution of Brigadier John Bangura in 1971, was fully determined, without any remorse, to eliminate his political opponents regardless of whatever role they may have played in furthering his and his party’s interests. He also wanted to send a very strong message to the ‘Tonkolili Block’ (most of the condemned persons were from Tonkolili District), and the nation in general, that the right of dissent had no place in the political vocabulary of the APC.
Centralisation of power
Stevens developed a highly centralised administration and consequently all major decisions emanated from State House. He slowly stripped Parliament of its powers and functions and reduced it to rubber stamp. He also abolished local councils on the grounds that they were inefficient and corrupt. But he did not use the same stick to scrap the central government which was equally corrupt and inefficient. Stevens’s main motive was to discourage the emergence of real grassroots leaders who might challenge his rule.
The disintegration of local government had a serious impact on the people. It marginalised them politically, socially and economically. Over-centralisation contracted the country’s economic space, thereby significantly reducing the ability of the central government to generate enough revenue and to provide adequate services for its citizens. There was also lack of equity in resource allocat1on, leading over the years to a feeling of deprivation and alienation of the majority of Sierra Leoneans.
Over-centralisation also accelerated the disintegration of the State, with complete loss of control over political space. This made it possible for neighbouring rogue states to encroach on Sierra Leone’s sovereignty by involving themselves in its politics directly and by hosting dissident movements. It further created the conditions for mob action and revolt with no institutions capable of forestalling or containing such unrests.
Fellow Sierra Leoneans, do we wish to be denied our inalienable rights and freedoms again? Do we desire jungle justice? Do we want an inefficient, corrupt, over-centralised administration that would completely marginalise us? If the answer to each question is a big NO, then consider the APC leader’s promise to take us back to the Siaka Stevens’s era. The choice is yours.
Subject: Re: HISTORY ALIVE - PART 4 ( revised for leonenet posting
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 19:01:23 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Is there something intrinsically questionable about the process or about a political quality or value that has been genetically transmitted from Pa Shaki to present day leaders of the APC?
(Like the direct transmission of power from Hafez al-Assad to his son in Damascus?)
Is there something inherently objectionable in the APC party structure or is there a flawed process for the delegation of power perhaps in a supportive environment for germination – that threatens the peace of mind and welfare of the SLPPers?
The APC did not have a suspect Makeni Conbention to choose their leader.
The APC is about to be elected to office, so why should SLPPers spend most of their time trying to get us all afraid of the APC? If the SLPP has been doing so well, why should the SLPP be so scared of losing to the APC in free and fair presidential election?
The SLPP is scared of losing and they would like to scare us away from voting for the APC.
To that end we have some more timely scare propaganda, and once again some real distractions from the major issues that have surfaced this election and they are issues that need to be addressed. We even know less about what has been said at the debates that were scheduled to take place or that did not take place - not because of scare propaganda from the APC, but just because Berewa was scared – terribly scared and could not take the risk of debating his opponents in full view of the general public, in a democratic forum where they would be given equal time to discuss their positions, their views and the ideas that are central to their political parties best intentions for Sierra Leone.
Now it’s Joe Alie’s timely scare propaganda just days before the 11th August. What was it like (I wonder) during the campaigning period of the 1996 and 2002 elections? It wasn’t some more inane stuff about the danger of Pa Shaki resurrecting and coming back to hang all his enemies whether of the APC or the SLPP? We all know that it’s not only improbable or unlikely, but outright impossible. Absurd. So why are the SLPP propaganda engines so desperate about breathing so much life into considerations of those well known unpleasant aspects of the past?
The Holocaust was quite quite something else. So was the Sierra Leone civil war.
Even in Israel today, when talking about Fatah, we hear less about the days of Chairman Arafat. It’s only in Sierra Leone that all the SLPP can come up with is Pa Shaki…….
Whether Kabbah has killed a greater number of people than were hanged in Sierra Leone between 1968 and 1991 is still a matter of reasonable debate as are speculations as to the origins and original motivations or inspirations of the RUF …. And of course the Kamajors – who also DID.
The Juridical and constitutional elements that are in place today can be further strengthened to guarantee that even a more legalistically disposed dictator type – of the sort that some fear Berewa may turn out to be if his Nietzschean “will to power” prevails or succeeds in becoming the next president - should guarantee that he does not succeed in becoming a dictator that will go down in history as “the most terrible and heartless Berewa” And the only safeguards that we have are constitutional guarantees - the balance of power – the separation of the Executive from a strong and independent Judiciary which alone can uphold and safeguard the correct interpretation of the Sierra Leone Constitution and can prevent our constitutional rights being violated. In the United States of America it is referred to as the SACRED CONSTITUTION.
IN Sierra Leone Berewa would probably like to suitably amend the Constitution – and we have vigilant and thoughtful watchmen like JLM - John Lansana Musa – who is always serious about such issues.
The fear of our being saddled with a dictator type is a genuine fear – just ask someone like Rev. Alfred Sam Foray of the PMDC - a loyal friend of the late Chief Samuel Hinga Norman (once a possible candidate or a potential strong backer for e.g. Charles Margai for SLPP leadership) and he will tell you that King Kabbah and his prince Berewa shipped Chief Hinga down river, to that old slave prison in Bonthe – where the mosquitoes chewed the Kamajor leader and that the late chief suffered many trials and tribulations until his life finally expired on the operating table in Senegal.
The legal ramifications that had established peace on a firm basis of power-sharing was quickly forgotten or manipulated away – the Machiavellian tactics that old sour grapes Johnny E. Leigh itemised in his infamous descr1ptions of the Makeni Con-B-ention under the general heading of “ WE WAS ROBBED” have also been conveniently forgotten – but a more dispassionate observer sees worrying signs in these events - and the worry is that for some people who are ambitious for power, nothing must stand in the way and will stop at nothing – and that’s why there is a real fear of a rigged election and he ( the Bee) likes the bandit name of “de bomber” as if he was some kind of macho-man or maniac.
To what extent has there been truth and reconciliation within the SLPP since that Makeni Conbention?
I would propose a serious topic of debate with “Chez Winakabs Europe” who boasts in his less broken English,
“I am more equip to debate you in any discipline - i amy not know it all but as a process tenderer - i am capable of giving you a K/O.”
He’s like the Italian kid that Eddie Murphy jokes about. He’s probably been inspired by Sylvester Stallone's performance in the “Rocky” Series and is now ready to take on Muhammad Ali.
I suggest this simple and straightforward topic, no disambiguation:
“But for SLPP corruption these past eleven years of Pa Kabbah in the saddle, Sierra Leone would be much more developed”
And who can deny it?
Before debating someone like me – you had better be armed with evidence Mr. Kabia Winakabba – and you would need to have practiced with Mr Berewa who himself would hide from any of the punches that I would be likely to deliver.( I resist the impulse to joke about just the first punch sending him to sleep)
Mr. Alie’s anti-APC yada-yada is ancient history and not relevant to Election Day of 11th August.
Professor Joe Alie had better repent of this kind of misguided effort and all the usual stale and all too familiar yada-yada that we are now so tired of listening to, all this carefully arranged perfect bull that has been repeated time without number and he had better spend the time that he has left being more fruitfully focused on taking his SLPP Manifesto message home to would-be voters and had better stop trying to paint the APC black.
Comparatively speaking the SLPP under Albert senior was morally corrupt and utterly nepotistic and it was this decadence that gave rise to APC’s election victory – it is furthermore the SLPP’s moral decadence of that time that called in the army to thwart the peaceful transfer of power to the democratically elected APC so that Siaka Probyn Stevens in 1967 could not say what George Bush said in 2001;
“The peaceful transfer of authority is rare in history, yet common in our country. With a simple oath, we affirm old traditions and make new beginnings.”
In all future time, it seems that whenever the SLPP is about to be dispossessed of power, through the ballot box, all the Joe Alies start raking up that particular episode of our history – not about David Lansana and Albert Margai sabotaging that peaceful transfer as the majority of the people had wished, but about the bad things that happened under the old APC…
Look there’s the history of Kwame Nkrumah too and some of the people who opposed him are now in Power in Ghana. Let’s look at the democracies of other African states that support the idea of a United States of Africa - and the sacredness and democratic credentials of those who would like to be president of Africa.
Perhaps Berewa would like to be president of Africa before he goes to heaven?
Siaka Stevens of those days tackled the problems that he faced – took the bull by the horns – and the APC of today has apologised about some of the mistakes that he made ( Joseph Momoh after all did his best to return the country to multi-party democracy) There were also good aspects of APC rule – at least in the earlier years. Throughout APC rule , the SLPPers were obviously hell-bent on sabotaging every progressive move that the APC was ever likely to make and they are still groaning about it – and reluctant to do any stocktaking of the Albert Margai years – which were certainly not perfect – and Margai it was who first toyed with the idea of introducing a one party state – an idea that was current and quite popular at the time – in other parts of Africa – the main argument being that multi –partyism is divisive and a coalition type of national United front government would be more progressive…… we all now know much better not only about the inadequacy of theory ( taking into consideration human nature and that tendency of power - if unchecked - to corrupt absolutely…..the idea has been put to practice – and is still in practice in MAINLAND CHINA.
We should not forget or lose sight of how very inclusive Siaka Stevens was- it was not APC for Limbas only – no matter how SLPPers would like to distort and misinform about his very inclusive policies ( In fact wasn’t Mr. Stevens a personification of all the tribes of Sierra Leone., rolled into one person? That in itself was quite a feat and Alieu Sesay will agree with me (I hope) since we are both against Tribal-ism (Smile)
True, Siaka Stevens had (as Prof Joe puts it)”justified” with the reasons that he gave - some unconstitutional moves that he was permitted to make. Those reasons can still be debated and the APC has formidable legal luminaries such as Dr. Abdulai Conteh - who in my opinion is more of a legal luminary than e.g. Charles or Albert Margai, or Johnny E. Leigh.
What was National Socialism if not the movement that Hitler usurped after it had swept him to power.
Here is a footnote from Hugh Trevor-Roper. Does it ring a bell when you bear Sierra Leone politics in mind?
“ Jesuits protested against the references to Joseph Goebbels in the first edition of “The last days of Hitler”:” The prize pupil of a Jesuit seminary , he retained to the end the distinctive character of his education: he could always prove what he wanted (…) As the Jesuit persuades his penitent that all is well , and that he has not really sinned at all, and that the obstacles to belief are really much less formidable than they appear to, so Goebbels persuaded the Germans that their defeats were victories(…) As the Jesuits created a system of education aimed at preventing knowledge , so Goebbels created a system of propaganda, ironically styled “ public enlightenment”, which successfully persuaded a people to believe that black was white.”
Berewa and Berewa admirers would like to convince us that the Bee can prove what he wants ( why then avoid the debates?) and of course we know that he is not at all corrupt and has not really sinned at all? And that he is going to win with “75% of the vote (in his dreams maybe, when he’s fast asleep) and that any SLPP failure is a success in reality, Q.E.D.
We have been standing still at 176/ 177 on the development ladder for some years now.
Dr. Joe we would like to hear more about what you and your men and women are going to do about that now and in the future and less about what Pa Shaki did and did not do in the past.
There are historians and there are historians
http://www.google.se/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4GGLJ_en-GBSE234SE234&q=Hugh+Trevor-Roper
Subject: Re: HISTORY ALIVE - PART 4
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 15:48:54 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Some more timely scare propaganda, and once again some real distraction from the major issues that have surfaced this election and need to be addressed. We even know less about what been said at the debates that were or that did not take place - not because of scare propaganda but just because Berewa was scared.
Now it’s Joe Alie’s timely scare propaganda just days before the 11th August. What was it like (I wonder) during the campaigning period of the 1996 and 2002 elections? It wasn’t some more inane stuff about the danger of Pa Shaki resurrecting and coming back to hang all his enemies whether of the APC or the SLPP? We all know that it’s not only improbable or unlikely, but outright impossible. So why are the propaganda engines so desperate about breathing so much life and consideration of that past?
The Holocaust was quite something else. So was the Sierra Leone civil war.
The Juridical and constitutional elements that are in place today can be further strengthened to guarantee that even a more legalistically disposed dictator type – of the sort that some fear Berewa may turn out to be if his Nietzschean “will to power” prevails or succeeds - only constitutional guarantees and a strong judiciary to uphold its correct interpretation can prevent our constitutional rights being violated. In the United States of America it is referred to as the SACRED CONSTITUTION.
The fear is genuine – just ask someone like Rev. Alfred Sam Foray of the PMDC - a loyal friend of the late Chief Samuel Hinga Norman (once a possible candidate or a potential strong backer for e.g. Charles Margai for SLPP leadership) and he will tell you that King Kabbah and his prince Berewa shipped Chief Hinga down river, to that old slave prison in Bonthe – where the mosquitoes chewed the Kamajor leader and that the late chief suffered many trials and tribulations until his life finally expired on the operating table in Senegal.
The legal ramifications that had established peace on a firm basis of power-sharing was quickly forgotten or manipulated away – the Machiavellian tactics that old sour grapes Johnny E. Leigh itemised in his infamous descr1ptions of the Makeni Con-B-ention under the general heading of “ WE WAS ROBBED” have also been conveniently forgotten – but a more dispassionate observer sees worrying signs in these events - and the worry is that for some people who are ambitious for power, nothing must stand in the way – and that’s why there is a real fear of a rigged election and he ( the Bee) likes the bandit name of “de bomber” as if he was some kind of macho man or maniac.
To what extent has there been truth and reconciliation within the SLPP since that Makeni Conbention?
I would propose a serious topic of debate with “Chez Winakabs Europe” on this simple and straightforward topic:
“But for SLPP corruption these past eleven years of Pa Kabbah in the saddle, Sierra Leone would be much more developed”
And who can deny it?
Before debating someone like me – you had better be armed with evidence Mr. Kabia Winakabba – and you would need to have practiced with Mr Berewa who himself would hide from any of the punches that I would be likely to deliver.
Mr. Alie’s anti-old APC yada yada is ancient history and not relevant to Election Day of 11th August.
Professor Joe Alie had better repent of this kind of misguided effort and all the usual yada-yada that we are tired of listening, to all this bull time without number and he had better spend the time that he has left being more fruitfully focused on taking his SLPP Manifesto message home to would-be voters and had better stop trying to paint the APC black.
Comparatively speaking the SLPP under Albert senior was also morally corrupt and utterly nepotistic and it was this decadence that gave rise to APC’s election victory – it is furthermore the SLPP moral decadence of that time that called in the army to thwart the peaceful transfer of power to the democratically elected APC so that Siaka Probyn Stevens in 1967 could not say what George Bush said in 2001;
“The peaceful transfer of authority is rare in history, yet common in our country. With a simple oath, we affirm old traditions and make new beginnings.”
In all future time, it seems that whenever the SLPP is about to be dispossessed of power, through the ballot box, all the Joe Alies start raking up that particular episode of our history – not about David Lansana and Albert Margai sabotaging that peaceful transfer as the majority of the people had wished, but about the bad things that happened under the old APC…
Look there’s the history of Kwame Nkrumah too and some of the people who opposed him are now in Power in Ghana. Let’s look at the democracies of other African states that support the idea of a United States of Africa - and the sacredness and democratic credentials of those who would like to be president of Africa.
Perhaps Berewa would like to be president of Africa before he goes to heaven?
Siaka Stevens of those days tackled the problems that he faced – took the bull by the horns – and the APC of today is not apologising for the mistakes that he made. There were also good aspects of APC rule – at least in the earlier years. Throughout APC rule , the SLPPers were obviously hell bent on sabotaging every progressive move that the APC was ever likely to make and they are still groaning about it – and reluctant to do any stocktaking of the Albert Margai years – which were certainly not perfect – and Margai it was who first toyed with the idea of introducing a one party state – an idea that was current and quite popular at the time – in other parts of Africa – the main argument being that multi –partyism is divisive and a coalition type of national United front government would be more progressive…… we all now know much better not only about the inadequacy of theory ( taking into consideration human nature and that tendency of power - if unchecked - to corrupt absolutely…..the idea has been put to practice – and is still in practice in MAINLAND CHINA.
True, Siaka Stevens had (as Prof Joe puts it)”justified” with his reasons - some unconstitutional moves that he was permitted to make.
What was National Socialism if not the movement that Hitler usurped after it had swept him to power.
Here is a footnote from Hugh Trevor-Roper. Does it ring a bell when you bear Sierra Leone politics in mind?
“ Jesuits protested against the references to Joseph Goebbels in the first edition of “The last days of Hitler”.:” The prize pupil of a Jesuit seminary , he retained to the end the distinctive character of his education: he could always prove what he wanted (…) As the Jesuit persuades his penitent that all is well , and that he has not really sinned at all, and that the obstacles to belief are really much less formidable than they appear to, so Goebbels persuaded the Germans that their defeats were victories(…) As the Jesuits created a system of education aimed at preventing knowledge , so Goebbels created a system of propaganda, ironically styled “ public enlightenment”, which successfully persuaded a people to believe that black was white.”
We have been standing still at 176/ 177 on the development ladder for some years now.
Dr. Joe we would like to hear more about what you and your men and women are going to do about that now and in the future and less about what Pa Shaki did and did not do in the past.
Subject: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 11:48:42 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Political, why do you think i lied when i said i am half mende half temne?
You are from salone and know where Moyamba Junction is...and what is the tribal composition of that town.
My Mom is from a small village by the Forestry( kasway) called Moyambawoo...
This village has Mende-town and Temne-town. And had One Town Chief who was my Uncle-a Temne..Name: Hassana..
All my mom's sisters and Brothers are Temne and as such lived in Temne-town. I speak fluent temne but have never claimed to be a Temne....
My Grand-ma settled in that village when she moved from Yonibana.. so do you see how i got my YONI connection? we used to walk from Kasway to Yonibana to go visit other folks.. that i know.
I used to love going to the village because you are treated like a KING...My Aunts will bring me food early in the morning.
My Dad was a Forest Ranger from Mongeray the hometown of Norman and so i speak mende perfectly.
Do you see why i do not believe in TRIBALISM
I will address any other questions that you have about me..
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 13:14:57 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.100
Message:
Alieu Sesay,
I was going to keep my powder dry until after the elections, but I cannot resist to insert my two cents.
WE ARE ALL TRIBALIST.
At Mongeri 30 THEMNES that encompassed women, old men and children on their way to Tonkolili were BUTCHERED by Kamajos whose pretext were because they spoke Temne they supported Sankoh's R.U.F.
Sankoh's father was Barnett a MENDE , but his mother was the sister of the Chief of Kolifa, P.C. Bai Yorsoh Kolifa.
I am unaware of your knowledge of U.S. history but it took 171 years (1789-1960)before an Irish John F. Kennedy became president. Previous presidents were White AngloSaxons and Protestants (W.A.S.P).
From 1865 (Lincoln)--the end of the American Civil War-- until 1976 (Jimmy Carter), there were no Southern presidents.
Most Sierra Leonean's are INCONVENIENT about the discourse of TRIBALISM, because they do not want to be labelled as TRIBALIST.
In our contemporary history non of the "leaders" were THEMNES; Sir Milton Margai (CREOLE); Albert Margai (MENDE); Andrew Juxon-Smith (CREOLE); John Amadu Bangura (LOKO); Siaka Stevens (BAMBARA); Joseph Momoh (LIMBA); Valentins Strasser (CREOLE); Maada Bio (MENDE); Tejan Kabbah (MADINGA); Johnny Paul Koroma (LIMBA).
And as of this election none of the major political parties S.L.P.P, A.P.C or the P.M.D.C. has a PRESIDENTIAL OR VICE PRESIDENTIAL nominee who is a THEMNE.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: LBJ
To: All
Date Posted: 20:37:53 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Lyndon baines Johnson was a southerner from texas and he was President after JFK was assasinated, so as usual you dont know the facts that you preach about. You knowledge base is shallow and you are the epitome of a real tribalist.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 09:59:31 08/08/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.100
Message:
LBJ,
Critical Analysts and CREDIBLE HISTORIANS--which you aren't--have elucidated that the 1964 vote for Lyndon Baines Johnson from Texas against Barry Goldwarter of Arizona, was a SYMPATHETIC VOTE for the FORMER due to the assasination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1963.
I AM A TRIBALIST WHO DOES NOT PRACTISE ETHNIC HEGEMONY.
Didn't the U.S. press characterize the Kennedy administration as the "Irish Mafia", as a consequence of Robert McNamara being Defense Secretary, McGeorge Bundy, Adviser on National Security and Bobby Kennedy (JFK's younger brother) Attorney General?
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:30:49 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
When i attended University of north Florida in JAX...My first A was in American History Before 1886 and My second A was in American History post era- After 1886.....I was very proud of myself.. my Professor wanted me to change my major and department from economics to History. I refused...so irrespective of good grades, i am not a history scholar...
in this same school were two of sierra Leone's best Educated - Prof Alpha Sheriff( RIP) and Dr Roland Buck-VP student services.
Their offices were open to us at anytime and Dr Buck's secretary Mary knew each sierra leonean student by their first names.
Dr Buck gave me my first scholarship, he gave me free Lodging at a One bedroom apartment on campus, he gave me Work-study...Do you know what tribe he is? KRIO..
He did all the above for all sierra leonean students because he loved his country and its people. he did not care about you been a Mende, temne, krio, loko, yalunka, limba or what not..
For Alpha who passed away few months ago in ATL, his home was our house, his car was used by all students.
He was never a Prof to us, he was our elder brother- You know what tribe he was? A temne.
So these two people changed my way of thinking completely.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 14:39:53 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Alieu, I know Roland Buck very well when I was in Grad Chemistry at A&T University in Greensboro. He was a wonderful gentleman then and a fine Sierra Leonean who helped everyone regardless of tribe. Thanks for acknowledging him. I don't believe for once that you are a tribalist. I do not support your party, but I admire your spirited defense of Berewa (as wrong-headed as it may be!). When the elections are over, let's all shake hands and work for all of Sierra Leone. Our country is in very bad shape. All hands on deck!
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:28:27 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
If only Salone can have more people like Bra Buck.
When he left UNF we were devastated.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 14:00:28 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.100
Message:
Alieu Sesay,
You are missing the THRUST of my argument.
I was not questioning your comprehension of U.S. history I was buttressing my opionion.
"To every rule there is an exception."
Mr. Buck was an exceptional Sierra Leonean.
My BEST FRIENDS who are my BROTHERS ARE CREOLES.
I have DATED MOSTLY CREOLE WOMEN, but that does not negate the TRUTH THAT WE ARE ALL TRIBALIST.
There is a DISTINCT difference between TRIBALISM and ETHNIC HEGEMONY.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 14:08:39 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Same here Bro.
The point i was making /i made in the above reply is that i do not believe in TRIBALISM.
I do not discuss issues laced with tribal sauce, i do not engage in any of that.
I am a sierra Leonean.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 14:22:28 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.100
Message:
Alieu Sesay,
I AM PRIMARILY A THEMNE, and a Sierra Leonean.
They MURDERED my PEOPLE because they were THEMNES, not because they were Sierra Leoneans. The conspirators, judges, jurors and executioners encompassed all ethnic groups in Sierra Leone.
THEY WANTED TO ACCENTUATE MY BRETHREN.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 12:39:00 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
Thanks Mr. Alieu Seasy for explaining yourself to me and I appreciate that very much. Most of us do not believe in tribalism, but sometimes to cure a disease you have to call it by it real name for the doctor to know which prescr1ption to give the patient. I know Moyamba Junction, Bongababbay, Rochen Kamandao other villages because I have friends that used to go with me to those areas from freetown. It is true that not every monkey a thief, but for the fact that monkeys are known to be stealing corns and when ever a corn disappears in the midst of monkeys, they are automatic suspects even though they may not be the thieves.
I ask the Yoni people to screen you bra because now Sierra Leone have neighborhood watch groups from Kailahun to Funkia because people claim one tribe to cause havoc.
80 percents of us believed Foday Sankoh was a temne even up to this time. I was arguing about it bitterly until when I saw the video where he said his name is Foday Sannoh, but people mistake his last name to be Sankoh and he said he has no problem with that. If people want to be fooled then let them be. This is his words. Our man Hinga Norman was also in that meeting in the bush. If you dont see the video you will not believe it bra. He also told the BBC one time that he was brought up in Yoni. This is why I asked the Yoni people to screen you. I can do the same thing to any temne who claims to be a mende or fullah. He has to prove it to us.It is not bad for someone to claim a tribe with good faith.
In any case I believe you because I know that area is an example of the real sierra leone diversity. I wish the entire country should be like Moyamba junction where people of different tribes live in peace.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: Parker
To: All
Date Posted: 12:53:32 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-44c29146.dyn.optonline.net at 68.194.145.70
Message:
"I was arguing about it bitterly until when I saw the video where he said his name is Foday Sannoh, but people mistake his last name to be Sankoh and he said he has no problem with that...." POLITICAL
And you are gullible enough to believe what comes out of the mouth of a serial rapist, a murderer and a terrorist. I am Creole and my last name is Parker but soon I will start telling people that my last name is really KPAKA. So go ahead and believe me Mr. Political.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 13:00:22 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
That's a good one. However, Hinga Norman is a well respected man in Sierra Leone and when Foday Sankoh asked "Nor to so sir?" Hinga Norman answered not only with a "YES" but he also noded his head to emphasize his answer. Is Hinga Norman a Lier?
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:10:56 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Political! i used to love the Yenki boy soup....You know watin ar mean....
Whenever i am passing through the Junction, i stop at Late Pa Bassies's house..the house with the Petrol station..
I have never paid for cookery in that town since most of the sellers are my Folks.
And also my wife is a KRIO...
That is why i do not engage in any tribalism related thread....ar dae excuse mesef.
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 12:26:55 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Alieu and Cornelius do not believe in tribal-ism
Subject: Re: FOR POLITICAL: I DO NOT BELIEVE IN TRIBALISM
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 14:00:38 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Bo nor make ar laugh...what tribe are you?
Subject: RE:Views from the diaspora on Sierra Leone and it’s Election
From: Mohamed Fofana
To: All
Date Posted: 11:46:02 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mfofana2004@sbcglobal.net
Entered From: at 204.108.96.22
Message:
I just read the below article on the Cocorioko website and I thought that was a wide reflective view of most Sierra Leoneans. This is the kind of views and issues I am hoping to hear from more Sierra Leoneans. I did not call in but I am very happy about points and issues of concern that were made.
Views from the diaspora on Sierra Leone and it’s Election.
Sierra Leoneans again showed their true patriotism during yesterday’s live phone in session on www.SierraLeoneradio.net. Callers from as far as China, U.K., Philippines, Alaska, Sierra Leone and the USA demonstrated once again, that all they want is the best for our beloved country. Irrespective of tribe, party affiliation, family relations, constituents etc., one thing was clear that callers wanted political aspirants to put the welfare of the country on the forefront.
The live phone in session lasted two hours with 79 calls placed in total and 17 emails received. This shows that Sierra Leoneans are now getting involved in anything that would bring development to the nation.
Unfortunately, only 24 live calls were taken. This was due to some technical issues of jammed telephone line. These issues have now been resolved. Modalities are presently been worked out with the management of Sierra Leone Radio to increase the timeslot from 2hrs to 3hrs which will enable more contribution from callers. The next phone in session is schedule for 12th August 2007 and will focus on “what next after the election“.
Below are some of the views, comments and concerns expressed:-
1. Vote wisely irrespective of tribal differences, party affiliation and family ties.
2. prayer and direction.
3. Privatize the customs and excise department.
4. Land tenure system should be fair and non- discrimitory.
5. Free medical and education services for the poor.
6. Finish the Bumbuna Hydro Dam project ASAP.
7. Get rid of the old corrupt politicians now vying for the Presidency.
8. Tackle bribery, corruption and tribalism in the various government departments.
9. Tax break for Sierra Leonean owned businesses.
10. Economic development.
11. Creation of employment.
12. Border patrol to tackle the illicit diamond smuggling.
13. Filth and dirt all over the city.
Based on this phone in session, one will conclude, that S/Leoneans have risen up and now seeking a positive change. A change that will bring the much needed result they have been craving for so long.
Let pray and hope for the better.
Mohamed Fofana
Web site designed & hosted by Leeroy Wilfred Kabs-Kanu © 2007 at Homestead™
Subject: Re: RE:Views from the diaspora on Sierra Leone and it’s Election
From: Abu Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 18:51:52 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dhcp6042.4u.com.gh at 41.204.60.42
Message:
We are 5 million in Sierra Leone.2.5 million of us, and 2.5 million rebels, call them RUF or Kamajors or CDF.We do not care what you 20,000 of diaspora think or do.We are dying daily, we are starving, we do not have water, we do not have light, we do not have hospitals, we do not have schools, we do not have transport, we do not have............a lot and lot.Leave us alone to die in peace, and enjoy your stay abroad.
Subject: It is out.
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 11:41:00 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
Greetings my brothers and sisters. Glad to report that my Communications 301 grades are out and I have a "B" grade. I am looking forward to Microbiology an Nutrition, which I will be taking this Fall.
Subject: Re: It is out.
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 14:50:53 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Congrats and keep up working hard. Hope you get an A in Micro.
Subject: Re: It is out.
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 12:43:44 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
Mr. Bambay please let your school affairs be a private issue. You may intend good to motivate others, but there are a segment of our society who want to use it to embarrass you or talk all type of slush against you. So dont publish your school grade in this forum. This is just an advise for a good brother.
Subject: Re: It is out.
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 11:42:57 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-200-246.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.200.246
Message:
Congratulations!!
bambay, I thought you said we will not be able to get info about sam Sumana from his former university?
Subject: Re: It is out.
From: Bamaby Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 16:27:59 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
Greetings my brothers and sisters.
Thank you.
Brother Chez my response to you on 05, 2007 at 19:21:40hrs, stated thus: “With regards to the credibility of Mr. Samuel Sam Sumana, and getting papers from the institution without his signature is very impossible or difficult. The institution will not give you any response because it is against the policy of the school to do so without any identification.”
I do know that there those institutions that do not stand by the rules and regulations stipulated in the constitution biding their responsibilities to clients, employees or what have you, but my response, and I strongly stand behind it, that is when things are done the right way, constitutionally or through the fellowship of rules and regulations of the institution, that he, Mr. Sumana would have to sign a document authorizing the institution to give-out any information regarding his activities within the confines of such an institution. Failure to respect such a binding contract that the institution and him have gone into is an unethical conduct on the part of the institution and very illegal. So yes, it is impossible until he has mandated the institution to do so. Now note the word difficult meaning that as the world has corrupt people who do not go by worldly correct ways of doing things so therefore, the word impossibility must be used in a cautionary fashion. Without the existence of such corrupt elements in any society, I would stand firmer to say that it is virtually impossible. However, because we have people who go about things the corrupt way, I decided to trim down the use of virtually impossible to very impossible or difficult.
Subject: Re: It is out.
From: Bamaby Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 21:10:52 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-71-197-104-25.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 71.197.104.25
Message:
Political, thanks for the advice. I was born and raised in Sierra Leone, went to school in Sierra Leone, went to and graduated from college in Sierra Leone, worked in the highest office of the land: State House in the President office where every Sierra Leonean went. So I know what Sierra Leoneans are capable of. But ideas change, times change, things change therefore, we must change with time. This is why reformers sacrificed to see that these changes take place. I appreciate any comment or statement, which is the reason for Free Speech, which enables people to show their true colours. If people do not speak, they harbor hatred for unnecessary things believing that they are right by spreading propaganda or doing foolish things. But when they speak especially in a public forum such as this, the intelligent ones will know the difference.
I will never do a thing for no reason; I have to have a substantial reasons for my actions before I act. I hope that is understood.
If Sierra Leoneans cannot be happy for their compatriots and show such an attitude through positivism by reverting to negativism then whoever tries to "embarrass me or talk all types of slush against me because I passed at school, where I studied publicly, then such a person has to be examined and re-examined (reasoning.)
It is not all mare issues one has to keep secrete. This is one of them. I had a "B" grade. Congratulations are enough or not saying anything is perfect. We pay more attention to people's waste of time; I do not have that time as there are important issues I am paying much attention to, such as changing the mindset of Sierra Leoneans.
Nonetheless, thank you, I will keep that in mind to encourage me to change those who are hateful towards other Sierra Leoneans by allowing them to consistently expose them in a public arena such as this. If they are hateful towards me they can be towards another Sierra Leonean. If they are, then it is not a habit that just popped-up but they have been doing it for a long time. Such hatred is unhealthy for Sierra Leone therefore, it must be changed and these are one of the places, where such changes should and will take place.
You would agree with me that most Sierra Leoneans have been saying Sierra Leoneans are hateful towards each other especially in the Diaspora. Therefore, though I would expect sincere congrats yet, I know this sentiment of hate still exists therefore; I cannot sit-by and let it continue. When Sierra Leoneans see themselves, read what they write against other Sierra Leoneans and reflect on these words and actions whenever they read or whenever they are mentioned in Sierra Leonean gatherings or any other civilized gathering, it will trigger their consciences to change for the betterment of Sierra Leone and the world at large.
Sierra Leone has to be removed from the profound rumor-mongering, gossips and hate that has incubated in our communities. You may agree with me that it is rampant in our communities. Is that fair to say?
In my entire stay in the United States, I lived in the Washington D.C. area from where I moved to Charlottesville, Virginia but I have spent only a whole year sharing a home with Sierra Leoneans. I have always been the outsider looking in. I attended Sierra LeoeneaN occasions “constantly” though I was in Charlottesville. I would drive to Alexandria stay with family members with whom I would go to these occasions. We are in a technology age so a lot of Sierra Leoneans have videos starting 1991 to 2003. Most these Sierra Leoneans have been following these forums consistently though they do not say a thing. I never tried to be a total stranger but I have not been in the midst parse. So I know what Sierra Leoneans are capable of doing. Washington D.C, to Charlottesville is only two hours drive. Besides I stayed in Alexandria Virginia. I know. I guarantee you changes will take place and have taken place.
Subject: SOLO B NOT HAPPY WITH PA KABBA
From: THE CRAB
To: All
Date Posted: 11:35:29 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip-207-145-43-5.iad.megapath.net at 207.145.43.5
Message:
ANOTHER WICKED AGENDA OF SOLO B IS TO HAVE PA KABBA UNDER HOUSE ARREST, IF HE SOLO B WINS THE ELECTION. THE REASON IS BECAUSE PA KABBA HAND PICKED MOMODU KOROMA AS HIS SOLO B RUNNING MATE.
Subject: Re: SOLO B NOT HAPPY WITH PA KABBA
From: Jackal
To: All
Date Posted: 03:47:09 08/08/07 ()
Email Address: epa@gmail.com
Entered From: c-67-173-181-21.hsd1.il.comcast.net at 67.173.181.21
Message:
Kabbah should be sentenced to public flogging Iranian style or even stoning.What a fluke.
Subject: Re: SOLO B NOT HAPPY WITH PA KABBA
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 11:40:18 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-200-246.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.200.246
Message:
Dirty politics is over!! Under Solo B, the law takes precedence. If Kabba has something to account for the laws of the land will handle that. Why should Solo B do such a thing? Give me a reason for him to take the law into his hands!
Sierra Leone's cries have been answered - Solo B the AWAKENER!!!babybob
Subject: Re: SOLO B NOT HAPPY WITH PA KABBA
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 15:15:18 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
No surprise,you have cheated and manipulated the people you suppose to serve,using the same tricks to defame your political opponents is part of your sick and backward policy.Anyway,your days are over and the clock is ticking at a faster pace.
Subject: Re: SOLO B NOT HAPPY WITH PA KABBA
From: Thaduba
To: All
Date Posted: 12:02:52 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: Thaduba@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
Can you do a research on the findings of the Beoku Betts Commission and the arrest of paul Kamara? You seem to have a lot of time in your hands lokking for things that do not exist rather than the obvious.
Subject: Re: SOLO B NOT HAPPY WITH PA KABBA
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 12:14:10 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-200-246.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.200.246
Message:
I pride myself in doing that. that is exactly what research is about - investing, exploring with reason that which is controversial.
The Beoku Betts and Paul kamara issues are in the public know.
Thaduba, I had to find out about the sam Sumana issue because I do not believe in making statements I cannot back with hard and concrete evidence. Was that a problem for you? I was happy to know the truth - as the controversy over the claim became a public concern. I live by my conscience and it has always directed me in the right paths.
My support for berewa is because my conscience dictates that he will do otherwise and during his tenure, I will make it my pride to be very nosy in making us deliver what we have promised our people in our manifesto. mi have the time on my hand and i will make sure I use it whilst I still have it. Anything more?
Subject: POLITICS CAN BE A CLEAN GAIN - NOT ALWAYS DIRTY
From: Chez winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 10:45:09 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-200-246.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.200.246
Message:
I have a valid confirmation from the Metropolitan state University press office by Susan Amos-Palmer that Mr. Samuel Sam Sumana graduate from the metropolitan state University on the 30 April 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Information Systems.
In this regard, my I tender my apologies for doubting his claim.
It is in our interest to verify such information when someone presents a controversy of a claim by a contender for the second higest officer in our country. the public should now understand that the doubt has been eliminated.
Those who would wish to reconfirm please telephone direct to the Press and publications office of the university on 651 793 1823. They will be happy to help.
Politics in Sierra leone will someday come clean - the dirt will have to be washed out properly.
Apologies again for the doubt and no hard feelings - it was a public concern.
LONG LIVE SIERRA LEONE! LONG LIVE THE SLPP.
For my brother/sister Sia please becareful of your utterances - to mislead or misinform is anarchy. SLPP does not have to tell lies to win. we do not need people who have to tell lies about others for the party to win. I implore you to refrain from such devilish mechanisms.
may the lord help us!
Subject: Re: POLITICS CAN BE A CLEAN GAIN - NOT ALWAYS DIRTY
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 11:57:52 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.243
Message:
Now can you tell Sia that his/her question has been answered? The next question now is Sia willing to Apologize for his/her defamation of the man? I doubt it. Who have lost his credibility, Sam Summana or Sia Tiyaama and those who tried to defame Sam?
Subject: Re: POLITICS CAN BE A CLEAN GAIN - NOT ALWAYS DIRTY
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 12:23:01 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-200-246.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.200.246
Message:
We all operate in different facades and on those platforms we either get scorned or applauded.
Sia, is an individual who uses his own methods to get to his goal. i have my way and my way is the truth. i follow the truth. You will reacll me masking under the handle 'TRUTH' on this forum. the truth is my guide for my conscience.
What has happened is to open our minds and hearts to understand that you can win by playing the right cards. whatever scheme Sia was gearing to has backfired on him. sensible people recieved his information and had to rush to investigate its validity.
Our party has no bearing on this and I did make my own apology for doubting. Now my conscience is clear and I can move on to other things.
Subject: Re: POLITICS CAN BE A CLEAN GAIN - NOT ALWAYS DIRTY
From: Thaduba
To: All
Date Posted: 11:18:28 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: Thaduba@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
Rub your mouth in the sand for dragging this gentleman's name in the mud, and fast until after the elections to avoid the wrath of shango.
Subject: Re: POLITICS CAN BE A CLEAN GAIN - NOT ALWAYS DIRTY
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 11:22:04 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-200-246.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.200.246
Message:
That's dirty politics you'r preaching. I have never been scared in my life - do not make htreats on me for you will recive that which is concealed in your threats. The matter was apublic concern and it was right for us to make the necessary enquiries to balance the conscience. thaduba, no joke with me - a nor fraid mortal man pass God.
Subject: SIERRA LEONE ELECTION - ALL THE TALK
From: Dr. Michel sho-Sawyer
To: All
Date Posted: 10:01:55 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: michel_sawyer@yahoo.com
Entered From: global.life.edu at 72.16.214.206
Message:
http://standardtimespress.net/cgi-bin/artman/publish/article_1809.shtml
YSLI Calls for Pre-elections Fasting and Prayer
If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land."
Bis Mi La He Rah Ma Ni Rahim, Ma Ba E Na Are He De Him Wa Ma Kal Fa Hum
August 11th is presently the most discussed day amongst Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad. According to many Sierra Leoneans, this day will restart the reclaiming of our past glory. We therefore have an opportunity before us to vote for our future leaders who, hopefully, will better serve us this time. Members of Youth for Sierra Leone Improvement (YSLI) therefore think August 11th should also be the most prayed for day.
Youth for Sierra Leone Improvement therefore asks its supporters, all Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone to please join us for a three days fasting and prayer, starting on Wednesday August 8th to Friday 10th.
YSLI calls for fasting for peace and free and fair elections. YSLI calls for prayer for the Almighty God/Allah to bless our future leaders with soft hearts to serve us wisely. YSLI believes that it is only through blessed and good leadership that Sierra Leone will return to its glory days once again. We therefore ask you to join us in this endeavor to ask our Father to look down upon us with mercy and bless our leaders.
Let us pray for not only peace but also for unity among us. Disunity has only brought us more and more problem; it is time we become united as Sierra Leoneans. We must all remember that we are sierra Leoneans first before anything else, and therefore must place serving Sierra Leone above tribal or region loyalties.
Let us fast and pray for the Youths in Sierra Leone for the Almighty to bless them with wisdom, determination, pride and resilience to work endlessly to uplift Sierra Leone. We also ask that we pray for those youths running for parliamentary seats, pray that they remember to serve the nation and not follow the steps of those who have come before us and failed our nation.
We thank all our supporters and well-wishers, and thank you especially now for joining us in fasting and praying for our beloved Sierra Leone. Youth for Sierra Leone improvement (Y.S.L.I.) is a non-profit organization founded by educated young people who are determined to improve the lives of the future generations of Sierra Leone. YSLI provides free education for underprivileged orphans and literacy programs for adult women. We also work to provide health care/ counseling for HIV/AIDS individuals and extensive training to our associates and volunteers. We work collectively with others in order to create a positive, challenging environment for our students to actualize their fullest potential.
The primary objective of this organization is to improve the lives of the underprivileged youths in Sierra Leone, West Africa through education. As an organization, we strongly believe that providing quality education for the youth is an important component of the rebuilding efforts, aimed at restoring peace, law and order after the decade long civil war that plagued the country for most of the 1990s. Equipping the youth with quality education will enable them to improve their lives, help eradicate poverty, lawlessness and ultimately prepare them to individually and collectively lead the way in Sierra Leone's development.
IF Great Is Possible, Then Good Is Not Enough.
Your able servant In Training
Dr. Michel Sho-Sawyer
Subject: Re: SIERRA LEONE ELECTION - ALL THE TALK
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 10:27:58 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
Wasn't the Almighty talkling to Israel, there?
Subject: Bush, Kabba and the queen go to
From: BAsco
To: All
Date Posted: 09:54:42 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-154-178-2.range81-154.btcentralplus.com at 81.154.178.2
Message:
Hell to visit Satan. After lunch the Queen asks Satan for the phone to call home. The Queen talks for about 30 minutes and enquires how Gordon is doing,the foot and mouth and the royal family etc. Satan then charges her £1.mill for the call.
George too says he wants to make a call and proceeds to talk for 2hours and asks about the Iraq war, the soldiers that have died. He enquires how Hilary is doing in the Democrats nomination race and was disapointed when told that she was in front. Satan charges him $10mill.
Tejan Kabba not wanting to be left out grabs the phone and dials Sierra Leone. He talks for 11 hours. He calls Berewa and instructs him about winning the election at all costs or he will face the special court if the APC win. He tells Tom Nyuma and Benjamin to have tickets booked in case APC win and the members of the NPRC are arrested for the '92 coup. He tell Kanjie to do the same in case there is a Post Office inquiry. He even tells Chez' uncle who nicked some big amount to be prepared.
After the call Satan charges Tejan Kabba Le5000!!
Kabba was astonished and taken aback. Why he asked?
The dark lord said: "A call from one hell to another is a local call" Ha HA HA
Subject: Re: Bush, Kabba and the queen go to
From: OLD JOKES
To: All
Date Posted: 11:30:48 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.68
Message:
VERY OLD JOKE----NOT EVEN FUNNY, IT HAS BEEN TOLD SO MANY TIMES, THIS IS A SEXED-UP VERSION, YOU UNPATRIOTIC FOOL.
Subject: Re: Bush, Kabba and the queen go to
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 18:00:43 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
Very funny and interesting.Thanks man,you gave me a sober laugh.
Subject: Re: Bush, Kabba and the queen go to
From: Mammy Sweh
To: All
Date Posted: 10:14:29 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mammysweh@gmail.com
Entered From: ool-44c6d571.dyn.optonline.net at 68.198.213.113
Message:
Verry funny stuff, Basco. Thanks for the rib tickler.
Subject: For Chez Winakabs
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 09:26:13 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
As far as running mates are concerned, in my considered opinion, Hon. Momodu Koroma who is currently minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation is vastly superior to the APC and PMDC candidates – and we should consider the running mate as an essential and complementary component to any winning team – even if the APC and the PMDC have appointed their running mates solely on the basis of their being ethnic vote catchers. Based on such a consideration the SLPP could have also appointed an indisputably Northern Candidate as running mate – but competence should be a greater factor than tribal ethnicity. – in my opinion.
Would you like to see the APC or the PMDC running mate as president of Sierra Leone?
The President of Tanzania was interviewed on VOA. It was a pleasure to view. – Well, if you want my additional views on Momodou Koroma here it is: I wrote and posted this to Leonenet:
http://umbc7.umbc.edu/~leoneadm/
In his less than five minutes appearance on the show, Abdul Karim Bangura could not wait and wasted no time in going for the jugular of the democratically elected President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and his vice president Solomon Berewa. That was BAD. There is the enormous difference in background of the two countries, namely the Sierra Leone Civil War which occasioned such destruction – and that is what the SLPP government of president Kabbah got as an inheritance when he took office: a completely devastated economy and infrastructure, the most devastated that any Sierra Leone government has ever inherited.
”Blessed with good leadership”: Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete responding to issues and questions strikes one as being such a likeable personality, so natural, relaxed, himself, positive, transparent, honest, human, fallible and therefore trustworthy – and his greatest regret ( sacking someone based on information which he later on found out was false) …… no wonder he got 80% of the vote.... like Kakaya Kikwete, our own Solomon Berewa has also got a very competent vice-presidential running mate in the person of Momodou Koroma
Well here are Professor AKB’s exact words:
(In his first brief appearance he was cut off just before he could deliver his first premeditated uppercut.)
Abdul Karim Bangura: “As I said, one of the blessings of Tanzania is good leadership. This is a country that has relatively little natural resources….” He didn’t get further than that, and his nose was still flaring with the “good leadership" – the launching pad for his attack…….
He reappeared some twenty minutes later, still foaming at the mouth:
Abdul Karim Bangura: “Well, as I was saying, the wonderful thing about Tanzania is that it’s been blessed with good leadership. When you look at a country that is considered relatively poor in terms of the marketable resources and then you compare to say Sierra Leone, with Ahmad Tejan Kabbah who has so much resources and so much international help and he cannot do anything because of his incompetence that is the problem. But with president Kikwete, he got in there with 80% of the vote in one of the most free, fair and open elections. But what is working for him is that he chose a vice president that he knows if something happens to him today, he will step in and do a great job – that is in Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein – that is correct- political strategy – so he has equipped himself with people who are able to continue something wonderful, unlike say Sierra Leone, where Ahmad Tejan Kabbah has PUSHED DOWN THE THROAT OF THE PEOPLE somebody like Solomon Berewa who is just as equally incompetent as he is”
http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/StraightTalkAfrica.cfm
(And there Abdul Karim ended, or was ended having sounded as if Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and Hon Solomon Berewa were a bunch of ignoramuses, mired in incompetence and had not succeeded to a great extent in overcoming many of the difficulties that beset the nation, after so many years of mismanagement of the country’s fortunes by earlier regimes, military regimes, and a civil war that destroyed the country’s economy and infrastructure.
Indeed Mr. Solomon Berewa who is competent – by any measure or yardstick – also has a competent vice-presidential candidate in the person of Mr. Momodou Koroma who’s tenure of office as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation compares favourably and to my understanding in some areas has even done better than his Tanzania counterpart Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein with whom Dr. Bangura is more impressed than he is impressed with his own brother Momodou Koroma.
We all admit that there is a major problem of Corruption for which Mr. Berewa has promised ZERO TOLERANCE, should he assume the presidential rein of national affairs.
Here is a résumé of Mr Kabbah’s tenure of office:
http://www.statehouse-sl.org/speeches/last-parl-june2007.html
In what ways would Professor AKB have done much better?
Subject: Re: For Chez Winakabs
From: Chez Winakabs Europe
To: All
Date Posted: 10:17:52 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-200-246.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.200.246
Message:
aside all jokes - you can be an asset to your people - even as a virtual outsider.
Your fortune of years could well help manage the endemic corruption that rips our economy apart.
I have made up my mind, after elections, to apply for part-time commissions to help resolved some of the problems we have. Examples are better than precepts.
Have you reviewed the issue on sam Sumana, the APC running mate? What is your take on an individual vying for a position as that of a vice president of your country to blatantly conceal the reality of important matters of credibility?
Subject: Re: For Chez Winakabs
From: More More Doo
To: All
Date Posted: 09:37:37 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: more@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
Mr. Hamelberg- Thanks for the PR. How would you like to be Sierra Leone's representative to the UN after the elections? Hamelberg replacing Rowe will be perfect. Let me know asap so I can put you on the list. Thanks once again.
More More Doo.
Subject: Re: For Chez Winakabs
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 10:00:34 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-278472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.39
Message:
I know how to wield a knife and fork – I know how to sip tea or make small talk, I know how to talk to prince Charles or Condoleezza ( much better than e.g. Johnny Leigh) but United Nations - thank you I do not have that kind of ambition………
When Aiah Gbakima appointed me as one of his contact people ( on TAMU) all the puppies and ducks started quacking……..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=m1UMqsTTnkE
Subject: CHECK HERE AND SEE THE SATURDAY SHOCKER
From: Toegondoe Sagbahm
To: All
Date Posted: 07:54:34 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
You didn't know how much fire was festering under both the SLPP and APC en? See the evidence in pictures of the last two weeks. THE PMDC SHOCKER.
And by the way, the MOTHER OF ALL RALLYS is taking place right now in Freetown.
Check the website below or cut and paste this in your web address search field: www.OneSaloneNews.com
Subject: Re: CHECK HERE AND SEE THE SATURDAY SHOCKER
From: alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 08:10:43 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Toegbondoe did you refer us to the wrong site?
Because there is nothing on this website that says anything about your wild "fire festering".
I saw a bunch of inquisitive and suspicious looking salone people.
The facial expressions of these people will tell you PA, that they will not "WASTE THEIR TIME ON THE PMDC"
Subject: Re: CHECK HERE AND SEE THE SATURDAY SHOCKER
From: Toegondoe Sagbah
To: All
Date Posted: 13:29:15 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: mendemoi@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-168-128-74.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net at 71.168.128.74
Message:
BO Yu Sef. Yu Nor Dae Mortal Dae Clap Lek Say E Wan Worship Di Man? Its not curiousity, its like saying, for once I am listening to what I want to hear. Go to:
Subject: Show me the numbers
From: keke blahima
To: All
Date Posted: 07:53:59 08/07/07 ()
Email Address: epa@gmail.com
Entered From: c-67-173-181-21.hsd1.il.comcast.net at 67.173.181.21
Message:
The other day Patrick Bockarie presented an unrealistic projection in his proposed 2012 Presidential speech. In it he claimed he will create 2 million high paying jobs and set up and economic plan that would generate $25 billion in ten years.
Both proposals are mere numeric illusions. They are illusive considering Sierra Leone's estimated 68% illteracy rate. Illusive because to generate $25 billion, the proposed plan will have to net $ 6.9 million a day for ten years. That will make Sierra Leone one of the most productive nation on earth. I will have to move back home. BUT, at least this man has vision and optimism.
Our current presidential aspirants owe us a published copy of thier economic plans. Until we see those numbers, regardless of who wins on August 11 2007, it is going to be just another ordinary day in Sierra Leone. Show me the money or did I say the numbers?
Subject: Sierra Leone's election may be a real turning point
From: HANY BESADA AND ARIANE GOETZ
To: All
Date Posted: 07:05:01 08/07/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 128.241.108.232
Message:
Sierra Leone's election may be a real turning point
HANY BESADA AND ARIANE GOETZ
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A UN soldier looks on as a British military helicopter takes off from the UN headquarters in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in 2000. British troops joined with UN peacekeepers to help evacuate people from the then war-torn west African state.
The ruling Sierra Leone People's Party, led by the current vice-president, Solomon Berewa, is facing a keenly awaited political contest on Aug. 11, when Sierra Leoneans go to the polls to elect a new president, as well as parliamentary representatives. The polls are the second to take place in Sierra Leone since the ending of a brutal, 11-year civil war in 2002.
During the first elections in 2002, the People's Party won by a landslide, taking 70 per cent of the votes against their main opposition party, the All People's Congress' 24 per cent.
During the tumultuous civil war period, at least 50,000 people were killed, two million displaced and 300,000 civilians were deliberately maimed through the amputation of limbs and other physical atrocities at the hands of renegade government soldiers and members of the Revolutionary United Front, a rebel movement backed by former Liberian president and warlord, Charles Taylor, in his quest for power.
By all accounts, this election is being regarded as the litmus test for the country's fragile democracy, as the country attempts to demonstrate to its peers in the region and elsewhere on the continent the civic maturity of its electorate and the successful state-building efforts. The question now remains as to whether the elections will indeed be regarded as a touchstone on the country's path to long-term intra-state stability and legitimate statehood, or whether it will become yet another failed opportunity for it to consolidate peace, which had been eluding the country since its independence from Britain back in 1961.
Although 28 parties are fielding candidates for the upcoming elections, only three are regarded as having a credible chance of winning. Berewa, the incumbent vice-president, is a slight favourite, having won the nomination of his party in 2005. A distinguished lawyer prior to his appointment as attorney-general and minister of justice in 1996, and vice-president in 2002, Berewa has earned himself a reputation as a capable, thorough and decisive politician. However, his nomination resulted in the defection of some party members and the formation of a breakaway faction, led by Charles Margai, who subsequently formed the People's Movement for Democratic Change. He has been a fixture on the political landscape since 1973, when he first stood as a People's Party candidate in the parliamentary elections, and subsequently as an outspoken critic of the ruling party since losing the People's Party leadership contest to Berewa.
The third major candidate, Ernest Koroma, leads the All People's Congress, a party that once ruled the country for more than 41 years. As a former insurance executive, prior to his nomination as All People's Congress leader and presidential candidate in the 2002 polls, Koroma is viewed as an efficient, yet inexperienced politician.
As was to be expected, the focus of this year's elections is on how to best address the developmental crisis facing the country. Sierra Leone almost finds itself at the bottom of the United Nations development program's human development index, ranking 176 out of 177 countries. With more than 68 per cent of the population living on less than $2 a day, a life expectancy of 41, a per capita gross national income of $220, and an unemployment rate of more than 70 per cent, government has had its work cut out for it over the past five years.
At present, it appears to be focusing on reassuring voters this time round of its continued commitment to accelerate macro-economic reforms. To his credit, Berewa received praise from multilateral monetary institutes for presiding over an economic recovery that is slowly underway.
With the assistance of the International Monetary Fund, the country completed a poverty reduction and growth facility program, which helped to stabilize economic growth and reduce inflation.
In 2006, real GDP growth averaged seven per cent, which was up from minus 2.4 per cent during the civil war, lasting from 1985 to 1995. This rise is largely supported by increased activities in the mining, construction, service and agricultural sectors, coupled with a tight fiscal stance, supported by an adequate monetary policy. Alluvial diamond mining once again became the major source of hard currency earnings, accounting for half the country's exports. Legal exports increased to $142 million in 2005, which was up from $1.2 million in 1999, thanks to an UN-approved diamond export certification system that had been implemented in 2002, and which facilitated the management of exports.
In the meantime, it appears as though all three parties' campaign platforms outline a similar grand strategy for development, while touching upon issues such as the country's integration into the international trading system, the improvement of the educational sector, as well as the health care system, further training of military personnel to ensure intra-state stability, an improvement in infrastructure, access to clean water and electricity, the provision of food and the creation of jobs for the unemployed youth. The overall objectives seem to be good governance, transparency and accountability.
With election fever descending on Freetown and on other major urban areas around the country, there appears to be heightened political tension and subsequent clashes amongst the main political parties, particularly between the People's Party and the People's Movement for Democratic Change.
However, with the expected low intensity friction amongst political parties in the country, expectations remain that things should go smoothly. The independent National Election Committee successfully completed the registration of voters. From July 10 onwards, the critical phase of the electoral campaign got underway without any major incidents.
To ensure the correctness of the proceedings and establish trust amongst the population, representatives of the European Union attended the ongoing election campaigns and will act as international observers. For their part, the major presidential candidates stated in past interviews that they would accept defeat peacefully, provided that the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner.
While there appears to be an increased sense of urgency amongst Sierra Leonean political leaders to shed the image of their country as one of West Africa's most volatile, unstable and conflict-ridden states, skepticism remains as to whether they would be able to resolve internal grievances and disputes, while curbing their political aspirations to match the rhetoric. Although free and fair elections in this once failed state would signify the successful implementation of the state-building initiatives required to sustain peace and promote economic development, a failed election, on the other hand, marred by increased violence and electoral irregularities, could inevitably result in renewed conflict. This, however, would depend largely on a fair electoral process and the fulfilment of political promises.
Without it actually being acknowledged, all eyes will remain focused on Sierra Leone as it puts its resolve, to turn its back indefinitely on a dark and turbulent past, to the test.
Hany Besada is the senior researcher working on fragile states at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo and Ariane Goetz, from the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, is an intern at CIGI.
Subject: New Political Party Enters Sierra Leone's Politics
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New Political Party Enters Sierra Leone's Politics
By Naomi Schwarz
Bo, Sierra Leone
07 August 2007
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In Sierra Leone, where presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for August 11, a brand new party has entered the political scene long dominated by the People's Party, or SLPP, and the All People's Congress, or APC. Naomi Schwarz visited the Bo region to see the impact of the new party.
SLPP supporters chant for their party at a rally in Bo, Sierra Leone's second largest city and the commercial center of the diamond region. This city is also the heart of SLPP territory, and banners and T-shirts blanketing the city prove it.
23-year-old Ibrahim Jabati says he is voting for the SLPP candidate, Solomon Berewa.
"I am going to vote for Solo B., the only way out," he said.
Berewa is the current vice-president and the country's de facto leader since 2002, when President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah retired from an active role and appointed Berewa his successor.
Jabati says he is voting for Berewa based on his proven track record.
"Because he done things that I have seen. So I prefer to support him," said Jabait. "Because he has done well for the country."
But many Sierra Leoneans disagree with Jabati.
A man passes in a Freetown suburb, a poster for opposition candidate Ernest Bai Koroma, ahead of presidential elections, 06 Aug 2007
During a brief interlude of sun in a rainy day, in a small village a few hours away, APC supporters are rallying for their candidate, Ernest Koroma. At the rally, Samuel Kamara says the ruling party has not brought progress to Sierra Leone.
"We decided to have a change," said Kamara. "And this time around we mean positive change."
He says the country has received millions of dollars in aid since the civil war ended in 2002, but people are still living in poverty.
Back in the city of Bo, many residents also say they want change. But they say t