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Quagmire in Binkolo: “Fairness Appeal” draws hostile attacks

Author: SEM Contributor

One reason why I was initially reluctant to reveal my identity as the author of the Binkolo “Fairness Appeal Letter” is precisely what has transpired. Uncivil, negative and threatening responses from the Dura family. Since the publication of my open appeal for fairness on the above, I have been vilified and inundated with calls and sometimes verbal abuse especially from the children of the late Alimamy Dura II, who have denounced me for my comments regarding their father’s record. Their reaction is of course understandable after all they are family. But “The truth,” said Jesus, “shall set you free.” Jesus did not say it will make you popular, or rich, or happy. He said it will set you free.” Furthermore, “it will enable you to look yourself in the mirror and to sleep at night.”

On taking unpopular positions, the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., also stated, “cowardice asks the question, ‘is it safe? ‘Experience asks the question ‘is it politic? Vanity asks the question, is it popular? But conscience asks the question, ‘is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because his conscience tells him that it is right.”

As one who was born and raised in Binkolo, and a member of that Chiefdom’s ruling house, I arrived at the point where I got tired of holding my nose, closing my ears, and looking at the other direction.Â Many of our people have been abused, misused, refused and confused, the easiest thing for me to have done was to support the status quo, and minimize the facts and my true assessment of the situation in Binkolo. I rejected that easy path. For the record both candidates for the chieftaincy elections, Mr. Desmond Bondi and Mr. Ronald Dura are my nephews. I believe what is best for Binkolo at this point is a candidate with a record of having tangibly contributed to the advancement of the Chiefdom.

Some of the feedback I have received regarding the late Chief Dura is that I should not comment on the performance of the dead. Yet, the argument used to deprive Mr. Bondi of his candidacy was based on his late father. Mr. Dura and his supporters had no problem in falsely claiming that the deceased man who also happens to be my uncle was a “bastard” child. Have we descended this low? Should we look into the “legitimacy” of everyone involved? Does the discussion of the record of the dead only apply to certain individuals? I would hope that in the interest of fairness candidate Bondi and his late father would be accorded the same courtesy that Mr. Dura and his cohorts are seeking. In any case this argument flies in the face of reason and genuine desire to move Binkolo forward. How long can we continue to endorse mediocrity just because we cannot comment on the record of the late Chief? Some have even suggested that I have minimized the contributions of the late Chief. I hope that one of them will soon provide the public with an extensive list of such a record.

It should be noted thatÂ in 2007 the late ChiefÂ Dura cited in an interview with a journalist named Mohamed Konneh the following as achievements: lone “surviving founder ofÂ the SLPP”; constructing the roads from Binkolo to Bumbuna… Mapaki… and Mabonkani;” and attending “the coronation party of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.”Â I have serious doubts about some of these claims but for the sake of argument let’s assume this is all true. Is this record laudatory for someone who was Chief for over 60 years? It is natural for people to overlook the deficiencies of their relatives and loved ones but facts are facts and will not disappear simply because we dislike them. As someone once noted, “the truth is like smoke, it’ll find its way out, even if it is covered.”

The Binkolo chieftaincy elections should be based on merit. I hope we do not interfere with the rights of the people of Binkolo by subjugating the process. If you are good you should not resort to guerrilla tactics to win office. Your skills, qualities and ethics should speak for themselves by your actions. It is possible that candidate Dura may be a good chief but right now I am taking into consideration what has transpired in Binkolo for so long and exercising my democratic right. I hope that people will be civil and respect my right to choose. Â This is my last contribution to this discourse and I hope fairness, civility and quality prevail over mediocrity and self interest.

By Dr. Hassan B. Sisay

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