25 April, 2008

Sierra Express

The Kono Fracas: Ernest Must Bite

President Koroma has his hands full

The recent upheavals in the Kono district where youths went on the rampage destroying life and property because some high placed politicians reneged on their campaign promises is not an issue that one can just sweep under the carpet, if for no other reason than that it has the potential of blowing up into higher proportions all over the country if not handled fairly and firmly.

That men could promise to give free mining rights to desperate youths in exchange for their votes is not only unfortunate but depicts the moral bankruptcy of men who aspire to rule this country.

If, as it is being said, the Vice President, Chief Samuel Sam-Sumana was also part of the APC team that made these promises, then it is most unfortunate and a big embarrassment to President Ernest Bai Koroma.

Be that as it may, we want to believe that this issue needs to be very thoroughly investigated and those who may have made those promises and sent those youths to mine on a land that had been leased to a company must be punished according to law.

It is our opinion that long gone are the days when people used to make false promises because they want votes.

Sierra Leone is now too well advanced and our young men and women are not only aware of the issues but are very desperate and will, by any means at their disposal demand what had been promised to them.

Now that the deed had been done we are watching to see what President Koroma will do to see that justice is served.

We are neither policemen nor legal practitioners to prefer charges but we believe that the public peace had been breached in no small way in Kono. 

We may venture to say that false pretences, incitement, righteous conduct and carrying and using of dangerous drugs and offensive weapons may form some of the offences that had been committed.

And we do not care how high the people who may have occasioned these riots may be, the law must take its course.

This could be the first major test of President Koroma's resolve to show his mettle and not allow sentiments of party, position, region or relationship to make him compromise the rule of law.

The people are expecting him to hit hard and let it be his first example that he means what he says.

He must not be seen to be back tracking or making compromises with such sensitive national issues or this will be the beginning of his downfall.

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