Subject: For Alie Formeh Kamara
From: Mohamed A. Jalloh
To: All
Date Posted: 13:08:27 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.8
Message:
Alie:
Kindly contact me at MohmJ@aol.com at your earliest convenience. Thank you.
Subject: Call For a Special Cleaning Task Force
From: ISHMAEL DUMBUYA
To: All
Date Posted: 11:51:54 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Call For a Special Cleaning Task Force
Posted by Ishmael Dumbuya on Jan 30, 2007, 01:57
STANDARD TIMES
Sierra Leone is a state where lawlessness seems to be the order of the day, with almost everyone behaving like there is no law to restrain them. It also seems as if those who make the law, those who execute it and those who interpret it to the populace are also as must defaulters of the law itself.
The lawlessness is now actively impinging on the efforts by everyone to forestall the outbreak of any contagious disease, as filth and garbage are thrown everywhere with little or no regard for hygiene or health consequences.
The beauty of the capital city, like others seen in movies and the television, which many residents of the city desire, cannot be seen or realized if everyone continues to think and behave in a manner that could only be said to be detrimental to the very existence of the country as a nation state.
Think for a moment about the ravages of HIV/AIDS, which requires real control and organization to control and the capacity of the country to control it in the face of so much lawlessness and immorality on the part of many respectable people in the country.
The need to redirect our minds onto positive and patriotic things has resulted in the call from certain quarters for the establishment of a special task force to monitor the cleaning and upkeep of the city and its environs so that some amount of sanity would be restored on our streets.
What normally borders most people is the irresponsible manner of throwing rubbish on the streets. For instance many people simply believe that after eating an orange or anything on the street, they can simply throw the remains on the street. Others clear all the rubbish from their home and deposit it on the streets, saying “Tejan Kabbah de cam cleanam.”
And that which is most heart rending is the fact that
when some of these defaulters are targeted by the few people who tend not to be a part of that way of thought and behaviour, they are attacked and abused with statements like “na you papa ge ya?”
With this kind of violent and anti-social mentality and manner of behaviour, many sane minds are now calling for a very strong response to the phenomenon now, before it actually becomes a way of life.
By then it would be too late for us to reverse whatever that such a behaviour may have set in motion.
Short of what some may call a hostile strategy of implementation and enforcement of the laws of the country especially with regards to the current crisis of filth and garbage disposal, it appears as if only such a strategy would succeed in actually cleaning the city and maintaining it in a health and welcoming state.
A special cleaning task force that would operate in a manner very similar to the days of the NPRC, when soldiers would force people to clean their homes, only that this time the task force, preferably of civilians and security officials, would replace the soldiers. There would also be no forcing, but gentle propping with fines for defaulters and rewards for those who do a good job.
It is unfortunate that the police who have the mandate of enforcing the law and prosecuting offenders are no longer able to do so because of their complicity in acts described by many as unprofessional on their part. However with the establishment of a special task force that is trained for the purpose, they can complement the work of the Sierra Leone police force to curb the excesses of law offenders, beginning especially with those who throw rubbish on the streets with no thought of the health consequences.
The throwing of filth and other forms of rubbish on the streets of Freetown portrays a bad image of Sierra Leone to the international community. In response to this, many organizations who love the country have been doing a lot of sensitization and ground work to inform the people about the need for a proper waste disposal and management program to clean the city and its environs.
Such organizations like Friends of the Earth Sierra Leone had even gone further to install dust bins along major streets in Freetown, but again, people leave the dust bins and throw their rubbish on the street, close to the dust bin.
The effort of the contracted GTZ for cleaning the city is very welcome as they would infuse some of their international and professional experience into the system.
However they can only succeed with the cooperation of the people, and if there is a formidable cleaning task force to complement the efforts of the police and other stakeholders in the general health of the citizens of this country.
Subject: SLPP Aspirant Declares For Freetown Central Two Constituency
From: LION MOUNTAIN
To: All
Date Posted: 11:37:31 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
SLPP Aspirant Declares For Freetown Central Two Constituency
Posted by Mohamed Konneh on Jan 30, 2007, 03:20
STANDARD TIMES
"If I am elected parliamentarian of the Freetown Central Two Constituency, I will give twenty percent of my salary for the development of the constituency,” declared popular Freetown socialite, Blamoh S. Roberts, last Thursday 25th January 2007 at the main street of Percy Street and Charles Street junction where he was declaring his intentions for the coming General Elections.
“I will make sure that this constituency develops by doing everything in my power to bring developmental programs to the constituency,” he went.
Mr. Blamoh Robert, widely known as Blamoh of the popular TBS entertainment group was officially declaring to contest as a candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections on July 28th in the Central 2 Constituency in Freetown under the flag of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP).
Blamoh Roberts speaking further said that the people of the constituency have suffered a lot due to the candidates that were elected before, noting that the constituency is the least developed in terms of infrastructure, roads and other social amenities.
“If am elected, I’ll make sure this constituency develops,” he promised, stressing that it is time for the people to become involved in their own affairs.
“They can no longer be neglected,” he warned.
He said his representation of the community will be characterized by tolerance and respect for human dignity, noting that he is a son of the soil and deserved their love and understanding.
“I was born and breed in this area,” he said noting that the constituency consisted of seventy streets to “tell you that I am a son of this constituency,” he went on.
He lamented that before now people have been elected to represent this constituency who are not from the community, and stressed that this has led to the lack of development in the constituency.
The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Joseph Johnson, in his remarks told the mammoth gathering that included many of the eminent personalities in the community, that the people of Central 2 Constituency needed some body that hails from the constituency and not an outsider who may not be au fait with the sufferings of the community.
“We all know that the Proportional Representation system resulted into poor representation for the people in parliament. Now that all that is gone and we have the opportunity to have a proper representation, we must give Blamoh the chance to fulfill his aspirations as our parliamentary representative in the next parliament,” he said.
“He is our son, brother and friend,” Mr. Johnson said, adding “We need to try our brother this time around and allow him to bring development to this constituency.”
The occasion was also witnessed by many entertainment groups in the city including TBS, TTJ, Dis and Dat, United Nation club and many more.
Subject: China to commence work on Bo stadium, Dodo hydro project soo
From: CONCORD TIMES
To: All
Date Posted: 10:43:14 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
China to commence work on Bo stadium, Dodo hydro project soon
Ibrahim Seibure 30/1/2007
Chief Political Officer attached to the Chinese embassy in Sierra Leone , Chen Yan Friday disclosed at his Spur Loop office in Freetown that China would construct a 4,000-sitter stadium for Bo Town and an additional 2 mega watts to the already existing 4 mega watts at the Dodo Hydroelectric Project for Bo and Kenema.Chen stated that the project is a grant from the Chinese government.“For the Stadium in Bo, clearing of the site has commenced with support from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and construction is expected to start in March this year.
The Sierra Leone government has request that we expand the capacity to 12,000, which will be the second phase,” Chen stated and declared that the stadium construction is expected to be completed in one year.He commended Dr Dennis Bright, Minister of Youth and Sports for his support in making sure that the Stadium project becomes a reality.
Speaking about the Dodo hydroelectric Project, Chen recalled that the project was undertaken by the Chinese in the 1980s with an initial capacity of 4 mega watts.“The Chinese government has agreed to update the equipment and provide spare parts for the Dodo dam. The China National Electricity Export Company will be in the county to implement the project. The technical team is now in Dodo working with the Bo Kenema Power Station and the Ministry of Energy and Power,” he revealed.Chen noted that the work at Dodo would have commenced earlier if the 12 containers of equipment were not withheld at the Queen Elizabeth 11 Quay for two months.“It was with the intervention of President Kabbah that the containers were released.“That is why we are starting two months late. In addition the Sierra Leone government has approached us to increase the capacity of the Dam to 12 mega watts. We have agreed and two more Dams need to be constructed which will be completed in three years time,”he stated.He noted that when the 12 mega watts would have been completed there would be 24 hours electricity in Bo, Kenema, Kailahu, Pujehun, Kono, Moyamba and the surrounding villages in these areas.Chen also stated that the first phase of Dodo Hydro Project will be completed in May this year.
Subject: Mayor accuses civil society of corruption
From: CONCORD TIMES
To: All
Date Posted: 10:40:53 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
CONCORD TIMES
Mayor accuses civil society of corruption
Rachel Horner 30 /1/2007
The Mayor of Freetown, Winstanley Bankole Johnson Saturday accused civil society groups of corruption.“Civil society members are behaving like prophets. They have all sorts of executives with designations like Executive Coordinator, National Chairman etc,” he said.He made this statement at a meeting with the Freetown City Council and Motor Drivers Union at Victoria Park.
Honesty, he said, is the best policy, claiming the civil society is corrupt.“They are not holding elections,'' the Mayor said.Mayor Johnson stated that his institution has never asked the government to justify the road funds.
Subject: WAITING FOR ALIEU ISCANDARI, ESQ ,TO GET BACK FROM COURT !
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 10:35:55 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Posted by CHIEF IN EXILE on January 26, 2007 at 12:27:57:
" The Commission calls on the Judiciary not to permit laws or practices which are CONTRARY TO JUSTICE, or which undermines the RIGHTS TO LIBERTY, EQUALITY, AND JUSTICE. Clauses that oust the jurisdiction of the courts in matters pertaining to fundamental HUMAN RIGHTS SHOULD BE DECLEARED ILLEGAL".
(S. L. Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
" Lack of courage on the part of Lawyers and judges over the years paved the way for the DESECRATION OF THE CONSTITUTION, THE PERPETUATION OF INJUSTICE AND THE PILLAGING OF THE COUNTRY'S WEALTH" (S.L.T.R.C.R)
"The organised Bar is in a good position to be a powerful watchdog and should add its voice IN PROTEST, WHEN HUMAN RIGHTS ARE ABUSED AND THE RULE OF LAW IS THREATENED. THE COMMISSION CALLS UPON LAWYERS TO STAND UP TO JUSTICE". (S.L.T. R. C. R)
------------------------------------------------------
Posted by M. Alieu Iscandari Esq on January 26, 2007 at 14:32:43:
In Reply to: ALIEU ISCANDARI ET. Al. ARE YOU UP TO THIS CHALLANGE ? posted by CHIEF IN EXILE on January 26, 2007 at 12:27:57:
Chief I would agree with you intoto. I will take a bigger bite on this when i get back from court.
Follow Ups
Subject: Re: WAITING FOR ALIEU ISCANDARI, ESQ ,TO GET BACK FROM COURT
From: Waraba
To: All
Date Posted: 12:59:53 01/30/07 ()
Email Address: futatoro@gmail.com
Entered From: adsl-75-20-221-212.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net at 75.20.221.212
Message:
Chief In Exhile,
Alieu is not going to be back for while. He is jail for comtempt of court in Oakland. He was insulting to a presiding Superior Court Judge of Alameda. He did not like being over uled and he called the judge a "cannibal".
Waraba
Subject: IN THE DOCTOR'S LIBRARY (3)
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 10:22:22 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Subject: WHO PERFORMED THE FIRST SURGERY ON THIS EARTH ?
From: Dr. CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 18:00:37 06/19/06 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.111
Message:
The Lord God performed the very first surgery when he removed a rib from Adam to create EVE.
I have always wonder "how" this surgery was done. First how did God Anesthetize Adam ? Did Adam breath some special gas ? Or did God give him something to swallow ? Or something through the vein or Acupuncture ? How did God make the incision ? Was it with a sharp object like a knife, did he use his finger, or did He use laser ? Was there blood loss ? How did he close the wound ? Did he used sutures, surgical glue, or staples ? Was there a scar on Adam's side ? OUR CONCEPTS AND TECHNIQUES ARE INADEQUATE TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED.
However, God provided the first anesthetic and performed the first thorasic surgery. When I get to heaven, my skills of providing anesthesia will not be needed,BUT I SURE HAVE MANY QUESTIONS FOR THE LORD, INCLUDING HOW HE DID THAT SURGERY ON ADAM. FOR NOW, IF I WERE TO WRITE THE "POST-SURGERY" REPORT FOR THE LORD, IT WOULD LOOK LIKE THIS:
PREOP DIAGNOSIS: = NO WIFE
POSTOP DIAGNOSIS: = WIFE
ANESTHESIA: = GENERAL
SPECIMEN REMOVED: = RIB
WOUND: = HEALED
BLOOD ADMINISTERED: = NONE
CONDITION OF PATIENT: = HEALTHY
PAIN MEDICATION: = NONE
SURGICAL ASSISTANCE DURING SURGERY: = NONE
THE LORD IS A GREAT GOD. HIS THOUGHTS ARE NOT OUR THOUGHTS, NEITHER IS HIS WAYS OUR WAYS. Did I hear you say "as the heaven is higher than the earth so is his thoughts higher than our thoughts?".
Subject: IN THE DOCTOR'S LIBRARY (2)
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 10:06:15 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Subject: "SPEAKING IN TONGUES" SO MANY QUESTIONS, SO FEW ANSWERS
From: CHARLES CURTIS-THOMAS, RN,MD,MPH
To: All
Date Posted: 18:57:55 08/09/06 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 24hrpc5.cpmc.columbia.edu at 156.111.18.144
Message:
I have been perplexed by the concept of "speaking in tongues". The phenomenon of "speaking in tongues", technically called or designated as "GLOSSOLALIA", has been manifested in nearly every Christian denomination in recent years. Some churches have been divided on how to handle this manifestation. There are churches where it has been totally rejected and in others it has been uneasily tolerated or quietly supported. Other churches again have embraced it wholeheartedly. Some congregations have claimed a sweet enrichment and others have been split over it. GLOSSOLALIA remains a controversial subject despite its occurrence, growth and popularity.
A whole new set of questions is being asked today regarding "speaking in tongues". Aside from the issues of whether the christian usage of GLOSSOLALIA is from God or, as others hold, from satan or to be connected with the demonic; whether it is a supernatural phenomenon; whether it is the result of a trance-state, a stimulation of BOCA'S AREA in the left cerebral hemisphere, an altered state of consciousness, a form of hypnosis or hysteria, or a process of learned behavior, there is another matter that cuts to the very core of the modern concern---namely whether the modern phenomenon of "speaking in tongues is identical with the "gift of the Holy Spirit" manifested on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.
THERE ARE MANY MORE QUESTIONS, WITH VERY FEW AMSWERS, FOR EXAMPLE: Where does "speaking in tongues" originate from ? Who engages in the practice of "speaking in tongues"? Do all christians need to "speak in tongues"? Is this "speaking in tongues" necessary for a person to be saved ? Is "speaking in tongues" the same as the baptism of the holy spirit? Is "speaking in tongues" the outpouring of the LATTER RAIN before Jesus Christ returns in the clouds of heaven? Who endorses "speaking in tongues"? Does "speaking in tongues" lead to a closer work with Christ? Does the Holy Spirit reveal "new truths" to the one "speaking in tongues"? If "speaking in tongues" derives from the Holy Spirit, does it lead to into a full knowledge of all truth of scr1pture ? Is "speaking in tongues" the future means to unite all christians into one single church ?
"Speaking in tongues" has been studied by linguists and anthropologists who attempt to discover whether and/ or to what extent it is linked to modern or ancient languages and language structures. "Speaking in tongues has also been investigated by psychologists and psychiatrists who wish wish to find out whether it is an aberrant or semi-normal psychological form of human behavior. "Speaking in tongues" has been scrutinized in recent years by sociologists and behavioral scientists who seek to discover its place in various areas of socio-behavioral patterns of human behavior.
Another group of researchers has investigated the relationship of "speaking in tongues" as practiced by christians with glossolalic phenomenon that seem identical in NON-CHRIASTIAN RELIGIONS in the world. It is well known that priest of non-christian religions, witch doctors, Shamans, and other religious persons speak on various ceremonial and religious occasions in GLOSSOLALIC utterances that have characteristics identical with christian GLOSSOLALIA. These observations have raised totally new issues and have put GLOSSOLALIA in much broader religious contex that can no longer be ignored.
It is our responsibility to inform ourselves on these issues. The essential question remains, ARE NEW TESTAMENT "SPEAKING IN TONGUES" AND MODERN DAY "SPEAKING IN TONGUES" IDENTICAL OR IS THERE A RADICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM ? THIS VEXING ISSUE DESERVES RENEWED ATTENTION IN VIEW OF THE NEW FINDINGS IN SO MANY FIELDS.
DID I HEAR YOU SAY "THERE ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY QUESTIONS AND SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FEW ANSWERS?"
Subject: IN THE DOCTOR'S LIBRARY (1)
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 09:59:29 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Subject: BEING A VEGETARIAN IS NOTHING NEW
From: Dr. C. CURTIS-THOMAS
To: All
Date Posted: 13:32:42 02/02/06 ()
Email Address:
Message:
" THE SQUARE OF THE HYPOTENUSE OF A RIGHT TRIANGLE IS EQUAL TO THE SUM OF THE..." If you can finish that sentence, you, unlike me, must have stayed awake in geometry class. You also probable remember the name ( you probably guessed it right ) PYTHAGORAS. His theorem is studied each year by thousands of high school students.
But Pythagoras was more than a Greek philosopher. He is also called "THE FATHER OF VEGETARIANISM" because he argued in favor of a fleshless diet, insisting that there were religious, physical, and ecological reasons for leaving animal products off the dinner table. For nearly 2,500 years Europeans and Americans labeled those who followed such dietary practices PYTHAGOREANS.
The term VEGETARIAN sprang from the British Vegetarian Society formed in 1847. There have always been vegetarians among earth's population, many choosing to maintain a plant-based diet out of necessity rather than preference. During medieval times, grains and vegetables were regarded as animal food. Only poverty would compel a human being to include such fares.
Over time ,however, meat became a status symbol. The more frequently you ate flesh ( corpses, as George Barnard Shaw called it ), the more elevated your position in society. One version of the English dictionary displayed this bias in its definition of oats : "OATS : a grain, which in england is generally given to horses, but in Scotland appears to support the people".
Vegetarianism is often linked to religion, and the strength of the tie seems to relate directly to the age of the belief system. Islam, at 1,300 years old, has no strong vegetarian heritage. Buddhists herald nonviolance and noninjury to living creatures and have done so for nearly 2,500. Hinduism can trace its vegetarian principles back some 5,000 years to the VEDIC scr1ptURES that eulogized the abstinence from meat and pleaded with the faithful to eschew flesh (corpses).
Jews cited the first chapter of genesis as prescribing man's original diet : then God said "I GIVE YOU EVERY SEED-BEARING PLANT ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH AND EVERY TREE THAT HAS FRUIT AND SEEDS IN IT. THEY WILL BE YOURS FOR FOOD " (GENESIS 1 :29).
Dispite this decree, Jews eventually came to view the absence of meat as a deprivation (and I am guilty of this too " oh yah, me salt pork and me rough rice, look way are dae wator"), often abstaining as a symbol of grief and morning (as on good Friday ).
Early christians, and to a large extent , present day christians, with its roots firmly planted in the Jewish tradition saw vegetarianism as a modified fast to purify the body.
Looking at vegetarianism on the health front, a study conducted recently revealed that vetetarians outlived the general population by 8.9 years.
A growing number of people (me included) believe that a vegetarian diet is more healthful than meat eating, and millions (me included)have markedly reduced or eliminated RED MEAT from their shopping lists.The reason for adopting meat-free life-style range from the elimination of suffering caused to animals, health worries, and concern for the environment.
Today, a bronz likeness of PYTHAGORAS overlooks the ancient harbor of his namesake village, PYTHAGOREAN, on the Greek island of Samos. More than 2,500 years have passed since he sat on those shores and contemplated mathematics and the meaning of life.
THE PHILOSOPHER WOULD BE GRATIFIED TO KNOW HOW WIDLY HIS VEGETARIAN DOCTRINE HAS SPREAD, BUT PERHAPS WILL BE DISAPPOINTED THAT IT IS ONLY FOR HIS MATHEMATICAL THEOREM THAT HE IS BEST REMEMBERED.
Charles Curtis-Thomas, RN,MD
Dept of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University
OHIO
Subject: Response to Dr Mannah
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 23:20:16 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.101.8
Message:
A response to Dr. Mannah on ‘THE CRUCIAL NEED FOR HONESTY IN THE DEBATE ABOUT THE CHALLENGES CONFRONTING SIERRA LEONE’
The arrogance with which Dr. Mannah wrote his article was a turn off to all serious thinking minds. His assertions about holder’s of PHD’s in economics as the exclusive group to claim expertise and write on the subject of economics is bogus and without merit. Dr. Mannah was only trying to boost his ego as he spent a good percentage of his artricle blowing his own horn about ‘badges of abilities’ that he claims to posses from the class room.
As I stated briefly on Cocorioko Forum, crossing your T’s and dotting your I’s may make one an intellectual but it certainly does not make one a wise man. With this, I will now bring to light some of the flaws on Dr. Mannahs article that I found very troubling.
In his attempt to denigrate Mohammed Jalloh for criticizing the President of the World Bank, Mr. Wolferwitz, Dr. Mannah wasted no time to point to the Presidents credentials as a Phd holder and to his resume, having allegedly worked for six United States Presidents. In other words Dr. Mannah was telling Mohammed Jalloh to be quiet when a PHD holder speaks for he cannot be wrong.
To Dr. Mannah I would like to ask the question whether the past Presidents of the World Bank and other International institutions were less qualified than Mr. Wolferwitz when they guided our mother Africa into economic degradation. May I ask if they were not holders of PHD’s like Mr. Wolferwitz and yourself? Further, may I add that the business of the world bank is not entirely about economics but also about politics. The judgement made and the resulting decision especially on Sierra Leone may not have been based on strict standards in light of the political environment in Sierra Leone. Nevertheless we are thankful for the green light on debt cancellation.
That a day’s visit to Sierra leone and seeing happiness on the faces of a hand picked group of SLPP supporters is adequate for him to arrive at the conclusion that the situation on the ground affirms his suspicion that things were moving in the right direction is a total nonsense.
You said and I quote that you and other PHD holder’s in economics ‘rely on making positive statements, Statements that are about facts, statements that are based on empirical evidence’. Don’t you think you are pushing the envelope too far. In the class room you may be doing just that with a limited number of issues when coming up with theories but even that is questionable because economics is a social science with serious limitations in our practical world. I believe that the imperfection in economics as a science is exactly the reason you as a PHD holder has not come up with the empirical formula for a successful Sierra Leone till today.
By the way, I am a holder of degrees in economics and political science and a Masters in public affairs and I like the combination. I hold no PHD but I have bagged 22 years of experience in government service as an administrator and currently as a Research Specialist. Will you also dismiss me as fool hardy, like you did with Mohammed Jalloh, without any right to claim expertise in government operations simply because I hold no PHD?
Dr. Mannah, wouldn’t you agree with me if I state that the title of your article ‘WHY SIERRA LEONEANS SHOULD BE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE UNEQUIVOCAL VOTE OF CONFIDENCE THE WORLD BANK PRESIDENT PAUL WOLFERWITZ PASSED ON THE RULING SLPP GOVERNMENT’ is a gross overstatement worthy of an award for rhetorical statement. And what is the talk about Sierra Leoneans been euphoric and basking in joy for the statement by Wolferwitz when Sierra Leoneans on the ground are without basic essentials for living such as electricity, good water supply, good health facilities and good roads. Again what is the talk about security in Sierra Leone when Yenga was under siege and Pa Kabbah is promoting an explosive tribal discontent in the Biriwa Limba Chiefdom.
Dr. Mannah’s attempted to criticize Mohammed Jalloh for saying that the current SLPP government is corrupt but he based part of his criticism on an alleged failure by Mohammed Jalloh to state the source of his information that the Secretary General, Kofi Annan, made those remarks. Frankly, I am not sure what cave in the United States Dr. Mannah was in for hibernation but he has surely displayed a total ignorance about corruption in Sierra Leone.
In his attempt to deny the claim that Kofi Annan said that Sierra Leone is corrupt, Dr. Mannah cited the following statement by Kofi Annan : ‘Sierra Leone is definitely one of our success stories of our work together. Sierra Leone is a good example of what can be achieved by the UN and its member states working together.’ This he said is evidence that Kofi Annan could not have made a negative statement about Sierra Leone eight months earlier because it would be a 360 degrees turn around. To the young and inexperienced Doctor, I say that Kofi Annan was likely referring to the victory by member states to rid Sierra Leone off rebels- a credit well deserved.
But of all things that fascinated me the most about this young doctors bravado statements about PHD’s in economics’ use of facts and empirical statements is his flagrant disregard for the rules of the game when he made sweeping statements about mismanagement by the APC government without substantiaition. In fact Dr. Mannah sank further low when he said that ‘the current APC cannot rule Sierra Leone now because the culture of corruption and incompetence still lingers through the party.’ Where is the proof Dr. Mannah?
Using his own logic, Dr. Mannah should refrain from political discussion because he does not even have a degree in political science. Now how does that feel Doctor?
Finally, Dr. Mannah, Mohammed Jalloh is no APC. The APC would like him though as it is a party for all people.
Subject: Re: Response to Dr Mannah
From: My View
To: All
Date Posted: 08:53:50 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: sph16-160.harvard.edu at 128.103.16.160
Message:
Dr Mannah is still basking in the excitement of recently completing his PhD. But in his field, reputations are established by scholastic productivity and analytical objectivity. His tacit denial of the SLPP’s mismanagement of the economy raises serious doubts about his willingness, and not necessarily his ability, to be objective. In addition, more productive, renowned, and apolitical scholars in his field have resoundingly criticized the bank and its contribution to Africa's underdevelopment. It concerns me that Dr Mannah appears to conveniently ignore their contributions on these issues in his essays. I would suggest that this cherry picking of the evidence is motivated by a greater loyalty to his party than to his country.
Subject: Re: Response to Dr Mannah
From: The Seasoned Economist
To: All
Date Posted: 06:54:18 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: f298781.ga.unc.edu at 152.4.31.217
Message:
I said it before. Mannah's writing is full of errors. Economics uses conjectures to arrive at an answer, based on the data. But is the data the reality? Occasionally not. The data itself may contain series of problems. They may have colinearity, autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity and, may therefore give misleading results. This is why economics is a social science and is not based on a matter of fact, like laboratory experiments. It is a series of conjectures as to the reasons behind the results. This, Mannah is what your paper lacks. And this is why I find Jalloh's writings more credible than yours.
Beside, Mannah, if you want to find Jalloh guilty because he used descr1ptive language in his writings, you did the same in yours. You also spoke about independent and dependent variables, but you failed to mention your econometric model, if you want to be technical. What econometric model did you use to arrive at your answers and what variables were included in the model.
Mannah, to vilify ones intellectual ability as you did Jalloh's without solid rebuttal evidence is nonsensical to say the least. There are several Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora who are renowned economists – not theoretical like you – but economists whose jobs are economists and are recognized by states or federal governments in this area, but rather would keep a low profile, unlike you. These are individuals who hold several degrees and has published several articles or delivered several economic speeches. A word to the wise is more than enough; it is quite sufficient.
Subject: Response to Ambassador Leigh and Truth
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 16:59:32 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.190.22.152
Message:
Greetings my brothers and sisters. Truth, thanks and may God give all of us, Sierra Leoneans, the wisdom to put humanity first, our nation next then ourselves in any of our endeavors.
Believe me, the circumstances under which I have been contributing have been nothing but excruciating self-sacrifice. This is so because I have, during my high school and college days, seen what the love of people and country can do for mankind. I have seen how our people have undergone the most unnecessary sufferings, just because most people just don't care about other humans.
I traveled the Length and breadth of Sierra Leone and saw that indeed, Sierra Leone has missed the most significant aspect or resource for productivity and development, her people. We as a nation have not utilized in human potentials. That is visible around the country, that we do not believe that human potentials, with the resources, no matter how little they may be, can go a long way to making a nation great.
We all want to come to America, utilize the sacrifices made by their forefathers but we look at where America is now but fail to even think or find out where America was sixty, seventy to eighty years ago. America, like Nigeria had difficulties. America, after the First World War, underwent a Recession at per to what very little countries went through. These two giant nations felt poverty like no other. To the point where humans ate human flesh for survival. This happened in Nigeria after the Biafra War and America after the First World War. But these two countries used human resources: the brain to move from that age of reconning to the great nations they are today.
Sierra Leone has great minds that are contributing towards other nations' developments but not theirs even if they wanted to. Why? When our political system becomes a dog-eat-dog phenomena, a hate mongering enmity propagation, marginalization, it creates fear, fear creates anger; and as evident in our war, that anger inflates to absolute nonsensical brutality. No one can lay fingers on why our war came about because we do not wish to go to our negligence of the human potentials that led to the unslaught of the war. We have inventors in Sierra Leone but as I write, such an inventor is looking for wood to cook food with, and light to see at night. Such an inventor is currently walking miles to fetch water to wash, cook or drink. Such an inventor is currently fighting illness that might take life with his or her knowledge that might save human life. While those sufferings are going on, there are those in Parliament at this moment not even thinking about those suffering masses or would be inventors. This is what I saw and vowed that even at my last breadth, I will speak for them with honesty, without fear nor favor but with absolute Love for the country, which if no one sacrifices for, will die with the greatness that we have failed to unearth. This we must all do if Sierra Leone is to see the greatness she deserves. We must not fear nor be one-sided because we cannot make a change if the truth is not found in us. Therefore, I thank you and hope that God will hear your prayer.
This lead me to addressing Ambassador Leigh. Sir, you may be aware that I will not condone any politician or ordinary citizen attacking you unnecessarily. I have said it time and again, on this and other forums, even when you were not participating or at least I would say, when I did not know you were participating due to the anonymous name you might have been using, that I have respected you from the first day I met you in your office, the Sierra Leone Embassy in Washington D.C., because you gave me the reason to, by the way you presented yourself to me. I noticed a remarkable difference between you and many politicians I have met in my life time. I worked at State House, met with Diplomats all of whom you know. The like of Ambassador Olu Harden, Tom Obaleh, and Ambassador Dumbuya who were remarkable people I have emulated. You served as a replica for change in Sierra Leone politics. This is what you have demonstrated by your contributions here.
Nonetheless, in any democratic nations, there has to be divergent views. As you rightly mention, people have the right to associate and dissociate. If that is Mr. Margai's view, if he decides to join others, those you do not approve of, I believe you are entitled to that opinion too but the whole decision must be the people's who will cast their ballots to approve or disapprove his actions. What I am asking, knowing that you are demonstrating your civic right in having that opinion about the people he is with, it would be of value to us, who are also citizens if you can tell us what wrongs Mr. Mrgai has done, that you envisage might be destructive for the nation or that are not worthy of leadership.
I do not have time, but I would like to thank you for your time.
Subject: BIRIWA CHIEFDOM
From: GBANBANI
To: All
Date Posted: 14:58:26 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCYTHE PRESIDENT,
ALHAJI DR AHMAD TEJAN KABBAH
ON THE OCCASION OF THE RECOGNITION OF THE PARAMOUNT CHIEF
OF BIRIWA CHIEFDOM
ON FRIDAY, 26TH JANUARY 2007
"EVOLUTION OF CHIEFTAINCY IN SIERRA LEONE"
SALUTATION
It is always a great pleasure and honour for me to perform the ceremony of recognising a newly elected chief and to hand over to him the staff of his office. In the past newly elected paramount chiefs were invited to State House in Freetown for the ceremony of recognition. Since I assumed office I decided to perform the ceremony of recognising newly elected paramount chiefs in the chiefdom headquarter towns because of the respect I have for the office of paramount chief. This is an age-old tradition emanating from the time when the Colonial powers and our traditional rulers established together a partnership in governance. Every ceremony of this kind renews the commitment of the central government and traditional authority to work together for the prosperity of the nation and the material well-being of our people. In order to put chieftaincy in its proper perspective however, I shall take this opportunity to provide some background information on the origins and development of chieftaincy in our country for the enlightenment of our distinguished guests and the nation at large.
Introduction
The institution of chieftaincy in Sierra Leone, like in most other communities, arose out of Man's need for social order. When communities became large and more complex, it was no longer possible to administer social control along family lines. Community members then entered into some kind of arrangement for governance. This is the historical origin of political leadership in the Provinces. The institution of chieftaincy is deeply rooted in our political culture. This is why every government (colonial and post-colonial) has not only relied on chiefs to help implement its policies, but has publicly pledged to uphold the institution. The level of adherence to this pledge has varied considerably from Government to Government. The institution of Paramount Chieftaincy is also entrenched in our present Constitution. Thus it cannot be tampered with through the normal process of legislation. In this way, it has been guaranteed that Paramount Chieftaincy will continue to remain a vital factor in our local government system and in the development of Sierra Leone.
In my Address to Parliament in 1996, I buttressed this position when I said that "Paramount Chiefs will once more be given the authority to manage the affairs of their chiefdoms without undue interference by bureaucratic and other Central Government officials."
Pre-colonial chieftaincy
The evolution of present-day chieftaincy in Sierra Leone, dates back to some seven hundred years when most of the country's ethnic groups began to actively populate certain areas. Chieftaincy acquisition took three main forms:
(a) Clearance of virgin forest;
(b) Conquest, and
(c) Possession of mystical powers
(a) Chieftaincy by clearance of virgin forest
The person who first cleared the land (usually a farmer/hunter with his slaves and other dependants) claimed custody of the said land. This "conqueror" of virgin forest subsequently became the King or ruler of any major settlement that developed on the cleared land and he also allocated land to other land users. The major settlement was generally surrounded by satellite villages controlled by headmen who may have played some role in the founding of the major settlement. They were subordinate to the "conqueror of virgin forest." Often a thick strip of forest was left between one settlement and the next, partly to avoid friction and partly for protection in war. When the King died, ownership of the land passed on to his lineage. Much of the chiefship title and title to land in Sierra Leone today was acquired through this method.
(b) Chieftaincy by Conquest
Occasionally, a more powerful leader could impose his hegemony on an already settled community through war and eventually become their ruler or King. This was how some lineages in northern Sierra Leone and the Kpaa Mende warriors in the south became sovereigns of their own territories. Other examples include Fula warriors who subsequently became rulers in Yoni chiefdom and parts of present-day Pujehun District.
(c) Chieftaincy through possession of mystical powers
In some instances, Muslim traders were welcomed and persuaded to take wives partly because of their mystical powers associated with Islamic practices. These trader-missionaries were often rewarded with the chiefship of their new settlements. This was how some Koranko Muslims (e.g. the Kallons) gained chieftaincy titles in Kenema, Kailahun and Pujehun Districts.
Secular and Ritual Chiefs
In pre-colonial Sierra Leone, chiefs ruled over territories as independent kings and there were two broad classifications of rulers: secular chiefs and ritual chiefs, although the distinction was not always clear-cut. Secular chiefs were found mostly in the southern half of the country and tended to derive their legitimacy from performance criteria whilst ritual chiefs were found mostly in the north and derived their legitimacy largely from mystical powers.
Secular chiefs did not usually go through elaborate ceremonies on coronation, although as in the case of ritual chiefs, the men's secret society (Poro, Wonde, Regbenle, or Gbangbani depending on the locality), played an important role in their election and in regulating their conduct. The ritual chiefships went through complex ceremonies before they were recognized as King and the conduct of the chief was governed by taboos placed on the chief and his people. Examples abound among the Temne, whose supreme ruler - the O'bai - had to go through 'Kantha' ceremonies where he was taught the ways of the community and how to govern well. Ritual kings were generally elected for life.
Women as Chiefs
In both systems, women were initially excluded from holding supreme political positions, partly due to the large influence of the male secret societies in the governance system and also because the king (especially the secular one) was often expected to lead his people to war, when the need arose. Sierra Leone did not historically have women warriors. Women could, however, become town, section and village chiefs. By the late 19th century, southern Sierra Leone and especially parts of Mende and Sherbro territories, were beginning to accommodate women as supreme rulers, partly as a result of British colonizing influences. I have made several appeals in my speeches all over the country especially to people in the north for a change from discriminating against women becoming Paramount Chiefs since the secret societal and military functions can be delegated to the Chiefdom Speaker where the Paramount Chief is a woman. It is wrong to exclude women, our mothers and first teachers on the ground purely of gender when women have demonstrated they can do as well as men and in some cases even better.
Chiefs were elected by a consensus of elders and the choice was invariably the candidate who they thought would best direct their affairs. Security and the candidate's ability to govern well were more important than royal claims to authority. This was why, for example, Mende leaders in what is now Kailahun District elected the Kissi warrior, Kailondo in 1880 as their king. When he died, he was succeeded by Fa Bundeh who was "Kai Londo's Prime Minister and General, and certainly the strongest man in the area.."
The rulers had councils that advised them and carried out decisions. Separation of powers was unknown and the King performed executive, legislative and judicial functions. Despite this fusion of functions, there were checks against misuse of powers. Traditional rulers were, on the whole, not autocratic, for everybody was subject to the same laws. No ruler could exempt himself from the rule of customary law simply because he was a king. Subjects could appeal against their chief. Moreover, kings almost always acted in concert with their principal advisers. If the king wanted to declare war, for instance, he first held a meeting with his advisers. If they felt that the war was unjust, or that the enemy was very strong, they could withhold their support and give orders for peace despite the king's position on the issue. In some communities like Limba land, if a king became autocratic, his subjects deserted him. In ritual societies, the society could refuse to perform ceremonies and thus delegitimise a bad chief or in serious cases of oppression and abuse of power, impose more severe sanctions against the chief. A despotic ruler could also ruin the chances of members of his lineage succeeding him.
The role of a pre-colonial king was analogous to that of a modern monarchy. It was to protect the lives and property of his subjects, maintain the territorial integrity of his Kingdom, adjudicate matters to resolve conflicts, and ensure productivity for maintaining the economic life of the community.
The Colonial Period
The institution of chieftaincy experienced important modifications following the Protectorate declaration of 1896. The series of ordinances enacted between the 1890s and the 1930s radically altered the political authority and supremacy of the kings. For instance, in the Protectorate Ordinance of 1897, the title "king" was replaced by "Paramount Chief", which was defined as "a chief who is not subordinate in his ordinary jurisdiction to any other chief." The colonial authorities wished to recognize only one supreme monarch - the King/Queen of England. Thus the Kingship in the protectorate was converted to Paramount Chieftaincy. The Paramount Chief now had to be recognized and sanctioned by the colonial authorities to show that he was subordinate to and held power at the behest of the Colonial (Central Government) authorities. This practice of recognizing a new Paramount Chief by the President after his election continues up to today as a relic of the colonial past. The Paramount Chief could no longer act as an independent ruler as before. All communication between him and the Governor passed though an intermediary, the District Commissioner. Even the courts system established under colonial rule reduced the power and authority of the chiefs, for they were only allowed to decide minor civil cases.
This loss of independence put the chiefs in a dilemma of reconciling conflicting roles; as representatives of their people, and as agents of government. If they pushed the wishes of their people (who technically elected them) as against those of the central government, they risked deposition or banishment. On the other hand, if they pushed the wishes of the government too hard especially where it had to do with taxation and forced labour, they risked revolt by their people.
The colonial authorities allowed the chiefs to exercise those powers and functions that were "not repugnant to (Western) civilized ideas of justice." And although the institution of chieftaincy was not destroyed, it nevertheless declined. The chiefs had none of their indigenous sovereign powers - indeed, power now belonged to the colonial state. The chiefs exercised only the authority which the colonial state allowed them to exercise, and the residual authority of the British Crown decided the question of chieftaincy. In some instances, deposed chiefs were replaced by others from outside legitimate ruling families (i.e. non-descendants of the founding lineages of the chiefdoms).
Revolt against colonial authority
The Protectorate proclamation had greatly weakened the authority of the chiefs and this, coupled with other colonial policies such as the House Tax, led to a major rebellion in 1898 - the House (Hut) Tax War. After the war, the colonial authorities decided to fragment the chiefdoms and install puppet chiefs, especially in those areas where opposition to the government had been strongest. Thus, by the 1920s, there were 217 chiefdoms in the Protectorate, and many were not viable entities.
The Native Administration
The ordinances of the 1930s were designed to convert chiefdoms into modern local government units with responsibility for collecting taxes, maintaining law and order and promoting community development. To this end, the Native Administration (NA) system was introduced on a voluntary basis in 1937, with the following three elements:
" Tribal Authority, meaning the Paramount Chief, the chiefs, councillors and men of note elected by the people according to native law and custom and approved by the Governor;
" Native courts; and
" Chiefdom treasuries
Under the new system, chiefs were required to give up their traditional sources of revenue in place of a regular salary. The idea was to mould chiefs into agents of change and good government at the local level. Earlier, the Bo School had been established in 1906 specifically for the sons and nominees of Paramount Chiefs who, it was expected, would return to their chiefdoms and help to develop their locality as enlightened rulers. It took a long time before Bo School boys were employed in the colonial civil service.
The cooperation of chiefs was pivotal for the proper functioning of the NAs. However, many chiefs regretted their joining the system, primarily because it drastically reduced their income. Before the introduction of the NA system, the chiefs were not paid regular salary but they seemed to be relatively well off from the tributes and incidental gifts they received from their subjects and friends. But the NA system replaced these with salaries which, in the opinion of most chiefs, were grossly inadequate.
The colonial administration did nothing to improve the salaries of chiefs and other NA staff. In consequence, the chiefs resorted to extraneous means of augmenting their pay, which was to lead to serious political disturbances in many chiefdoms in the late 1940s and 1950s. The process of amalgamating chiefdoms which by 1959 had reduced the number of chiefdoms from 217 in the 1920s to 146, in order to make them viable, was not achieved without friction.
At this juncture, I want to use this opportunity to clarify the misconception about the position of Tribal Headmen in the Western Area and in the major towns in the provinces. This category of tribal leaders particularly in the Freetown Municipality is mentioned only in one instance and one locat1on, that is Freetown. According to the Statute that created them, that is the Tribal Administration (Colony) Act (Cap 78) their main duty was to act as advisers to the Colonial Governor on the customs and traditions of their tribes and no more. They should not exercise any jurisdiction, civil or criminal, of any nature whatsoever in respect of the members of their tribe. They are not Paramount Chiefs and should not claim the privileges and status of Paramount Chiefs. In the case of Tribal Headmen in the Provinces, there is no law establishing their office and they are only recognised by Paramount Chiefs in accordance with the customs and traditions of the chiefdoms. They can clearly continue to help Paramount Chiefs in the Provinces but they should not usurp the authority of the Paramount Chiefs and the function of the local courts established by law. They are like all other residents of the chiefdom subject to the authority of the Paramount Chief.
Post-World War Two developments
After the war the British were forced to grant political independence to their colonial subjects. They then quickly set up institutions to achieve this. At the central level, the Legislative and Executive Councils were expanded with unofficial majorities while at the local level, District Councils and the Protectorate Assembly were created, the former to facilitate development at the district level and the latter to act as a training school for Protectorate politicians desirous to be elected into the Legislative Council. In both institutions Paramount Chiefs played a dominant role.
Another development that was to seriously affect the institution of chieftaincy was the introduction of political party activities. In addition to their traditional role of leading and developing their areas, the chiefs were now called upon to muster political support for parties at the local level. Where a chief supported a party that was in power, it became difficult to closely supervise that chief for fear of losing his political support.
The Independence Constitution did not properly define the role of chiefs in the central legislature (to which they were first appointed in 1924). It merely stipulated that twelve chiefs: (each representing one provincial district) would sit in the House of Representatives. Whether they were to remain independent, belong to a party, vote as they liked or with the government, were questions left unanswered. Brigadier David Lansana relied on this ambiguity to justify his military seizure of power in 1967.
The Legal Framework of Paramount Chieftaincy
This is now superseded by the Constitution of 1991. It was only that Constitution that conferred constitutional status on the institution of Paramount Chieftaincy. Before then, the incidents of this important national institution were regulated only by legislation, the Provinces Act 1933 (Cap.60) which was amended substantially in 1961 by another legislation. Even the 1961 Independence Constitution merely obliquely referred to the institution of Paramount Chieftaincy by providing for the representation of one Paramount chief per district in the national Legislature.
It was the 1991 Constitution which uplifted the status of the institution of Paramount Chieftaincy to the constitutional realm.
(a) That Constitution recognized that the institution of Paramount Chieftaincy is established by customary law and usage. It is not created by law or by the Government. It follows therefore that it cannot be abolished by law or by Government. This guarantees and protects this great institution almost forever.
(b) It provides that an office of Paramount Chief shall not be abolished by legislation unless the laborious provision relating to amending the Constitution itself or other entrenched provisions in it are adopted. These are that the Bill for such amendment should be passed by not less than two-thirds of the members of Parliament and it must also be approved at a referendum. In this way it now makes it almost impossible to reduce the number of chiefdoms or amalgamated chiefdoms.
Election of Paramount Chiefs
The same 1991 Constitution makes provision for the election of a Paramount Chief in the event of a vacancy that is for those who are qualified to be elected Paramount Chiefs and those who are entitled to vote at such elections.
(a) The candidate should be a person who proves that he descends from a recognized Paramount Chief of the same chiefdom (or of a chiefdom which is amalgamated with that chiefdom).
(b) The electors should be members of the Chiefdom Council concerned and the mode of election should have regard to customary law and practice.
The process of the election of a Paramount Chief itself is well provided for by the Constitution so as to protect and preserve the dignity of Paramount Chieftaincy. Thus it is provided that -
(a) No proceedings shall be brought in any court to restrain or suspend or in any way to interrupt the election of a Paramount Chief.
This means that once the election of a Paramount Chief has commenced, no one can stop the process.
(b) When the election has been completed, aggrieved persons can challenge the validity of the election in court, and even this can only be with the consent of the Attorney-General. Nobody has power to question the fact that the Attorney-General has given his consent or refusal to give such consent.
The Removal of a Paramount Chief
The sensitive issue of the removal of a Paramount Chief is governed by the Constitution. The relevant provision of the Constitution states that a Paramount Chief may be removed from office by the President only for gross misconduct in the performance of his office, and not for any other reason.
The mechanics for his removal are also stated, namely, after a public inquiry conducted by a Judge of the Superior Court and there has been an adverse finding against the Paramount Chief. And even after all this, a Paramount Chief can be removed only if the President is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to remove him.
Under the present Constitution, a Paramount Chief cannot be removed from office even when he is physically or mentally incapacitated, and even when he is not able to perform his functions as Paramount Chief, as long as he is not guilty of gross misconduct. This makes the tenure of office of a Paramount Chief for life and more secure than that of a Judge of our Superior Courts. A Judge can be removed from office if he is not able to perform the functions of his office as a result of physical or mental illness, and also if he is guilty of stated misconduct, which need not be gross misconduct.
Today, the institution of chieftaincy and the position of the chief, irrespective of the form, nature or source of authority, have become firmly ingrained in the psychology, culture and outlook of our people even those who may not be of provincial origin. Today, the position of the chief offers unlimited opportunities for our people to combine the advantages of the modern world with our traditional values and beliefs for the advancement of our people and the development of our society.
However, this can only take place if we are all united behind the person we choose to be our leader. The choice of the leader should not be based solely on tribe or ethnic origin but rather on the ability of the person to serve the community and to contribute to its overall development. We have been reminded about how chiefly lineages were established in the past mostly through the performance of outstanding services for the community. We have also been reminded recently about the history of paramount chief elections in the Biriwa Chiefdom. For the benefit of those of you who did not have the opportunity of listening or reading my speech which I delivered at the seminar on the Role of the Sierra Leone Police in 2007 Elections on Wednesday 30th August 2006, I now reproduce portions of that speech as follows:
"25. I will refer here to the Biriwa Chieftaincy elections. The Government's conduct in those elections has been variously described as unjustifiable, unconstitutional, a usurpation of the powers of the National Electoral Commission, tribally biased and ill motivated and lacking in support from historical events relating to elections in that chiefdom. All these insinuations and allegations have been made in spite of the fact that the Government in two public written Statements has explained the constitutionality of its conduct in those elections and the historical basis or justification for that conduct. I give a few examples here:
That the elections were unconstitutional because -
(i) Government proceeded with those elections after the National Electoral Commission had refused to render assistance or support to the process as indeed it did in the case of other Paramount Chieftaincy elections. This has been blown out of all proportion and treated as a usurpation by the Government of the constitutional duties of the National Electoral Commission. Support for this unfounded allegation is sought not from the Constitution or the law, but from a legal opinion issued by the Vice President to a Government Minister. I will not refer here to the type of construction put on that legal opinion or its effect vis-ŕ-vis the express provisions of the law or the Constitution. Suffice it to say that in all the several pronouncements by politicians, the media and even lawyers whose role it is to advise properly on legal or on constitutional issues there has been no reference to that part of the Constitution or the law which the Government is alleged to have violated or infringed in the Biriwa elections to properly warrant describing the Government's conduct in those elections as unconstitutional or illegal. If anything Government has complied strictly with the Constitution and the law, and has in no way attempted to exercise or perform any of the functions or powers of the National Electoral Commission as clearly stated in Section 33 of the Constitution. I reproduce here Section 33 for the purpose of giving accurate information to the public of the correct constitutional mandate of the National Electoral Commission:
"The Electoral Commission shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of the registration of voters for, and of, all public elections and referenda; and for that purpose shall have power to make regulations by statutory instrument for the registration of voters, the conduct of Presidential and Parliamentary or Local Government elections and referenda, and other matters connected therewith, including regulations for voting by proxy."
26. All the activities stated in section 33 in so far as they relate to the mandate of the Electoral Commission cannot conceivably be regarded as activities touching and concerning Chieftaincy elections, the voters' list, for example, which is compiled by a procedure which the National Electoral Commission cannot constitutionally supervise and in respect of which elections NEC has no powers either by the Constitution or otherwise to make regulation on. Section 33 of the Constitution went further to clearly define what "public elections" in that section relate to, namely, parliamentary, presidential elections and referenda, and also Local Government elections which are governed by the Local Government Act 2004. It follows therefore that the fact that Chieftaincy elections, though conducted in public, are not public elections the conduct of which falls within the mandate of the NEC as provided for in section 33 of the Constitution. The request to NEC to use its expertise in elections to assist in the process does not in any way alter the nature of those elections so as to bring them within the ambit of section 33 of the Constitution. NEC's refusal to continue to give its assistance to the process should not prevent those elections ever being held. The appropriate authority proceeding to conduct those elections notwithstanding does not render the elections unconstitutional or illegal.
27. Another unfortunate tendency which appears to be emerging from the Biriwa elections is the attempt to promote tribal sentiments and tribal disharmony. Contrary to the evidence that the Government has already produced, those elections are still viewed from some quarters from a tribal perspective, namely, that the winning candidate does not hail from a ruling house, that he was allowed to contest only because he belongs to a particular tribe favoured by the Government, and that the rightful claimants were deliberately excluded from the elections in order to make way for the present winning candidate. All these allegations which have become the subject for public pronouncements by politicians and some lawyers are a complete distortion of the facts as they occurred during the process leading to the elections in that Chiefdom. They are totally untrue, having regard to the history of chieftaincy elections and the established ruling houses in that chiefdom including the right of the present winning candidate to be elected Paramount Chief of that Chiefdom. The Government Notice published on the 15th August 2006 on that matter in a painstaking manner gave enough material which could have put to an end all the malicious allegations and insinuations on that matter. But alas! It is now clear that the motive has been not to ascertain the facts relating to those elections as a matter of objective inquiry, but to create disunity and destroy the harmony which has prevailed among the different tribal groups in that chiefdom for so long. I am taking this unprecedented step to quote below in extenso from the Government Notice on the matter published on the 15th August 2006 as follows:
"The last point was the legitimacy of the "Sheriff House." According to the protesting women, this was a new ruling house created by Government and they claimed that the Madingos were foreigners from Guinea. The Minister referred them to the opportunity provided in the Guidelines for candidates who are considered illegitimate to be challenged. This is provided for by Section 4(1) of the Government Guidelines which states "Any Aspirant or Chiefdom Councillor can object to a claim of an Aspirant. The Aspirant whose claim has been objected to, shall only qualify and be accepted as a candidate to contest the paramount chief election if the Aspirant's claim is supported by two-thirds of the Councillors present and voting by public show of hands."
"Also, according to official records, the Sheriff ruling house had always contested elections since 1952. For example, Alhaji Sheku Sheriff contested Paramount Chieftaincy elections with Saspo Conteh for Biriwa Chiefdom on the 3rd February 1952. And in 1957 Alhaji Sheku Sheriff and Alhaji Borbor Sheriff of that same ruling house contested paramount chieftaincy election against Pongo. These two contests were before 1961 and in conformity with the Presidential declaration of November 6, 2002 which states "The position of Government is not to create new ruling houses but to continue with established ruling houses that were in existence at independence in 1961." It is interesting to note that even after 1961, the Sheriff ruling house had continued to be acknowledged by the people of Biriwa chiefdom during subsequent paramount chieftaincy elections. For example, in 1963, Alhaji Borbor Sheriff contested against Sheku II. In 1995, Alie Sheriff contested against Foday Kalawa and Palmer with the following results at first ballot:
(1) Alie Sheriff - 149 votes
(2) Foday Kalawa - 147 votes
(3) Palmer - 70 votes
All of the Sheriffs were Madingos from the Sheriff Ruling House.
The Madingos, at this stage, of the contest staged a walk out and the contest continued with Foday Kalawa against the Government box at which election, Foday Kalawa got the majority of the votes and was declared duly elected as Paramount Chief of Biriwa chiefdom."
28. In 2006 elections in that chiefdom the history of 1995 elections repeated itself in reverse order, namely, that this time it was the Limba candidates who boycotted the elections which proceeded with one candidate, this time the Madingo candidate from the Sheriff ruling house.
"Additionally there is in existence a copy of the treaty signed in 1890 by Commissioner G.H. Garrett, representing the British Government and one Foday Moseray Sheriff of Karina representing the people of Karina in the Biriwa Chiefdom. This treaty of friendship conferred chieftaincy rights on the Sheriff House in the same way in which other families in the country became ruling houses. This legitimacy of the Sheriff ruling house has subsisted up to this day. The present winner Dr Issa Mohamed Sheriff hails from and contested under that ruling house.
29. Section 5(i) of the Government's Guidelines promulgated in 2002 for the election of paramount chiefs state as follows:-
"Only those Aspirants who are genuine and direct descendants of recognised and established Paramount Chieftaincy ruling houses that have been in existence as at independence in 1961, and descendants of the original signatories to the protectorate treaty signed with the colonial administration will be qualified to stand as candidates in the paramount chieftaincy election.
In the face of the above, there was clearly no basis or justification for denying the Sheriff ruling house from contesting the Biriwa chieftaincy election. In the same vein, there was no justification for the protest or demonstration mounted by the women as it clearly contravened existing precedents and was clearly aimed at depriving the Sheriff house from contesting the paramount chieftaincy election in that chiefdom."
Today, chieftaincy has come a long way and is attracting more and more highly educated and professional sons of the soil. For example we now have Paramount Chiefs who have Ph.D. degrees, Masters degrees and other university degrees and qualifications. You are fortunate today because you have as your paramount chief a medical doctor. The reason for this is that an enlightened chief is in a much better position to manage the affairs of his chiefdom and to guide his people in a positive direction. The people of Biriwa have been fortunate to have such a son of the soil, a medical practitioner by profession who has extended his professional services to the people of this chiefdom irrespective of tribe free of cost and continues to do so. My appeal to you is to be united behind him so that you can move your chiefdom forward. I am sure the chief realises that although he hails from one of the ruling houses in Biriwa, he is today the chief for all the indigenes of Biriwa irrespective of tribe, ethnic origin or the ruling house to which one may belong. His administration should therefore be as inclusive as possible and reflective of the diverse origins and affiliations of his subjects. The chief is after all the symbol of unity for his people. He should be seen to embrace them all.
Here I want to make a special appeal to my friends in the profession of journalism and to some of my colleagues in the legal profession. It is not good journalism and it does not give credit to the legal profession always to seek to incite people and inflame difficult situations. We should take some time always to investigate stories and analyse issues before rushing to print or to plead as it was in the case of a legal practitioner who asked me to review the decision of the Supreme Court. As you would expect I replied him as follows:
"That there is no administrative division in this country known as Biriwa Limba Chiefdom to which the petition relates.
That His Excellency cannot reverse a judgement of the Supreme Court which is regularly given and after full arguments by Counsel.
That for the stability of this country it is incumbent on everybody including the petitioners to respect the provisions of the Constitution, particularly the provision relating to the authority of the judiciary, the separation of powers as between the Executive and the Judiciary. His Excellency in his capacity as the Fountain of Justice should not be engaged in reversing a regular judgement of any court nor can that status be employed to negate the powers assigned to the Judiciary by the Constitution.
His Excellency wishes your clients to be properly and professionally advised so that they would respect the authority of the Supreme Court and abide by the judgement of that Court. That will serve the best interest of everybody."
Given that we are now seriously engaged in a peace-building exercise for which we have won worldwide acclaim, it is incumbent on every Sierra Leonean to help people resolve their differences rather than to incite them to violence. In my capacity as the Fountain of Honour, Justice and the Symbol of National Unity and Sovereignty, I am willing to do all in my power to foster unity among all the indigenes of Biriwa and to help them work with their chief to bring peace, prosperity and progress to their chiefdom.
It now gives me the greatest pleasure to formally recognise Dr. Issa Mohamed Sheriff as the duly elected paramount chief for the Biriwa Chiefdom Bombali District.
Subject: Re: BIRIWA CHIEFDOM
From: brokeoseminister
To: All
Date Posted: 16:26:48 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: brokeoseminister@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
PA KABBAH PASS MARK!! WOSE KIND LANGA LANGA SPEECH THIS? 3 HOUR SPEECH NAR COURT BARRIE WITH FARMERS EN PASTORALISTS? YOU CAN IMAGINE THE SNORING AND THE SLEEPING. NO WONDER THE DRIVER EN THE SECURITY GUARD DEM GO LOOK FOR POYO AND TAKE ONE FOR THE ROAD!
Subject: Re: BIRIWA CHIEFDOM
From: brokeoseminister
To: All
Date Posted: 16:26:04 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: brokeoseminister@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
PA KABBAH PASS MARK!! WOSE KIND LANGA LANGA SPEECH THIS? 3 HOUR SPEECH NAR COURT BARRIE WITH FARMERS EN PASTORALISTS? YOU CAN IMAGINE THE SNORING AND THE SLEEPING. NO WONDER THE DRIVER EN THE SECURITY GUARD DEM GO LOOK FOR POYO AND TAKE ONE FOR THE ROAD.
Subject: Re: BIRIWA CHIEFDOM
From: GBANBANI
To: All
Date Posted: 15:35:47 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-69-230-223-51.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net at 69.230.223.51
Message:
ALL You KABBA and The Sheriff of KARINA, I will like you to know that the clock is ticking...this time not clock-wise instead anti-clock wise. Kabba you have no choice but to leave office come july of 2007. Remember the Biriwa Limba Chieftancy is not for strangers, it is a customary legacy that is being handed down to the sons of the fore rulers of that land of ours.
Remember, the same way you (Kabba) trample on the Sierra Leone Constitution is the same way we are going to strip the title of a Paramount chief from him by the end of 2007.
Subject: Re: BIRIWA CHIEFDOM
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 09:24:58 01/30/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
Kabba is not worried living office.I think AND SURE he not a blood of APC.
Subject: Njala student blasts…“Victor Foh may lead APC to doom”
From: APC MINISTER FORMEH-KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 13:56:52 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Njala student blasts…“Victor Foh may lead APC to doom”
CONCORD TIMES
Ibrahim Tarawallie 29 /1/2007
Mohamed Alie Kamara, a third year student at the Njala University College Thursday warned that All Peoples Congress (APC) stands to loose the July 28 presidential and parliamentary elections if Victor Foh, the party's Secretary General is not replaced.
Kamara, who was speaking at a symposium organized by the National Union of APC Students at the party's Hannah Benka-Coker Street , charged that Foh will lead APC to doom.
“Victor Foh is very aggressive and he does not possess the required qualities to head the party's secretariat. Last year I went to the party's head office to register over 40 students from my college. Victor Foh asked us out of his office. He said we are not credible people,” Kamara claimed. He alleged that most of the problems within the party are caused by Foh, who he claimed is a dictator, corrupt and ambitious for power. “A lot of work needs to be done to move the party from its dark days,” he stated
Subject: Re: Njala student blasts…“Victor Foh may lead APC to doom”
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 15:13:59 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
Victor Foh would have been a good partner of PMDC as he seems similer to Charlse
Subject: Re: Njala student blasts…“Victor Foh may lead APC to doom”
From: concerned
To: All
Date Posted: 07:54:45 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
This Victor High Barb AFRC Foh is lucky i am/was not the President of Sierra Leone. Would have Killed HIM for what he did to the students on August 18
Subject: Shhhhhhhhh, CORRUPTION STARTED With SLPP
From: Let all voices be heard
To: All
Date Posted: 13:54:13 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-457836a6.dyn.optonline.net at 69.120.54.166
Message:
Sir, I noticed that you deleted my response to this posting by the Chief. My response can be construed as anti-APC. But you certainly cannot deny their accuracy! Am I to understand that anti-APC retoric will not be condoned on a forum that is redolent with anti-SLPP diatribe?
Subject: WHERE IS ALIE FORMEH-KAMARA
From: GBANBANI ME FOOT
To: All
Date Posted: 13:28:14 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Kabbah crowns ‘controversial' Biriwa chief
James Fallah in Makeni 29 /1/2007
CONCORD TIMES
President Ahmed Kabbah Friday crowned ‘the controversial' Dr. Issa Mohamed Sheriff Paramount Chief of the deserted Biriwa Limba Chiefdom, Bombali district. The ceremony took place at the Kamabai Secondary School in Kamabai some five months after he was elected.
The elections, which were conducted by the Ministry of Local Government in August 2006, attracted criticisms from civil society members, human rights lawyers, National Electoral Commission and opposition parties.The President after the swearing in ceremony handed over the staff of office to the newly crowned chief.
He, however, observed that it was wrong to exclude women from chieftaincy role, adding that in actual fact women are more trusted than men.Resident Minister North, Alex Alie Kargbo who chaired the programme said the occasion marked a big success in the history of Biriwa chiefdom.
He recalled that a medical doctor has never been elected in the chiefdom.“The chief will heal the people when they fall sick,” he said.Minister of Local Government, Sidikie Brima while he presented the Paramount Chief to President Kabbah, as tradition demands, said he felt proud to present a medical doctor to a colleague doctor, the president.
Minister Brima stated that the Chief, who studied in Germany , was born in Karena, Biriwa Chiefdom on May 13, 1946. He later formed a local non government organization called Alpha Nonko Medical Services and also established a clinic at Karena.
The inauguration ceremony was also witnessed by Paramount Chief Kasangha II of Bombali Sheborah, PC Kandeh Sesay of Sanda Thendaren, Masa Yeli Tham II of Makarie Gbanthi and Kandeh Lusanie of Sella Limba Chiefdom.
Subject: WE NEED TO TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY !
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 13:16:39 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
"The absence of a minimum age for marriage of girls in Sierra Leone has impacted negatively on the development of young girls. Under customary law, girls under the AGE OF TEN may be given away in marriage. In order to address this problem, the Commission recommends that legislation be enacted abolishing this practice and that a minimum age for marriage be established at EIGHTEEN. The Commission recommends that the Government should enact legislation that would make it a CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF SIXTEEN. Sex with a child under the age of 16 SHOULD CONSTITUTE THE OFFENCE OF STATUTORY RAPE. THIS IS AN IMPERATIVE RECOMMENDATION".
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
Subject: Re: WE NEED TO TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY !
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 15:19:02 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
Poverty,ignorancy a lack of at least grade 1 level is all responsible for that type of marrage.Ver high Bride price is still demanded in many families even where some high education is.
Subject: YES, THIS IS THE VERY SAME A.P.C., WITH VICTOR FOE!
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 12:59:35 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
"...The A.P.C. Government used concerns ABOUT INTERNAL SECURITY as a pretext to stifle the nascent democratic culture. All the institutions of the state WERE SUBJECTED TO STRICT PARTY CONTROL and SIAKA STEVENS, the new President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, ADOPTED AN INCREASINGLY AUTHORITARIAN APPROACH. Under the A.P.C. , central Government sustained itself through CURRUPTION, NEPOTISM AND THE PLUNDERING of the state assets. Thesae practices were replicated at regional and local levels, were chieftaincy became synonymous with POWER, PATRONAGE, AND CONTROL OF RESOURCES. When Sierra Leone ADOPTED A ONE-PARTY CONSTITUTION IN 1978, AND SEMBLANCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY OR EFFECTIVE OPPOSITION HAD ALREADY BEEN ELIMINATED. Historical trends like economic decay and fragmentation of the national spirit were exacerbated under the one-party system and became key causes of the conflict".
(Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
Subject: Re: Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, CORRUPTION STARTED WITH THE SLPP
From: Beware of the APC Bearing Charges
To: All
Date Posted: 11:16:46 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-457836a6.dyn.optonline.net at 69.120.54.166
Message:
It is Deja Vu all over again! The APC is once more going after the eminent Sir Albert Margai who died over a generation ago. May He Rest In Peace even though the vindictive, shallow, and incompetent APC is determined to deny him such respite.
Let me however remind one and all that whatever evil it was that they ascribed to Sir Albert, the All Poisonous Congress once in power exceeded them all. They chastized Sir Albert for seeking a one-party state. But the APC went on to force through the very same constitutional scheme and thereby transformed Sierra Leone from a parliamentary democracy into a one-party state republican dictatorship, all in a matter of twenty four hours. With that singular mettle the Sun set on Sierra Leone (pun intended), bright hopes darkened, and our future programmed for the brutal civil war that inevitably ensued.
They said Sir Albert was corrupt. But the APC elevated corruption into government policy. They abruptly did away with crucial internal control instruments and centralized all treasury decisions into the dirty paws of their thieving presidents. They also created the notorious APC Hajas and were parent to the hegemonic ekutay syndicate.
They said Sir Albert was a tribalist. But APC enforcer-thugs went about to harrass and beat up Mendes just for speaking their language on the streets of Freetown.
They said Sir Albert sought Mende hegemony. But in nearly a quarter century in power, the setting Sun never held a clean election as opposing candidates were harrassed and physically assaulted, and APC candidates routinely returned as unopposed. And in a declaration that will forever live in infamy, APC Vice President S.I. Koromah crowed that history will record that there once were a Mende people.
I noted elsewhere in Cocorioko that a high official of the USA branch of the APC is again promissing that his party will detribalize partisan politics in Sierra Leone. But how? By rejuvenating the one-party state? Such pronouncement is indicative of APC cluelessness and reliance on brute force. They will not allow us to evolve. They are mostly enamored of thugs, and they are enforcers only. Their hypocritical self-righteousness is a far more serious problem than corruption, tribalism, and fears of hegemony that they love to incite whenever they are out of power. It can in fact be argued that Sierra Leone today is exactly the country that a quarter century of APC rule created. The dirty streets, poor maintenance of government facilities, lack of light and running water, a transportation system that is based on poda-podas that are unsafe at any speed, poor schools, etc., etc., and so on, and so forth, are all legacies of a quarter century of APC caprice. Now they want you to believe that they are clean, that they bear no responsibility for our condition, or that they have changed.
Folks, the APC has not changed. They are the same bumbling and incompetent ideologues who seek power only for the sake of power. They have no clue, they have no agenda, and they are notoriously poor managers. The poison that they sowed on their first go around still lingers and remains our biggest shame. And I wonder if, as was the case in 1967 they are now, in another crucial election cycle, in fact annoucing their agenda for their second coming, when they criticize other political parties. Fool you once, you get my sympathy; fool you twice, shame on you! But do yourself and Sierra Leone a favor come July. I don't care who else you vote for. But for the sake of Sierra Leone PLEASE DON'T BRING BACK THE APC.
Subject: PRAYER FOR KABBAH
From: INTERNET POST
To: All
Date Posted: 10:17:52 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ca07-ch01-bl07.va-ashburn0.sa.earthlink.net at 207.69.138.139
Message:
The Lord Tejan Kabbah is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in darkness at Freetown with impunity:
he leadeth me beside broken infrastructure of dusty roads and over the new bridge on the still waters of the estuary to Lungi.
He restoreth my soul in anti-corruption investigations against small peccant men, while the Swegbehs and Borbor Bellehs prosper:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake at the Special Court, to redeem the bungling at Lome as a fig leaf to cover RUF routs in the theatre of conflict;
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, with no food security, and disease pervasive in me, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy World Bank and thy IMF multi-lateral organizations, they comfort my poverty reduction and the donor countries buffet me into debt relief; for it shall come to pass that I shall have no national programme of my own in economic progress;
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies in the APC and PMDC in the electoral process, a looming doom hanging over me but I will not rig the elections before the United Nations even if Christian Thorpe remains a gadfly at NEC, she is no James Jonah;:
Thou anointest my head with distortions, and propaganda on the campaign trail:
Siaka Stevens will return if the APC wins. Charles Margai will ascend the throne at the imperial Palace in Bo, becoming King Charles Francis Margai III in the Kingdom of Sierra Leone, after the monarchies of Sir Milton Strieby Margai I of Bonthe and Sir Albert Michael Margai II of Gbangbatok;
My cup runneth over into the 2007 elections, although I still coveth my place at the bottom of the UN Human Development Index perennially because a gang of mealy-mouth sycophants applaud and serenade me in spite of my 10-year record of retrogression;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the one, country, among one people in one-party for ever because democracy tolerates only membership of the ruling party.
Subject: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: WAA
To: All
Date Posted: 09:22:59 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
WAA has just been informed that the most odious, greedy, pilfering character on this forum has had some very personal problems lately. stay tuned for more info. WAA has learned that his problems have arisen from the demise of serotonin from his system and that serotinin replacement therapy that he has been on (PROZAC) is wearing him out.
I hear even his SLPP buddies now do not wat to have anything to do with him anymore. Ajua is getting tired of washing his dirty p*&p laden underwear. She is tired of his inability to keep a JOB. He has been fired from his last job for -......Hot fingers.
Stay tuned for more on this developing story
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: Baba Oreilly
To: All
Date Posted: 10:17:30 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 70.237.0.17
Message:
This is so unfair. However disagreeable we are in politics, we should never let that take us down this road. You definitely owe Saidu and the rest of us an apology.
WAA, I respect your views but please, stop this. Awo ni Awo loh, as Allieu Iscandari would say.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:50:10 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
While browsing this forum I notice that my name has come up with reference to the post against Saidu bangura. I will appreciate it very much if you would not mention my name in any regards to Saidu either in commentary or quotations.
Much appreciation
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: Baba Oreilly
To: All
Date Posted: 13:20:54 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 70.237.0.17
Message:
You concern duly noted. However, as a lawyer, you would agree that such innocent mentioning of your name as a paraphrase or quotation, is anything but a sign of disrespect. I would imagine that, given the circumstances that you may or may not have a close tie with the subject under discussion, you would prefer not to be mentioned. But your notice of desist almost borders on paranoia. So pray tell, may we ask why?
Your commments or response to the above notwithstanding, Baba Oreilly will honor your request and cease mentioning your name regarding the subject, Saidu Bangura. Does that apply to all other topics as well? Saidu Bangura has left such blazing skidmarks that even the strongest among us would rather not be associated with him. Bulford Hwy may be right after all.
Baba Oreilly is a fan of the attorney so from time to time would like to quote him. Did I hear you say, hear hear? Ah well.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 13:46:49 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
hear hear
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 12:00:06 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
"This is so unfair.However disagreeable we are in politics,we should never let that take us down this road"
"IF YOU LIVE IN A GLASS HOUSE DON'T THROW STONES."
Baba Oreilly when this guy started abusing people on this FORUM where were you to tell him to stop? We know this forum is for POSITIVE THINKERS,and, if one cannot DEBATE the ISSUES, there is no need for one should start calling others DEROGATIVE NAMES.He has done that several times,and we in the ATL had spoken to the SLPP hierachies inorder for them to stop him from doing these type of acts,but they did not listen to our complains.So what do you expect us to do after we've been back to the wall.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: Baba Oreiily
To: All
Date Posted: 12:14:23 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 70.237.0.17
Message:
ATL in da house! How's Hotlanta, Mr. Buford. Was down in Peachtree sometime in December. Nice place.
I agree I came in a tad late on this issue and I do apologize for tha. Problem is, it bothers me when we start dragging family members into the discourse, be they fathers or wives. Kabs should put a warning out there. Alfa Saidu has gotten agressive lately in his defense of his SLPP and that is unacceptable when he started throwing insults. And yes, he owns a glass house so he should be wary of stepping on stones let alone throwing them.
Ar beg pardon for am, du ya. Let him go this time. After that, there is no holding back. Alfa Saidu is Apkata kin beru ojo. Thanks for this.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 12:43:39 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
BRA MEK EE CAM ORMOJUBA TO D FORUM,DEN WE GO LEF AM.EH TIME DON DON.U SAI EH COMOT BA.EH FOR GO NA DOR
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: Stokes Detector
To: All
Date Posted: 10:51:30 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac96c6be.ipt.aol.com at 172.150.198.190
Message:
The debul man is here.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: Baba Oreilly
To: All
Date Posted: 11:26:52 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 70.237.0.17
Message:
Kabs is trying too hard here and he and I know that. He is trying too hard to unravel the myth because Baba Oreilly scolded him on the journalist warfare. But he knows better than to pick a fight with Baba Oreilly himself.
What WAA did is wrong and even though he has every right to say that, he should let prudence dictate his next move. We are all brothers and Baba Oreilly is here to make this place better.
You are wrong, Mr. Detector. Try again while I find a way to get the brother WAA reconcile with Alfa Saidu. They are brothers. Are you?
I will reveal myself when the battle is won.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: Ahmed Koroma Stop
To: All
Date Posted: 14:59:57 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.8
Message:
"I will reveal myself when the battle is won."
You faint late. As the man told you, you are busted. Scratch that: you were busted a few weeks ago, Stokes, or do you prefer Ahmed Koroma? Teehehehehe
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: Baba Oreilly
To: All
Date Posted: 15:26:03 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 70.237.0.17
Message:
What are you afraid of Kabs-Kanu? You need to stop this pettiness. As Baba Oreilly once said, you are trying too hard using your own forum to get back at your perceived enemies.
I am not who you think I am and your "busted" gang need to do more than that. I know WHO YOU ARE, Kabs and I am watching your every move to making sure you don't use your forum as a weapon. You have a credibility to maintain so do your job without malice.
This forum allows writers to go incognito and you are doing yourself a disservice bringing other people's names into the fray. That may just come back and bite you, you know.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 21:05:37 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.101.8
Message:
My head is really big and so everything is done by me.I have not even been on this forum today because all who know me know and are in contact with me personally know where I have been this afternoon--In the hospital.
I only came here to look for the posts Mr. Ahmed Koroma wrote me personally to complain about tonight.
You must some stupid person. Why would I set up a forum and use it to get at people when I can handle them conveniently in my newspaper ?
I know who you are but be sure about this--I will not stop your fun.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: FORREST GUMP
To: All
Date Posted: 03:37:34 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-157-221-237.range81-157.btcentralplus.com at 81.157.221.237
Message:
I know who you are but be sure about this--I will not stop your fun. Good Rev that`s GOSPEL I hope the hospital was not anything serious
FORREST
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: SWEGBEH ALFAMAN
To: All
Date Posted: 10:44:08 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Saidu swegbeh alfa man does owe more people an apology than any other person on this forum. the slpp has shut his trap up he is now on crazy medications and sooner he will find himself in a crase yard in america. Owe him an apology my foot. WAA does not owe that bastard an apology and if you want to get involved on his side nar you mama we go bring cam insie dis. you sabi ehn you mami.
jes fu*k off
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: Moijue
To: All
Date Posted: 10:06:48 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-135-67-77.range86-135.btcentralplus.com at 86.135.67.77
Message:
Dont laugh at the demise of others however u may disagree with him or what he stands for.No one klnows 2morrow.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALFA SAIDU BANGURA
From: Fini Sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 10:33:26 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Moijue
this slpp loudspeaker has burned too many bridges and he deserves worse than he is getting. na haliki boy. we nar im family from wey e go america ee nor sen penny for me wey nar im mama. ee nor geh blessing
Subject: SIERRA LEONEANS CODE OF CONDUCT
From: Dr. Michel Sho- Sawyer
To: All
Date Posted: 08:57:01 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: michel_sawyer@yahoo.com
Entered From: c-24-99-17-147.hsd1.ga.comcast.net at 24.99.17.147
Message:
Y S L I
YOUTH FOR SIERRA LEONE IMPROVEMENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
SIERRA LEONE Local Offices: 36 Main Motor Road,Congo Cross
Freetown, Sierra Leone,West Africa
408 Augusta Drive / Marietta , Georgia , 30067,
Youthforsierraleone.com/ Email:YSLI@youthforsierraleone.com/
A member of the Youth For Sierra Leone Improvement (YSLI) has a duty and responsibility to support all YSLI interest and promote the empowerment of the Youth’s in Sierra Leone and the Diaspora.
Youth for Sierra Leone Improvement (YSLI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan and non-governmental organization of Sierra Leoneans based in Sierra Leone, with representation in the United States of America.
YSLI is dedicated to the mission of establishing a platform for Sierra Leoneans at home and in the diaspora and for the youths of Sierra Leone to articulate on the various youth policies enacted and to be enacted. Our belief is in dialogue between the various stakeholders involved in youth policy issues, development, education, and awareness exercised through unity, nationalism and democracy.
Commitment to ethical professional conduct is expected of every member (voting members, associate members, and student members) of the Youth For Sierra Leone Improvement.
1.1 Contribute to Society and Human well-being.
This principle concerning the quality of life of all people affirms an obligation to protect fundamental human rights and to respect the diversity of all cultures
1.2 Avoid harm to others.
"Harm" means injury or negative consequences, such as undesirable loss of information, loss of property, property damage, or unwanted environmental impacts
1.3 Be honest and trustworthy.
Honesty is an essential component of trust. Without trust an organization cannot function effectively. Membership in volunteer organizations such as YSLI may at times place individuals in situations where their statements or actions could be interpreted as carrying the "weight" of a larger group of YSLI. YSLI member will exercise care to not misrepresent YSLI positions and policies.
1.4 Be fair and take action not to discriminate.
The values of equality, tolerance, respect for others, and the principles of equal justice govern this imperative. Discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, national origin, or other such factors is an explicit violation of YSLI policy and will not be tolerated.
1.5 Give proper credit for intellectual property.
YSLI Members are obligated to protect the integrity of intellectual property. Specifically, one must not take credit for other's ideas or work, even in cases where the work has not been explicitly protected by copyright, patent, etc
1.6 Honor confidentiality.
The principle of honesty extends to issues of confidentiality of information whenever one has made an explicit promise to honor confidentiality or, implicitly, when private information not directly related to the performance of one's duties becomes available. The ethical concern is to respect all obligations of confidentiality to YSLI members.
1.7 Honor contracts, agreements, and assigned responsibilities.
Honoring one's commitments is a matter of integrity and honesty. For YSLI Members this includes ensuring that assigned task is performing as intended.
1.8 Articulate social responsibilities of members of an organizational unit and encourage full acceptance of those responsibilities.
Because organizations of all kinds have impacts on the public, they must accept responsibilities to society. Organizational procedures and attitudes oriented toward quality and the welfare of society will reduce harm to members of the public, thereby serving public interest and fulfilling social responsibility. Therefore, YSLI leaders must encourage full participation in meeting social responsibilities as well as quality performance.
1.9 Uphold and promote the principles of this Code.
The future of the YSLI depends on both technical and ethical excellence. Not only is it important for YSLI MEMBERS to adhere to the principles expressed in this Code, each member should encourage and support adherence by other members. A member in public practice shall not disclose any confidential client information without the specific consent of the client.
Sub- Code Of Conduct: Some fabric of Civic Code of conduct for Individuals:
1. Support the Constitution of Sierra Leone . Be loyal to the principles of the constitution.
2. Use peaceful and lawful activities to get the government to bow to the Constitution.
3. Be honest in your social/political interactions with others.
4. Become a Servant: A servant Leader has a Clear Vision and does what is necessary to move the organization toward the future.
5. Engage and develop others. Get people to buy into the Vision and give them the motivation, the education and the tools to develop.
6. Do not associate with those whose morals and ethical conduct can not be approved in public.
7. Embody the values. Leaders gain credibility by walking the talk, by modeling the actions and attitudes they want others to persue.
8. Give public recognition to public officials who are doing a great job.
9. When you see something that has to be corrected, correct it. Do not be an advocate of Diffusion of Responsibility.
10. Value results and relationships.
11. Respect those who deserved to be respected.
12. Be honest, Show personal integrity.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: What is an intellectual?
From: My view
To: All
Date Posted: 04:46:41 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 16-67-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.67.16
Message:
An intellectual is a person who uses his or her intellect to study, reflect, or speculate on a variety of different ideas.
I have been forced to react on John Mannah's blatant disregard for his area of learning.
Sadly, he claimed to be an economist with a PHD. Forumites googgled John Mannah! All what you will get are articles from awareness Times. How on earth Sierra Leone will move forward to have so-called intellectuals whom delight to involve in politics rather than writing for credible journals.
John Mannah is one of the so-called Intellectuals who copied notes and use others materials to grab academic paper and at the end of the day, they use their tribal connections to obtain jobs which in turn help them to plunder Sierra leone's weaslth.
Forumite, we need to look at the internet and see how other Africans are fairly. They are different from the newspaper cum pseudo-economist like John Mannah, who is counting on Berewa to rig the elections so he can be a member of cabinet.
Shame on trashy economist like John Mannah.
Subject: Re: What is an intellectual?
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 06:08:35 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.101.8
Message:
This is a very good question. I am glad you are asking the question in light of John Mannahs latest article on Awareness Times, Online News Paper.
Dr. Mannah is an intellectual but a dishonest one. He made sweeping and flippant statements which I will respond to in due course when I find the time to do so.
Crossing your T's and dotting your I's donsnt make you a wise man. It may make you an intellectual.
Subject: Re: What is an intellectual?
From: FORMER APC MINISTER
To: All
Date Posted: 06:09:56 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
And you are a honest man? Son of former APC minister Formeh-Kamara? APC ass licker lek you?
Subject: Re: What is an intellectual?
From: Pay attention
To: All
Date Posted: 14:06:35 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: static-70-21-126-109.res.east.verizon.net at 70.21.126.109
Message:
The issue is about whether Mannah is an intellectual, not Formeh's father. Stick to the issue. Otherwise, please go away.
Subject: Re: What is an intellectual?
From: Finance Nimisa
To: All
Date Posted: 05:16:04 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 218.248.0.180
Message:
Is he vying to become Finance 'Nimisa' (mende word for TROUBLE / PROBLEM / CRISIS)?
Subject: Re: What is an intellectual?
From: The Seasoned Economist
To: All
Date Posted: 08:17:10 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: f298781.ga.unc.edu at 152.4.31.217
Message:
John Mannah may be an intellectual, for all I know, but his current article is full of errors. He questioned Jalloh’s economics bias because his writings are devoid of hypotheses, methodology and econometric data. But Mannah failed to realize the audiences to which Jalloh’s writings are directed: the non-economists. Jalloh’s writings must therefore be simplistic and must be devoid of the nifty gritty economic variables and principles we usually see in economic articles and publications.
Mannah also claimed to be a ‘seasoned’ Economist. What is he talking about? He supposedly got his PhD a few months ago in 2006. Does earning a PhD a few months ago make you seasoned? How many articles has Mannah published in American economic journals and else where? Or, how many economic speeches has he delivered? Or which institution has he earned his professorship? Or where has he ever displayed his economics knowledge that has earned him the title: 'seasoned economist'? Thus what makes him seasoned?
Subject: Re: What is an intellectual?
From: Correction
To: All
Date Posted: 14:04:23 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: static-70-21-126-109.res.east.verizon.net at 70.21.126.109
Message:
John Mannah is definately no intellectual. He claims to have a Ph.D. If thast is true (going by his many mistakes when he writes about economics, that would be a shock)all that means is that he spent enough time at some (it could be any) university to meet some (it could be any) requirements for a Ph.D. That's it -- and that does not make him an intellectual.
His attempts to write economics proves that Mannah is not even at the level of undergraduate economics at a good school (unlike the fourth rate school) that he claimed to get a Ph.D. from.
One last thing, havinfg a Ph.D. does not mean that one is an expwert or seasoned in economics. It just means that one passed exams and othere things to have a Ph.D. Whether one is an expert in economics depends on DEMONSTRATING knowledge in economics above the level of the average man. Mannah can not do. Fact, Jalloh exposed Mannah as a schoolboy in economics here last year so badly, someone sorrowfully advised Mannah to go to jalloh for lessons, instead of trying to challenge Jalloh.
That advice is still a good one for Mannah because anytime he writes his communist manifesto-length ramblings, you can be sure it is full of mistakes. It is a joke for such a dud to call himself an economist, before I say "seasoned economist." The man should be ashamed to say he has a Ph.D. In fact, the school that gave him a Ph.D. should have its acrreditation revoked.
Subject: Re: What is an intellectual?
From: BBC
To: All
Date Posted: 10:09:28 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ca07-ch01-bl07.va-ashburn0.sa.earthlink.net at 207.69.138.139
Message:
John Mannah is a cab driver economist in the DC Metro area who is placing his bets that Berewa will win the elections,so that he will be offered a job.
Will John Mannah please refer us to any of his articles that has been published in academic journals.
Subject: MISSING IN ACTION?
From: KING LOGGY
To: All
Date Posted: 02:47:05 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 144.226.173.69
Message:
Hinga Norman for PMDC?
Where is Sengbe?
Subject: Re: MISSING IN ACTION?
From: Sengbe
To: All
Date Posted: 12:31:40 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.5
Message:
"...Where is Sengbe?..." Loggy
I am right here.
Why are you looking for me?
Do you really believe that pmdc story/hype?
Here we have a bunch of disgruntled folks forming a clique, not a political party - strictly going by the definition of that term - just so that they can field their benevolent dictator as an aspirant, writing a press release that is at best fraudulent, and you want me to make a comment about such LIES? Not I.
Did you read a few days ago when Charles claimed in a speaking engagement up-line that he had "made a deal with a company" to "solve the electricity and water problems in the country", while on his begging spree in the USA and UK?
I responded when I read that article, by asking; in what capacity could he have officially represented the GoSL under those circumstances? There was no response from him, or any of his representatives within the pmdc on this forum.
If a man, as "interim leader" of the pmdc can unashamedly tell such BLATANT LIES to BOTH the illiterate and LITERATE electorate, why would you be surprised if he/they falsifies(y) a press release.
It is quite possible that Bra Hinga and Co. may have entertained the thought of crossing over to another party of their choice probably out of frustration, and this would be quite understandable on my part. It is their prerogative, and I will NOT hold it against them. But the fact of the matter is that Bra Hinga will ALWAYS be SLPP.
The "pmdc" wrote an article sometime ago claiming membership by JEL, James Jonah, some un-named SLPP ministers, and others. We all know the lies inherent in that article. This release is another one.
I do not know about the others. They are free to be associated with the political party of their choice. That freedom is what I cherish about the SLPP.
So Loggy, oose party u belong to at the present time? U bin don forego u SLPP membership traday?
On another note, Loggy. In seeking the enemy the other day, I wrongfully mentioned you paddy ee sista name.[Dem don pull da piece from the forum in agreement]. Ar apologize for da shortcoming day. Ar hope say ee go forgive me, so that ee go now lef for put me name oosai ee nor blend. Ee know esef.
Subject: Re: MISSING IN ACTION?
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 15:32:55 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
Shegbe,this guys are all part of the frustration that any old member takes or prove to live the party.But whatever happens,new people are still comming in.Alot of people are more looking south and east for SLPP forgetting the fact that a lot of great northerners are in the party.They will see what this 2007 election will show about the connection of the party to the north.
Subject: Re: MISSING IN ACTION?
From: Detective
To: All
Date Posted: 06:09:49 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.8
Message:
He is hiding here. you see him using anti-APC, anti-PMDC handles like APC MAN, HONEST DEBATE. Dishonest, as usual.
Subject: Re: MISSING IN ACTION?
From: Tokwami
To: All
Date Posted: 06:54:08 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
he also writes as Truth, SLPP Henchman, Pa Lido and he uses other obnoxious handles. He is also J Lamin Iscandari.
Subject: Re: MISSING IN ACTION?
From: Wondering
To: All
Date Posted: 03:12:19 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Indeed where is Sengbe? I want to know....Is Hinga Norman a rebel? There are lots of questions Sengbe and the SLPP fanatics need to answer over Hinga Norman. Hinga Norman and some RUF men in the same party? HAHAHAHAHAH. I tire for laf. Is he now with the RUFians as Sengbe calls them? hahahahahaha!
Subject: Culled from Kenya London News
From: Karamoh Kabba
To: All
Date Posted: 22:15:52 01/28/07 ()
Email Address: karamohslylhorg@aol.com
Entered From: cache-mtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.8
Message:
From www.kenyalondonnews.com
Africa
Voices from Confinement
By Karamoh Kabba
Jan 29, 2007, 14:17
Sierra Leone’s decade-long war is over at last, but the new coalition of detained former members of warring factions says the awkward combination of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Special Court (SC) of Sierra Leone is the detractor of the provisions of the Lome Peace Accord of 1999 and TRC’s imperative recommendations. The Lome Peace Accord, which was ratified by the government of Sierra Leone Parliament grants pardon to all combatants of the civil war, whilst one of the ‘ten commandments’ [imperative recommendations] of the TRC reads; “Release of person held in Safe Custody detention. Never again resort to Safe Custody detention.” Nonetheless, detaining and trying those allegedly bearing “the greatest responsibility” for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sierra Leone by the SC contradict the aforementioned provision of the Lome Peace Accord and recommendation of the TRC.
On Thursday, January 11, 2007, various members of warring factions in SC detention for allegedly bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity coalesced in common interests to participate in the democratic process and jointly support a single political party in Sierra Leone. Chief Sam Hinga Norman, Moinina Fofana and Alieu Musa Kondewa of the Civil Defence Forces (CDF); Issa Hassan Sesay, Augustine Gbow and Morris Kallon of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF); and Tamba Brima, Ibrahim Bazzy Kamara and Santigie Kanu of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), signed a press release denouncing violence, thanking the international community for bringing peace to Sierra Leone, accusing the SLPP government as the dividing force in Sierra Leone and declaring their joint-support for the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC).
Scholars are divided between the usefulness and counter-productiveness of the TRC and SC in Sierra Leone. One argument that stands out the most amongst many Sierra Leonean scholars supports the detainees’ claim that the SC is a distraction to especially the TRC’s recommendations:
How would the ANC have become the honorable democratic institution it is if South Africa had chose a special court over a truth commission? One question that often garnishes the preceding assertion is; what would have become of the fate of Nelson Mandela? The most egregious war crimes and crimes against humanity were reported out of Sierra Leone during its darkest period of that bleak decade.
These crimes were because of fighting one of the most ruthless civil wars in recent histories. As well, members of the ANC and the Apartheid government of South Africa committed serious crimes against humanity on the long walk to freedom.
Sierra Leone’s war was unique in the sense that unlike many rebel wars in Africa that metamorphose into ethnic cleansing, a fourth angle to the rebel, army and peacekeepers in Sierra Leone was fomented by ethnic groups against their tormentors in the form of what we know as CDF that was headed by the then Deputy Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Chief Sam Hinga Norman, who is now one of the SC’s detainees. It is a fair to middling assertion that the CDF helped to avert ethnic cleansing in Sierra Leone. The army had been demoralized and its members transmuted either into various warring factions by force, by default or by choice or fled. The Commander in Chief was at the head of that fleet of soldiers that fled.
That left the Deputy Commander in Chief, Sam Hinga Norman, with no choice but the courageous members of the CDF that came to his rescue to represent his Commander in Chief, President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, with valor and honor. Chief Norman had the fullest support and backing of President Tejan Kabbah, who gave directives from Guinea, until the badly negotiated SC by Solomon Berewa, the then Attorney General, now Vice President and frontrunner of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), came into the picture.
What would be the fate of the President of Sierra Leone after he leaves the office of the president when the SC sticks to its gun of going after those bearing the greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity? In 1998, President Tejan Kabbah wrote an article for the Daily Mirror in London denying an allegation of using mercenaries provided by Sandline and trafficking of weapons to the CDF through the same source, [Sandline now mines Sierra Leone’s diamonds]: “My Government did not use mercenaries provided by Sandline. It is true that a delivery of light weapons, arranged by a third party, was made by Sandline for the use of our Civil Defence Units.
But that only occurred after the removal of the illegal regime.” Wayne Madsen, in his well-researched work, “Genocide and Covert Operations in Africa 1993-1999” writes; “On February 22, 1998, Sandline, with the approval of the Britain’s Foreign Office and British High Commissioner in Sierra Leone Peter Penfold, arranged to ship thirty tons of Bulgarian AK-47 riffles to Kabbah’s waiting forces in Sierra Leone.”
The Nigerians of the ECOMOG troops at Lungi Airport seized the cargo of ammunition, bound for the Kamajor local militias who were waiting to stage a counter coup against the military regime that had kicked President Kabbah out of office, Madsen explains. Is it a double coincidence that Sandline Company mines Sierra Leone’s diamonds?
The warring factions that signed the January 11 press release are the major stakeholders in Sierra Leone’s civil war and peace process. These united voices from confinement accusing the SLPP government as the dividing force empirically debunks the SLPP’s claim of bringing peace to Sierra Leone. These former warriors who are signatories to the January 11 press release surely know who brought peace to Sierra Leone.
They write; “We also fully appreciate efforts by the international community to bring peace, stability and security to Sierra Leone through our various collaboration efforts as former combatants and members of the various warring factions in Sierra Leone.” These men know very well that there would have been no peace without their collaborations and continuous admonishment of their followers to remain peaceful despite their status in confinement. That cannot be said of President Kabbah who might have been busy trafficking weapons to CDF against the UN—Resolution 1132 that barred the purchase and shipment of weapons to all warring factions.
What is more, the detainees know very well that their demise in SC confinement is because of the deceptive Lome Peace Accord that promised them what the government of Sierra Leone could not deliver.
These men demonstrate a complete commitment to the peace process and stability when they write; “Because we love our country; because we love peace, unity and stability for our country; because we believe in the development of our country and the welfare of our people; and above all, because we believe that the present SLPP government does not stand for peace, reconciliation, unity, stability and the development of our country and our people, we hereby unite and state as follows:
1.“That we have put all of our individual differences aside to support a single political party of our choice in the forthcoming elections.
2.That we know that the only dividing force that bears greatest responsibility for the current problems in our country, Sierra Leone, is the government of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP)
3.That like us, we urge our supporters, sympathizers, friends, relations, and well-wishers to support the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), which is the only political party we jointly and individually believe in to save our country, Sierra Leone, and bring peace, reconciliation, unity, love and stability to our nation.
4. that we are unanimously sending this message to the office of the PMDC through our wives and next-of-kin, hoping that the party will accept our membership, wishes and desires for our beloved country, Sierra Leone.
5. We urge the PMDC to spread this message far and wide within Sierra Leone and beyond to the international community, our friends, well-wishers, sympathizers, relations and supporters.
6. We are open to any visits, questions and comments about this united, friendly and God-inspiring decision we have taken. We thank God for our lives so far and sign accordingly.”
© Copyright www.kenyalondonnews.com
Subject: Re: Culled from Kenya London News
From: Toothless dog
To: All
Date Posted: 11:59:39 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 20.185-242-81.adsl-dyn.isp.belgacom.be at 81.242.185.20
Message:
we all know, that virtually every witness at TRC lied with great impunity, but nothing could be done.I shall not decide whether TRC or SC is more important, but just say that TRC was a big joke, and sheer waste of funds from Donors.Donors, look like big idiots.
Subject: True Leadership Speaks the truth (Part 2 of 4)
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 18:08:22 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Ernest Koroma gives a true picture of life under the SLPP
Subject: Re: True Leadership Speaks the truth (Part 2 of 4)
From: PR GURU
To: All
Date Posted: 14:31:41 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: usr501-wit.cableinet.co.uk at 213.48.201.29
Message:
Alieu,is your leader running for the White House in 2008 or State House in 2007? Who is he addressing? Americans or Sierra Leoneans? Because all i saw is the stars and strips. He was rapped in it, our national flag was miles away from him,one could hardly see it. It may sound trivial but i think presentation is very important.Style? He comes across as a smooth operator which is nice, he looks smart well dressed red tie and a red roving mic.But i think he needs to show passion when he is speaking.You party won in 1967 because they had people who were able to match the great orator Sir Albert of Africa. People like Dr. Fornah,Uncle Bash and Bandelay.I know some people will say that he has his own style,but trust me i nearly fell asleep.One think i will give him though, is that he did asked forgiveness.I appreciate that these details may seem important to someone like me living in the west with food in my stomach and a roof over my head.But again i wonder if presentation,colour of the tie or which flag is his backdrop really matter to our people back home WAE DAE SUCK AIR HOL DAY.
Subject: True Leadership speaks the truth (Part one of four)
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 17:54:41 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
watch the video and see what true leadership is. He thanks siera leoneans for their support of their families back home and then goes on to tell what his agenda is. This is part one of 4 and I will post the other parts.
Subject: Life under the SLPP. Man dem nor Glady oh
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 17:31:50 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
see how children live in rubbish dump under the SLPP, while their unemployed children live in mansions in the US.
Subject: The Legacy of the SLPP supported RUF war
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 17:23:35 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FdGm51oa4o
Subject: Re: The Legacy of the SLPP supported RUF war
From: Arthur
To: All
Date Posted: 09:54:28 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: arthur_dabest@hotmail.com
Entered From: 82-35-33-189.cable.ubr01.camd.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.35.33.189
Message:
This is pathetic. I shed tears when i watched those clips. Is that want we want for ous childre. The only people that want this government to return to power are those that are benifitting form this regime, thoase that dont care for thier folks back home. Lets put our political differences aside, and put the nation first. What has the government done to help those children? No wonder, there are children as young as 12 prostituting. So guys like put aside personal gains, tribes, sections and campaign for those children
Subject: Re: The Legacy of the SLPP supported RUF war
From: Arthur
To: All
Date Posted: 09:52:12 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: arthur_dabest@hotmail.com
Entered From: 82-35-33-189.cable.ubr01.camd.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.35.33.189
Message:
This is pathetic. I shed tears when i watched those clips. Is that want we want for ous childre. The only people that want this government to return to power are those that are benifitting form this regime, thoase that dont care for thier folks back home. Lets put our political differences aside, and put the nation first. What has the government done to help those children? No wonder, there are children as young as 12 prostituting.
Subject: PORT AUTHORITY 2-0 AS BAMAKO
From: FOOTBALLER
To: All
Date Posted: 17:10:13 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Confederation Cup results
Starlight beat Ajesaia in their first continental outing
Curepipe Starlight of Mauritius had a successful debut in continental competition on Sunday when they beat Madagascar's Ajesaia 1-0 in a first-round, first-leg tie of the Confederation Cup.
The home side dominated the early exchanges with striker Samuel Rebet missing a good scoring opportunity in the 10th minute.
He made amends 16 minutes later after beating the on-rushing goalkeeper Andoniaina Andriamalala with a side-foot shot into the corner of the net.
Starlight could have doubled their lead just before the break but veteran striker Kersley Appou's header was expertly saved by Andriamalala.
Appou was once again profligate in front of goal as he failed to connect Rebet's cross in the 75th minute.
Also on Sunday, there were away wins for Algerian club ASO Chelf, Satellite FC of Guinea and Cameroon's Astres de Douala.
Chelf beat Mauritania's ASAC Concorde 1-0, Satellite defeated Benefica Bissau of Guinea Bissau 3-0 while Astres de Douala had a 1-0 victory over Congolese side JS de Talangai in Brazaville.
Meanwhile on Saturday, Ports Authority of Sierra Leone had a 2-0 victory over visiting AS Bamako of Mali with goals from Muhahid Sesay and Daniel Foday.
Subject: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 16:12:02 01/28/07 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Gentlemen:
In connection with recent news in cocorioko.net that the CDF & RUF indictees have now joined the PMDC, here is an e-message I received from Freetown earlier today on the same topic:
"I see that the PMDC has claimed, on the basis of an unverified document delivered to them, that the indictees have all joined the PMDC.
"Before they issue the party cards, they might want to verify the signatures" on the said document.
As we do know, the detainees are not PaDemba Road prisoners. They are subject to international law under the supervision of world class officers. Their release of the purported document declaring their support for ‘dis or dat’ party would therefore be an infringement of the detention rules. In such a situation an investigation will promptly be put in place and a press release issued.
Thus it appears that the document relied upon by PMDC appears to be a forgery and completely bogus for several reasons.
First, the Special Court has decided not to investigate the circumstances of the purported document as a violation of the Rules of Detention because not such document emanated from the detainees. No press release has been issued by that Court. Its silence in this matter is clearly deafening!
Second, Chief Norman always deals with the local public only through his attorney, Dr. Bubakarr Jabbie. Last time we heard from Dr. Jabbie, Chief Norman (i) officially declared in a written statement for the SLPP in the presence of CDF representatives in Bo; (ii) ex-CDF chieftains are very active in the SLPP campaign and I saw and spoke to many of them in Sumbuya on or about December 12. They were diligently helping the party and its presidential candidate, VP Berewa.; (iii) Hip-hopping and flip-flopping in alphabet-soup situations is much too childish for Chief Norman to engage in; (iv) PMDC is the last place Chief Norman will descend to after that dumbo tried to stick him up for $50,000 when Norman was in a desperate need for legal help; and (v) Chief Norman knows that the SLPP is more likely to be in a position to help him than any other party or that money-grubbing, angri-belleh individual. Lastly, SLPP has the needed skilled manpower with relevant worldwide experience. PMDC does not.
Third, the RUF detainees have their own party. I do not see them switching to another party without their party’s entire chieftain agreeing to the alleged switch and announcing it themselves. So far no one in the RUFP has said a word.
Fourth, the PMDC have been boasting ever since its inception that ‘so and so are behind’ them when such has been mere wishful thinking on their part. So is the present bogus document. They are dreaming. In the process they’ve allowed themselves to be coned.
This shows that the current chieftains in PMDC have no confidence in their own abilities. They know they need others to carry them to victory. So they are desperate.
Finally, assuming that the RUF detainees have joined PMDC as claimed by the bogus statement, how would PMDC defend itself that it has jumped in bed with RUF killers, baby-to-grandmother rapists, arsonists, kidnappers, turning children into mindless killers, lootings, cut hand, cut yase, cut belleh, tiff-tiff, etc.?
Boy, in such an event, we will have a fantastic time making delicious mince meat out of the hide of those flunky-dummies. Go ahead, make my day! Thank you for your attention. – JL
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: MOIJUE (True kamajor supporter)
To: All
Date Posted: 08:52:51 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-135-67-77.range86-135.btcentralplus.com at 86.135.67.77
Message:
The document is A GENUINE ONE.IF e hart u go drink omolay.
I would rather be a friend to someone that charge me for a service than one that threw me in jail and never visited me.
HE who laugh last laugh best.Bravo to the POSITIVE TRAIN.BA mu piana ya
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: Bob Jusu
To: All
Date Posted: 17:33:05 01/28/07 ()
Email Address: philizbeth@hotmail.com
Entered From: prox-a.its.waikato.ac.nz at 130.217.76.77
Message:
Finally, assuming that the RUF detainees have joined PMDC as claimed by the bogus statement, how would PMDC defend itself that it has jumped in bed with RUF killers, baby-to-grandmother rapists, arsonists, kidnappers, turning children into mindless killers, lootings, cut hand, cut yase, cut belleh, tiff-tiff, etc.?
.....................................................
Mr. Leigh,
I thought you had stated here that people like Abass Bundu, Eldred Collins, Allieu Kamara, Amadu Bah, Col. Nelson Williams ( still in the military, and in fact promoted to Brigadier? by SLPP after the interregnum) Late Col. Sabbah Kamara (who even became SLPP Port Loko District Chairman), etc, who masterminded the activities of AFRC/RUF were/are now enjoying the fruits of the Lome Peace Accord, and as such had/have every right to be in the SLPP. So if you can defend the position of SLPP to take on board the above names, why do you think any other party cannot do the same. Or is it the case of...na mi nor more e good for?
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 09:38:09 01/30/07 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-mtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.8
Message:
Mr. Bob Jusu does not appear to understand what my argument is: He wrote, in part, as follows:
"............ So if you can defend the position of SLPP to take on board the above names, why do you think any other party cannot do the same. Or is it the case of...na mi nor more e good for?"
No, Mr. Jusu, I am not thinking or saying any such thing at all.
What I mean is this: that the blood-stained bad character of people that the leadership of an opposing party boasts about is fair game for discussion in any campaign.
Of course, your party, too, is free to do likewise! Thank you. -JL
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION - ATTN BOB
From: Chief Bomborlai
To: All
Date Posted: 01:21:23 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: Chiefbomborlai@yahoo.com
Entered From: s55916678.adsl.wanadoo.nl at 85.145.102.120
Message:
Bob,
It is mostly out of share ignorance that people often critize the the likes of Cols Nelson Williams and Sabbah Kamara. Pse tell me of any instance, private or public on which these officers should be indicted.Remember that the anti AFRC sentiments a few years ago were transient. Times have changed. Today, some people pray for the ejection of SLPP at any cost.
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION - ATTN BOB
From: Chief Bomborlai
To: All
Date Posted: 01:19:55 01/30/07 ()
Email Address: Chiefbomborlai@yahoo.com
Entered From: s55916678.adsl.wanadoo.nl at 85.145.102.120
Message:
Bob,
That error is irrelevant It does not undermine my message in any way. There is a basic essence to communication.Thank you for asking me. Pse delete word ' share' and insert ' sheer '.
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION - ATTN BOB
From: Bob Jusu
To: All
Date Posted: 07:26:11 01/29/07 ()
Email Address: philizbeth@hotmail.com
Entered From: 219-88-118-212.dialup.xtra.co.nz at 219.88.118.212
Message:
Did you mean sheer ignorance?
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: HONEST DEBATE
To: All
Date Posted: 17:40:25 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Bob,
The PMDC has to be different from both the SLPP and the APC. Afterall, did Margai not claim to be the head of a third force? I joined the PMDC because I wanted a party that will do things based on principles not falamakata. The PMDc followers including me have been claiming that we left the SLPP because the following individuals that you named joined our party. What will we say now when you have Margai of all people telling people at calaba town that the RUF and AFRC detainees have joined him to liberate salone?
Bob, the PMdC has to be above board. What is the difference then btw the PMDC, SLPP and APC? I am now convinced that Margai is power drunk, and will do anything to get power in that country. The man lacks pinciples, and I am still waiting to see if those documents are real. We have to be above board, Bob, if we want to convince the populace that we are saviours. Because SLPP do am, we sef for do am mentality nor go woke at all.
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: Bob Jusu
To: All
Date Posted: 19:46:29 01/28/07 ()
Email Address: philizbeth@hotmail.com
Entered From: 210-55-124-84.dialup.xtra.co.nz at 210.55.124.84
Message:
Honest Debate,
Bra, my response is a natural reaction to Mr. Leigh's posting, trying to frame the other parties in a bad light because of their association/s with former RUF/CDF/AFRC members, when he has them in his own backyard.
Brother, I am not a member of PMDC, so I can't say anything in that direction. Since you are a member, I am sure you can make your feelings known to your leader. That is all what democracy is about.....
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: Koko T
To: All
Date Posted: 20:54:32 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
he is not a member of the PMDC he is an agent provocateur called sengbe
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: ok dot
To: All
Date Posted: 17:56:49 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ca07-ch01-bl04.va-ashburn0.sa.earthlink.net at 207.69.138.136
Message:
Are the members of RUF,CDF AND AFRC not Sierra Leoneans.Don't they have the right to freely associate with any political party of their choice.Is this right not ingrained in the constitution.
Are you trying to say that the bulk of the RUF and CDF who hail from the south eastern part of the country(and who are inclined to be SLPP supporters) should be disenfranchised because of their past.
Does Margai or any of the other political candidates have the right to screen their supporters based on war time record?
Do you know how politics works?Tell me one Sierra Leone politician is principled?Does your President Kabbah has any principle,if so,why was he in a romantic relationship before his wife passed.Is Mr.Berewa a principled man,can he explain his connections with the Israeli diamond dealer.(The colonel who married Priscilla)
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: HONEST DEBATE
To: All
Date Posted: 18:01:17 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
oK DOT/ aLIEU iSCANDRI,
YOU ARE ASKING THE WRONG PERSON. I AM NOT A MEMBER OF THE slpp. iF YOU REALLY UNDERSTOOD MY LAST POSTING, YOU WOULD HAVE ASKED SENSIBLE QUESTIONS. I LEFT THE SLPP BECAUSE IT ALLOWED A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SOILED CHARACTERS.I am no hypocrites, and I will not sit idly and see the same PMDC doing the same things that we were crying against.
The PMdC should do things differently. A third force should not be the same as the APC and SLPP. What have you been smoking, my man?
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: okay dot
To: All
Date Posted: 16:46:46 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ca07-ch01-bl08.va-ashburn0.sa.earthlink.net at 207.69.138.140
Message:
Stop panicking,Mr.Leigh.If Chief Norman's purported switch is not gonna have any effect on your SLPP then it would be better for you to keep your mouth shut ,Mr.Spokesman.
How do you know that the document is not authentic.Are you just spinning for political expediencies.Well,let me inform you that this is a no spin zone.
Do the detainees in the special court allowed visitors?Is it not possible that documents can be smuggled out of prison without the knowledge of the powers that be.
If you are so intelligent,why are are you scared of a "dumbo"?
Is it not possible for members of the RUF to switch allegiance to the PMDC,WHILE THE RUF PARTY STRUCTURE IS STILL INTACT.Did the same not happen to your beloved SLPP with WATERMELON politicians who destroyed the country switching allegiance,while their old outfit(APC)is still intact.
Don't you know that the ex CDF chieftains who you claim are campaigning for your candidate are also "killers, baby-to-grandmother rapists, arsonists, kidnappers, turning children into mindless killers, lootings, cut hand, cut yase, cut belleh, tiff-tiff, etc.?"just like the RUF.What's the difference?Please tell me.
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: HONEST DEBATE
To: All
Date Posted: 16:57:45 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
okay dot/Alieu Iscandri,
Please stop the insult. Use your real name and take on John. Are you a coward? This is not about SLPP and PMDC anymore, but if this document turns out to be fake, then I will never trust Charles Margai and his PMDC party. I am still a member of the PMDC, but if this document is fake, then I will have no choice but to call it quit.
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: MOIJUE (True kamajor supporter)
To: All
Date Posted: 08:54:53 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-135-67-77.range86-135.btcentralplus.com at 86.135.67.77
Message:
The DOCUMENT IS GENUINE.LONTA
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: SLPP NA SWEGBEH PARTY
To: All
Date Posted: 09:07:46 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Moijue you should have figured out by now that HONEST DEBATE is none other than Edmund Koker. Why are you responding to IT.
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 17:07:56 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I WOULD NEVER insult John Leigh publicly. He is a man I have a tremendous amount of respect for and if for any reason I have to disagree with him on an issue thats more serious than political banter, I will call him. I have his number to his cell phone do you?
Am I a coward you ask? Well I post under my own name and you post under numerous names. Who the hell is the coward now pardner.
Just get the hell outta ma face swine
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: okay dot
To: All
Date Posted: 17:04:38 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ca07-ch01-bl08.va-ashburn0.sa.earthlink.net at 207.69.138.140
Message:
I am not Allieu Iscandri.How many times do I have to say that.Will Kabs please turn on the IP address,I am posting from the east coast-Manhattan,New York to be precise.
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 17:09:06 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
And I am posting from the san francisco bay area
Subject: Re: BOGUS DETAINEE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION
From: Arthur
To: All
Date Posted: 16:29:23 01/28/07 ()
Email Address: arthur_dabest@hotmail.com
Entered From: 82-35-33-189.cable.ubr01.camd.blueyonder.co.uk at 82.35.33.189
Message:
John Leigh, you seems to be disgruntled with yourself, or someone who is fighting for survival. are you Mr.Know all? You sees to have lost the plot and is fighting for SLPP to rerecognise you. Sory mate, its late for you
Subject: Serena embodies the Williams dream!
From: Grand Slam 8
To: All
Date Posted: 15:40:06 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 13-66-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.66.13
Message:
Richard Williams: Venus And Serena's Father Whips The Pros And Makes His Family No.1 In Tennis
Ebony, June, 2000 by Kevin Chappell
Find More Results for: "Richard Williams "
Houlihan Lawrence...
GVA Williams: Richard...
Richard Furman: Life...
Richard T. Williams...
NEARLY 15 years ago, an unknown father stood on a crumbling tennis court in Compton, Calif., and told his little daughter Venus that she was going to be one of the best tennis players in the world.
This was a bold prediction, for the father was a neighborhood tennis coach and he knew that the odds of this happening were astronomical. After all, no Black person had dominated the game of tennis since Arthur Ashe won Wimbledon in 1975, and no Black woman had won a major tournament since Althea Gibson won the U.S. championships and Wimbledon in 1957 and 1958.
But as it turned out, the father (aka Richard Williams) knew best. To the consternation of the tennis establishment and the delight of tennis fans, young Venus and her younger sister, Serena, climbed to the top of professional tennis. The journey was capped off last year by Serena's U.S. Open win, in which she beat No. 1-seeded Martina Hingis in straight sets.
Now Venus and Serena are the darlings of tennis, ranked in the top 5 in the world, and the Williams family--Richard, his wife Oracene, and his youngest daughters, 19-year-old Venus and Serena, 18--is the No. 1 family in tennis, according to Tennis magazine.
Advertisement
During their meteoric rise, Venus and Serena have quieted detractors who panned their father's style and language. They said Richard Williams was arrogant, that he served from the mouth and that he hurt his daughters' chances, not only by criticizing the racism and the stuffiness of the people who run tennis, but criticizing the game itself. "Education is power, not chasing around some tennis ball," he always told them.
In an exclusive interview from his home in Palm Beach, Fla., Richard Williams says from day one others attempted to tell him a "better" way to raise Venus, and later Serena, to be tennis champions. And while he has maintained a public persona of a man who couldn't care less what others thought, he does admit now that the negativity did get to him. "When people criticize you, I don't care how much you say it doesn't bother you, it does," he says. "It bothers you when people criticize you, especially when you're doing the best that you can do. Because once you are doing the best you can do, you realize there is nothing else you can do. They are criticizing you, and you can't fight back, you can't make a noise. It's almost like someone has beaten you dead. It's somewhat disturbing."
To his credit, Richard Williams stuck to what he believed in, and managed to raise daughters who were not only great tennis players, but intelligent, mentally strong young women.
Williams says his family and the African-American community helped him cope during the toughest times. "If I didn't have my wife and my kids by my side, I would have never been able to do anything," he says. "Then, I had Black people--my people--who were so high on what we were doing. Every time I was criticized by those people who thought I was doing things the wrong way, there were Blacks who told me I was doing it the right way."
But it wasn't easy. He recalls a time when Venus competed in a tennis tournament in the Southern California area. She wasn't a household name, and all the other players knew was that she was Black and poor. "I overheard some people say we shouldn't even be there," he says. `They are from Compton,' [they said]. `What are they doing here. They can't play.' People would pick at us all the time. They should be glad that I am a good man because if I wasn't a good man, I would have picked up a stick and knocked the hell out of somebody. There comes a time when you get tired of people picking on you."
Looking back on the times that he fought for his daughters to be treated fairly, Williams says, "So many people want to jump on a poor guy out of Compton," he says. "I came out of the worst ghetto in the world and was simply trying to prove to the world that it doesn't matter where you come from to be good in tennis. You don't have to be brought up in the country club to do this. You can actually come out of the ghetto and play tennis."
Richard Williams says the criticism his family has received has only brought them closer together. "Over a period of time, we gained so much confidence in what we were trying to do," he says. "A person can pick at you so long, enough that, instead of making you weak, it makes you strong."
Williams says that he and his family decided a long time ago that they "didn't care what people thought. The only thing that would matter in the end was what [we] thought," he says. "And it worked out beautifully."
As with any father, Williams says his memories of raising his daughters --like the first time he took Venus onto the tennis court--have also kept him focused and motivated. "The first time I knew Venus was going to be a good tennis player was' the first time I took her out on her very first day," says Williams, a former tennis coach for neighborhood kids in Compton. "I was working with some other kids, and had a shopping cart that would hold 550 balls. It took three kids who were teenagers a long time to hit those balls. They wanted to take breaks. Well, while they were taking a break, Venus wanted to hit every ball in that basket. She wouldn't stop. Every time you tried to stop her, she would start crying. She was only 4 years old. That doesn't mean she hit every ball. A lot of them she missed. But she would swing at every ball. When she got to the last ball in the basket, she told me to say, `Last one,' and I said, `Okay, last one.' And to this day, I say the same thing to her when she's practicing."
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Subject: FC KALLON HOLDS OCEAN BOYS OF NIGERIA IN LAGOS
From: FOOTBALLER
To: All
Date Posted: 13:49:22 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Our champions FC kallon held Nigerian champions Ocean boys to a 0-0 draw in Lagos. FC Kallon need to defeat ocean boys in freetown next month if they should proceed to the next stage. On a whole, it is a good result for FC Kallon.
Subject: Re: FC KALLON HOLDS OCEAN BOYS OF NIGERIA IN LAGOS
From: FOOTBALLER
To: All
Date Posted: 14:42:51 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Ashgold in crucial Champs Lge win
Ashanti Gold beat Renacimiento 1-0 in Malabo
Jonathan Quartey's stunning finish gave Ghana's Ashanti Gold a crucial 1-0 away win against Renacimiento of Equatorial Guinea in the Champions League on Sunday.
Quartey volleyed home in the 55th minute to give the Obuasi side a victory in their first appearance in the tournament in ten years.
Ashgold, finalists in their last appearance in 1997, could have won the first-round, first-leg tie by a wider margin but striker Lamini Nasir failed to convert a spot kick just after the break.
Also on Sunday, DR Congo side TP Mazembe beat visiting Police XI of Botswana 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick by international striker Mputu Mabi.
Egyptian club Zamalek defeated Burundi's Vital'O 4-1 in their game in Cairo.
Strikes from Amr Zaki, Hazem Emam, Mostafa Gaafar and Tarek Al-Sayed secured the win for the home side.
Cameroonian sides Coton Sport and Canon Yaounde were other clubs to take advantage of playing at home, winning by against Uganda Revenue Authority and Etoile du Congo respectively.
Meanwhile, Nigerian champions Ocean Boys failed to benefit from their home advantage as they were held to a goalless draw by FC Kallon, the club owned by Sierra Leone international striker Mohammed Kallon.
Subject: Pa Fowler and Son Die
From: Old Princewalean
To: All
Date Posted: 09:07:34 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cpe-69-206-234-17.nyc.res.rr.com at 69.206.234.17
Message:
"Pa Fowler" Former Science Master and Principal of Prince of Wales School died and was buried on friday together with his fifty year old son Donald Fowler who was also a Princewalean.The Two Fowlers who died days apart were buried at their home town Regent Village.
Pa Fowler was famous for addressing recalcitrants as "Your Jackass Plus Plus" before punishing them;
Subject: Re: Pa Fowler and Son Die
From: KLA
To: All
Date Posted: 12:40:23 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 164.82.85.3
Message:
May their souls rest in perfect Peace. Pa Fowler did make a huge contribution to Science Education in
Afrika.
Well.... FORWARD,ever FORWARD!!!Kingtomians will always be thankfull for their Beloved PO staff, Faculty and Students.
JOKO all di way!!
TSTM
XX
Subject: Re: Pa Fowler and Son Die
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 09:36:50 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Oh ya. Ar remember da word dae wae pa Fowler been dae use 'recalcitrant'.
Pa fowler, like Rogie was a legend in the history of Prince of Wales.
Let us 'swell the chorus one and all and too the earth be peace' for pa Fowler's spirit will be in heaven as our link to God, the almighty, to see our dreams come true.
Amen.
Subject: Re: Pa Fowler and Son Die
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:31:41 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
AFK I didnt know you were a Princewalean too? Well now I know that we share more than our love for the party of siaka stevens and a better sierra leone society. we are both allums of the "Princes' boys" Arguably the best school in the whole of west africa and for that matter the WORLD
Subject: Re: Pa Fowler and Son Die
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 10:44:41 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
'For searching Sierra Leone far and wide,
no school can well be found,
that sends for truer gentle men ...'
Please complete the verse. Allieu.
Subject: Re: Pa Fowler and Son Die
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 11:18:03 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
or stands on FIRMER GROUND
Subject: Re: Pa Fowler and Son Die
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 13:18:35 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253
Message:
I am not a Princewalean, but I worked under Pa. Fowler ( Principal) and Mrs. Thorpe ( Vice-Principal) while doing my practice teaching at POW in the second term of the 1975/76 school year. I worked directly with Mrs. Liverpool and Mr. Anyam ( Nigerian ) who were my supervising teachers. Mrs. Cassandra Garber, Principal of FSSG then was my General Supoervisor.
Pa. Fowler was a great motivator and a good educator to work with. Many times after I passed my teaching practice, Pa. Fowler asked me to work at the POW, but I had already accepted a teaching position from Mrs. Benjamin at the Secondary Technical School.
I am sorry to hear that Pa. Fowler has died. May his soul rest in peace.
Subject: WHEN IS THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT?
From: Albert Moinna
To: All
Date Posted: 05:33:32 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 59.160.62.9
Message:
I was wondering with recent news development in the country, whether "funeral" arrangements have been made for the longest existing party in the history of our country, recently called SIERRA LEONE PEOPLES PROBLEM. May his soul rest in perfect pieces and may those who have raped and plundered our country under this party face justice and account for their stewardship soon.
As a Sierra Leonean and at one time a believer and supporter of this party, please accept my apology for not attending this funeral. I would really want to attend this funeral so as not to rely on "den say".
Subject: Re: WHEN IS THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT?
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 08:50:05 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-154-160-165.range81-154.btcentralplus.com at 81.154.160.165
Message:
Albert Moinina..'one time believer and supporter of SLPP..'
You believed in the party untill Charles failed to win the leadership of the party, so what is new, were you ever a true supporter?
Subject: Re: Cadmus its all bout the SLPP ISM'S AND SKISM'S
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:45:41 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Cadmus you folks have failed to take nto consideration that san san boys. okada pilots, and low grade noise makers VOTE too. and that my friend is your folly. Come July 28 2007. The SLPP will be gone and so would one of the worst adminsitrations that sierra leone has ever had. DIIINNNNG did you hear that. It is the sound of the death knell that fortells the end of SLPP yuki yukism, tiff tiff god laughism, tribalism, impose a chief on us ism,"we will only appoint our own supporters nepotism" failure to properly governism, failure to curb corruption ism, release justins musa ism, funny bone politics ism, support the RUF isms, create the Kamajor isms and all the negative ISMS AND SKISMS that the SLPP has wrought upon our poor sierra leone all thes years that they have been faking Government Isms.
Subject: Re: WHEN IS THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:37:03 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Yes Cadmus my friend he was atrue supporter and he quit when he realised that someone else was IMPOSED on him in an unfair SELECTION which even John Leigh termed as YUKI YUKI politics. Thats why they all of them quit and now guess what they are set to make history and help the APC under Ernest Koroma kick the SLPP into oblivion.
I can just see John Leighs reaction now to this Post.
"RUBBISH" as he would say and everytime he does that I just chuckle.
Cadmus, if you guys disagree with the SLPP and the way Berewah was selected, why dont you express your disagreement by witholding your vote and joining another progresive party like the APC or the PMDC otherwise known as (the tick in the SLPP's butt)
Subject: Re: WHEN IS THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT?
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 07:20:12 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
SIERRA LEONE PEOPLES PROBLEM ALSO KNOWN AS SIERRA LEONE PIG'S POSTERIOR OR PIKIN NAR PIKIN will have it's funeral date set soon. We are waiting for Ernest and Margai.
May his soul rest in perfect pieces.
Subject: Re: WHEN IS THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT?
From: EDDIE TURAY
To: All
Date Posted: 07:22:58 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Your APC is still in court, and the leader Koroma is unable to solve its numerous problems. You should concentrate on solving the APC crisis, but oh yeah, sense nor dae. Way the Gbanbani. Why can't that old tiff minister Formeh-Kamara intervene to solve the crisis? After all, he benefitted a lot from the APC. Say hi to former APC minister Formeh-Kamara.
Subject: Re: WHEN IS THE FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT?
From: JOKO
To: All
Date Posted: 07:23:31 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
EMPTY BUCKETS MAKE THE LOUDEST NOISE.
Subject: NIGERIA: Lagos pays the price of population surge
From: APC MINISTER FORMEH-KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 20:05:51 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
NIGERIA: Lagos pays the price of population surge
[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
© Dulue Mbachu/IRIN
Lagos, Africa's largest city, has been overwhelmed by garbage such as this in the Iganmu district.
LAGOS, 26 Jan 2007 (IRIN) - For Iyabo Aduni, a 29-year-old mother of three, home in Lagos, Africa’s biggest city, is a wooden shack next to a huge, burning garbage dump.
Located on the edge of a canal that drains into the lagoon that splits the city’s islands from the mainland, the refuse has not been collected for years. Residents of Iganmu regularly set the dump on fire, using the burned rubbish as a means of reclaiming land from the swamp and building new shacks as soon as the ground appears firm enough.
“When it rains our homes are often flooded because garbage blocks the canal, making it difficult for the water to flow,” said Aduni as her children played on the fringe of the dump. “And we have to sweep up plastic bags and other trash that washes into our rooms.”
As the population of Lagos has exploded in the past two decades to more than 13 million people, the infrastructure to deal with the resulting waste was not improved to keep pace.
It is a problem repeated all across the large cities of Africa, where urbanisation is outpacing the capacity of governments to keep up and improve infrastructure and waste-collection networks.
The equatorial heat makes matters worse by turning the garbage into a toxic, fetid compost of organic, chemical and hazardous waste.
Health risks
Lagos, Nigeria’s sprawling commercial capital, lacks an effective garbage collection network and has no central system for treating sewage and effluents from industries. Filling the vacuum are self-employed collectors who push carts through the streets, collecting rubbish from residents for a fee. Similarly, private operators evacuate sewage for the city’s residents.
Lagos State health and environment officials acknowledge that most of the garbage and sewage collected by these private operators, as well as the effluents from industries, ends up in the lagoons and creeks. Much of the rest is burned either in the numerous illegal rubbish dumps that dot the city or in the three official dumps run by the government. Tendrils of black smoke are a frequent sight on the Lagos skyline.
The untreated sewage not only pollutes the lagoon waters, but also destroys marine and aquatic life, says Kenneth Iwugo, a marine scientist affiliated with the University of Bristol, who has studied water pollution problems in Lagos. In places where rubbish and other solid waste are dumped in officially appointed landfills, contaminants are released that leak into both ground and surface water, he added.
“This brings about the risks of water pollution and destroys marine animal and aquatic food sources in the metropolis,” said Iwugo.
He said Lagos is particularly susceptible to water pollution because the water table is very close to the soil surface, sometimes only 3m deep. The soil is also relatively loose and easily permeable, allowing the infiltration of contaminants.
For the millions of inhabitants of the city the health risks inherent in the poor disposal of waste are many. According to Iwugo there is always the danger of viral and bacterial diseases such as polio, meningitis, diarrhoea, cholera, parasite infection and fevers spread by waterborne carriers. Heavy metals discharged by industries are an additional health threat.
Poor infrastructure
Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu blames previous governments for failing to address the city’s waste disposal problems. Following his election in 1999, Tinubu introduced a system of government-licensed, private refuse collectors. They go around neighbourhoods collecting trash for a monthly fee and dump it in the officially designated landfills.
While only 100 trucks picked up rubbish at the start of the project about five years ago, now more than 600 trucks collect refuse, tipping an average of 4,000 tonnes of waste every day, said Tunji Bello, the Lagos Commissioner for Environment. The government has also signed a deal with two international companies specialising in waste management to recycle waste at the landfills and produce fertiliser.
“The project has a twin objective of ridding Lagos of garbage and providing gainful employment to many citizens,” Bello told reporters in Lagos.
With funding from a US $20 million World Bank loan the government plans to tackle the city’s drainage and flooding problems by dredging more canals and new channels to ease the flow of water, Bello said. The loan was granted, he said, because the government was successful in cleaning out the garbage that used to litter the city’s highways.
Although efforts are underway to rid the downtown of refuse, things remain unchanged in the city’s crowded, outlying districts such as Iganmu.
“I will be happy if they can take away this rubbish,” said Iyabo Aduni as she watched a child with a stick pursue a goat near the burning dump. “But I don’t think the authorities know we exist.”
Subject: For Kabs Kanu
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 22:19:15 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.8
Message:
Kabs Kanu
Would you please tell this idiot to stop using my late father's name.
Thank you.
Subject: Re: NIGERIA: Lagos pays the price of population surge
From: SWEGBEH
To: All
Date Posted: 20:10:59 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
"With funding from a US $20 million World Bank loan the government plans to tackle the city’s drainage and flooding problems by dredging more canals and new channels to ease the flow of water, Bello said. The loan was granted, he said, because the government was successful in cleaning out the garbage that used to litter the city’s highways."
Oh Africans, we alaki. You mean Nigeria is begging the World Bank for 20 million daollars? A very rich oil nation? Oil prices went up about a couple of monts ago(ALTHOUGH THE PRICE OF OIL IS GOING DOWN SLOWLY IN RECENT TIMES), and Obasanjo was boasting that Nigeria made a lot of money during tht period. SO SO SWEGBEH DEM.
Subject: JOR-JOR GOES PMDC
From: brokeoseminister
To: All
Date Posted: 16:32:20 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: brokeoseminister@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.117.246.251
Message:
THIS IS TO ANNOUNCE THE SUDDEN DEMISE OF THE "TORKPOI" SLPP GOVERNMENT. Gbaaaaaay Nya Gbonda!!!
FINAL RITES AND LAYING OUT CEREMONY WILL BE HELD ON JULY 28, 2007.
Subject: IPAM to launch world wide internet
From: AWOKO
To: All
Date Posted: 15:49:27 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Saturday, January 27, 2007
IPAM to launch world wide internet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AWOKO
Kelvin Lewis
Abdul Karim Dumbuya, the Acting Public Relations Officer of the University of Sierra Leone (USL), yesterday told Awoko that the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) would launch the Cisco Networking Academy Programme (CNAP) tomorrow in Freetown.
Mr Dumbuya said, “Cisco Systems, INC is the worldwide leader in networking for internet. CNAP is a comprehensive e-learning programme, which provides students with the Internet technology skills essential in a global economy.”
He added that CNAP delivered web-based contents, online assessments, students’ performance tracking, hands-on-labs, instructor training and support, and preparation for industry standard certificates.
The PRO noted that CNAP was launched in October 1997 with 64 educational institutions in seven states in the United States of America (USA).
He stated that the programme had spread to more than 145 countries and all 50 USA states and over 260,000 students had enrolled at more than 9800 academies located in high schools, technical schools colleges, and community- based organizations.
“Cisco’s partners with business, government and community organizations form an ecosystem to deliver the range of services and support needed to grow tomorrow’s global workforce,” he averred.
The Public Relations Officer stated that the internet enabled anytime, anywhere learning for all students, regardless of the locat1on, socio-economic status, gender or race.
He noted further that with the United Nations Development Programme the United States Agency for International Development, and the international Telecommunications Union, “Cisco has made the Academy Programme available to students in least developed countries to help them build their country’s economies.
He added that CNAP taught students valuable internet technology skills, including networking, web design, IT essentials, cabling, Java and UNIX.
“The academy curriculum covers a broad range of topics from basics on how to build a network and how to build a website and more complex IT concepts such as applying troubleshooting tools.,” he maintained.
Mr Dumbuya further explained that networks were an essential part of business, education, government and home communications, and that Cisco internet protocol-based (IP) networking solutions were the foundation of these networks.
“Cisco hardware, software and service offerings are used to create internet solutions that allow individuals, companies and countries to increase productivity, improve customer satisfaction and strengthen competitive advantage,” he disclosed, adding that “the name of Cisco has become synonymous with the internet, as well as with the productivity improvements that internet business solutions provide.”
Cisco was founded in 1984 by a small group of computer scientists from Stanford University. Since the company’s inception, Cisco engineers have been leaders in the development of IP based networking technologies
Subject: U.S. Embassy carjacking in Kenya; 2 dead
From: Associated Press
To: All
Date Posted: 14:49:25 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
U.S. Embassy carjacking in Kenya; 2 dead
By TOM ODULA, Associated Press Writer
42 minutes ago
NAIROBI, Kenya - Gunmen carjacked a U.S. Embassy vehicle on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital Saturday and killed the wife of an embassy employee and his mother-in-law. Police later killed two of the carjackers.
Carjackings are common around Nairobi, and Kenya's government spokesman, Alfred Mutua, said Saturday's violence was believed to be "a random attack."
"The thugs ordered the two women out but they hesitated," said Isaiah Osugo, a criminal investigator. "Then they were shot."
The victims were the wife and mother-in-law of a U.S. Embassy employee, said Robert Kerr, an embassy spokesman.
"These were people who loved Kenya," Kerr said. He did not provide other details.
The attackers, who were armed with assault rifles, escaped with the embassy vehicle, said Francis Munyambu, Nairobi's deputy provisional police officer. Police later killed two of the carjackers, police spokesman Gideon Kibunja said.
Earlier in the day, the men commandeered another vehicle along the same road, according to Munyambu.
"Four men with AK-47s carjacked me," Michael Madine said. After being interviewed by police he told The Associated Press that one of the carjackers stayed in the car with him while the others attacked the embassy vehicle.
"I heard one of the women screaming and then I heard three gunshots," Madine said, adding that the assailants then fled.
The shooting happened just off a highway in Kinoo, about 12 miles outside Nairobi. An Associated Press reporter at the scene saw two pools of blood on the roadside.
In September, the chief U.S. military attache was shot and seriously wounded in a carjacking in Nairobi. Russia's ambassador was stabbed in a robbery on Aug. 20. A month earlier, a Danish diplomat was attacked and robbed.
Subject: Sierra Leone: FGM used as a weapon of political campaign
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 14:28:16 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
http://www.wluml.org/english/newsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[157]=x-157-197179
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: FGM used as a weapon of political campaign
From: KLA
To: All
Date Posted: 15:38:59 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 164.82.85.3
Message:
Well ...Take a helping hand
Subject: President Kabbah inducts Biriwa Chief
From: NEWS
To: All
Date Posted: 14:20:33 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
President Kabbah inducts Biriwa Chief
The New Vision reports that President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah would today join Government Officials and traditional rulers to officially recognize the Paramount Chief of Biriwa Chiefdom in the Bombali District, north of the country by handing over the staff of office. The induction follows months of bitter acrimony between aggrieved Limbas and their Madingo and Fullah counterparts over the legitimacy of crowning a Mandingo traditional ruler.
The Limbas are of the belief that the Madingos have no right to the throne, and have since refused to contest the chieftaincy elections and sought a redress in court. According to the Exclusive, President Kabbah intends to use the opportunity to foster unity between the Limbas and the Mandingos. A tribal authority Mohamed Bangura described the President’s visit as long overdue, and maintained that they had resolved to neither recognize the Paramount Chief nor take orders from him.
Subject: Re: President Kabbah inducts Biriwa Chief
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 17:02:53 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Remember the phrase: 'The evil that men do lives after them.' So it will be with Kabba and his SLPP party.
Report has it that Pa Kabba went to a ghost town. Biriwa Limbas deserted the town. No school child went to school that day. No Section Chief showed up in town. All the youths headed for the hillside.
There was no fanfare. There was no audience for Pa Kabba.
Report also has it that Pa Kabba was visibly shaken at the same time a sound from a Gbangbani group was heard miles away. The Presidential entourage departed immediately. The whole visit reportedly lasted thirty minutes.
Subject: Re: President Kabbah inducts Biriwa Chief
From: WITCH MAN
To: All
Date Posted: 17:27:56 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Were was this Gbanbani when the rebels were on a killing spree? Gbanbani me foot. Backward people. Na witch nor more den sabi. And the educated illeterates continue to poison the minds of the people. Gbanbani me wase.
Subject: Re: President Kabbah inducts Biriwa Chief
From: GBUKEI AYE GBUKEI
To: All
Date Posted: 08:20:12 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Norto witch man bizness oh ee bin for tinap dae dae wait tae dem cam meet am dae.
Subject: Re: President Kabbah inducts Biriwa Chief
From: Concerned
To: All
Date Posted: 12:24:03 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-93-126.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.93.126
Message:
Bo natin den nor for do... Una lef we yah Gban-watin..
E do well sef wae e dae dae for 30 mins.. nar a ghost town...
Subject: Re: President Kabbah inducts Biriwa Chief
From: GBUKEI AYE GBUKEI
To: All
Date Posted: 16:02:03 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
YAPEE WAN GBANGBANI COMES OUT IN GHOST TOWNS. WHY WASNT HE THERE SO HE CAN WITNES THE PLAY. WHERE WERE ALL OF THE TOWNS PEOPLE TO WELCOME THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC.
GOD NOR LEK ADVANTAGE IF DE SHERRIFF WAN BE CHIEF MEK DEM GO MENDE LINE NAR DAE DEM DAE GEE CHIEFTAINCY TO FOREIGNER. LONTA
Subject: Re: President Kabbah inducts Biriwa Chief
From: Concerned
To: All
Date Posted: 17:13:51 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-93-126.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.93.126
Message:
Bo nar boku talk. Den don crown de chief. Ah lek una cry tae blood run una yai no reversal nor go be..
Subject: Indiana Jones
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 14:13:51 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.190.22.152
Message:
The Indiana Jones movies depict those day and how people were savage, when might meant right. In the Link bellow you can see Indiana Jones and rent movies to reflect and understand the period called the "Dark Ages". Is the Dark Age a period or a mindset. You be the Judge by watching Indiana Jones.
"The Truth About the Dark Ages"
We gain tremendous power by understanding the truth about the past and the present. The truth does set us free from ignorance and suicidal acquiescence to present policies which are destroying the very fabric of our culture.
We'll examine what actually happened in the time called "the Dark Ages" -- nullifying the false histories of Christian apologists who would have us believe that this era of retrogression was caused solely by the "heathen barbaric hordes." As more honest historians such as Gibbons have discovered, the Dark Ages was largely brought on by the corruption of a counterfeit Christianity.
As is made clear in my recently published book The Perennial Tradition, only a few persons associated with Jesus of Nazareth truly understood his message. Paul had experienced Jesus in a mystical encounter. Peter and other of the disciples completely misunderstood Jesus' intentions, turning their brand of Christianity into a neo-Judaism, requiring converts to undergo circumcision and follow the Jewish law.
The true dissemination of Jesus' teaching proceeded with Paul, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Marcion, Valentinus, and others, while the so-called apostles began to turn Christianity into a sacerdotal religion of dogma and ritual.
Within a few years, the leaders of what was called the Christian church were nothing more than bosses of vicious gangs who murdered their rivals for power and position. We can trace the rapid degeneration of these so-called Christians, as they helped to destroy the Roman Empire and plunge the Western world into the Dark Ages.
In 198 CE a cleric named Zephyrinus became Bishop of one of the Christian factions in Rome. During Zephyrinus's long tenure as Bishop from 198 - 217 CE, factional rivalry in the city became endemic. A group of soothsayers led by Montanus built a strong following, even among the bishop's own followers, and a third group, led by Sabellius, rejected ridiculous dogmas that were being put forward.
Zephyrinus was succeeded as "Christian" Bishop by a young man named Callistus. As a youth, Callistus had been the slave of a Christian master named Carpophorus, a freedman in the imperial household. Callistus had stolen funds collected by fellow-Christians for the care of widows and orphans. When Callistus tried to make a run for it, he was apprehended aboard a ship in the port of Portus. He was imprisoned and forced to work on a hand-mill. After being released, Callistus was arrested again, this time because of a brawl in a synagogue where he had tried to extract money from a group of Roman Jews.
Dragged before city prefect Fuscianus, Callistus was denounced by Carpophorus and sentenced to a penal colony, the silver mines of Sardinia. But during his checkered career, Callistus had somehow gained friends in high places. He had been a "counselor" to Bishop Victor and also a friend of a certain Marcia, a concubine of Emperor Commodus, the dissolute son of Marcus Aurelius. Marcia had been "brought up" by the presbyter Hyacinthus before being passed on to Commodus. This young "Christian" woman named Marcia was party to the conspiracy that ultimately strangled Commodus.
During his reign as Roman Emperor, Diocletian had divided the empire into the eastern and western provinces. In 306 CE, on the death of the western Augustus (province ruler), Constantius I, his son Constantine quickly claimed his father's throne. Constantine wanted to seize power in the east as well as the west, and he saw the Christian cult as the means to his goal.
The Christians constituted only about five per cent of the total population of the Roman Empire, but they were concentrated in enclaves in the key cities of the east. The eastern Christians were an organized cult of fanatics, in many cities holding important positions in state administration. Some held posts even within the imperial entourage. The main body of the church confronted the Roman State as a "Republic within the Republic," with its own treasury, laws, magistrates and command structure.
The ambitious thug-ruler of the west, Constantine, realized that he could use the "Christian" fanatics and their hierarchical structure, as part of his plan to become Emperor of a united Rome. He declared Christianity as the official religion of his regime. By championing the cause of the Christians, Constantine put himself at the head of a "fifth column" in the eastern province, through which he was able to seize power.
By 330 CE Constantine had taken control of both the western and eastern provinces and declared himself supreme Caesar over all of the Roman Empire. He appointed one of the rival "Christian" chieftains Lucius Lactantius as his official Latin theologian, propagandist, and tutor to his son Crispus. Lactantius soon lost the job of tutor when Constantine had his son murdered for adultery with his stepmother. Lactantius praised Constantine as "a model of Christian virtue and holiness" (De Mortibus Persecutorum).
Among many other insane policies that Constantine enacted--leading to the fall of the Roman Empire--was that of disbanding the praetorian guard and replacing them with a special imperial guard, an elite cavalry regiment of 500 soldiers, mainly Germans. This left Rome essentially defenseless, and within a century the Visigoths were sacking Rome and other imperial cities." What you have read above can be found in the immediate link bellow:
http://www.hermes-press.com/DAtruth.htm
That is how people use to impress other in those day. But the Renaissance followed and knowledge became the determinant factor to distinguish and develop societies or communities if you will.
Enjoy Indiana Jones.
Subject: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: COCORIOKO
To: All
Date Posted: 13:55:09 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253
Message:
We have got official confirmation, the press statements and the signatures of all the detainess. PMDC announces that Hinga Norman and CDF and RUF detainees have joined their party.
Check COCORIOKO in an hour's time for the article .
Meanwhile, please debate : What does this stunner portend for the elections and Sierra Leone ?
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: OK DOK
To: All
Date Posted: 14:11:55 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: OKDOK@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
Norman joining has nothing to do with SLPP ,He can move even before he is freed or not.We can go on as winners.
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 02:22:52 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
You are self-deluded! In any campaign, a defection is a matter of serious concern. You cannot ignore the fact that norman is a heavy weight. People like you, with pride up your sleeve, makes things worse for the ordinary. We should not ignore the fact that Norman has support and has won sympathy for a large section of the SLPP. We are repeating the past mistakes. Let us live to learn.
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: OK DOK
To: All
Date Posted: 11:58:21 01/28/07 ()
Email Address: OKDOK@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED AND WILL NOT EASILY. BUT WHY REALLY WILL NORMAN GO OVER BOARD? BEREWA AND SLPP ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE ANYWAY.
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 14:29:28 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Dry yai cobba shame Response
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: okay dot
To: All
Date Posted: 15:06:04 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ca07-ch01-bl10.va-ashburn0.sa.earthlink.net at 207.69.138.142
Message:
Indeed,dry yai cobba shame.Solo Bee and his self-appointed apologist in the U.S.must have pee-ed on their pants on hearing this news because they know that this development,if true,has the potential of derailing their quest for more power.I bet you their next move would be to throw more dirt on Ngor Hinga and his fellow turncoats.
If this is true,I would like to congratulate Hinga Norman,Moinina and others for not letting their tribal or other emotions overide their sense of good reasoning.It is the SLPP that threw them under the bus to satisfy the "international community" and also to further their selfish political aims.
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: Kohtoh Kamal
To: All
Date Posted: 13:00:32 01/28/07 ()
Email Address: kamal@hotmail.com
Entered From: smith2250.apsc.vt.edu at 128.173.64.123
Message:
So "SLPP threw them under the bus": but because it was the only job you could get, you went to prosecute them!
You are all over this MR APC: But Which is it? Either they are guilty as you have said elsewhere and SLPP is a hero for "throwing them under the bus" or they are innocent men "sacrificed for political gain."
Another thing, I am sure you know which is worse: being an apologist for Shaki or Solo B.
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: okay dot
To: All
Date Posted: 15:15:38 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ca07-ch01-bl05.va-ashburn0.sa.earthlink.net at 207.69.138.137
Message:
Kohtoh:
Okay dot is not Allieu.I am the one and only okay dot on this forum.I belong to no party because of their failed record(i.e,SLPP and APC).I am presently open to any party other than the kleptocratic APC and the tribalistic and corrupt APC.
I am watching the PMDC but I am yet to make a decision.FYI,I have never been politically active in Sierra Leone politics,infact,I have never voted in an election.I am just setting the record straight.
Don't you think that both the APC and SLPP ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PATHETHIC STATE OF AFFAIRS OF SIERRA LEONE.Don't blame the RUF and AFRC,both of these genocidal outfits were fronts for both the SLPP and APC respectivetly.
Let us shed away our tribal and selfish sentiments and vote for change in JULY.
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN P
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 13:46:32 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-24-7-6-33.hsd1.ca.comcast.net at 24.7.6.33
Message:
Kotor Kamal I had to stop laughing before I could respond to your very ignorant post. For starters, whatever professional decision I make is none of your damn business and you are not priviledged to question it. Secondly When I worked at the special court my job was not to prosecute the CDF although I would have GLADLY done so. As a lawyer I deal with the evidence as a tool just like any other professionals would.
Thirdly with regards to siaka stevens, I am not an apologist for him. I have in my numerous writings condemned that which is condemnable from the siaka stevens era and touted that which was commendable. I am someone who loves siaka stevens for reasons that I have stated before and if that puts your drawers in a tight wad then bleed on.
For some of you siaka stevens haters, just the mere mention of the old sages name gives you diarrhea and brings the worst out in you. It was the likes of you who were so intent on changing the government of the APC and replacing it with your mongrel RUF and Cannibal Kamajors.
Just Get out!!!
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN P
From: Kohtoh Kamal
To: All
Date Posted: 14:17:05 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: smith2250.apsc.vt.edu at 128.173.64.123
Message:
No name-calling. You are bigger than that.
>your damn business and you are not privile(d)ged to question it<
Why? Because it is motivated by greed, like everything the rest of the Siaka P. Stevens followers do?
>although I would have GLADLY done so<
In which case, SLPP should be your hero then. Otherwise, they did not "throw Norman under the bus for political gain?" They had reason to? What you call "evidence?"
>who loves Siaka Stevens for reasons that I have stated before and if that puts your drawers in a tight wad then bleed on<
No need to get foul: because Hitler was nice to blonde-haired-blue-eyed folks do not make him any better! Or Idi Amin was not any better because he was an Africanist. So, you like Siaka P. Stevens for some things but not for others. Now there is a parsing, if ever there was one. Anyway, just thought to point out the bogusness of your position on the Norman situation.
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN P
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 15:59:04 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Why? Because it is motivated by greed"
Do you really believe that I was motivated by greed by accepting EMPLOYMENT in my line of work? You Gotta be Kidding right.
You have NOT pointed out any bogusness with regards to my position on Norman. What you have pointed out is your seeming shallowness by calling me greedy in accepting employment with an International tribunal in my line of work. And yes I maintain my position that the SLPP was instrumental in the indictment of Norman and Co for the simple reason that he was getting too big for his breaches and he needed to be taken out of the political equation and what better way to take him out than to cast the blame on the international community for his political and penal demise. In so saying, I make no comments about whether or not he and the rest of his co defendants are in my opinon guilty or not. I have made statements on that issue before and care not to repeat them on this occasion.
Tell me why do ou keep writing with so many different names though? You writing style has appeared and re appeared tooo often on this board. I am in the process of tracking your identity down so that all may know who this slpp supporter is, who is afraid to openly speak his truth.
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN P
From: standing-up to APC Iscandri
To: All
Date Posted: 05:59:41 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-24-127-53-17.hsd1.va.comcast.net at 24.127.53.17
Message:
>Tell me why do ou keep writing with so many different names though?<
Why worry about who is standing up to you? If you believe in yourself, that should not be a problem. Just the truth is all you should care about. Not personalities. Anyway, either SLPP is right (because of the "evidence") for in your words "throwing Norman under the bus" or they are wrong for "throwing him under the bus for political gain" as there is no "evidence" to support their move.
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN P
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 09:11:33 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
in your words "throwing Norman under the bus" or they are wrong for "throwing him under the bus for political gain"
DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT THOSE WERE "MY" WORDS. PLEASE REPOST "MY" WORDS IN THE FULL CONTEXT. I WANT TO SHOW YOU THAT I HAVE NEVER USED THOSE WORDS. BIG DUMMY
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: MOIJUE
To: All
Date Posted: 16:44:41 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-135-67-77.range86-135.btcentralplus.com at 86.135.67.77
Message:
Indeed it TRUE
Subject: Re: IT IS OFFICIAL : HINGA NORMAN, CDF, RUF DETAINEES JOIN PMDC
From: brokeoseminister
To: All
Date Posted: 21:19:55 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: brokeoseminister@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.117.246.251
Message:
GBOOOOOOO DAGBAI, GITA EE NYAMUNGOWA TORKPOI PARTY VAH.
Subject: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 01:30:33 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
If you cannot stay within a group and fight for change - what man are you?
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: Moijue
To: All
Date Posted: 03:17:35 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 82-69-47-146.dsl.in-addr.zen.co.uk at 82.69.47.146
Message:
What is there to fight for?Good luck to the fighters of change.
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 04:34:41 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
There is a an old sage belief that through explorative reasoning a divided block becomes unified. What is there to spilt the whole to make way for the opposition. It will be a life time of regrets. What is going to happen on the 28th July 2007 is a repeat of what happened in 1967. The only way to escape such is for the SLPP to step up its campaign in a more professional way. The SLPP need to take this election seriously if they want to have the people's mandate to continue to govern us.
The spilt without a shadow of doubt is worrying and should be taken seriously. Some day Moijue, you will look back and see what the err created by you guys have cost the country. I guess some of us will forgive you for to err is human.
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: Moijue
To: All
Date Posted: 11:31:26 01/30/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-135-67-77.range86-135.btcentralplus.com at 86.135.67.77
Message:
The real person to blame is KABBA not me.
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 05:34:16 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
It is a man who believes that the group mentality of the group that he belonged to is antithetical to what he believes in. You guys are acting like youve got a tick up your butt with this charles Margai thing. Lets just say that he is your Ralph Nader.
What sense does it make to stay with ANY group that you fundamentally disagree with? Absolutely NONE.
Are you scared?
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 09:33:07 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Alieu, Mr. Ralph Nader was never motivated by self-interest. He never went searching here, there and back again and again, just for personal benefits.
He spoke plain, straightforward English. Nothing in his speech was ever bombastic, nor was his attitude one of unmitigated arrogance. Besides, Mr. Nader is a highly educated man.
Mr. Nader was never a hip-hopper, flip-flopper and he never surrounded himself with crooks, tribal bigots and/or flunkies, nor did he ever studiously avoided serious-minded people! Take care. - JL
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: Yaya Fanusie
To: All
Date Posted: 11:37:38 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: futatoro@gmail.com
Entered From: adsl-75-19-84-219.dsl.pltn13.sbcglobal.net at 75.19.84.219
Message:
Mr. Leigh,
it looks to me by all newspapers reports about what Berewa says and what Margai says that Berewa is the one who is stupid. Intelligent individuals who are with the slpp are there not because they are educated/smart because of the material benefit they get.
Charles Margai could have been with the exploiters of our poeple but he took the higher ground of personal integrity and act to pursue the National Interest.
You on the hand smell the odour of the latrine and you look at the kaka but refused to leave.
Brah why do you continue to smell and look at Kaka?
kaka=slpp
Yaya Fanusie
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: FORREST GUMP
To: All
Date Posted: 07:45:00 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-154-57-97.range81-154.btcentralplus.com at 81.154.57.97
Message:
Hey Waraba what happened here you seem to have gone MUMU
FORREST
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: MUMU CHASER
To: All
Date Posted: 09:13:46 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
yaya FOREST GUMP IS THAT NINCOMPOOP SENGBE KOUNAWAH OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ASININE PROFESSOR FROM SOME SMALL INSIGNIFICANT BLACK SCHOOL IN EAST ELIZABETH NORTH CAROLINA CALLED EDMUND KOKER
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 14:01:26 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Dr. Fanusie, you've said it all: you've reached your erroneous "conclusions after reading all [Sierra Leone] newspapers." I, on the other hand, do not get my news about developments in our country from newspapers at all. I know better, much better than doing that!
For your information the real function of our newspapers is either to promote or demote personalities or agendas. Objectivity and depth are non-existent.
Your assertion that "individuals who are with the slpp are there not because they are educated/smart [but]because of the material benefit they get" is not entirely correct or wrong.
True, some people have crossed into SLPP because of the likelihood that SLPP will win and some of this may rub off on them. Some are there for tribal reasons.
But there are others who remain in the SLPP because, all things considered, that party is by far superior in reputation and output than tribalistic marginalizers and the poverty-spreaders of yore, on the one hand; and by a secretly-organized, one-manic grouping of self-dealers, dunces, donkeys, political kiddies, flunkies, remedials, crookish types, junior tribesmen and by family-politics practitioners, etc.
Your argument that "Charles Margai could have been with the exploiters of our people but he took the higher ground of personal integrity and act to pursue the National Interest" is wholly without merit.
Mr. Margai did not take the higher ground and he is not after the national interest at all. I know the man! My take is that he is after personal dynastic leadership benefits and nothing else!
The Kabbah Administration was unpopular in certain quarters. There was widespread complaints of dissatisfaction with the government (but NOT the party) in large sections of our country as well as internationally. APC had won big municipal victories in the Western Area. People wanted change and Makeni wasn't nice!
Thereupon, Mr. Margai took what he thought was the easy way for himself and him alone but with family and cronies. His dynastic ambitions are about to be fulfilled - so he thought!
This, in my opinion, is the low road to his own self-appointed leadership in which he deliberately cut out the public but claimed he represents the Third Force. He then surrounded himself with dubious types.
His philosophy is that "politics is a game of numbers" and he was cocksure he had "the numbers". But he might by now have leaned that politics is far more that a game of mere numbers.
Politics is something else for you need intelligence; you need ability; you need marketable ideas; you need resources; you need organization; you need hard work. Above all, you need a good name and you need a good team of good people across the land.
A genuine reputation for flip-flopping and hip-hopping into alphabet-soup politics will never give one a good reputation. Over-ambitious arrogance will never attract genuinely good people.
Surrounding one's self with such characters as (i) disbarred, disrobed and defrocked lawyers who stole from their poor helpless clients; (ii) used-up and washed-out politicians and with (iii) crookish remedials such as Munda Tombo Dumbo Munku Bangucrooks will never constitute a good team anywhere except in the underworld.
In my view, the real high road in Sierra Leone politics today is for him to have stayed with me and others in the reform wing of the SLPP to work together and thus help to restore the party to the heights as idealized by its nationalist founders.
But oh, oh, oh! Personal ambition, greed and impatience make people put personal benefits ahead of the public trust.
And so my friend, Dr. Fanusie, may I respectfully suggest that you go way beyond local newspapers and to please dig deeper in search of the facts so as to really get to know what is truly going on in your beloved country.
As for your closing comments, they are odious. I will ignore them. I now invite you to please join me in debating national issues responsibly and responsively. With all good wishes, -JL
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 07:53:46 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: s01060050da7e3919.wp.shawcable.net at 24.76.177.54
Message:
Alieu,were are you really?{APC OR PMDC? Dont say in America but which party?
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:33:14 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I am APC with an OPEN mind. Someone that knows that Charles Margai and the PMDC have broken the SLPP's back and that is the only reason why the SLPP is sooooo worried.
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 14:13:15 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
You guys are all jokers my friend.
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 15:09:00 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
You may think so but guess who the Jokes going to be on come July 29th 2007? Triple WINK on that baby!!!
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 12:27:00 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Rubbish!
As far as I know to date, the SLPP I am familiar with is not at all worried about the electoral strength of any of the two or three opposition parties. My analysis is that the SLPP candidate will garner at least 55% of the vote cast on the first ballot.
But please, let us don't waste time with 'he says dis and he says dat'.
What I do know is that Mr. Nader is totally different from any Form Four Flunky. Further, in my view also, there is no political grouping or presidential candidate as of now that can cut into SLPP's lead sufficient to deny it a 55% presidential vote on the first ballot. God bless. -JL
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: Albert Moinina
To: All
Date Posted: 21:30:49 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 59.160.62.9
Message:
I came from SL about three weeks ago. The formation and existence of PMDC is a major BLOW to the SLPP whether PMDC wins or not. I went to SL hoping to tell our people what I know about Berewa and the SLPP, instead I came more confident that our people are more aware of their predicament that we living oversees realize. Dusty roads, ugly and stinking cities and villages, no infrastructure, etc. Go see the school projects that are been trumped all over the world. Yes there are schools; bricks, zinc and very colourful painting. Is that all the development our people deserve. I was amazed to see Berewa commissioning the Mattru ferry. I am curious how he got there. By helicopter or road? Is there any competion on the planet for the worst road? Mattru Road will surely win. If by road, was he sleeping all through out the journey?
Freetown, Bo and Mattru the three places I visited are not SLPP friendly places. I saw an SLPP rally in Bo, it was pathetic. Bo town of all places have turned their backs on SLPP. MASIBO TENDA.
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 08:06:00 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
If by road, was he sleeping all through out the journey?
No one could sleep on that ride even the ever sleeping Berewah could not catch a wink because the jarring of the road is such that it will wake him up. Ben there. Welcome back safe and sound brother. PMDC is the big rave in the south east and making big inroads into SLPP territory.
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: John E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 14:22:48 01/28/07 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Alieu:
You and Mr. Moinina are right about the bad roads in our country. Roads such as the (i)Masiaka/Taiama/Bo/Mongheri/Yilleh/Matotoka/Koidu; (ii) Bo/Mattru-Jong; (iii) Banjajuma-Sowa/Gbondapi; the Kenema/Kailahun/Buedu/Koindu/Kailahun; Moyamba/Shenge and the Songo/Rotifunk/Bauya/Moyamba/Gbanbatok roads are so rough that it is impossible to take a nap while on the road. Those road are also extremely dusty in the dry Season, most are muddy during the rains and all are rough year round.
Driving on those roads shake your bones and mussles so thoroughly that body massages afterwards are a waste of time and money as I found out some time ago. Besides, vehicles suffer tremendously and road accidents are frequent and catastrophic.
The result are premature deaths, maiming of innocent passengers and lost of business as well as frequent huge repair and maintainance vehicle bills. Bad roads are keeping the interior of Sierra Leone economically backward and destroying the lives of many people.
However, this state of affairs is not new. APC dug up our railroad, sold it for scrap and replaced it with a few crapy roads. The only good road was the Bo-Kenema built by the Americans as a gift. But then, the APC went extreme left, faking socialism as a ruse to keep power. The Americans soon ceased their generosity.
The once-beautiful French-built hardtop higway linking Makeni, Jaiama-Sawafe and Koidu was allowed to woefully deteriorate during the period of APC's KDDA/Ekutay hegemony.
The hard top surfacing of the road from Masiaka to Bo was in process and advancing nicely during the Ist. SLPP Government until the violent AFRC coup set us back. As the RUF was driven out of Bo following the restoration, rebels went to the works depot, five or six miles or so, outside of Bo and burnt up and or stole all the equipment and trashed the place, causing millions of dollars in damage. I have visited the RUF-trashed site myself and have seen man-made destruction.
The present SLPP government has begun rebuilding the bed of the road from Masiaka to Bo. The next phase will be applying the hardtop. I saw several expatriate engineers along the road and at their headquarters near Mile 91 in Yoni Chiefdom.
I have seen great improvements in the reconstruction of that road between my pre-Makeni tours and my most recent tour ending in mid- December 2006.
The contact for building a hard surface road from Kenema to Koindu was recently announced by the government. It is not going to be an inexpensive project as several big rivers and many wetlands have to be bridged and culverted. But the people of the area are very productive and when the finish road is ready, I expect food prices to decline in the Bo and Kenema areas and for cocao and coffee exports to increase. Moreover, Koindu might again become the lead trading town in the tri-state area.
A hardtop road from Rogbere/Port Loko and onto the Guinea border is under construction and has reached an advanced stage. I have been on part of that road a number of times and hope it will be completed soon.
As you know, the hardtop road from Freetown to Makeni has been completed and is in much use. And the road from Makeni to Matotoka is not in bad shape at all. It takes about three-and-one-half to four hours to do that journey now-a-days.
But the road I'd like to see reconstructed soon is the one linking Bandajuma Sowa with Bo waterside on the Liberian border as it would aid greatly in bringing economic development to the beautiful South Atlantic shore and the water-laden productive Wanjama area.
While much needs to be done with our road transport situation, much has already been been done during the very short span of years following the return to peace, especially when compared with the paucity of activity in this area during a quarter-century under the APC proverty-and-backward spreaders and tribal marginalizers. Cheers! - JL
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 15:43:22 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.190.22.152
Message:
Greetings my brothers and sisters. Truth on January 27, 2007 at 01:30:33 hrs.stated
"If you cannot stay within a group and fight for change - what man are you?"
Truth to respond to the above statement let us first and foremost, examine the word change. What is change?
"WHAT IS CHANGE?
Change refers to a transformation or modification in the affairs of your life. Such change can be huge and catastrophic, or it can be small and incremental. It can be completely predictable, as in the case of retirement, or a child starting school; it can be completely unpredictable, as in the case of a house fire or sudden death of a loved one; or it can fall somewhere in between, as in the case of someone who knows there has been trouble at work, but is still surprised when the lay-off notice arrives.
Change can also be positive, or negative. The dynamics of change are surprisingly similar in both instances.
But regardless of whether the change in question is a small modification in your life circumstance, or a devastating collapse of a key part of your personal world, its impact on you will be influenced greatly by how prepared you are for it, and how skillful you are in responding to it once the change has occurred.
Change is a necessary and inevitable part of life. Life without any change would, after all, be a kind of waking death. Given the rapidly accelerating pace of the modern world, however, lack of change is hardly a concern for most people.
What often is of concern is just the opposite - so much change that the very ground beneath your feet can seem to be eroding away. This feeling can quickly translate into a kind of continuous stress, leading to health and performance problems, and even a denial that any future change is coming.
Developing certain core skills for handling change can greatly reduce the negative effects of change in your life. These skills may include:
1) Self awareness: understanding your own strengths and weaknesses
2) Learning to look to the future: set goals and plan a course of action
3) Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally: examine your health habits and your
attitude, build and maintain a healthy support system
4) Discovering your personal reaction to change.
Learning skills can help you anticipate change, and manage it more effectively while it is occurring. There is a natural enemy for any change plan. It is known as the comfort zone. Our habits and routines are familiar to us and there is some discomfort in creating and becoming accustomed to new ways or habits. That initial discomfort can sabotage our commitments.
Cascade Employee Assistance Program
503-639-3009 Portland/Metro Area
503-588-0777 Salem/Keizer
800-433-2320 All other areas
www.cascadecenters.com"
What is established here, and to respond to your query, are some ingredients for change and the enemy of change. We learn that change can, under normal circumstances, be effected by avoiding comfort zones. So a man who leaves the comfort zone to initiate change is a man one can contend with. We do not have to be within the and with the same group of people to be able to make change for the better. It is worthy to note that some groups of people, based on their direction and determination, can effect negative rather than positive change if one is to stay with such a group. When ego-centrism conflicts with rational, human and positive views, it is best to change, if that means leaving one's father or mother.
We are well aware that Mr. Charles Margai deviated or dissociated himself from the S.L.P.P. but I am confident that this should not be seen as a negative thing because in any democracy, one is bound to exercise their constitutional right, which he has exercised. My concern is how different is Mr. Margai and how can he use such a difference to up-lift the spirit of Sierra Leone. Examples are better than precepts. The fact that to this point, besides speculations, no one has brought any substantial evidence of squandering of our national funds by Mr. Margai is an indication that we should and must give democracy a chance. I am to learn the difference between him and those who have ruled Sierra Leone. You who are conversant with these differences must give us the positive attributes or outline the differences to arm voters to make the right decision. I can categorically say that he is new and has shown remarkable example of leadership by most of his actions while in office as an S.L.P.P. Minister when he returned surplus funds that his office never used. Most Sierra Leonean politicians cannot boast of the same. These are the issues, evidence of wrong-doing or progressive contribution towards shaping national ethics by merely serving as a deserving example or more. These are the issues, I am confident, people are most interested in. Him turning-in money his office could not use upon resigning his post as an S.L.P.P. Minister is far better than a man with hundred doctorate degrees who is completely dishonest, corrupt without vision.
We cannot down-play his education, Mr. Ambassador. If he is accredited and serves as a member of the Bar, he is educated. Because if we deny his education, we are insulting the integrity of the institutions that accredited him or conferred the Law degree upon him, the Sierra Leone government and the Sierra Leone Bar Association for accepting these credentials and either allowing him to work as member of the Bar in the quest to see justice served or using the said degree to become a member of the said organisation.
M Alieu Iscandry and Ambassador John E. Leigh there is no way we can compare our form of democracy, national pride to American democracy. We have a lot of work to do. Our understanding of and respect for the Rule of Law has so much straigntening to be done. American Democracy has flaws but ours, our views of national pride is yet to be proven to be what it should be national not individual. Most Sierra Leoneans would categorically tell you that sometimes they are not proud to be called Sierra Leoneans. The fact remains that regardless of education accumulated by individuals most of their actions have been detrimental to national security and pride.
If we can focus on what goods can be delivered to disentangle the mess already created by the war, the economic degradation and educational slow-down, I mean concentrate on the needs of the people and how we can chase the International development in technology and other areas and who can get us there and why, then one would consider a political Renaissance for a better future in Sierra Leone. When we actually and fully respect Human Rights and eyemark who can give us such assurance, then we can say there is national pride and hope. When we can be proud of people's education, not how much they have accumulated but what can be done and where the little they have can take them then we can boast of a civilization. Can we proudly say that education has benefitted some people or the populace, how about Teachers, schools. Why have somany wrong-doings continue to flagate institutions and other segments of society?
So let us concentrate on how these issues can be addressed and the qualities that the aspirants can bring to the table.
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: john E. Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 14:50:34 01/28/07 ()
Email Address: johnernestleigh@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-dtc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.198
Message:
Mr. Kamara, please do not misunderstand me. I am not objecting to Mr. Margai tactics merely because he disassociated himself from the SLPP. Nobody should stay in one political party forever, especially if the party’s objectives have been wholly or substantially - and appears to have been permanently - subverted and/or his party is completely under the control of evil elements.
I will leave myself under those circumstances but we are very far away from such a situation. The position I have taken on this issue concerns the real reasons for his repeated departure from the SLPP as well as the manner in which he went about setting up his new political grouping; his bogus claim of being the Third Force but then surrounding himself with the very type of people that genuine reformers want absolutely nothing to do with.
Besides, I hated being targeted for recruitment and when that did not pan out, I resented being subjected to their onslaught of sour grapes' attacks.
As for education, I am insulting no one, not even a single institution. An institution has a reputation separate from that of an individual ex-student. Please note that everyone does not necessarily get the exact same benefit from the same institution. Thank you. - JL
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 02:29:47 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
That is why I like you. You do not joke. People like yourselves should be supported by our government to bring you about to be a well refined mind that will be beneficial to the nation. With good support on research methodology you will come out to be a good researcher - my fellow God will send you a venture capitalist to help in your refinement. keep it up.
Subject: Re: ON CHARLES MARGAI!
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 15:06:13 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Further, in my view also, there is no political grouping or presidential candidate as of now that can cut into SLPP's lead sufficient to deny it a 55% presidential vote on the first ballot. God bless. -JL
And I say "If wishes were horses beggars would ride" Ride on John INTO THE SUNSET. If the SLPP were not worried about the PMDC there would be very little mention of it made in any of your postings. I dare say that even form four flunkies can be GOOD LEADERS.
Subject: WHAT IS THE WEBSITE OF THE APC IF ANY
From: BABARAH
To: All
Date Posted: 22:51:11 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip70-162-167-106.ph.ph.cox.net at 70.162.167.106
Message:
Do APC have an official website?
Subject: Trying to reach Alieu Iscandari
From: Tboy
To: All
Date Posted: 20:41:14 01/26/07 ()
Email Address: salone_freetown@yahoo.com
Entered From: new-5000.cadence.com at 158.140.1.25
Message:
Hello Alieu,
I am trying to reach you privately regarding a legal matter. Please send me an email (salone_freetown@yahoo.com) and let me know the best way to reach you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
Tboy
Subject: Re: Trying to reach Alieu Iscandari
From: JAMBA BOY
To: All
Date Posted: 20:54:02 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
As long as you have bags of jamba, Iscandri will gladly represent you. The only downside is that everything that comes out of his jamba mouth is nonsense. NA JAMBA PIKIN
Subject: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: LAWYER JAMESON ARUNA
To: All
Date Posted: 17:05:04 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people implicated in editor's death
Date: 26 January 2007
Source: Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
(MFWA/IFEX) - On 18 January 2007, the Office of the Attorney General instructed the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to officially ask the British government to extradite three siblings implicated in the murder of Harry Yansaneh, editor of the independent newspaper "For Di People", a year and a half ago.
Ahmed Komeh, Bai Bureh Komeh and Aminata Komeh, children of ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) Member of Parliament (MP) Fatmata Hassan, fled to the United Kingdom following Yansaneh's death. Hassan and her children assaulted Yansaneh, then acting editor of the newspaper, two-and-a-half months before he died in July 2005. An inquest linked the journalist's death to the beatings.
A Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) correspondent reported that the move by the government may bring an end to the continued agitation by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), MFWA and freedom of expression organisations to arraign the MP and her children before a court to answer allegations of assault on the journalist.
The latest government move comes not long after a ruling by High Court Justice A. Showers indicating that the government could seek extradition of the suspects.
In August 2005, the director of public prosecutions, Robin Mason, presented a motion before Justice Showers asking for leave to allow the government to put in motion proceedings with regard to the extradition of the three suspects.
On 10 May 2005, Yansaneh was beaten up and abandoned by the three siblings, allegedly on the orders of Fatmata Hassan.
Although the matter was reported to the central police, no action was taken. The assailants subsequently fled to the UK.
MORE INFORMATION:
For further information, contact Jeannette Quarcoopome, Media Foundation for West Africa, 30 Duade Street, Kokomlemle, P.O. Box LG 730, Legon, Ghana, tel: +233 21 24 24 70, fax: +233 21 22 10 84, e-mail: events@mfwaonline.org, Internet: http://www.mfwaonline.org
**Updates IFEX al3rts of 15 August, 31 July, 8 February and 23 January 2006, 2 November and 31 August 2005, and others**
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: M. Alieu Iscandari esq
To: All
Date Posted: 18:07:33 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
The soul of harry yansanneh will never rest and we in the diaspora will never stop agitating for the truth to come out and Justice be done in this case. This government has shown a recalcitrance in the face of overwhelming evidence to do what is JUST.
It has always been the modus operandi of this government to look the other way while its supporters commit one injustice after another. As a matter of fact one of my close friend who purports to support the SLPP told me in confidence that under the SLPP he can do anything it will be considered a "Buff case".
Now that elections are just around the corner, this government wants to do justice after over one and one half years of doing INJUSTICE. I sat through the coroners inquest in this case and the evidence against the Honorable hassan and her children was damaging to say the least. The speaker of the house of parliament should have placed on the floor a motion to have her be removed from parliament. But he diod not. It was in the same vein, that the late SB marrah had the audacity to physically assault an innocent police officer who was doing his duty and not even the president or his vice the present standard bearer of the SLPP, made any public comment condemning this flagrant disregard and violation of the law by no less an official that the majority leader in Parliament. Under the APC, this would never happen particularly under siaka stevens.
The struggle for a more just society continues
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 00:27:46 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
Alieu, it is fair to be objective in issues of public concern. During APC days the likes of Abdul Karim (one time head of civil service and secretary to president stevens)terrorised his people in kambia with slaps, public beatings and his brothers will beat up anyone not in favour of their unjust activities. Reflect upon what happened to I S Kebe (RIP) of Commercial Insurance and African Transport fame - he was beaten by thugs of Adul karim and ibrahim Sorie and left for dead. SI Koroma instigated the beating up and imprisonment of a numnber of people in Marampa Masimera chiefdom alleging that they are the cause of his accident - they were in pademba Road for sometime. Allieu, I will continue to dread the days of the APC. I was too young to have seen what SLPP was like during the reign therefore cannot comment with authority about their atrocities. What i saw under APC was absdoluite chaos and lack of respect for the liberal minded.
let us pray that our nation and her people understand that we are one in diverse political views - The nation stand above us all.
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: . Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 00:53:57 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
And I do believe that we are on the same page with regards to these issues. Remember that it was not the party that beat people up it was the people within the party and a lack of good leadership that made it happen. For example, in 1993, Thugs of the APC came to my parents house in Port Loko, and threatened to beat up my father who was not home. Apparently they had ben sent by the late SI koroma. The reason I later learned was that my father had had an acident in his Opel Rekord which prior to the accident had been painted black and red. After the accident it was spray painted green. It was then presumed that my father was SLPP and back in those days it was a crime to be slpp.
When word got to siaka stevens that this had happened, he sent ISU's to Port Loko to guard our house and he severly chastised SI koroma for the act. That is what I call GOOD leadership. Perhaps one reason why siaka stevens by passed si koroma for the leadership of the APC after his retirement, was his (SI's) penchant for being politically overbearing and abusive of people he considered to be political opponents. To this day i believe that Alimamy Khazali was framed by SI KOroma.
I have been involved in more protests against the APC than against any other political entity in Sierra Leone. I was a student at Tower Hill Municipal schol in 1967 when the SLPP inspired coup David Lansana COup took place. I remember the way people in freetown were treated by the marauding soldiers. I remember how many young people were shot in the back by soldiers.
I support the APC now because I believe in the leadership of Ernest Koroma. If I were to disagree with him at any point after he becomes the head of state, I will do so privately and if he insists I will do it Publically. His ideas and new vision is what we need in sierra leone. I say ring the bell and let the campaign begin and lets separate the men from the boys.
You said it all "The Nation stands above us all" Thank you for your comments
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: Kendekha Wan Back
To: All
Date Posted: 11:14:44 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: usr501-wit.cableinet.co.uk at 213.48.201.29
Message:
For example, in 1993, Thugs of the APC came to my parents house in Port Loko, and threatened to beat up my father who was not home. Apparently they had ben sent by the late SI koroma.Alieu
U MUST HAVE WRITTEN THIS IN A RUSH, MAYBE ON YOUR WAY TO COURT COS BOTH BANDELAY EN AGBA SATANI BIN DON KICK BORKIT BY THEN. NPRC WAS RUNNING THINGS, SEEN?
KENDEKHA WAN BACK
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:35:47 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
You are so right my friend I wanted to say 1973. Thanks for calling that to my attention.
Stay Blessed
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 21:17:28 01/26/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
Alieu,i hope you got my message.
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 00:34:32 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Which one of your messages OK.dok? The denial that you are not the person who has been saying pejorative things about my family? If that is the one I did get it and what do yu expect me to do about it? I am sort of used to being the receipient of insults about my father on this forum. What can I say. If that is the only price I have to pay to bring about a better sierra leone, then I say bring it on brothers. If you would notice, people do not necessarily attack what I say, they attack me or my family. There are some who attack me personally because they cannot stand what I have to say, but I take solace in the fact that they are scared so shitless that they do it annonymously becuase they do not dare do so with their real names.
Yet still there are others who would rather attack my parents, and as I have matured in the cyber world I have come to understand that a response is to those people is not necessary most of the time.
My dear bretheren we all have something to contribute to sierra leone and the more we all contribute and stop triviliasing other peoples contributions, the more we ALL can make positive things happen in our beloved sa lone.
stay Blessed.
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 07:50:42 01/27/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: s01060050da7e3919.wp.shawcable.net at 24.76.177.54
Message:
Alieu you are like christ who died for mankind.Keep on trying and fighting for the country.
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: TIFF PAPA
To: All
Date Posted: 00:37:26 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
BULL SHIT. SHAMELESS MAN. THE BECCLES DAVIES COMMISION OF INQUIRY REPORT ON YOUR DAD WILL SOON BE POSTED. GET A LIFE.
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: Neutral
To: All
Date Posted: 03:32:17 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-160-15.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.160.15
Message:
But, dem say Beccles na rebel????na true???May his soul rest is peace.
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 00:58:14 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I have a copy of the report but I with bated breath await your posting of the report. Get a life? I have a good life, and for that I am greatful to my God who has made that possible. You may have a better existence than I but so what? So hows your life? Are you happy? Doesnt appear so? Need some happiness in your life? Then have a clear hear and a good conscience and see what God will do for you.
Subject: Re: Office of Attorney General seeks extradition of three people
From: JAMBA LAND
To: All
Date Posted: 18:15:26 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
YEAH RIGHT, UNDER SIAKA STEVENS. You are a shameless man.At least, SB Marah was charged to court, and the magistrate ruled that he was charged wrongly by the police prosecurtors. The police man who was allegedly slapped refused to pursue the matter.(Well , of course money changed hands, word is that Maragh gave him and his family some cash)
In Alieu's world, the people of salone should apologise to APC and Stevens for all the wrongs we did against your DAd and the APC party.
Please APC, Siaka Stevens and Alieu's dad, forgive us Sierra-Leoneans. In Alieu's world, Stevens was a herop in salone. Stevens was a man of justice. Stevens was a fighter for the poor. Stevens was just too great. The only problem is that Alieu's dream world exists in JAMBA LAND.
Subject: Lab director speaks out on lacrosse case (DukeLax on 60 Minu
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 15:08:48 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.190.22.152
Message:
Lab director speaks out on lacrosse case
BY JOHN STEVENSON, The Herald-Sun January 14, 2007 12:31 am Two days after Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong asked to step away from the Duke lacrosse case, a private laboratory director will say on national television tonight that he made a "big error" in withholding DNA evidence favorable to three men accused of sexually attacking an exotic dancer last March.
On a CBS "60 Minutes" segment to be aired after evening football, DNA Security chief Brian Meehan says withholding the evidence violated his own firm's standards and made him feel irked at Nifong, according to a CBS news release.
The evidence in question indicated that DNA from several other men was found on the accuser -- but none from the three indicted men or any other Duke lacrosse players.
Nifong took six months to inform defense lawyers about the other DNA and, during that time, filed a court motion stating he was not aware of any information that could exonerate the men.
Meehan, whose laboratory is in Burlington, tells "60 Minutes" it was the first time he omitted potentially exculpatory evidence from a report.
"We haven't done that before," he is quoted as saying. "In retrospect, I should have done a better job of conveying that information."
But Meehan and Nifong agreed, even before DNA tests were complete, that the lab report "should be limited to positive matches between the accusers and the [lacrosse] players," according to CBS.
Meehan is quoted as saying his firm wasn't deliberately trying to hide information, and the information eventually was released when requested.
Still, parents of the accused men -- Collin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann and David Evans -- will express outrage on "60 Minutes" that Nifong withheld the favorable evidence.
"You felt like someone hit you with a baseball bat. ... It was almost too much to bear," says Kathy Seligmann, Reade's mother.
Referring to a December court hearing in which news of the withheld evidence came out, she adds, "And we had to hold on to each other because when you sit there and put two and two together and realize that it was a calculated … setup to make these boys appear to be guilty of something they didn't do."
Mary Ellen Finnerty, Collin's mother, is quoted as saying she felt "one of the strongest feelings of rage" she had ever known.
"I literally had to turn to my husband because I was shaking from my head to my toe and say, 'Hold me down,' " she says.
Rae Evans, the mother of David Evans, is asked on "60 Minutes" what she would like to say to Nifong.
"I would say with a smile on my face, 'Mr. Nifong, you've picked on the wrong families … and you will pay every day for the rest of your life,' " she replies.
The three defendants originally were charged with restraining the accuser in a bathroom during an off-campus party at 610 N. Buchanan Blvd., raping her and committing another first-degree sex offense against her.
But Nifong dismissed the rape charges late last month after the dancer changed her story. Kidnapping and sex-offense allegations remain pending. Both are felonies.
The three players are free under $100,000 bonds as they await further developments, including the state attorney general's appointment of another prosecutor to replace Nifong, who asked on Friday to be removed from the case.
URL for this article: http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-808971.cfm
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TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: DUKE; DUKELAX; DURHAM; LACROSSE
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Fresh thread for today. Lots of news articles
1 posted on 01/14/2007 2:56:56 AM PST by abb
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To: abner; Alia; AmishDude; AntiGuv; beyondashadow; Bitter Bierce; bjc; Bogeygolfer; BossLady; ...
Ping
2 posted on 01/14/2007 2:57:33 AM PST by abb (The Dinosaur Media: A One-Way Medium in a Two-Way World)
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Subject: Re: Lab director speaks out on lacrosse case (DukeLax on 60 Minu
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 16:34:40 01/26/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
FOR ALIEU
I am sorry if my point gave you the clue that i was one of the people who was delibrately insulting your parents.Sorry but i too came from a family who i regard so much.Its all fun here as far as i am concerned.Sorry but we are all family from that country and who know maybe you know some of my relatives.Take care my brother and keep off from people who are trouble makers.
Subject: Re: Lab director speaks out on lacrosse case (DukeLax on 60 Minu
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 13:49:12 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.190.22.152
Message:
o.k. dok thank you for that clarification. My mother told me onetime after a friend insulted my mother, which I was very angry about and complained to her because it was a rule in my household that we the children should and must never take action or retaliate in any fashiion when offended without first reporting to an elder or somebody in authority. I learned from that childhood days to never take the law in my own hands. It is called being responsible knowing that in any civilized setting there are rules, laws and custums and that every member of that society is bound by those laws and must respect those laws meaning respect for the authorities that made and must enforce them. So when this fela insulted my mother that is what I did, complained to her. She told me to ignor this fela because if she had never brought me to this world, no one could have insulted her, and that I have shown how bigger a person I am by reasoning-out to do what is right. That I have distinguished myself from him because those who were standing there, those who were watching realised that I had self-respect, respect for my mother and respect for authority by ignoring turning my back to do the right thing. I was respected by the elders of that community and even this fela latter appolgized to me after he had realized what differenciates us.
I have constantly posted Jean Piaget's stages of development here that clearly steamlines the various stages at which all human beings develop cognitively.
Here again are explanation of the stages of cognitive development:
Much of your teaching depends on cognitive abilities -- sharing information with your students and looking for signs that the information is understood. As a result, you should understand cognitive stages.
Child psychologist Jean Piaget described the mechanism by which the mind processes new information. He said that a person understands whatever information fits into his established view of the world. When information does not fit, the person must reexamine and adjust his thinking to accommodate the new information. Piaget described four stages of cognitive development and relates them to a person's ability to understand and assimilate new information.
Sensorimotor: (birth to about age 2)
During this stage, the child learns about himself and his environment through motor and reflex actions. Thought derives from sensation and movement. The child learns that he is separate from his environment and that aspects of his environment -- his parents or favorite toy -- continue to exist even though they may be outside the reach of his senses. Teaching for a child in this stage should be geared to the sensorimotor system. You can modify behavior by using the senses: a frown, a stern or soothing voice -- all serve as appropriate techniques.
Preoperational: (begins about the time the child starts to talk to about age 7)
Applying his new knowledge of language, the child begins to use symbols to represent objects. Early in this stage he also personifies objects. He is now better able to think about things and events that aren't immediately present. Oriented to the present, the child has difficulty conceptualizing time. His thinking is influenced by fantasy -- the way he'd like things to be -- and he assumes that others see situations from his viewpoint. He takes in information and then changes it in his mind to fit his ideas. Teaching must take into account the child's vivid fantasies and undeveloped sense of time. Using neutral words, body outlines and equipment a child can touch gives him an active role in learning.
Concrete: (about first grade to early adolescence)
During this stage, accommodation increases. The child develops an ability to think abstractly and to make rational judgements about concrete or observable phenomena, which in the past he needed to manipulate physically to understand. In teaching this child, giving him the opportunity to ask questions and to explain things back to you allows him to mentally manipulate information.
Formal Operations: (adolescence)
This stage brings cognition to its final form. This person no longer requires concrete objects to make rational judgements. At his point, he is capable of hypothetical and deductive reasoning. Teaching for the adolescent may be wideranging because he'll be able to consider many possibilities from several perspectives.
Concrete operational stage
The Concrete operational stage is the third of four stages of cognitive development in Piaget's theory. This stage, which follows the Preoperational stage, occurs between the ages of 7 and 11 years and is characterized by the appropriate use of logic. Important processes during this stage are:
Decentering - where the child takes into account multiple aspects of a problem to solve it. For example, the child will no longer perceive an exceptionally wide but short cup to contain less than a normally-wide, taller cup.
Reversibility - where the child understands that numbers or objects can be changed, then returned to their original state. For this reason, a child will be able to rapidly determine that if 4+4 equals 8, 8-4 will equal 4, the original quantity.
Conservation - understanding that quantity, length or number of items is unrelated to the arrangement or appearance of the object or items. For instance, when a child is presented with two equally-sized, full cups they will be able to discern that if water is transferred to a pitcher it will conserve the quantity and be equal to the other filled cup.
Serialisation - the ability to arrange objects in an order according to size, shape, or any other characteristic. For example, if given different-shaded objects they may make a colour gradient.
Classification - the ability to name and identify sets of objects according to appearance, size or other characteristic, including the idea that one set of objects can include another. A child is no longer subject to the illogical limitations of animism (the belief that all objects are animals and therefore have feelings).
Elimination of Egocentrism - the ability to view things from another's perspective (even if they think incorrectly). For instance, show a child a comic in which Jane puts a doll under a box, leaves the room, and then Jill moves the doll to a drawer, and Jane comes back. A child in the concrete operations stage will say that Jane will still think it's under the box even though the child knows it is in the drawer.
Formal operational stage
The formal operational stage is the fourth and final of the stages of cognitive development of Piaget's theory. This stage, which follows the Concrete Operational stage, commences at around 11 years of age (puberty) and continues into adulthood. It is characterized by acquisition of the ability to think abstractly and draw conclusions from the information available. During this stage the young adult functions in a cognitively normal manner and therefore is able to understand such things as love, "shades of gray", and values. Lucidly, biological factors may be traced to this stage as it occurs during puberty and marking the entry to adulthood in Physiology, cognition, moral judgement (Kohlberg), Psychosexual development (Freud), and social development (Erikson). Some two-thirds of people do not successfully complete this stage, and "fixate" at the concrete operational stage.[1]"
What is important to note about my action at that stage and what distinguished him and I is: "Elimination of Egocentrism - the ability to view things from another's perspective (even if they think incorrectly)."
Here, I did not think of the wrong, painful though it could be, rather I thought about how those in authority would feel about his action, fist of all, and then about how they would feel about me breaking the law to satisfy myself or my ego if you will. Though my mother or father were not present at the scene when he acted that way, I had moved from the sensory motor stage knowing that if my parents or authorities were not present yet, the rules or laws still stand.
So I have never been angry that you might have insulted my mother, my concern has always been the logic behind your action. Why would you insult when we are to excersise our brains, knowing that I went to college, spen my time and money to be able to discuss things I have learned there in any setting that I find conduisve for such preocupation. I wouldn't have been wasting my time here if it is a gathering of people who have not been trained in colleges and universities to discuss logically, taken all aspects of situations into consideration knowing that if all have not ascended the four stages of cognitive delopment, especially reaching the formal operational stage, there would be chaos and anerchy. So feel free to discuss knowing that civility is the yardstick by which sound minds are measured.
Haven said that, let agree with you that we might be related some how, coming from a small country known as Sierra Leone. We might even know each other since I spent time in college and worked at the President' office for four years. This was a place that most Sierra Leoneans and International Diplomats went so you might know me there.
But what is important to note is that, this is syba-space, where most people come for different reasons. What counts here, as far as I am concerned, is what contributions I make because that is what I am held responsible for and not what you or any other person writes here. Be accountable for what you say and let the rest be fun.
Be rest assured that this the vanguard for my pursuit to be accountable for what I say or do and not what someone else wishes to do that is wrong.
Take care.
Cannot read over.
Subject: Re: Lab director speaks out on lacrosse case (DukeLax on 60 Minu
From: TIFF PAPA
To: All
Date Posted: 16:41:03 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Ok dok is not even close to been THE GREAT TIFF PAPA. May be in Alieu's Jamba smoking dreams. I will try to post the late Samuel Beccles-Davies commission of inquiry reports on Alieu's dad who was a former APC minister(.The bra na big big tiff man). The report by the late man is an eye opener, and it confirms my point that TIFF PAPA ALAKI FOR TRUE.
Subject: Re: Lab director speaks out on lacrosse case (DukeLax on 60 Minu
From: fan of John Leigh
To: All
Date Posted: 18:09:34 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Alieu this is another low grade noise maker. He has his 2 seconds of fame and very soon he is going to vanish into the gronpig hole he came from.
Subject: WETIN DEE CHIEF SAY TIDAY ?
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 12:52:37 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
The difference between a politician and a statesman:
---A POLITICIAN THINKS ONLY OF THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION;
---A STATESMAN THINKS ONLY ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION.
Are you a politician or are you a statesman ?
Subject: Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, CURRUPTION STARTED WITH THE S.L.P.P!
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 12:41:51 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
"...Parliament increasingly squandered its opportunity to crub executive excesses. It failed to block Prime Minister Albert Margai's MISUSE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS FOR PERSONAL GAIN because it hardly bothered to monitor public income and expenditure. For example, the opposition APC newspaper "We Yone" alleged that Sir Albert had USED HUGE SUMS OF MONEY to BUY BUILDINGS IN WASHINGTON AND LONDON, which he then rented to the Sierra Leone missions in those countries FOR PRIVATE GAIN..." (S.L.T.R.C.R)
WILL CHARLES MARGAI FOLLOW IN HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS ? IS HE STILL ENJOYING SOME OF THAT MONEY ?
Subject: Re: Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, CURRUPTION STARTED WITH THE S.L.P.P!
From: Beware of APC Bearing Accusations!!
To: All
Date Posted: 10:59:14 01/29/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-457836a6.dyn.optonline.net at 69.120.54.166
Message:
It is Deja Vu all over again! The APC is once more going after the eminent Sir Albert Margai who died over a generation ago. May He Rest In Peace even though the vindictive, shallow, and incompetent APC is determined to deny him such respite.
Let me however remind one and all that whatever evil it was that they ascribed to Sir Albert, the All Poisonous Congress once in power exceeded them all. They chastized Sir Albert for seeking a one-party state. But the APC went on to force through the very same constitutional scheme and thereby transformed Sierra Leone from a parliamentary democracy into a one-party state republican dictatorship, all in a matter of twenty four hours. With that singular mettle the Sun set on Sierra Leone (pun intended), bright hopes darkened, and our future programmed for the brutal civil war that inevitably ensued.
They said Sir Albert was corrupt. But the APC elevated corruption into government policy. They abruptly did away with crucial internal control instruments and centralized all treasury decisions into the dirty paws of their thieving presidents. They also created the notorious APC Hajas and were parent to the hegemonic ekutay syndicate.
They said Sir Albert was a tribalist. But APC enforcer-thugs went about to harrass and beat up Mendes just for speaking their language on the streets of Freetown.
They said Sir Albert sought Mende hegemony. But in nearly a quarter century in power, the setting Sun never held a clean election as opposing candidates were harrassed and physically assaulted, and APC candidates routinely returned as unopposed. And in a declaration that will forever live in infamy, APC Vice President S.I. Koromah crowed that history will record that there once were a Mende people. I noted elsewhere in Cocorioko that a high official of the USA branch of the APC is again pomissing that his party will detrabalized partisan politics in Sierra Leone. But how? By rejuvenating the one-party state? Such pronouncement is indicative of APC cluelessness. They will not allow us to evolve. They are enamored of thugs and they are enforcers only. Their hypocritical righteousness is a far more serious problem than corruption, tribalism, and fears of hegemony that they love to incite whenever they are out of power.
Folks, the APC has not changed. They are the same bumbling and incompetent ideologues who seek power only for the sake of power. They have no clue, they have no agenda, and they are notoriously poor managers. The poison that they sowed on their first go around still lingers and remains our biggest shame. And I wonder if, as was the case in 1967 they are now, in another crucial election cycle, in fact annoucing their agenda for their second coming, when they criticize other political parties? Fool you once, you get my sympathy; fool you twice, shame on you! But do yourself and Sierra Leone a favor come July. I don't care who else you vote for. But for the sake of Sierra Leone PLEEEESE DON'T BRING BACK THE APC.
Subject: Re: Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, CURRUPTION STARTED WITH THE S.L.P.P!
From: AR SHAME OH
To: All
Date Posted: 12:57:27 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
TRC quoting We Yone? Lord have mercy
Subject: ALIEU ISCANDARI ET. Al. ARE YOU UP TO THIS CHALLANGE ?
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 12:27:57 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
" The Commission calls on the Judiciary not to permit laws or practices which are CONTRARY TO JUSTICE, or which undermines the RIGHTS TO LIBERTY, EQUALITY, AND JUSTICE. Clauses that oust the jurisdiction of the courts in matters pertaining to fundamental HUMAN RIGHTS SHOULD BE DECLEARED ILLEGAL".
(S. L. Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report)
" Lack of courage on the part of Lawyers and judges over the years paved the way for the DESECRATION OF THE CONSTITUTION, THE PERPETUATION OF INJUSTICE AND THE PILLAGING OF THE COUNTRY'S WEALTH" (S.L.T.R.C.R)
"The organised Bar is in a good position to be a powerful watchdog and should add its voice IN PROTEST, WHEN HUMAN RIGHTS ARE ABUSED AND THE RULE OF LAW IS THREATENED. THE COMMISSION CALLS UPON LAWYERS TO STAND UP TO JUSTICE". (S.L.T. R. C. R)
Subject: Re: ALIEU ISCANDARI ET. Al. ARE YOU UP TO THIS CHALLANGE ?
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 14:32:43 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Chief I would agree with you intoto. I will take a bigger bite on this when i get back from court.
Subject: REPLY TO APC Murderers and Ayampis by JLM
From: M. Alieu Iscandari
To: All
Date Posted: 12:11:30 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
“Mr. Tejan Kabbah, one time Permanent Secretary of the Sierra Leone Ministry of Trade and Industry, a highly placed civil servant lacks integrity and from his showing in this Inquiry, we feel he could easily lapse into corrupt practices which in our view disqualifies him from holding any public office for which good character and integrity are prerequisites” (Report of the Beoku-Betts Commission of Inquiry on the Special Coffee Deal of the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board, page 22, 4 August 1967).
Dr. Fanusie:
The fanatics do not care about truth and the correct history of our country. Their loyalty to THEIR party as you pointed out is above all national priorities. I have not only heard them say, they will not vote for another party notwithstanding a uniform agenda of national purpose, but the APC and PMDC should not exist hence their vehemence and shameless rants about Siaka Stevens as if he is the candidate in these elections.
The more troubling thing about these fanatics above their tribal and ethnocentric nothingness on this forum and elsewhere is what you pointed out about the RUF. The RUF murdered over 50,000 Sierra Leoneans. They maimed thousands more now writhing with pain, postwar traumatic syndrome and without limbs in the Amputee Camp in Freetown. They scattered thousands of Sierra Leoneans all over the world as refugees. Yet, the RUF is ignored as the major enemy of the people of Sierra Leone.
In their fanatical yelping and braying about the APC under Siaka Stevens, they speak absolute foolish statements in cliches, trite expressions such as NEVER AGAIN, a phrase they hardly know or understand that it is reserved to refer to a vow against holocausts such as those of Nazi Germany, of the Rwandan pogrom, ethnic cleansing of the Balkans and in fact of the mass murders of the RUF. Yet the ignoramuses inside the fanatical gang regale us with these pathetic expressions in abusage of the sufferings of mass murders everywhere akin to those of the RUF.
By bringing up names such as those of Dr. Fornah in a red herring fallacy and others whom we have justly all mourned, they desire to hide the RUF history. The TRC Report gives us a clue about those who killed the 50,000 Sierra Leoneans from the rain forests of the southeast, to the plains of the north and then the massacre in Freetown on January 6. The fanatics want to sweep this gross history into the dark recesses of the nation while they ride roughshod with pitch forks saying nothing statements about the APC.
It is troubling to think these fanatics want us to be scared of the APC when no group, political party in our history has caused so much bloodshed, carnage, conflagration and tears than the RUF. As you justly pointed out, the ranting gang has had many of THEIR party members on the Stevens-Momoh confederacy as ministers and public servants of profit. But today they talk of the APC as if no SLPP member ever conjoined in it. Yet the grim-faced fanatics yell, in sour aspect, NEVER AGAIN WILL THE APC rule Sierra Leone. How about NEVER AGAIN should we as a nation condone, tolerate or harbor the RUF in our bosoms, midst to avert another holocaust in our nation?
Another thing these pusillanimous fanatics spout in public is how bad the AFRC was and how good the NPRC was in the figment of their imaginations. No democratic nation tolerates treason by anybody or by soldiers. To distinguish between treason by one group of soldiers by gainsaying one and applauding another is absolute foolishness in a democracy. Those who do so commit treason too and will someday have to answer for aiding and abetting treason. The NPRC KILLED so many people and caused so much disaffection that only those who PROFITED in that illegal enterprise still champion their treason. The fanatic has countervailed the APC with treason and chose treason.
Then of course these loud, ignorant fanatics often speak of corruption parenthetically as if no member of the SLPP ever was caught by any public inquiry into their own perfidy. That the SLPP after its 1967 defeat forswore to change that political organization and did so successfully in the offing of the 1996 elections is lost today in the loud and sour interposition of fanatics that the APC has not changed and Siaka Stevens is a candidate.
Let the fanatic remember this about the SLPP candidate in 1996 who was virtually proscribed from politics yet the Interim Electoral Commission under James Jonah disregarded what was hitherto said of Mr. Tejan Kabbah in 1968 Report:
“Mr. Tejan Kabbah, one time Permanent Secretary of the Sierra Leone Ministry of Trade and Industry, a highly placed civil servant lacks integrity and from his showing in this Inquiry, we feel he could easily lapse into corrupt practices which in our view disqualifies him from holding any public office for which good character and integrity are prerequisites” (Report of the Beoku-Betts Commission of Inquiry on the Special Coffee Deal of the Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board, page 22, 4 August 1967).
So if Tejan Kabbah was forgiven and permitted to stand in the 1996 election on February 26, 1996 and on May 14, 2002, why not Ernest Koroma and Charles Margai who have yet to be accused in a legal inquiry for corruption?
The thing to keep in mind is this: The SLPP like the APC has had bad elements. A political party does not belong to men of intrigue. The people choose it and they reject it as they see fit. The ranting and raving of fanatics we shall continue to ignore. The good members in the SLPP who see their party as a national institution, do not brook tribalism or ethnocentric yearnings. The tribalists as we already know them on this forum have strove to take over the SLPP as if it is their patrimony. It is not.
Now watch the fanatics come forth here in their incoherent, irrelevant, pathetic vocabulary in that wayward masquerade as they are now quite known, not to dismantle point by point these assertions of mine, but to make this place foul in the wake of their ignorant mutterings. The door is open, spring inside this lion's den at your peril
Best regards,
John Lansana Musa
Subject: Re: REPLY TO APC Murderers and Ayampis by JLM
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 00:40:43 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
What perturbs me is that we sat and saw kabbah grab the realm of power and all knew who he was but reluctantly failed to bring to the attention of all his unfitness to govern us. kabbah's day are now numbered and i believe to continue ranting now about what he did then is duplicitious. We are all guilty of what has befallen us - we all lack integrity - until the day when all Sierra Leoneans embrace honour and integrity as the head-cornerstone of our quotidian lives we will remain to suffer in penury.
Subject: Re: REPLY TO APC Murderers and Ayampis by JLM
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 01:01:19 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Perhaps our opposition to the continuation of Kabbas policies through a Berewah presidency is an attampt to sound the knell that embraces honor and integrity as the head cornerstone of our existence as a nation.
Subject: Re: REPLY TO APC Murderers and Ayampis by JLM
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 01:14:54 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
True indeed!! It is a lesson well learnt. Had we done this when Kabbah was vying for the presidency, history would have made heroes of some of us today. We need to put Sierra Leone above all else - not for us but for the coming generation - thinking about tomorrows new minds is statesmanship.
Subject: Steiner Announces Finalists for 2007 Environment & Developme
From: ARCHIM STEINER
To: All
Date Posted: 11:47:13 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
Steiner Announces Finalists for 2007 Environment & Development Awards
World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland - 25 January 2007: Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), today announced the 10 finalists for one of five Supporting Entrepreneurs for Environment and Development (Seed) Awards.
The winners of the Seed Awards, an incentive scheme for local entrepreneurs to promote economic growth, social development and environmental protection will be announced at the forthcoming United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development in New York in May 2007. This announcement compliments a similar release made at the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, today.
"As we meet in Davos and Nairobi to discuss scaling up sustainable solutions, the Seed Initiative is again offering inspiring examples of local level entrepreneurs in all parts of the world who are setting up new partnerships and using 'global/local' networks to address sustainable development challenges with a business case approach,” said Steiner.
The Seed Initiative is an international awards-based scheme and learning tool to encourage local entrepreneurs, communities, companies and others to join forces in partnerships for sustainable development. Partners in the Seed Initiative include the World Conservation Union (IUCN); the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); the governments of the United States of America, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, and the United Kingdom; and private sector partner Swiss Re. The Seed Awards programme publicly recognises the contribution of innovative, entrepreneurial partnerships to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation.
Finalists for the Seed Awards 2007 take a range of promising, locally-adapted approaches to sustainability, including the promotion of traditional medicine and community-based tourism and the production of alternative fuels. The countries represented by finalist initiatives are Brazil, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Kenya, Peru, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Tanzania, and Vietnam.
Steiner underlined the importance of locally-driven, entrepreneurial partnerships in the fight against poverty, adding: “These connected entrepreneurs are planting seeds of hope. Their example and accumulative impact holds enormous promise."
Previous winners, acclaimed for their innovative solutions in improving both livelihoods of local communities and environmental protection, include:
(i) “Cows to Kilowatts,” which aims to provide more than 2,000 households with household energy at 50% of the standard price from the incineration of abattoir waste in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria;
(ii) The Global Partnership for SRI Rice, an environmentally friendly method of rice growing now employed by more than 400,000 small-scale farmers that reduces the amount of water, agrochemicals and seed required while increasing yield in more than 20 countries; and
(iii) “Agua para Todos – Water for All,” a Bolivian partnership that envisages providing 75,000 people with access to high-quality potable water at more than 50% less than the current cost over the next five years.
The announcement of the 2007 finalists follows a rigorous 10-month selection process that drew together more than 230 applications from more than 70 countries worldwide – representing close to 1,100 organisations from the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, women’s groups, labour, public authorities, UN agencies and others. The selection process to shortlist finalists involved an external selection team of ten international experts.
An international expert jury will now identify the five winning partnerships from the 10 finalists. The awards ceremony will be held during the high-level segment of the 15th session of the Commission for Sustainable Development in May (New York).
For further information, please contact: Nick Nuttall, UNEP Spokesperson on Tel: +254 20 623084, Mobile +254 733 632755, nick.nuttall@unep.org or Robert Bisset, UNEP Spokesperson for Europe on Tel: +33-1-4437 7613, Mobile: +33 6 2272 5842; or François Rogers at the Seed Secretariat, Tel +41 22 999 0302), or see: www.seedinit.org.
THE 2007 SEED AWARDS FINALISTS IN BRIEF:
(i) Western Hemisphere:
Brazil:
Projeto Bagagem: Building a community-based tourism network in Brazil
Improves local communities’ livelihoods and promotes environmental protection through the creation of community-based tourism.
Equador:
Handling and recovery of Andean tubers and cereals to improve food security
Introduces organic farming practices and reintroduces native species of Andean cereals and potatoes to diversify crops with the goal of empowering women and improving food security.
Peru:
T’ikapapa: A new way to link Andean small-scale farmers with new urban markets
Markets indigenous potatoes to supermarkets to improve local farmers’ livelihoods and utilizes environmentally friendly technologies to conserve local biodiversity.
Suriname:
Protecting the Future by Preserving the Past
Improves livelihoods and provides health services by using traditional knowledge of plant extracts for therapeutic purposes.
(ii) Africa:
Kenya:
Empowering the restoration of goods and services of Mt. Kenya Forests
Promotes conservation enterprises and the sustainable development of forest and mountain resources and improves livelihoods through a series of reforestation and development projects.
Sierra Leone:
Tiwai Island Traditional Medicine Health and Fitness Village
Protects biodiversity and provides sustainable livelihoods for local communities through the construction and operation of an ecotourism health/fitness village, built around the principles of West African ethno-medicine, located in the southern part of the Barrie and Koya Chiefdom near the Tiwai Island’s Gola Forest.
Tanzania:
Future Fuels
Provides an alternative fuel source from wood waste, reducing dependency on forest products and opening a new market.
(iii) South Asia:
India:
Promotion of Natural Dyes in the Textile Industries
Produces yarn and fabric in an energy-efficient and less polluting manner through the use of traditional natural dyes.
Nepal:
Cotton thread production from Girardinia diversifolia (Allo)
Produces cotton thread from a traditionally used local species for supply of national and international markets, involving local communities in the resource management.
(iv) East Asia:
Vietnam:
Bridging the Gap: Bringing novel Vietnamese medicinal plant products to the international market
Develops a local business network, marketing high value-added products derived from the sustainable cultivation of traditional medicinal plants.
Further information on the 2007 Seed Award Finalists may be obtained from the Seed Initiative website on www.seedinit.org.
Subject: Chief Norman denies cross-carpeting to PMDC
From: VILLAGER
To: All
Date Posted: 08:40:02 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
NEW VISION AND THE EXCLUSIVE
Chief Norman denies cross-carpeting to PMDC
Special Court indicted former national coordinator of the pro government ‘kamajor’ militia and deputy minister of defence, Chief Sam Hinga Norman, has reportedly reacted to media reports that he was joining the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), an off-shoot of the ruling SLPP. According to New Vision, Norman fired back from the Senegalese capital Dakar to where he was recently flown for medical treatment that he never signed any document declaring his support for the PMDC.
The story further says that the other two indicted ‘kamajor’ militia, Moinina Fofana and Alieu Kondewa, have also distanced themselves from becoming members of the PMDC, noting that their signatures were forged.
Subject: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 06:25:30 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.8
Message:
30 YEARS SINCE 1977
ANOTHER PIECE OF THE LANDMARK 1977 STUDENT REVOLUTION
By Alie Formeh Kamara
Some time ago I read a piece in Cocorioko online news paper about the 1977 student revolution in Sierra Leone and I wrote on the forum that the story will never be complete until I write my piece. Again, I have just read a new piece about the student revolution on Awareness Times online news paper by Mohamed El Tayib-Bah. Mohamed’s story inspired me to write my piece at this time. My story is neither to confirm nor to deny the author’s story but simply to add to the history of the landmark 1977 student revolution.
I would first give readers a brief story about me because I believe it would give them a perspective of where I am coming from and why things happened the way my story goes. I am the son of the Late Honorable Formeh Kamara who was Minister of Transport and Communications in the APC government at the time of the student revolution. I was also incidentally the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications in the Student Union government at Fourah Bay College. I was a member of the APC party and still a member of the APC party today.
As the son of a Minister, I was in a privileged position to know a lot of information others did not know. I also understood that life was not simply about having fun but also about taking responsibility as social beings in our structured society with social and political undertones. I understood and respected the need to be principled. Thanks to Saint Francis Secondary School, Makeni where most of the beliefs I hold, even today, were formed.
Sierra Leone appeared peaceful in 1977 but there were disgruntled individuals particularly from the former SLPP party who felt marginalized because Dr. Siaka Probyn Stevens had instituted a one party system of government. Looking back at that decision by the President, it was a 360 degree turn around from an APC that publicly criticized the former SLPP government of Sir Albert Margai for his inclination to have a one party system of government. Had the SLPP party won the 1967 general elections there was no doubt that they would have had a one party form of government and would have suffered the same fate that the APC suffered under Dr. Siaka Stevens.
Call that decision to have a one party form of government selfish, but it seemed that the wind for selfish governments was blowing all across post colonial Africa like a wild fire in the harmattan and Dr. Siaka Stevens was no match to withstand it. It was against this background that the 1977 student revolution took place.
On the day of the the landmark student demonstrations in 1977, rumor was building around campus that students were planning to demonstrate against the APC government of Dr. Siaka Probyn Stevens. Then suddenly a delegation of approximately six students including the President of the Student Union Government, Hindolo Trye, came to my Dormitory room on campus. There expressed purpose was to formally notify me of their intention and to find out how I felt about it and whether I would commit to be a party to it.
In retrospect, the decision to pay that special visit to me was a calculated one, even though I did not think at the time that I deserved any such honor to receive a delegation of that caliber. That action by students led by the President was a mark of a mature but difficult decision by students who were divided by loyalty and some of whom were even afraid to make the bold move to demonstrate without a shield or protection. I think I was to become that shield. I believe that the architect of the decision was the President, Hindolo Trye. I also believe that some of the die hard delegates may have been literally dragged to this meeting in their total displeasure.
The delegates explained the reasons for their planned student demonstration to me. They went through each of the ten points on their placard. I listened patiently all through their presentation and realized some big problems with some of their points. But I decided to say nothing that would contradict their views at that time. They were simply misinformed on some of the points and flatly wrong. But it seemed from the looks of their eyes that they were committed to their planned action and that their commitment was already been literally carved on stone. So I said to them that as a member of the Student Union government I would be bound by any decision that the Student body arrived at as long as it passed through the formal process of the Student Union constitution. I believed at the time that any decision that the Student Union formally voted on that achieved the required votes was binding on every student. In retrospect, that may not even have been the case because the issue at hand was political and not pertaining to student affairs.
I meant every word I said to them even if that meant that I was to be on the other side of a fight against my party and against my father whom I adored so much and whose every principle I emulated. In fact, that same day there were calls for a general student meeting. The purpose of that meeting, it seemed to me, was to make a formal declaration to all students about the planned demonstration. Fourah Bay College was a college of Titans that were orators. There were socialists who eat, drank and preached socialism literally. We were about to be entertained once again. But this time the subject was about my party.
The alarm was sounded. Reminiscent of the old Roman Empire, centuries ago, the alarm could be heard from any corner of the campus. It was a loud sound made by turning a metallic wheel like cranking the old locomotive engines with a crow bar. Once I heard the sound I participated in getting students outside their rooms for the general assembly. Students upon students took to the floor to speak one after the other. There were outcries denouncing the government and appealing for unity of action.
My feeling at the time, being an APC supporter, was that the defunct SLPP party had infiltrated the student union government and they, the SLPP, were working on the back ground to push their agenda. But as with all feelings devoid of facts, that could be true or false.
The ten points posited as the reasons for the student demonstrations may have had some credible points but some, as I said earlier where flatly wrong. One of the points had to do with allegations that the government expended large sums of moneys to buy over 20 Mercedeze Benze cars for use by delegates in an International Labor conference held in Sierra Leone. My father was Minister of Transport and Communications at the time and I knew that the point students were making was false. The fact was that my father recalled over twenty Mercedese Benz cars from all Ministers except his for use by delegates to the conference. His explanation for keeping his car was simply that he was the Minister of Transport and Communications.
Another one of the ten points raised by students was the sale of a diamond, the Star of Sierra Leone, at a meager sum of about four million dollars or pounds. The students alleged that the government reported a sale of the diamond for a meager sum and pocketed most of the moneys. While that cannot be denied, it however cannot be confirmed either.
The students were basing their points on mere speculation. Most of the information that the students had were from the press. It is this same press that had undergone numerous criticisms from the general public and many governments for unprofessionalism and libelous practices. But the fact is who can blame the students when Sierra Leone had no freedom of information laws. Regrettably, even leaders like President Kabba, today, who received his training abroad and claims to be pro democratic has still not instituted freedom of information laws in Sierra Leone despite his two terms in office.
The story with the sale of the star of Sierra Leone explained to me was that the price was dictated by the diamond cartel controlled by the DeBearrs organization in South Africa. That wretched organization called the DeBeers organization had a firm grip on the market and every where Sierra Leone went the quoted price was the same. A financially strapped Sierra Leone could not withhold the sale for long due to financial pressures and so concluded the sale. Skeptics were unlikely to believe the story but no one had independent confirmation for any argument otherwise.
The students had no plans to put the issue of a demonstration against the government to a vote in the Student Union Council for fear they would be up against dissenters and may not achieve the required two third votes for issues of that magnitude. In fact, they decided on secrecy for fear of sabotage. They had sensed the momentum generated by their campaigns and were sure they would get enough demonstrators.
The student demonstrations went on as planned but there was a period of silence prior to the demonstration that gave the impression that the idea was abandoned. The demonstration was scheduled for convoction day when degrees were to be confired to graduating students and the President of the nation, as usual, was to appear for the ceremony. In fact those geniuses were so clever that they hid the placards in their shirts and nobody suspected. They did not want to do anything that would jeopardize the hard earned degrees of their comrades. So they started the demonstrations after all the degrees were confired and just when the President, Dr. Siaka Probyn Stevens was about to speak.
After the demonstrations, the Fourah Bay college campus was surrounded by the Internal Security Unit. Students were running everywhere not knowing what the government was going to do. I was stuck in my Dorm room not knowing that an attempt to rescue me was thwarted and the driver reportedly beaten up by students and our car damaged. No one wanted me to leave the campus. But I was in no danger. Students were simply afraid of what might happen if I was not with them. So I stayed until the next day when there was calm. But the demonstrations went on afterwards and school children nationwide joined in.
Indeed, the 1977 student revolution was a pivotal time in the history of Sierra Leone. The lessons I hope was learned was that drachonian laws would be challenged eventually and that when the people are ready no force by the son of man could stop it.
Alie Formeh Kamara
Program Research Specialist 2
OTDA, New York State Government.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 15:59:34 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.190.22.152
Message:
Greetings my brothers and sisters. Mr. by Alie Formeh Kamara thank you for this eye-opening piece about the 1977 Student Strike, which took a huge toll on the country at large. Please permit me to make few observations with regards to that strike and few lines in your piece.
Let me start with the following: "The students were basing their points on mere speculation. Most of the information that the students had were from the press. It is this same press that had undergone numerous criticisms from the general public and many governments for unprofessional ism and libelous practices. But the fact is who can blame the students when Sierra Leone had no freedom of information laws. Regrettably, even leaders like President Kabba, today, who received his training abroad and claims to be pro democratic has still not instituted freedom of information laws in Sierra Leone despite his two terms in office."
In response let me remind all that it is evident that misinformation and media unprofessionalism has led to many catastrophes, causing human deaths and other
destructions globally especially, in Sierra Leone during the era and incident we are now discussing. I had not gone to college then when this incident took place but I was well aware of it as it involved almost all students and pupils in the country. At the time I was in high school but there was unanimous support for the students, a solidarity galvanized by mere sentimentalism rather than reasoning. We saw how in Rwanda about eight hundred thousand people died due to press unprofetionalism. This would have been the case in Sierra Leone had Dr. Siaka Probyn Stevens not tactful to coil that rampage.
You further mentioned that the following that,
"The story with the sale of the star of Sierra Leone explained to me was that the price was dictated by the diamond cartel controlled by the DeBearrs organization in South Africa. That wretched organization called the DeBeers organization had a firm grip on the market and every where Sierra Leone went the quoted price was the same. A financially strapped Sierra Leone could not withhold the sale for long due to financial pressures and so concluded the sale. Skeptics were unlikely to believe the story but no one had independent confirmation for any argument otherwise."
Here both the students, the government and the Sierra Leone media is to blame should this strike escalated in the Rwanda style. My reason for saying this is paramountcy due to the lack of accountability or open rapuor within and amongst the various institutions of Sierra Leone. Student bodies have been divided in tribal, sectional and political lines, which has not helped and did not help the situation at all. I am aware of this division because during my college days at Milton Margai Teachers College, I saw the same sentiment and at a point I wrote an article to coil a strike that students wanted to take. In fact, in 1986 trucks of SSD's were sent to campus for security reasons and college was closed. Fortunately for the SSD's I had left campus upon hearing that they would be there. So student's have been used as whips or governmental antagonists.
Had there been the sense of communicative atmosphere in the country and amongst students then, between students and the government rather than students dictating to the student body about actions to be taken against a government, that strike, the destruction and the disrespect for students that ensued after their action during the strike would never have occurred or would have been avaerted. I believe it was prudent for the body to have discussed the issue at hand, in an academic atmosphere, free from political hostility that would have leveraged the opportunity for you and other members of the body to have filled the student body-in on what your understanding was regarding the issue without fear or favor. However, this was impossible due to hostile temperament that was galvanized the situation.
Had the government been open to the public about things they do, and the nation believe in what a government or government representative tells or told them, the need for such a strike would have been non-existent.
But what have we gained from the destruction and ill-feeling that grew among students and governments is that there are civil ways to demonstrate. Before any demonstration it is advisably that people get the hard facts and demonstration does not necessarily mean to destroy properties. After all, the destruction of properties puts a country behind not forward.
I do not have time to read over. But thank you for this piece. I might contribute some more at a latter date.
I couldn't post at the bottom because the error sign comes up.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 09:41:49 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.15.12
Message:
AFM,
"Call that decision to have a one party form of government selfish, but it seemed that the wind for selfish governments was blowing all across post colonial Africa like a wild fire in the harmattan and Dr. Siaka Stevens was no match to withstand it."
'Hindsight makes everyone looks like a genius'. History has depicted that the one party rule was very detrimental socio-economically and politically to the country.
"The students alleged that the government reported a sale of the diamond for a meager sum and pocketed most of the moneys. While that cannot be denied, it however cannot be confirmed either."
On the issue of the sale of the "Star of Sierra Leone" did it benefit the masses whether it was sold for pittance or not?
This is the same APC that is preaching they have changed. Those who benefited from the one party rule where families, close relatives and friends of the few who subjugated the country.
But Sierra Leoneans should not despair because the APC will never rule Sierra Leone. As I have reiterated in the past the next elections of 2007 will be the last that the APC will be a viable party in Sierra Leone.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 09:27:02 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Alie Formeh, you have again exhibited your penchant for proffering a balanced view of what you have so aptly described as a Piviotal time in the history of sierra leone.
Although I was not a student at fourah Bay college, I was in Lower sixth, my very close friends were Guru man, Pios, and most of the leaders of that revolt. In fact I must say that I happily carried my placard which read "Sierra Leone land of Toy helicopters and Toy jets". For me it was the euphoria of the moment that I enjoyed the most.
I was one of the student organiserss that convened at brookfields funfair field (the present locat1on of Youyi Building and Miatta Conference center). I remember passing out information that either cassava leaves or potato leaves was an anti dote to tear gas to my fellow students. We were Gassed by the SSD. Looking back at it it was fun, and that was the start of my agitation against the APC and my involvement in politics.
However in retrospect, I have come to respect Siaka Stevens as the only leader who was able to put together the divers and often adverse sierra leonean tribal fabric together.
This brings me to the issue of whether or not our societies would benefit from a multi party democracy where that multi party democracy would engender tribal affiliation and polarization accross tribal lines.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 09:50:02 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.15.12
Message:
Alieu,
"However in retrospect, I have come to respect Siaka Stevens as the only leader who was able to put together the divers and often adverse sierra leonean tribal fabric together."
It was the idiocy of the THEMNES and Temnes that permitted Stevens, your hero, to destroy the country.
If they (THEMNES and Temnes) had the RESOLVE to withstand Sir Albert Margai and the SLPP during the 1967 elections they should not have acquiesced to the intitiation of Stevens' tyranny when he arrested Dr. Mohammed Sorie Forna and Ibrahim Taqi in September of 1970 for abandoning the APC because of his (Stevens') intention to bring dictatorship, thuggery, murder and thievery into the country's body politic.
Those of US who suffered under the APC have the MEMORIES OF ELEPHANTS! AND WE WILL NEITHER FORGET NOT FORGIVE.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: Sengbe Big Axe
To: All
Date Posted: 10:04:30 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.5
Message:
"...Those of US who suffered under the APC have the MEMORIES OF ELEPHANTS! AND WE WILL NEITHER FORGET NOT(R) FORGIVE..." Farrah Marrah
Hello there Willie Bangs!
Will you be so kind as to tell us how you "suffered under the APC"?
As for A lie Formeh's account of the 1977 student demostrations against Pa Shaki and his (Jamil's) APC, just take it with a pinch of salt. The subjectivity he portrays in that story lends more credence to El Tayyib's account than his.
Events that occurred in 1967, and 1977 will have no bearing on events that will occur in July 2007. Recounting those events is a good idea only because it helps to educate the young ones. As they say, if you do not know the mistakes made in your history, you are bound to repeat them.
We are not going to make those silly mistakes in the future, with the SLPP in power. Please trust me on this.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 16:19:20 01/26/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
What i know together with all sober minded citizens of our country can prove with no doubt that the APC Govt. actions caused the rebel war where our family compounds were distroyed{How many families will afford and get those properties back}?God will punish any APC beliver.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 01:00:12 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
May God Open their eyes to see the troubles they brought, created and left for our generation. May God help them by putting Sierra leone above their selfish motives. I will not want God to punish them buit to strike them with enlightenment as he struck biblical Saul who was on his way to persecute christians. Under APC, we will have a hopelss and helpless people. i hate recounting the ills of our brothers and sisters of the Red Sun - they were diabolical - I as a Temne saw the brutality that was meted on anyone irrespective of your background or tribal affiliation. Let the people of Sierra Leone understand that we now live in a world were the likes of Bush and Blair are watching and would not allow our silly politicians to get away with petty political corruption. APC will not win the 2007 elections. Even if they win, they cannot repeat the tyranny meted on our people. We are all vigilant these days. Let us not be afraid - let hope be preserved in us that SLE will blossom again, if we the people amend our perceptions of what SLE we would like to live in. I want to live in a peace loving Sierra leone were a nationalidentity is forged for us all to be united in diversity.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 15:11:43 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Let the people of Sierra Leone understand that we now live in a world were the likes of Bush and Blair are watching and would not allow our silly politicians to get away with petty political corruption.
You really want to holde these two up as icons of Justice? I have one answer for you. IRAQ. you got that now lets get to another topic.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 02:36:54 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
Sadly not - they are the new Neros of the roman Empire - they will definately crash. I am merely mentioning them as people whose agenda or grand foreign design should not be interfered with by anyone. The have created a kind of world they want for themselves by any means necessary. They are not my icons/role models. I am objectively speaking - they have their agenda and that is what we have now - no shying a way for the fact. They are with us now!!
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 10:10:41 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.15.12
Message:
SENGBE,
I know NOT who Willie Bangs is.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: Sengbe Big Axe
To: All
Date Posted: 10:13:15 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.5
Message:
Okay then.
Will you then answer the question, please?
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 11:28:59 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.15.12
Message:
BIG AXE SENGBE,
If I answer your question then my COVER will be BLOWN.
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:16:48 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
my COVER will be BLOWN.
and i am ROTFLMMFAO
Subject: Re: The 1977 Student Revolution - Another piece
From: Sengbe Big Axe
To: All
Date Posted: 11:57:40 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.5
Message:
Farrah, why are you so concerned about your cover? And why are you covering yourself up in the first place, if you have done no wrong to anyone or institution?
For me personally, I know your real name and where you work at. Let me give you a hint: Amelia Fitz---- helped you secure that job.
Since you are not using your real name here on this forum, your employers will never find out that you post here on their valuable time.
Stop being so afraid, my man. We are in AMERICA, not the USSR.
Let freedom ring, or forever hold your peace regarding this matter.
We don tire with u complain against Jamil's apc.
Subject: SLPP LEF YOU NA DORTY TRICK
From: SLPP DORTY TRICK
To: All
Date Posted: 05:09:25 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 59.160.62.9
Message:
For Supporting PDMC….Paramount Chief and Resident Minister At Logger Heads
Posted by Mohamed Konneh on Jan 25, 2007, 21:56
Reports reaching this press have intimidated that the paramount chief of Kalangba chiefdom in the northern region and the Resident Minister, North Mr. Alex Kargbo are at each others threat.
The paramount chief, P.C. Kandeh Sayoh and his entire family have joined the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) reportedly due to neglect by the ruling SLPP. Kalangba is a big chiefdom within the Bombali District and the home of the Loko but is very backward in terms of development.This chiefdom is situated along the road leading to Kamakwe towards the border leading to Guinea.
The town is a very big town with a large population and was once a stronghold of the ruling SLPP, but things have changed due to what the people describe as neglect and lack of respect for its inhabitants.
Sources from the chiefdom also revealed that the elder son of the chief is now a very strong supporter of the PMDC and that he is the chiefdom liaison for the PMDC and it is now very clear that the Kandeh Sayoh family is at the fore front in campaigning for the PMDC.
The resident minister, Mr. Alex Kargbo on several occasions has quarreled with the chief which has resulted into move problems.
Sources close to Presidential Lodge intimate that President Tejan Kabbah will leave for the chiefdom this morning to settle the dispute between the minister and the paramount chief.
The trip by the President to the chiefdom is because the situation in that chiefdom is reported to be getting out of control, and elders within the district have done all in their power to settle the dispute but are unable to do so.
The situation getting worse due to what the people describe as political harassment and intimidation in that area.
Subject: BIRIWA "LIMBA" CHIEFDOM IS No LONGER WHAT IT'S TO BE...
From: musa Kalawa
To: All
Date Posted: 02:30:53 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-69-230-196-154.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net at 69.230.196.154
Message:
Today will be a remarkable day in the history of mankind, especially that of the people of the Biriwa Limba Chiefdom.
According to unconfirmed sources, it is reported that President Ahmad Tejan Kabba is expected to arrive at the town of kamabai (Biriwa Limba Chiefdom) with 300 or more fully armed security personnel to deliver the Limba people Chiefdom Staff, this time not to the Limba's who out of Nine (9) Section chiefdom are in control of Seven (7) and the rightful owners but to his surrogate Mandingo elites of the Sheriff of Karina Village who manage to hang in to two (2) out of the nine Chiefdoms.
All the other ceremonious handing over of chiefdom staff has been previously done by the VP (Berewa) or the Permanent secretary of that region. However, this one is so distinct that president Kabba himself have to hand it over to his fellow Mandingo folks. Isn't that amazing?
Details of the handing over development will be made known to all members of these forum.........Lonta
Subject: APC, LIVE FOREVER
From: OWAI OOSAI
To: All
Date Posted: 16:50:33 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 Years since January 1977: Setting the Records Straight for Sierra Leone.
By Mohamed El Tayyib-Bah currently in the United Kingdom
Jan 24, 2007, 23:23 Email this article
Email: tayyibbah@btinternet.com
1977 is the 30th anniversary of the students’ demonstration which started on the 29th January and which has now become a landmark in Sierra Leone’s history. The event itself is important because it was the first open challenge to the ruling APC and which virtually brought Dr Siaka Stevens, who believed he had literarily killed all opposition to his 10 years rule fraught with political assassinations, to his knees.
Thirty years is a long time and, because the event was not chronicled, the facts behind it will have inevitably muddled and corroded.
I am undertaking this chronicling (thank God I am alive to do that 30 years later!) and inviting you, dear reader, down this memory lane so as to set the records straight for an event which has had several offspring as well as a few pretenders who I can only best describe as shameless surrogate parents who are today basking in the glory of a birth which, although conceived by me, would never have been without the ‘complicity’ of God.
Saturday January 29, 1977
Being Saturday, the dining halls didn’t close until 10am for breakfast. On week days, they closed at 9.
I set off for breakfast just before the 10.00 that morning, but not before I visited Chukes Press, the student notice board on which was posted everything from students’ poems and jokes to news and clippings to almost everything informative.
Amongst the several postings there that morning was a small clipping from the weekly West Africa magazine published in the UK. It reported that the Sierra Leone Government had accepted the IMF recommendation to lay off 15% of the unskilled labour force in the public sector, which comprised mostly clerks, drivers, cleaners and messengers. A move, it was claimed, to cut budgetary deficit.
It was (and still is) this group whose children filled the country’s classrooms from primary, secondary to tertiary institutions, as well as those roaming the streets jobless. Sacking whatever percentage of these unskilled yet crucial breadwinners from their jobs would, I reckoned, bring untold suffering to thousands of homes as well as prematurely end the education of several hundred children.
I entered Solomon Caulker hall and collected my breakfast from the kitchen staff, or ‘Jangreys’ as we called them and vice versa.
As I sat at the table, several things crossed my mind: the labourers and clerks and messengers in government offices who didn’t even earn enough to feed one person let alone their several children and spouses and relatives and how their incomes were augmented by the tips and handouts they get from their bosses but mostly from visitors and business men and women to the Ministers and Permanent Secretaries etc. What impact would stopping their meagre wages have on the country’s budget? It’s like depleting the beach by collecting a grain of sand from it, I mused.
Why didn’t the IMF recommend the laying off of retired civil servants who had been recalled and redeployed in Para-statals and were earning fat salaries and didn’t even have several mouths to feed? So much in fact were their savings that they could afford to send their children overseas to be educated.
What can we do for these poor, helpless people, I thought?
Two weeks ago I remembered, during the visit of Julius Nyerere to Sierra Leone, we marched down the city of Freetown with banners identifying us with the Anti-Apartheid struggles of the suffering, black workers of South Africa and crying down the Government of PW Botha. So what are we now going to do for our own kith and kin, most of who even happen to be our parents, uncles, brothers etc?
Today is convocation day, couldn’t we do something?
With those questions exercising my brain, I headed for the high table on which sat the students’ hi-fi and PA system which was normally operated by a DJ. Now, going to 10.00 and closing time, there was no DJ, as there were only a few students in the halls to entertain anyway.
I sat down and took the microphone. As a stammerer and nervous as this was my first time of addressing students, I hesitated at take off. But I eventually got myself talking, addressing those few fellow students who were still around.
I drew their attention to the article on Chukes Press and asked, in the light of its implications on our people and our anti-apartheid solidarity march a fortnight earlier, whether we were going to shut our eyes on the dirt in our own backyard while shouting down our neighbour’s?
We could do something today Convocation Day, when the whole of Sierra Leone converged on Fourah Bay College: when the President, his Cabinet, MPs, Ambassadors and the Diplomatic Corps including IMF officials, parents, relatives, spouses, local and foreign press, yes the crčme de la crčme of the Sierra Leone mortal community would be here assembled in the Adjai-Crowther amphitheatre on Mount Olympus. So what better place and opportunity to cry down the IMF prescr1ption, Government corruption and excesses, etc etc!!!!
I therefore made a strong case for us to ‘demonstrate again today as we did 2 weeks ago’.
On that note, I hung up and made for the door, not knowing what impact my speech made on those I addressed, for nobody clapped in support, or banged their spoons of forks, as was the norm, in condemnation.
When I left the hall, I headed for the main road, toward "Buzz Stick" and Police Post. There I saw the President of the Students Union Hindolo Trye, alias Guru.
I went and, after exchanging greetings, asked if he read the IMF article on Chukes. He said yes.
"Can’t we do something to show we are against Government’s adoption of the recommendation?" I asked
"Something like what?" he retorted.
"Like demonstrating" I said, then quickly added
"Like we did for the South African workers 2 weeks ago. These are our own blood".
"No", said Guru, rather sternly, and went on to explain why it was not for SU governments to spearhead demonstrations.
I walked away and headed back towards Chukes Press, disappointed and certainly crest-fallen - for these were the last comments I had expected to hear from Guru.
Then I saw this little boy just outside Chukes with a load of white, vanguard papers which he said were for sale.
Was this God sent? I couldn’t believe my eyes.
"How much?" I asked.
He said 5 cents a leaf and he had 80.
Le4.00, I quickly calculated, and which was exactly what I had!
I bought all.
If Guru’s reaction had dampened my spirit, the paper development not only bolstered it, it automatically placed me on a point-of-no-return footing to what was effectively from that moment a one-man demonstration.
So all I now needed were more of my fellow students to join me.
I started with my roommate and neighbours, then friends, explaining to them the need to demonstrate that afternoon at the Convocation and supplying them the paper to make the placards.
Within hours, talk about the demonstration had spread, not only on the campus, but to the APC Government in Freetown as well, because emissaries were sent to warden of students Dan Decker to forestall, if the rumour was true, any such move.
About two hours to convocation, Guru called a meeting of the student body to warn against moves by some students to hold a demonstration and to publicly distant himself and his Government from it.
I climbed to where he was addressing us from and, proudly displaying an impressive picture of President Stevens waving, took the stage and reiterated to students the need to demonstrate to save our poor people from the IMF recommendations waiting to be implemented by Stevens as well as to cry down the unbridled corruption that characterised his regime.
As I set out for the amphitheatre, I wasn’t very sure if students would bring the more than 150 or so placards (I had cut each vanguard into two to increase numbers) I had distributed to them earlier.
I didn’t mind displaying my placard alone, as long as I got my message across. But since a greater number of participants would create a greater impact, I took an extra 5 placard with different messages to give to students I’ll be sitting with.
Speaker after speaker, the deans of faculties, the University Orator, the Vice Chancellor, each took the podium and made their speeches for conferment of the licences, degrees and diplomas.
Then came the turn of President Stevens, who was also Chancellor of the University, to deliver his speech and confer the degrees etc.
But hardly had he uttered his first sentence than hundreds of white placards suddenly sprung above the several hundred heads that formed the listening student population. And for what appeared to be several seconds, a deadly silence descended on what was a few seconds earlier was a human hive of murmurs.
Siaka Stevens removed his glasses, peered into the crowd, at the placards and leant and whispered something to Arthur Porter, Vice Chancellor.
It is claimed that Shaki asked Porter ‘Is that about me?’
To which he answered, ‘I should think so sir’
Suddenly, as if obeying some invisible voice, we all got up and jumped into the street and started dancing with our placards carrying messages such as "DOWN WITH APC!" "SIAKA STEVENS MUST GO!" "AWAY WITH IMF CONDITIONATIES!" etc.
Mine carried Stevens’ picture, sitting in the new helicopter he had just acquired, waving good bye.
That effectively brought the Convocation ceremony to an end and not long after, Stevens, who was waiting in the SU building, was whisked away amidst student boos and jeers and shoos.
Following Shaki’s motorcade a few minutes later was Vice President, S I Koroma who, to every student’s astonishment and joy, gave us the solidarity salute as he was being sped away.
Apart from the dancing and singing with our placards, no ugly incidents took place on that occasion. It was indeed a peaceful demonstration, even to the much feared and dreaded Para-military Internal Security Unit (ISU and dubbed I’ll Shoot U) who accompanied the President, as they only stood by and, though armed to the teeth, watched, clearly bemused by our dancing and singing, albeit defamatory and insulting to Shaki and the APC.
The ISU were Shaki’s creation. Comprising almost entirely of his Limba tribesmen, the ISU were armed and fiercely loyal to him. Most of its officers were Cuban trained and, because the country’s army had been disarmed and confined to the barracks, acted as a deterrent to any military coups to which our soldiers were still considered inclined. The ISU are reminiscent of Napoleon’s dogs in Animal Farm.
The demonstration was all over by dusk.
What must have pre-occupied the minds of most students after that were which graduation parties they would gate-crash that night.
If media coverage is anything to go by, then the 29 January demonstration can only be best described as a flash in a pan to the country’s press and which wasn’t worth mentioning anywhere outside Mount Aureol; for even though the OB Unit of the SLTV was out there covering the occasion, our action was never mentioned in the news.
Even the APC paper We Yone, when it came out the following day, hardly mentioned the demonstration. It only said, in not more than three lines, how a few students, not appreciative of the fat privileges they were enjoying at tax payers’ expense, tried to mar the occasion or were insulting to the President etc.
The tax-payer element was always brought into play at these times because nearly all Sierra Leonean students then were on government scholarship.
But even I didn’t give the demonstration further thought, except perhaps the lingering euphoria for my success in mobilising my fellow students to, with one voice, send whatever messages they had for Dr Stevens and his cohorts.
Sunday January 30.
We are officially informed by the Principal Eldred Jones that APC youths and stalwarts in downtown Freetown planned a counter-demonstration on our campus Monday morning in response to our ‘rude behaviour’ on Saturday to Pa Shaki and his Government. We were advised to stay indoors, behind the iron gates which had just been erected outside the halls of residence.
It was a tense Sunday evening, with some students fleeing to the city and parents coming to evacuate their sons or daughters.
Many female students, fearing physical abuses prevalent on such occasions, relocated to the male hostels. We were not baying for battle, but most of us stayed on campus, determined to meet our aggressors in whatever manner they would invade us the following morning. The signs were ominous.
Monday January 31
We had all decided against staying in our rooms lest our attackers whom we considered nothing but paid mercenaries and thugs, get that far. Call it naivety, but we had decided to converge by the iron gates and confront them, if necessary, with our bare hands.
At about 7 am we heard the first sounds of the so-called pro-government demonstrators. But before we knew what was happening, they were breaking glasses, hauling stones and missiles in all directions, some of which landed on the zinc roofs and our halls of residence.
Then the missiles started raining down just outside the Blocks.
Shortly after that, we saw our attackers advancing towards us in Blocks E and G, hauling rocks and other missiles.
I don’t know how, but the next thing I knew was that we had engaged our attackers in a sort of fist-of-fury, free-for-all, fight.
Then we saw in their midst, but not fighting, people we knew, some of them former students too!
But it wasn’t just all physical fighting. We adopted diplomacy too, which won the day.
We told the thugs, who were mostly unemployed youths, why we demonstrated on Saturday: that it was not for us because, with a University degree, we were sure of a good job and a decent livelihood; that we were fighting for them to be given jobs and crying down the rampant corruption which is causing their suffering etc.
Within minutes the fighting was over and some students were even fraternising with and sharing in the drinks – rum, whisky, brandy – of the counter demonstrators.
The only casualty of the combat that morning was a student by the name of Zaioux Sesay.
My own attempt to hurt a ‘thug’ we had captured and dragged down the stairs of block E failed. My hand overshot his head and the empty bottle which I was going to break on his head hit the floor instead and smashed. I was happy I was spared this bloodshed!
The conflict ended as it had started – quick - and on a note of mutual understanding on which our visitors, even before 9 am, dispersed happily.
[It later emerged that the counter demonstration was orchestrated by supporters of Vice President Koroma, whose solidarity salute to us on Saturday left most people, amongst them Shaki who must have been hinted, wondering if he was not behind, or colluded in our action?
So the move was to both placate sceptics and vindicate SI]
Because of the impending counter demonstration, classes had been cancelled that Monday morning. By 10am however, sufficient calm and quiet had returned on campus to allow students to go about their business or roam about. But it was short-lived.
Ca 11 am - 12mid-day
I came up the road, by the Police Post. As I stood there observing the traffic to and from Freetown, I beheld the unmistakable figure of a Police truck, with helmeted heads protruding in the back, speeding up the road towards me.
It stopped as soon as it reached the open space close to where I stood and Police in riot gear sprang out and arrested Farid Anthony, a Lebanese student who was walking past.
Students who witnessed this incident started fleeing. I didn’t. I watched until Farid had been thrown into the truck before I decided to walk away, towards the halls of residence where some Police had also headed, chasing fleeing students.
Then I saw a classmate by the name of Sahr Aruna fall down as he was fleeing. He tried to get up but couldn’t. I went over and pulled him up but he slumped back on the ground, writhing with pain.
I lifted and took him into the College Security Land Rover that was parked outside, close to the Police truck. I then went to the Security Post and asked the driver to take us down to Connaught Hospital.
After handing over Sahr to Emergency staff at the hospital, I jumped into the vehicle again and returned to Mount Aureol which was now a chaotic scene teeming with riot Police, thugs and hooligans like the ‘counter-demonstrators’ earlier in the morning but only now more ferocious and uncompromising, and APC party stalwarts including women clad in the unmistakable red colour of the Party and barking out invectives at ‘ungrateful’ students.
I saw no students around.
Then I realised I had only socks and no shoes on. I was also in short pairs. So I decided to go to my room, M150 which was situated at the far end of the building through a maze of stairs, to get adequately dressed.
As I set out, one of the youths accosted me and asked
"You are a student, aren’t you?"
I nodded. I was not in the mood to talk to thugs, I decided.
"Where are going?"
"To my room" I retorted, reluctantly.
"Don’t" he said in a voice which was both friendly and dispassionate, "they’ll kill you."
I returned to where I was when Farid was arrested. It was safer there. Soon I learnt that students had been physically attacked and had fled into the bushes surrounding the campus to the East End of Freetown. The blocks and rooms had been demarcated to various thugs to loot and sack as they chose. I also learnt from that point that the college had been closed indefinitely.
I decided to go down so I asked for a lift from an APC woman whom I saw driving a car. She waved me to the back seat as the other seat was occupied by another female. I was immediately joined in the back seat by another student, Max Kanga, who later became Chief of Army Staff in 1996 and was executed in 1998.
On our way down, we met a check-point manned by APC thugs who stopped us and, spotting Max, demanded that he come down as he was a student. Max swore he was not and that he had only gone ‘up’ to visit his brother who was a cook. He begged them to let him go. They did and we continued the journey. I kept pinching Max until we arrived and parted company.
Ca 1300 – 1700 hrs
I was walking the streets of Freetown aimlessly, still in my shorts and socks, when I heard that some secondary schools, notably Albert Academy and The Muslim Brotherhood, closest neighbours to Fourah Bay, had taken to the streets singing "NO COLLEGE, NO SCHOOL"; meaning if the authorities had closed the only college for them to proceed to after their secondary education, there’s no need keeping schools open!
Other schools followed suit and the situation became a full-blown Freetown students’ demonstration.
I arrived at the Cotton Tree from where I saw a large crowd gathered outside the CID headquarters on Pademba Road, and as b I was wondering what the matter was, I saw my colleague students, about a dozen or so, male and female, including SU President Guru being escorted in single file by armed ISU personnel into the CID.
They had brought them from the APC headquarters just across the road on Siaka Stevens Street.
How did they even get there? I wondered.
Some of the female students were crying and I felt a pang of guilt run through me: they were suffering because of MY action; why must I be out here a free man?
I gave myself a little time and then stepped forward, towards one the armed ISU personnel controlling the crowd.
"Can I help you!" he asked, perhaps sharply.
"Yes" I answered, rather calmly, and then went on, "I am a student. I want to join my colleagues who have just been taken in"
He let me in.
At the second gate, I gave my name to the orderly at the counter who was busy making entries and told him that I was an FBC student like the ones just taken in and that I was surrendering myself.
He too let me in.
Once in, I got to know that they had all been arrested at Mount Aureol and taken to Party HQ. They, or we, were now at the CID for questioning. Even though we weren’t held in cells but sat in little groups of twos or threes in the charge office, many of my colleagues, especially the females, were despondent. Those whose relatives brought food for them wouldn’t eat. It took a lot of coaxing and persuasion from me to get them to eat.
I cheered them up and I told them I wouldn’t have surrendered myself if I believed I’d be jailed. In fact, I told them, I was even going to use this opportunity to tell the authorities why we demonstrated!
Within 2 hours of our detention, at about 5pm, a female personnel of the CID pulled me aside and told me that the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, to which most of the country’s work force belonged, had threatened to join the our demonstration unless we were released immediately. I passed on this info to my colleagues, with the exception of Guru whom I didn’t lay my eyes on throughout my brief stay at the CID.
By the time the Congress ultimatum became public, statements had been extracted from most of us.
I told the officer taking my own statement why I demonstrated. He noted every word I told him but, because my confession didn’t sound any alarming bells in him, he let me go after appending my signature to it.
All the other students, with the exception of Guru, were also released.
1800 hrs and after
Dr Wiltshire Johnson, a lecturer in the Chemistry Department and a very close friend of mine, was one of the several people outside the CID monitoring events.
I joined him as soon as I gained my freedom and we drove to the east end of Freetown where he had an uncle at Upper Easton Street who ran an ‘in-house’ pub which we visited ever so often even before these problems.
But we couldn’t get to our destination by car. We were forced to abandon it around Mammy Yoko Street and take to our heels because of the firing of shots and tear gas in the area.
After a few drinks we decided to go home as the firing was getting more and more intense and dangerous as it became clear the ISU were using live ammunitions.
Wiltshire lived up at Kortwright and the only way we could get up there was through the bush, at the edge of which we already were at Easton Street.
It was a steep, arduous climb in which we got caught in branches and thorny thickets, as it was already past 7 and dark.
When we arrived on campus, at the Police Post, the place was completely deserted. There were neither human nor vehicular traffic.
I parted company with Wiltshire after I choose to go Allen Street to Ngai my childhood friend. After all it was just down the hill, by Model School.
It was a dangerous trek, I soon realised, as scores of fiery, live bullets flew towards me from downtown Freetown. I had to crawl most of the way lest I be hit by the flying cartridges.
I finally made it but to a very dark, chaotic and rock-ridden Model School junction which was also eerily deserted.
Ngai must have been expecting me because the door opened as soon as I pushed it.
"Lock it, quick!" he said sharply, in an undertone.
"There is a curfew", he added.
I heard the announcement again shortly on the radio. It said the Police had been given a shoot-to-kill order for anybody violating the curfew which was from 7pm to 7am.
Tuesday 1st February 1977
I told Ngai I was determined to spread the ‘revolution’ to the provinces and needed money for the trip. He gave what little he had.
My first stop was Bo.
When I arrived that evening, I went straight to Bo School, where I met with the Head Prefect, Harry Seilinger and his circle of friends.
I told them about the Freetown demonstrations which they already knew but added that the changes we were fighting for cannot be achieved without the involvement of entire student population of the whole country. My mission therefore was to get Bo School to ignite and spread the demonstration in the south.
I suggested that the demonstration take the form of a peaceful march with banners and placards and no looting or attack on public property. This would, I told them, deter the ISU from opening fire on them.
After securing their pledge, I left Bo that afternoon for Kono.
Wednesday February 2nd 1977
I arrived in Koidu at night and the following morning Wednesday I visited 2 secondary schools where, after introducing myself as a student of Fourah Bay with a mission, I appealed to the few of their numbers I was able to confer with to join the student ‘revolution’ that was sweeping the nation. I told them Bo town was already on board.
After giving me their word to mobilise their colleagues both within and outside their schools, I departed for Magburaka around mid-day.
The Government Secondary School for Boys, aka Oxford of the North, is my alma mater and some of the staff then my former classmates.
I used the quarters of one of them, Abdulai Barrie, aka OPC, to talk to prefects and other popular students about my mission. I got their assurance to mobilize not only Boys’ School pupils, but students of other schools in the township as well, including the Mathora girls.
I left Magburaka that same day and arrived in Freetown around 3pm, in time for a meeting between Fourah Bay College students’ representatives and Dr Stevens and some members of his Government at State House.
The students had prepared a list of demands, amongst them the immediate holding of free and fair multi-party elections – the last one was held in 1967 - which they were going to present to the President and his lieutenants.
My name was not on the list but nobody stopped me from joining the delegation.
It was whilst we were climbing the stairs of State House that I felt a whiff of wind blow my bottom, and when I passed my hand there, I grabbed the hanging end of my torn jeans right across my backside! Fortunately, the half-gown, ‘ronko’ I wore covered what would have otherwise been an embarrassing spectacle.
President Stevens in several of his observations did confess that we took them unawares, and from this I surmised that what he actually meant was we wouldn’t be that lucky next time round!
Indeed I must say I spent a good part of my time in the meeting observing Vice-Presidents S I Koroma and C A Kamara-Taylor and what I read in their demeanours and body-language portended evil, to say the least.
Nothing was firmly agreed at this meeting so a second was slated for
Friday February 4th 1977.
When we went out, I advised against a second visit to State House because, I told Guru and others I believed the APC was thinking, based on my observation above, of sinister ways of handling us so they were only biding their time.
"So what do we do?" asked one student.
"Go underground!" I suggested.
They dismissed my advice.
Friday 4th February 1977
Hindolo Trye makes an announcement on the SLBS calling an end to the demonstrations and asking all students to return to classes, effectively bringing to an abrupt end the tumultuous rise of Sierra Leonean students to exorcise the devil that had possessed, intoxicated and corrupted the leadership of the APC, the only political party then steering the country’s destiny.
That I was shattered is an understatement.
But so ended, by Hindolo Trye, the 1977 Students Demonstration which he had both personally to me and publicly to the student body, washed his hands off.
A few months later, in 1978, relatively free and fair general elections that resurrected the sunken, virtually proscribed opposition SLPP were held. But in the same breadth, the country was transformed into a One-party, APC, state.
I wish you all God’s blessing.
The Struggle Continues,
Mohamed El Tayyib-Bah,
Croydon, London, United Kingdom
© Copyright by Awareness Times Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Subject: Re: APC, LIVE FOREVER
From: BRA ENVIABLE
To: All
Date Posted: 03:37:09 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.101.8
Message:
Thank you brother Bah for taking us 30 years back in time.
Subject: Re: APC, LIVE FOREVER
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 19:12:02 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Mine carried Stevens’ picture, sitting in the new helicopter he had just acquired, waving good bye.
and Mine said
"Sierra Leone land of toy helicopters and toy jets"
Subject: KLA
From: Guinea
To: All
Date Posted: 16:05:16 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 164.82.85.3
Message:
When one considers current events in the Republic of Guinea, some manner of Historical reflection must be
Paramount.
Guinea by most accounts should be richest of the MRU Nations. This could be confirmed with a simple search on Guinea, and her Resources.
Historians are now reflecting on the SEKOU Toure era of governance, as a primary preamble to evnts of this day.
Please visit a site of relevance to current events.
Use translator servive provided by Google for English version.
tstm
xx
Subject: Lions fans cry for old guards
From: SPORT FAN
To: All
Date Posted: 15:03:43 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
AWOKO SPORT
Lions fans cry for old guards
Fans of East End Lions yesterday called for the immediate reinstatement of the old guards to save their club from financial collapse.
Lions, who are currently celebrating 80 years of existence, have failed to meet the financial position of the players, something a fan described as “disgraceful”.
Some of the disgruntled fans said they would embark on a “massive come onboard again” campaign as the present executive could not meet its financial commitments to the players.
Quite apart from the financial problems affecting the club, it is also alleged that the present executive is just engaged in “big talks” with no positive results since it assumed office.
It is also disclosed that if the present trend continues most of the players would call it quit and seek their trade with other clubs.
One of the players emphasised that, “we need to put our house in order and it could only be done when the old guards return again.”
Some other supporters cited an example were the executive sold Sam Johnson for Le2m to Ports Authority, which according to them he is worth more than that, but because of the financial crisis the executive decided to sold the players
Subject: FC Kallon depart today for Nigeria
From: FOOTBALL FAN
To: All
Date Posted: 14:57:03 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
AWOKO NEWS
FC Kallon depart today for Nigeria
One of Sierra Leone’s representatives in this year’s Confederation Cup, FC Kallon will depart today for Nigeria with a 26-man contingent that comprises 19 players and seven officials.
Leading the delegation is Abu Malay, who doubles as Assistant Secretary of the Western Area Football Association (WAFA). Also included is the team manager Tunde Scott, head coach Abu Sankoh, assistant coach Prince Tamba Moses, team doctor Musa Bockarie, journalists Alie Bittar of Spectator Sport and Abubakarr Kanu of Kallone radio.
The 19 players are Captain Kemokai Kallon, Albert Foday (Junior Banio) Alimany Sesay, John Sama, Habib Sesay, Sylvanus Morris, Abdul Raham.Kamara, (Police) Umaru Mustapha Suma, Alusine Kamara, Ibrahim Koroma, Cyril G Ganya, Mike Kali, Abdul Sesay, Issa Kamara, James Kamara, Kahlil Jalloh, Kefela Marah, Alimany Kamara and Ibrahim Bangura.
Before leaving some of the players who spoke to Awoko assured Sierra Leoneans of victory on Saturday though they lacked knowledge of their opponents.
Coach Abu Sankoh also revealed that they were going to create serious impact in this particular competition for the first time with the kind of players he had.
He went on to state that, “the team is in high spirits to face their opponent under any given circumstances.”
Subject: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SLPP
From: VILLAGER
To: All
Date Posted: 14:19:50 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Paris Club cancels all debt owed by Sierra Leone
Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:29 AM GMT
Top News
By Kerstin Gehmlich
PARIS (Reuters) - Paris Club creditors said on Wednesday they were cancelling Sierra Leone's outstanding $218 million debt to them in the latest major international boost for the West African country's economic recovery efforts.
Five years after the end of a devastating 1991-2002 civil war, Sierra Leone's government is winning recognition from international partners for its efforts to reduce corruption, fight poverty and consolidate economic growth.
"As a result of this agreement and additional bilateral assistance, Sierra Leone's debt to Paris Club creditors will be entirely cancelled," the Paris Club said in a statement.
The club said its representatives had decided to cancel 91 percent of Sierra Leone's debt stock as it stood at the end of 2006. Some creditors also committed on a bilateral basis to granting additional debt relief of $22 million euros, it said.
"(Paris Club representatives) welcomed Sierra Leone's determination to implement a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy and an ambitious economic programme providing the basis for sustainable economic growth," it said.
In 2006, the economy grew by an estimated 7.5 percent and it is forecast to expand 6.5 percent in 2007.
In December, the World Bank and International Monetary Fund said Sierra Leone qualified for a $1.6 billion debt write-off from its main creditors under global schemes to cancel the debts of the world's poorest countries.
This write-off covered debts owed by the West African country to the World Bank, the IMF, African Development Bank, commercial creditors, and other governments.
The relief followed completion by Sierra Leone's government of an economic programme overseen by the World Bank and the IMF.
UPCOMING ELECTIONS
The West African country has benefited from the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) hammered out at a 2005 G8 summit at Gleneagles, Scotland.
Like many African states, debt problems in the former British colony began in the 1970s and 1980s, as money was poured into ill-advised projects such as the construction of a new village in Sierra Leone's capital Freetown to house delegates for the 1980 Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Conference.
Low growth, falling commodity prices and economic shocks meant that by 1992 the world's 33 most indebted low-income countries, Sierra Leone included, had seen debt grow to six times their annual exports.
Since U.N. peacekeepers pulled out at the start of 2006, the war-scarred country has remained stable and a presidential election is scheduled for July.
But most of the country's five million inhabitants remain poor and are waiting to see the benefits of peace.
Corruption also remains a worry -- in the 2006 Transparency International index, Sierra Leone rated still poorly at 142 out of 163 countries.
Subject: Re: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SLPP
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 09:34:48 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I dont know what we should be PROUD about? Its a national DISGRACE that wer cannot pay our debts and that the International community sees it fit to consider a nation as RICH as ours, a CHARITY CASE. Dont Know where you live but where I live your credit worthiness is what makes you a man and you gain no credibility when nationas start cancelling your debt because you are not matured enough to pay it
Subject: Re: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SLPP
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 01:08:11 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
I think they have taken into consideration the 12 years of upheaval. if the debts are not cancelled Alieu, our nation is doomed. it will be difficult for one to develop or progress under debt conditions. Take for instance a case of an individual in the UK who happens to be in debt and has so many county court judgements. That individual will be free of debt after six years of what others call blacklisted. He is able to start life again. Our nation needs to start life after so many troubles. I will support and be thankful for such consideration even if it was done under an APC government. let us be wise and learn to live in peace putting our country above our petty segments.
Subject: Re: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SLPP
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 05:24:08 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I dont think that you got my point. It is simply this: we as a nation are worth more than the $218 million or so dollars that has been forgiven IF we know how to manage our vast natural resource. It shouldnt be a source of NATIONAL PRIDE, that we cannot pay our bills. rather, I posit that it is a NATIONAL DISGRACE AND A NATIONAL EMBARASSMENT that we have sought to ask for what amounts to alms from the Paris club.
Mark my words and it will ring true in the years to come. Unless we reign in our economy by taking control of our natural resources such that we benefit 100% from its utilization; unless we legislate DRACONIAN laws to curb the rampant corruption that has existed under many administrations, we MAY NEVER be able to overcome our present menidcating internatonal posture.
STAND UP FOR SA LONE THAT WHATS ITS ALL GOING TO BE ABOUT.
Stay Blessed
Subject: Re: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SLPP
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 02:50:32 01/28/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
------------------------------------------------------
Mark my words and it will ring true in the years to come. Unless we reign in our economy by taking control of our natural resources such that we benefit 100% from its utilization; unless we legislate DRACONIAN laws to curb the rampant corruption that has existed under many administrations, we MAY NEVER be able to overcome our present menidcating internatonal posture.
------------------------------------------------------
Alieu, I do not refute your statement above. There is 100% truism in it. Going back to my points raised - we were in debts that have existed for sometime now. The present administration and our current resources cannot afford to pay debts as rebuilding of lives and infrastructures are underway. I am thankful that we have been forgiven and debts cancelled. I'll give you another scenerio - will you say because God forgives and cancels a wicked man's sins is a disgraceful thing for that man. There is no perfection in humanity - the administration inherited a lot of debt problems that existed during the previous regimes, i.e. APC, NPRC and AFRC. The country owes money to even private individuals - like Hassan Wanza, he supplied a gun boat to help in the rebel war and to date he has not been paid. There are so many others. The country needs to move forwards from a war that threatened the annihalation of its people and existence.
You are a GOOD man and with objective understanding you can be what a guy said about you - Jesus Christ.
Subject: Alieu, I second your point of view!
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 12:45:20 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
NICELY SAID, AGBA !
Subject: YES TO DEVELOPMENT
From: VILLAGER
To: All
Date Posted: 14:18:14 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Thu Jan 18, 11:43 AM ET
FREETOWN (AFP) - Sierra Leone's government has signed a deal worth 105 million dollars with Arab partners to rebuild a key road linking the agricultural eastern Kenema and Kailahun districts.
Development Secretary Kona Koroma said Thursday "donors approved the total cost of the project, estimated at 105 million dollars (81.1 million euros), but due to financial constraints, they adopted phase one of the project which covers Kenema and Pendembu," state radio reported.
For that initial phase to restore 80 kilometres (about 50 miles) of the road in the west African country, which emerged in 2001 from a 10-year civil war, the donors have already made 50 million dollars available, the report said.
Participants include the Kuwaiti and Saudi Funds for Development, the Arab Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund, whose representatives approved feasibility and engineering studies at a meeting in Freetown.
Sierra Leone's government will be contributing 2.5 million dollars.
The Arab Bank's African regional adviser, Ahmed Nuir assured "the Sierra Leone government of our commitment to the completion of the project."
Freetown has also asked the Kuwaiti Fund for Consultancy Services to submit a list of contractors who have had experience in Africa to the state-run Sierra Leone Roads Authority for consideration.
Work on rehabilitating the road is due to start in December and be finished by 2010.
Sierra Leone's Finance Minister John Benjamin told AFP the meeting "marks an important milestone in the infrastructure development in Sierra Leone," noting that the project "serves as an important road network linking Sierra Leone and other countries in the sub-region, especially Liberia, Guinea and the Ivory Coast."
"Kailahun and Kenema districts, regarded as the breadbasket of the country, are well known for the production of cash crops and diamonds," Benjamin said, adding that the rebuilt road "will once again open the Koindu International market, improve standards of life and contribute towards peace and socio-economic development."
Subject: THANKS, GUYS ! THAT WAS SOME BRILLIANT DISCUSSION !
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 13:33:21 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Subject: WHEN IS RAPE RAPE? YOU BE THE JUDGE !
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 14:50:35 01/16/07 ()
Email Address: RNMDTWO@YAHOO.COM
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Rape has always been an important issue as it affects society. Long time ago, rape used to be call "unlawful canal knowledge". If one was convicted of rape, one goes to prison "FOR UNLAWFUL CANAL KNOWLEDGE" (aka FUCK). Yes, that is how the word FUCK originated!
Is it rape, then, if a woman agrees to have sex, then changes her mind after the act has begun and tells the man to stop? Not in Maryland, no matter how clear it is that the woman has withdrawn her consent. According to a ruling last month by the Maryland Court of Special appeals. Forcing a woman to continue to have sex against her will IS NOT RAPE UNDER COMMON LAW PRECEDENT.
The court said that it was bound by a 1980 ruling in which the court of Appeals found that "...ordinarily if the woman consents prior to penetration and withdraws the consent following penetration, THERE IS NO RAPE".
Other states may have a different approach when it comes to rape. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE. A husband was having sex with his wife, and as the husband began to have orgasm, he began to "speak in tongues" and instead of calling his wife "JUNE" during the orgasm, he mistakingly called her "JUDITH" which happens to be his mistress' name. The wife promptly told him to "GET OFF HER". It took the husband five additional seconds to heed his wife's command BECAUSE HE HAD A LONG ORGASM ! The wife promptly CALLED THE POLICE who arrested the husband for raping his wife. He was subsequently convicted of raping his wife and he spent five years in prison for (yes, you know it) FOR UNLAWFUL CANAL KNOWLEDGE (FUCK). When he came out of prison, he was placed on the "sex offender registry" which put severe restriction on where he could live or go. Needless to say that the wife divorced him while he was in prison and she walked away with the houses, cars, empty the bank account, and remarried.
SO, THEN, WHEN IS RAPE RAPE?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: WHEN IS RAPE RAPE? YOU BE THE JUDGE !
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 10:57:15 01/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 71.250.218.196
Message:
Curtis,
It depends on the jurisdiction. The basic Elements of rape are :
1. Penetration with a male organ
2 Without consent
3.The accused knew or had cause to know that there was no consent and went ahead with the act
Completion of the act is not required. Mere penetration is enough
In the past , proof of a struggle by the victim was necessary , but now some jurisdictions do not require it. A victim could argue that she did not struggle because if she gave the rapist an inkling that she disapproved, the accused could kill her after the act.
The question of whether a victim can withdraw consent after penetration depends on the jurisdiction. In some jurisdictions, if a victim says its enough( E do so ), the act must be terminated immediately or any further stroke after the withdrawal of consent could be rape. A rape can ensue from an act that started innocently as consensual sex. So take note of this guys : IF DE WOMAN SAY E DO SO NOW, MAKE E DO. If you persist and continue , it is rape. Typical case : The state V. Mike Tyson ( The Desire Washington case ).
Also....
1.Some jurisdictions allow genuine and reasonable belief as consent.If the accused had reasonable belief that the woman was consenting, there was no rape, even if the victim later says she did not consent.
Also, rape today is GENDER-NEUTRAL.A man could be raped , the anal orifice now considered a sexual organ.
Rape laws are changing fast so study every jurisdiction and how they interpret certain aspects of the law .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: WHEN IS RAPE RAPE? YOU BE THE JUDGE !
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 11:07:24 01/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 71.250.218.196
Message:
Note ALSO : "The accused was reckless as to whether consent was given or withdrawn..."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: WHEN IS RAPE RAPE? YOU BE THE JUDGE !
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 16:53:20 01/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 216.190.22.152
Message:
Greetings my brothers and sisters. Let me first and foremost make corrections with regards to my last response to Dr. Yayah Fanusie, where I stated that I graduated from Milton Margai Teachers College in 1997. That was incorrect. I graduated in 1987. I came to the U.S in 1991. If there were any correction needed during that cession please indicate and I will be delighted to make the necessary correction though I am convinced I was right.
Haven said that, let me move on to respond to the Chief.
CHIEF IN EXILE thanks for bringing-up a very significant issue, rape that must be discussed in the African setting especially, at this point when HIV/AIDS has ravaged the world particularly, the African continent. I am glad you brought it up.
Let us first of look at the origin of the word rape.
"Rape is the act of making someone partake involuntarily in sexual acts through violence, force, threat of injury, other duress, or where the victim is unable to decline due to the effects of drugs or alcohol. It is generally considered one of the most serious sex crimes.
There is no universally accepted distinction between rape and other forms of sexual assault. The criminal laws of some jurisdictions explicitly consider all kinds of sexual activity equivalent to reproductive intercourse, whereas others use the term only in the case of penile-vaginal penetration. Some even further restrict rape to cases where a woman is forced by a man. Forcible or non-consensual sex acts, such as forced fellatio or coerced cunnilingus, which do not meet the criterion for rape in a jurisdiction are often grouped in the umbrella term sexual assault.
The Latin term for the act of rape itself is raptus. The word rape originates from the Latin verb rapere: to seize or take by force. The word originally had no sexual connotation and is still used generically in English (see rape (word)).
In most jurisdictions, rape is a crime involving intercourse or penetration without valid consent by one of the parties.
In some jurisdictions, rape is defined by penetration of the anus or the vagina by a penis, while in other jurisdictions, the penetration of either the vagina or the anus need not be by a penis, but can be by other objects such as a finger or a hand-held object, or the forcing of a vagina or anus onto a penis by a female.
Some jurisdictions expand the definition of rape further to include other sexual acts without valid consent, including oral copulation and masturbation.
The lack of valid consent does not necessarily mean that the victim explicitly refused to give consent; generally, where consent was obtained by physical force, threat of injury, or other duress, or where consent was given by a person whose age was below the age of consent, a person who was intoxicated by drugs or alcohol, or a person who was mentally impaired
by illness or developmental disability, the consent is considered invalid.
Statutory rape refers to a sexual act that is considered rape by the law regardless of whether it was coercive or consensual. Such laws are common and exist in order to prevent adults from having sex with minors, who may be more easily influenced and therefore are deemed legally unable to give effective informed consent. Sexual activity involving a person below the age of consent is often known as statutory rape, although a number of jurisdictions use terms such as "unlawful sexual intercourse" to avoid the forcible connotation of the word.
The Brazilian Penal Code defines rape as unconsensual vaginal sex. Therefore, unlike most of Europe and the Americas, male rape, anal rape, and oral rape are not considered as rape crimes in Brazil. Instead, they are a "violent attempt against someone's modesty" ("Atentado violento ao pudor").
Main article: Sociobiological theories of rape
Some animals exhibit behaviors that resemble rape, in particular combining sexual intercourse with violent assault, as in ducks, geese, and certain dolphin species.[1] It is difficult to determine what constitutes rape among animals, as the lack of informed consent defines rape amongst humans. See also Non-human animal sexuality.
Some sociobiologists argue that our ability to understand rape, and thereby prevent it, is severely compromised because its basis in human evolution has been ignored.[2] Some argue that rape, as a reproductive strategy, is encountered in many instances in the animal kingdom.[3] Some studies indicate that it is an evolutionary strategy for certain males who lack the ability to persuade the female by non-violent means to pass on their genes.[4]
American social critic, intellectual, author and teacher Camille Paglia and some sociobiologists have argued that the victim-blaming intuition may have a non-psychological component in some cases, because a few sociobiological models suggest that it may be genetically-ingrained for certain men and women to allow themselves to be more vulnerable to rape, and that this may be a biological feature of members of the species.[5] One published viewpoint states this to be “a very controversial view".
Originally, the word rape was akin to rapine, rapture, raptor, and rapacious, and referred to the more general violations, such as looting, destruction, and capture of citizens that are inflicted upon a town or country during war, eg. the Rape of Nanking. Today, some dictionaries still define rape to include any serious and destructive assault against a person or community.
English rape was in use since the 14th century in the general sense of "seize prey, take by force," from raper, an Old French legal term for "to seize", in turn from Latin rapere "seize, carry off by force, abduct". The Latin term was also used for sexual violation, but only very rarely. The legendary event known as the "Rape of the Sabine Women", while ultimately motivated sexually, did not entail sexual violation of the Sabine women on the spot, who were rather abducted, and then implored by the Romans to marry them (as opposed to striking a deal with their fathers or brothers first, as would have been required by law).
Though the sexual connotation is today dominant, the word "rape" can be used in non-sexual context in literary English. In "the rape of the Silmarils" in J. R. R. Tolkien's "The Silmarillion", the word "rape" is used with its old meaning of "seizing and taking away". In Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock, the word "rape" is used hyperbolically, exaggerating a trivial violation against a person. Compare also the adjective rapacious which retains the generic meaning.
Sometimes, the word rape is used colloquially to dysphemistically describe forms of non-sexual unwelcome conduct ("My team got raped on the field yesterday"), or metaphorically as in "the rape of the Earth" referring to environmental destruction, possibly implying a female gender of the Earth (Gaia). Other than in literary usage discussed above, this use of the term is unrelated to the original sense of "abduction" or "carrying off" and implies a comparison with sexual violation. In "The Rape of Nanking" actual mass rape and mass murder is summarized by naming the city as the object of the rape."
"(Wikimedia Foundation, Inc)"
It is therefore importantant to state that it all depends, and as you have correctly put it, on the jurisdiction within the rape occurs. Culturally, the marriage between girls the age of fifteen to an older man in common among Third World Countries, Africa in particular. These mariages are normally not conscented by the girls. This practice was in operation in developed countries, America in particular, where men marry girls ages twelve, fifteen to eighteen but was abolished sometime in history. Is it fair then to categorize this as rape? Culturally, there will be debate on such an issue and many agreements and disagreements will ensue.
But I cannot leave this fora without outline the effects of rape.
Effects of rape
In the first few days and weeks following the assault, it is very normal for a rape victim to experience intense and sometimes unpredictable emotions. This individual may have repeated strong memories and nightmares of the event that are difficult to ignore. Victims are often severely traumatized by the assault for the first few weeks and months following the incident.
The victim may have difficulty concentrating, sleeping, eating, and normally functioning. He or she may feel jumpy or on edge.
The victim may also experience severe, highly disruptive symptoms that make it incredibly difficult to function in the first month following the assault.[3]
These problems may disrupt the victim's daily life and prevent them from seeking assistance or telling friends and family members, resulting in Acute Stress Disorder. Symptoms of this are:
feeling numb and detached, like being in a daze or a dream, or feeling that the world is strange and unreal
difficulty remembering important parts of the assault
reliving the assault through repeated thoughts, memories, or nightmares
avoidance of things (places, thoughts, feelings) that remind the victim of the assault
anxiety or increased arousal (difficulty sleeping, concentrating, etc.)
Rape Trauma Syndrome is experienced by rape victims and can be divided into phases.
During the Acute Phase survivors may feel shock, disbelief, or in some way frozen and may attempt to disconnect himself or herself from the person who was raped. Survivors may feel humiliated, confused, dirty, ashamed, or in some way at fault for the assault, particularly if the assailant was an acquaintance. Victims often experience extreme nightmares, heightened anxiety, frequent flashbacks, and a strong attempt to disconnect from one's emotions. They may be in denial, trying to convince themselves that the assault did not actually occur. It is common for a victim of acquaintance rape to try to protect the perpetrator.
Victims may respond to the rape in either an expressive or controlled style. The expressive style involves obvious outward emotions such as crying, shaking, rage, tenseness, ironic and uncomfortable laughter (part of their denial), and restlessness. A controlled style occurs when the victim appears to be quite calm and rational about the situation, even if he or she were facing severe internal turmoil. There is no single response to rape; every individual deals with his or her intensely traumatic emotions differently.
After the acute phase, the Reorganization Phase begins and the survivor attempts to reorganize their life and create the world that they once knew. Despite their best efforts though, this phase is often riddled with feelings of guilt, shame, fear, and anxiety. Emotions such as anger, anxiety, denial, and loss (of security) surface. Development of an inability to trust is frequently caused by sexual assault. This loss of the fundamental need for security wreaks havoc on the survivor’s life, causing the individual to feel completely powerless and without control over his or her own body. The survivor may feel unsafe, which can cause a heightened state of anxiety as well as difficulty with intimate relationships. Victims may attempt to return to normal social interaction (i.e. go out to social engagements), and consequently find themselves unable to do so. Their attempts to re-establish themselves in relationships may be hindered by a lack of trust.
Survivors often isolate themselves from their support network either physically or emotionally. The survivor may feel disconnected from peers as a result of the perceived personal experience. The shattering of trust can adversely affect intimate relationships, as survivors may have a heightened suspicion of other’s motives and feelings.
Sexual assault can change an individual forever by altering their outlook. The end result can be an individual in a constant state of turmoil and in extreme cases, suicide.[4]"
In conclusion, I will say that no matter what an individual considers rape, no matter what a culture considers rape, my view of rape is any act of manipulative engagement of an individual's resources resulting in painful psychological and emotional drama a an instance or in the future in a manner where individual's consent is not seek for his willing conscious participation is rape and therefore, illegal and must be avoided at all cost.
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Subject: Re: WHEN IS RAPE RAPE? YOU BE THE JUDGE !
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 07:23:47 01/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-147-178-70.range86-147.btcentralplus.com at 86.147.178.70
Message:
Can I make this Simple? It depends on the Jurisdiction.
In English Law, which applies in Sa Lone,Sexual intercourse(vaginal or anal) with a woman or another man without their consent as a result of physical force or threats or because the person was unconcious or asleep, or because consent as to the nature of the act was obtained through fraud amounts to the offence of RAPE. It is also rape if the person is mentally incapable of understanding what is been consented to.The Defendant must be proved to have known that the person did not consent or was recless as to consent If there is reasonable doubt as to whether the other person was consenting, then accused will be entitled to be acquitte, even if his belief was unreasonable.
A husband can be convicted of raping his wife.
If consent is withdrawn at anytime during intecourse,then you must stop.It will be a matter for the Jury to decide whether the time you took to respond to the withdrawal of consent was reasonable.Each case will be decided on its own particular facts.
This is a sad and complicated offence in Law.You can avoid it by RESPECTING WOMEN GENERALY,their FEELINGS and their WISHES.
ps: when I said woman I mean man as well, since men can also be raped.
What is it like in Your State Alieu?
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Subject: Re: WHEN IS RAPE RAPE? YOU BE THE JUDGE !
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 11:43:51 01/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
At common law, Rape is defined as the unlawful sexual conduct with a woman not your wife, without their consent. In more modern times, Rape has become gender neutral as Kabbs kanu pointed out. Now its unlawful sexual penetration without consent. However in California, one cannot be charged with rape of his spouse, rather the charge is sexual assault.
With regards to the issue at bar, the laws are jurisdictional dependent. I agree with the reasoning of the Maryland court of special appeals in that consent given prior to the act being performed, vitiates rape. However a charge of sexual assault must ensue if that consent is withdrawn and the accused does not honor that request.
In 1998, I successfully defended a sierra leonean male, in san Jose who was accused of rape of a prostitute. I pointed out to the court that this was a meretricious relationship and that not witstanding, consent was given and could not be witdrawn because the alleged victim realised that the defendants penis was too large. These were the facts of the case. Not only did she decide that the penis was too large, she also attempted to take the money that she had been paid after his initial insertion and prior to the completion of the act.
What infact I pointed out to the court was that the said victim had contractd for sex for money. Both acts ie: prostitution and solicitation were illegal. However contractually my client was not bound to allow her to take the money when the act for which he had contracted had not been completed. In effect my client was not getting the benefit of his bargain.
I did raise other arguments which were persuasive and the matter was reduced to a sexual assault matter and then dismissed.
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Subject: Re: WHEN IS RAPE RAPE? YOU BE THE JUDGE !
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 12:27:54 01/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 71.250.218.196
Message:
"However in California, one cannot be charged with rape of his spouse, rather the charge is sexual assault" ( Allieu).
Again , you see how the law differs depending on the jurisdiction ?
In English Jurisprudence, it is the felony of rape (Not even sexual assault) to have sex with one's wife without her consent. I think it was after M V.M ( 1984) . I will check my law books for confirmation of the citation. The date is correct though. The judge abolished an age-old legal convention that the marriage contract automatically covers consent.
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Subject: Re: WHEN IS RAPE RAPE? YOU BE THE JUDGE !
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:47:04 01/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Please provide me with the cites Kabbs and I will do a Lexis Nexis research on English law and the particular case
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Subject: THANKS FOR SUCH AN EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSION
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 13:06:01 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
Subject: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 14:11:56 01/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
To say that "PRESIDENT" Solomon Berewa is suffering form Tyranical, dictatorial, and "ambitious disease" will be a gross understatement. My diagnosis came from the following "signs and symptoms":
(1)"The commission finds that the erstwhile Attorney General and Minister of Justice, SOLOMON BEREWA, played a particulary conspicuous role in the conduct of both the civilian and military trials of 1998. As attorney General, MR BEREWA, exercised his DISCRETIONARY POWER OF PRSECUTION IN AN ARBITARY FASHION. Futhermore, MR BEREWA sat on the Mercy Committee whose role it was to advise the President on the issuarance 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".
(S. L. TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION REPORT)
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 14:53:05 01/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: proxy2.dmu.ac.uk at 146.227.11.233
Message:
...'As Attorney General,Mr Berewa exercised his discretionary powers of prosecution in an arbitary manner...'
Just because he had the power and or discretion to prosecute did not mean that it was also his responsibility to decide guilt or innocence, and sentence thereof. he acted professionaly.
The Attorney could not decide the fate of the accused persons.He could not have had that POWER.The fate of the accused were decided by an appropiate JUDICIAL PANEL of which the AG was not or could not have been a Member.
The AG's role on the mercy committee was purely as a legal advisor.(if at all he even sat)As such he could not have had a vote on the final outcome.
He was a Lawyer then..he is now a Politician.
please get your facts straight.
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: NYABINGHI DREAD
To: All
Date Posted: 16:02:01 01/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
SOLOMON BEREWA, played a particulary conspicuous role in the conduct of both the civilian and military trials of 1998. As attorney General, MR BEREWA, exercised his DISCRETIONARY POWER OF PRSECUTION IN AN ARBITARY FASHION. Futhermore, MR BEREWA sat on the Mercy Committee whose role it was to advise the President on the issuarance 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".
YOU ARE LOSING CREDIBILITY HERE CADMUS. YOU CLAIM TO BE SO SMART BUT YOU PLAYING DUMB.
" As attorney General, MR BEREWA, exercised his DISCRETIONARY POWER OF PROSECUTION IN AN ARBITARY FASHION"
THE KEY WORD THERE IS ARBITRARY AND I MUST ADD CAPRICIOUS MANNER
YOU WRITE:
"The Attorney could not decide the fate of the accused persons.He could not have had that POWER.The fate of the accused were decided by an appropiate JUDICIAL PANEL of which the AG was not or could not have been a Member.
MY QUESTION TO YOU
DO YOU KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THIS WAS A JURY TRIAL OR A COURT MARTIAL. IF IT WAS A COURT MARTIAL, WERE THERE ANY CIVILIAN DEFENDANTS?
WAS IT RIGHT FOR THE PROSECUTOR TO SEAT ON THE COMMITTEE ON THE PREROGATIVE OF MERCY?
IF YOU CLAIM THAT THE AG'S ROLE AT THE COMMITTEE OF MERCY WAS PURELY AS A LEGAL ADVISOR, DOESNT THIS CREATE THE APPEARANCE OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST?
AND HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT HIS ROLE WAS THAT OF A LEGAL ADVISOR? ARE YOU PRIVY TO ANY FACTS WHICH MAY MAKE A CLEARER CASE FOR YOU?
ARE THERE ANY RECORDS OF THAT COMMITEE WITH REGARDS TO THE EXECUTION OF KULA SAMBA AND OTHERS?
ARE THERE ANY RECORDS FROM THE COURTS ON THESE CASES SO THAT WE CAN DO A FORENSIC EVALUATION OF THE FAIRNESS OF THE TRIALS?
PLEASE ADDRESS THE ISSUE RAISED BY THE CHIEF.
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: ok dot
To: All
Date Posted: 17:04:06 01/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ca32-ch01-bl08.ny-newyorkc0.sa.earthlink.net at 207.69.138.13
Message:
Who told you CADMUS is smart,he has shown himself because as a so-called lawyer he can't even articulate himself.He should take some cues from our learned lawyer(Iscandri)on this forum,who has proven himself.
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 06:16:00 01/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-130-39-58.range86-130.btcentralplus.com at 86.130.39.58
Message:
ok dot... I have never seen you write more than two line sentences on this forum, that besides, how would you like me to prove myself?
Those who have read what I write on this forum about the only topics I am interested in ie SLPP, Sa Lone and Solo B are aware of my capability.I do not do personalities.
Believe me, I can handle myself, so don't even go there and be personal with me...Talk politics and I will respect you, but attack me personally, and I will hit you like a ton of bricks.I am not Sengbe that you people take for granted.
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: NYABINGHI DREAD
To: All
Date Posted: 10:43:46 01/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
THEN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS I POSED COUNSELLOR
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 06:09:13 01/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
OK DOT,
SABI NOR GET WORRI. ALIEU NA AMERICAN LAWYER WHILST CADMUS NA BRITISHMAN WAY HELP FOR PWELL SALONE.CADMUS EVEN NA AWARENESS FORUM,NA SO EH DAE DEFEND PA BEREWA BLINDLY.AH SORRY FOR WE PEOPLE DEM WITH DIS KIND BRITISH LAWYER.NA DIS ME DADDY BIN DAE TELL ME SAY LAWYERS DEM NOR DAE TALK TRUE,AND NOW CADMUS DON PROVE ME DADDY WAY DON DIE LONG TEME AGO RIGHT.NA EH KIND LAWYER WAY GO DO ANYTHING FOR DEFEND DE V.P.EVEN IF D COUNTRY DAE GO FROM BAD TO WORST.Cadmus,we know you are a big time SLPP member and there is need for you to defend your flag bearer,but I would advise you to consider that the primary focus should be your country of birth SIERRA LEONE.In as much as I am a SUN member,SALONE problems trumps any briefs that I hold with my PARTY.FOR YOUR INFORMATION ME GO SCHOOL OH,BUT ARE SABI READ "A B C UPTO Z,AND COUNT 1 2 3 4 UPTO 100."
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 09:06:12 01/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-130-39-58.range86-130.btcentralplus.com at 86.130.39.58
Message:
BUFFORD HWY,
My friend, what they told you about Lawyers is a Myth.We don,t spend our days trying to convience people that Black is Blue...rather, we spend the day trying to convience people that Black is Black.
Yes Alieu is in America and I am in London, he may be APC and Iam SLPP, but we both have one thing in common, and that is we Love our Country.
I respect and thank you for telling me that you are an APC supporter, however I am afraid, you are wrong when you seem to imply that I support SLPP blindly at the detriment of my Country. It is precisely because I love Sa Lone that I pray for SLPP to continue doing the good work and for SOLO B to prove that he is an even better president than Kabbah..that can only be good for Sa Lone, dont you agree? The alternative will be a disaster.If you are interested I can list SLPP achievements in past 5 years.
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 11:14:29 01/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
Ngor/bra/Orlagba,
You wrote"It is precisely because I love Salone that I pray for SLPP to continue doing the good work and for SOLO B to prove that he is and even better president than Kabbah,that can only be good for Salone,don' you agree?
No sir I disagree.This is the reason why I wrote that you will defend your flag bearer blindly to the DETERIMENT of your COUNTRY.You know as a man of faith that SLPP has not done anything good whatsoever for SALONE in the past 10yrs,but you kept on defending your PARTY for POLITICAL gains.Please go ahead and outline the gains that your Party had provided for our country in the past 9yrs and 4mths.PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE ANSWERING TO THIS QUESTION.U KNOW SAI AH NOR GO SCHOOL NA A B C NOR MOR A SABI READ.
"TO ONE WHO HAS FAITH,NO EXPLANATION IS NECSSARY.TO ONE WITHOUT FAITH,NO EXPLANATION IS POSSIBLE",think about it my Big Brother.
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: GO AHEAD
To: All
Date Posted: 10:32:06 01/18/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 64.26.98.90
Message:
If you are interested I can list SLPP achievements in past 5 years.
Caedmus, please go ahead -- but do so for all the almost 10 years the SLPP has been in power.
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Subject: Lawyer Cadmus, how do you "ratata" your way out of this?
From: CHIEF IN EXILE
To: All
Date Posted: 15:25:45 01/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.24.31.125
Message:
" 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 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 THIS CATEGORY OF "COLLABORATION" 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". (S.L. Truth and Reconciliation Committee Report)
LAWYER CADMUS,Did I hear you say this constitutes "crime against humanity"?
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Subject: Re: Lawyer Cadmus, how do you "ratata" your way out of this?
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 06:50:53 01/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-147-178-70.range86-147.btcentralplus.com at 86.147.178.70
Message:
My dear Good Chief,
Look at it from the point of law and fact...as you say Chief, the language was...'DANGEROUSLY AMBIGUOUS...and was open to 'WIDE INTERPRETATION...' Lawyers by and large,enjoy anbiguouity, make things complicated to baffle the lay person. However, that being said,I still want to convience you that SOLO B as a Lawyer was not responsible for the final decision in the said matters. If his advise was open to 'wide interpretation' then there was no certainty, which interpretation the the Tribunal would have followed.
Chief, if I give you various options by way of advice in a particular matter of interest to you and you choose one that happens to be at your detriment, would you say it is my fault? In this context of political/legal debate I know you will say yes to win a point, but in the cold light of day, you will know that I would have no blames.As they say.. you pay your money you make your choice.
Thank you chief... but SOLO B is in the clear on this one. Any More?
Please note, I will not support the surffering of any innocent Sierra leoneans what ever the case may be.I have no brief or instructions to talk for Solo B, but he is a good man who will not gratuitously let any innocent person suffer. Politics apart he is too decent a man for that....
Chief remember, we have had some very bad people with very nasty characters in Sa Lone recently.We will do well to remember that too.The RUF/AFRC were no Angels.
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Subject: Re: IS SOLOMON BEREWA CURED OF THIS DICTATORIAL TENDENCY?(PART 1
From: SADDAM HUSSEIN
To: All
Date Posted: 14:19:19 01/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
Go ask the iraqui's and george Bush, and they will answer your question. I am now burning in hell fire.
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Subject: proposed Road Traffic Act
From: Editorial
To: All
Date Posted: 14:01:07
Subject: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 10:00:12 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
CONCORD TIMES
IBRAHIM TARAWALLIE
Parliament Tuesday moved a motion to summon the minister of Social Welfare,Gender and Children Affairs,Shirley Gbujama on January 30 to explain why a large number of Sierra Leoneans could not make their Hajj last year.The motion was moved by Hon Tejan Sankoh of the SLPP party and seconded by Hon Wusu Munu of the opposition All Peoples Congress(APC).Speaker of the House,Justice Edmond Cowan said it is important for the minister to brief Parliamentarians on what happened at the last year's Hajj when over 130 Sierra Leoneans couldn't make it to the Holy land of Mecca. "This problem has been an issue of great concern over the years.It has placed fear in the minds of potential pilgrims.These are some of the problem that bring down the respect of a nation," he observed.
He recalled that Sierra Leoneans were stranded at Lungi International Airport for over two weeks without any proper arrangement to facilitate their departure to Mecca.The Speaker called on members of the House to treat the matter with all seriousness.
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: THE TRUTH
To: All
Date Posted: 12:56:48 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
505 Hajj pilgrims in abortive trip
Freetown, Sierra Leone, 12/29 - Some 505 Muslims from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone who left the Lungi International Airport Wednesday destined for the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Thursday returned to Sierra Leone after their trip aborted.
The secretary-general of the Sierra Leone Muslim Congress, Dr. Abubakar Babatunde Kassim said the trip was cancelled after they learnt that the Saudi aviation authorities would not allow their aircraft to land.
He did not, however, disclose the name of the airline. He said the first batch of 450 pilgrims departed the Lungi International Airport a week ago.
At a later meeting held at the headquarters of the Hajj organizers at Fourah Bay Road in Freetown, the intending pilgrims were, however, assured of a successful and better organised 2008 Hajj.
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: STATE HOUSE
To: All
Date Posted: 12:46:51 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
PRESS RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, 10TH JANUARY 2006
1. Government wishes to announce that this year's Hajj, the Pilgrimage to the Holy Places in Makkah and Madina, has ended successfully.
2. The stringent security measures adopted by the Saudi authorities ensured that there was no fatality due to accidents such as stampedes, a common occurrence in the past.
3. Unfortunately some aged pilgrims are lost due to natural causes and are usually buried in Makkah and Jeddah with full Muslim rites. It should be noted that some very old people or very sick people perform the Hajj with a wish that Allah calls them home while in Makkah. Anecdotal reports speak of such occurrences but miraculous healings of very sick people have also been reported while performing the Hajj rites.
4. During the Hajj, all Muslims are clad in the simple two-piece white cloth for three days as they fulfil the third pillar of Islam which is to perform the Hajj at least once in a lifetime. This attire is symbolic of the humility of Muslims, of their equality before Allah and their communality in Islam. Very poor Muslims, who sleep in the streets and live off alms and the generosity of the Guardian of the Holy Places, i.e. His Majesty the King of Saudi Arabia feel safe and equal to everyone else hence the common appellation of "Hajji" by which pilgrims are addressed.
5. Security and safety were of great concern to the Saudi authorities during the Hajj period which assembled over 3 million pilgrims from overseas and from Saudi Arabia. Because of this concern the number of intending pilgrims entering Saudi Arabia was strictly controlled to avoid dangerous overcrowding during some of the rites such as stoning of Satan or the devil. Incidentally there were over 3,700 pilgrims from other African countries who were unable to arrive in Jeddah due to landing rights difficulties. This does not include pilgrims from around the world including the USA, who could not make this year's Hajj.
6. Government notes with deep regret that some intending pilgrims were unable to travel to Jeddah to start the performance of the Hajj. This was due essentially to the Agents' aircraft not utilising the second landing slot secured for their aircraft to land in Jeddah. The first landing slot was utilised and the first batch of pilgrims arrived in Jeddah without a hitch. Government is made to understand that the aircraft company delayed the pilgrims departure from Freetown in the hope of obtaining more passengers from Guinea and Liberia. Because of this delay, the aircraft lost its second landing slot in Jeddah.
7. As a last resort it was arranged that the aircraft and intending pilgrims would proceed to Conakry in the event that Sierra Leone's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia is able to persuade the Saudi authorities to allow the aircraft to land in Jeddah. On arrival of His Excellency the President in Jeddah where he was met by the Mayor of Jeddah and top Royal Protocol officials, His Excellency immediately took up the issue of securing last minute landing rights for the second pilgrim aircraft, waiting in Conakry, with top Saudi officials. Two full hours of strenuous negotiations and appeals failed to secure the required landing right as the Saudi authorities insisted that security considerations would not allow any changes to the stringent entry conditions into Saudi airspace they had imposed. We were not able to change the decision of the Saudis.
8. Whenever such disappointment occurs, Muslims are strongly advised to show great patience as one only goes to the Holy Kaaba when Allah calls. It is a divine call and only Allah can determine the appropriate time.
9. Meanwhile steps are being taken to ensure Hajj agents return the monies of those pilgrims who did not make the Hajj, and that these funds should be used to secure them topmost priority for next year's Hajj. Regarding Pilgrims sponsored by friendly countries and organisations through Government but who did not make the Hajj, monies paid by the sponsors will be recovered from Hajj agents, saved and invested so that they too can be given topmost priority for next year's Hajj. In addition, the intending Pilgrims with scholarships will have out of pocket expenses paid to them from the returns on the invested Hajj funds.
10. Unlike what prevailed in the past when tickets were sold, and intending pilgrims had to pay for the air travel and upkeep of members of the Hajj Committee in the Ministry of Social Welfare, whose main purpose of going to the Hajj was really only to engage in business, today in selecting beneficiaries for Hajj scholarships, Government is guided by three basic criteria, namely:
" Beneficiaries have to be practising Muslims
" They have never performed the Hajj, and
" They are unable to meet the financial cost of the Hajj on their own.
11. In conclusion Government wishes all Muslim brothers and sisters, including non-Muslims, a Happy return home and a Prosperous New Year.
May Allah bless us all.
-END OF STATEMENT-
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: Sengbe
To: All
Date Posted: 10:38:24 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.5
Message:
So, how come these "stranded pilgrims" did not hitch a plane ride with Pa Kabbah on his way to Mecca in December? Afterall, he went on the Hajj from Lungi International Airport, did he not?
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: Pa Javombo
To: All
Date Posted: 19:11:16 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-66-56-36-91.hsd1.ga.comcast.net at 66.56.36.91
Message:
"So, how come these "stranded pilgrims" did not hitch a plane ride with Pa Kabbah on his way to Mecca in December? Afterall, he went on the Hajj from Lungi International Airport, did he not?"
Bo Sengbe nor kill me wit laf.
Yes he did to answer your question
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: LIELONDO
To: All
Date Posted: 19:18:57 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Hello Lying Old Bigfool Javombo,
Is Norman still in cassamance? You should be ashamed of your old seniled self. You are a shameless old mende dummy. Old lying fool
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: Pa Javombo
To: All
Date Posted: 11:47:12 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-66-56-36-91.hsd1.ga.comcast.net at 66.56.36.91
Message:
Just as your damn senile father who brought you here.
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: LIELONDO
To: All
Date Posted: 13:19:23 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
No, your lying old man. You are a pathectic old fool. You damn liar/ Hopeless wretch. You are a dangerous cannibal. Hopless old Javombo. Foolish man.
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 12:31:21 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
So,how come these "stranded pilgrims" did not hitch a ride with Pa Kabbah on his way to Mecca in December?
COME ON BRA U SEF.AIRPLANE NOR TAN LEK KISSY WELLINGTON PODA PODA.This is a typical example why we must not VOTE for Vice President Solomon Berewa,because his BOSS whose legacy he wants to carrie on with,does not CARE about the WELFARE of the people.Say what you want, but Pa SIAKA STEVENS did not let things like that happen during his period of LEADING the nation.During the years 1970 to 1985 in Sierra Leone,we had different groups like THE SIERRA LEONE MUSLIM PILGRIMS MOVEMENT,HAJA SASSO,MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD etc and they did their jobs effectively,because Pa Siaki would not have it from them,but with this current government,Pa Kabbah does not even have a liason to the ministry of Social Welfare for the PILGRIM ORGANIZATIONS be it muslim or christian.
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: Pa Javombo
To: All
Date Posted: 19:20:38 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-66-56-36-91.hsd1.ga.comcast.net at 66.56.36.91
Message:
As a former Assitant publicity secretary of the Sierra Leone Muslim Congress, I know for a fact that pilgrimage in Sierra Leone is leone harvest time for this organization
and the Ministry of Social welfare.
Pilgrims been marooned at Lungi did not start today.
I must say though that it is too frequent under a Muslim leader.Under this Alhaji adminstration we have
had more Lungi Alhajis/Hajas than the Holy land's
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 12:39:14 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.101.8
Message:
PA JAVOMBA,wrote"Pilgrims been marooned at Lungi did not start today"
Yes Pa J it did not start today,but during the Pa Siaki days there were no Lungi Alhajis/Hajas.There were FLIGHT delays,but these organizations made sure that each and every PILGRIMS got their wishes.But under this administration the so call Muslim President does little to make sure of the PILGRIMS wishes.We all know that there is a time limit for entering Jeddah during HAJJ,that is what these organizations should have put forward in arranging for a AIRCRAFT.Please tell me Pa J,were there any LUNGI ALHAJIS/HAJAS during the days of PA SIAKI?
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 09:42:03 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.69
Message:
BUFORD HWY
What Has SOLO B got to do with this sad situation?
SOLO B has said time and again that he is his own man, and he will carry out his own policies,He is a VP not Kabbah's boy....I believe him and in him,you will do well to do the same.Anything else is pure mischief making.
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 11:57:05 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
"What has SOLO B got to do with this sad situation?"
He is part of the administration and if you don't POLITICS in AFRICA is run mainly by the VICE PRESIDENTS,and more so ever,he is running on the issue of CONTINUITY.
Why is that when there is something that benefits the SLPP party,SOLO B is in FRONT and no complains from you(CADMUS),but when the situation is on the OPPOSITE SIDE(WRONG) you are quick to DISTANCE SOLO B from it?Do you favor SOLO B over your COUNTRY?
"SOLO B has said time and again that he is his own man,and he will carry out his own policies,"
ANS. AL GORE 2000.I AM MY OWN MAN.
You know what happened then.UNKNOWN GEORGE BUSH WON THE ELECTIONS WITH AL GORE NOT EVEN WINNING HIS OWN STATE OF TENNESSE.
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 13:28:44 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
You are only asking this type of question because you are far from where Kabba is.Did kabba know that this will happen to them? I hope we start thinking more better than relating thing to just discrediting people when problems come.Are you a politician?
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 19:56:48 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
As Always - kabbah knows not but he is the head and the buck has to stop at his table - LEADERSHIP MY FELOW COUNTRYMAN/WOMAN
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 17:52:06 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.8
Message:
Ok Dok wrote"Did Kabba know that this will happen to them?"
BRA,I know you know the phrase "BE PROACTIVE."
"Are you a politician?"
Yes and a proud member of the SUN.But what has politics has to do with me probing the question of the our PILGRIMS?
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: RELIGIOUS
To: All
Date Posted: 12:46:06 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
But the gov't is not in charge of hajj anymore. The national muslim council plans and organize the entire thing. They even book flights for the pilgrims well ahead of time. The first set of pilgrims left ahead of time and arrived safely. The second set left, but the Saudi's said its too late for them to arrive. This did not only happen to salone, but a lot of other pilgrims from other countries were stranded, as the saudi's do not want to risk their security.
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 18:23:30 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.117.8
Message:
"But the gov't is not in charge of hajj anymore."
RELIGIOUS
The gov't had stop been in charge since the early 70s,and that is why we had organizations like the MUSLIM PILGRIM MOVEMENT,HAJA SASSO,MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD etc.My reason for bringing Pa Kabba's administration into this issue is because he should had have a LIASON to get a up to date detail ITINERY of the TRAVEL PLANS to the Holy Land of Mecca.I know this from a first hand expierence when Pa Siaki was in POWER.He made sure that his then Minister of Social Welfare had someone to give him up to the MINUTE of the travel plans.At some point he help secured AIRCRAFT were the leaders of the former organizations could not securd one.I can tell you for free that my dad's younger brother is one of the leaders of the current MUSLIM COUNCIL,and to be clear,I am not getting any information from him,but I know this issue very well.I know you probably be thinking how old is this GUY?Well my countryman,I am not that old,and to be specific I am in my 30s,but I been there done that.
Subject: Re: PARLIAMENT SUMMONS SOCIAL WELFARE MINISTER
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 13:34:31 01/25/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
Politics has blocked the minds of many sierra leoneans not to think but to say boto bata.You are wise bra thanks.
Subject: Prague-made software aids African radio
From: JOINDALIST
To: All
Date Posted: 09:29:34 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Prague-made software aids African radio
Open-source program allows low-power indie broadcasters to thrive
By Paul Voosen
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
January 24th, 2007
Running an indie radio broadcast can be a juggling act — bringing in news reports banked on a networked server, deciding what songs to spin, talking low and smooth on the mic and, if times are good, squeezing in a few ads.
It's extra difficult when you're Citizen FM 103.7, coming to you live on a 250-watt broadcast from Kissy, on the eastern edge of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, a small, desperately poor country on the West African coast.
Stability is returning after a civil war that killed tens of thousands from 1991 to 2002. But the country's democratic pulse, endangered by unstable neighbor states and cantankerous upcoming elections, is as irregular as the gas-powered generators that electrify much of Kissy.
Who can give the country a shot in the arm? Perhaps Citizen FM and the 10 other stations of the Community Radio Network (CORNET).
The stations are set to become some of the earliest adopters of Campcaster, open-source software designed in Prague to simplify demands of broadcasting in the developing world.
"The goal of Campcaster is to turn your PC into a radio station," said Sava Tatiç, managing director of the Center for Advanced Media–Prague (CAMP), the nonprofit behind the software. CAMP is part of the Media Development Loan Fund, begun a decade ago to finance independent media in developing or oppressive nations.
CAMP's goal is to use the tools of new media to help broadcasters do their jobs, Tatiç said.
Grassroots
Several Campcaster programmers, including lead developer Douglas Arellanes, traveled to Freetown in December to roll out Campcaster's newest version, customized for the demands of CORNET stations.
When it was time to install the software at Radio Mount Aureol, the first station — a complex process, since Campcaster runs only on Linux — Arellanes stepped back to let Sahr Gborie, a Freetown native who has joined the Campcaster community to provide support in Sierra Leone, do the work.
Gborie installed software that simplifies the tasks of broadcasting, such as keeping continuous live feeds, automated broadcasts, previewing tracks on separate channels, remote management via the Web and storage of broadcast files on a network.
The program, true to its open-source nature, will evolve as Western stations, like Radio Orange in Vienna, adopt and customize it.
Before Campcaster, CORNET stations used Windows Media Player or "even just two turntables and a microphone" to broadcast, Arellanes said, though they had solid equipment sponsored by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa.
Some stations resorted to software piracy, using programs that would normally cost $700 (15,000 Kč) and up for a single license. This made make broadcasts easier, but also left stations exposed.
"We're interested in the practical dangers of using pirated software, particularly in countries where working stations are subjected to unequal application of the law," said Arellanes.
It's common for oppressive governments to audit the taxes of independent media as a form of intimidation; a new trend is combining this with a computer audit for pirated software.
Because of the WTO and the Business Software Alliance, "everyone wants to be seen as good on intellectual property," Arellanes said. "We're strongly opposed to pirated software, because [in Linux and Campcaster] there is a free and legal alternative."
Sierra Leone has allowed its community radio room to grow.
"There are no threats on stations here," Gborie said. "Broadcasting is being done in a good, democratic atmosphere. For stations in the provinces, the biggest problem is [Internet] connectivity," used to share reports across the stations. "But all of the stations are broadcasting for 12–18 hours a day."
Gborie, whose Internet connection is limited to the power he gets from a gas generator, will present Campcaster to the African Union at a meeting in Addis Ababa next month.
"With 11 100-watt stations all connected to each other, it starts to get interesting," Arellanes said.
With the trial of warlord and former Liberian President Charles Taylor set to begin in the Hague in April, a number of stations in Liberia have expressed interest in Campcaster, Tatiç said.
"It would be an opportunity to bring Liberians into the discussion," Arellanes said.
CAMP has not secured funding to help the Liberian stations, however. The organization's budget is donated, and has come from George Soros' Open Society Institute and the Swedish government, among other sources. The developers have not approached USAID for assistance, though they have considered it.
No one knows how quickly Campcaster will grow now that it has become reliable code. The beauty of open source is that no one will know how many stations have adopted the system. There is no phoning home in the program, no centralized control.
"You're free to use this software and not tell anyone about it," Arellanes said.
Campcaster Develops 1996 The Media Development Loan Fund is established in Prague, with the mission of fostering independent media in oppressive countries
1998 Center for Advanced Media–Prague (CAMP) is founded. It aims to develop free software tools that simplify media management
2001 CAMP releases its first open-source project, Campsite, a multilingual content management system for newspapers and other media
2003 Development of LiveSupport, later renamed Campcaster, begins
December 2006 First confirmed implementation of Campcaster, at Radio Mount Aureol in Freetown, Sierra Leone
Subject: WHERE IS ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA?
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 08:57:34 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
Where is our SWEGBE MURRAYMAN (SLPP) member SAIDU BANGURA? Are you still alive in Atlanta or is Mr Berewa ready to SACRIFICE YOU has he did with the LIFE GOAT that was tied on top of his GATE in his Freetown lodge? Word Around Atlanta (WAA) is Mr Berewa is looking to sacrifice a human being in place of the GOAT,because the SARA did not work according to plan,and you are according to (WAA) THE CRASEMAN that needs to be sacrifice for a SLPP victory.MR BEREWA DAE LOOK FOR YOU OH.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA?
From: SWEGBE MURRAYMAN
To: All
Date Posted: 09:31:32 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
He is said to be cooling his heels after Ajua busted him for going to the east coast on new years eve to be with another of the women that he is using for financial benefit. WAA is that Ajua's mind has been taken over by de meresin and "antrue" (magical potions from a murray man that saidus mother keeps in the house) WAA is that very soon Ajua go dae wok ee nor no usai de money dae go. hehehehehe SWEGBEH
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA?
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 12:30:21 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
WAA is that EH TALK SO MUCH NA AJUWA EH APARTMENT DAT,AJUWA EH ROOM MATE GET FOR LEF D PLACE BECAUSE D LADY EH SECRET BIN DON BEGIN FOR COMMOT NA DOR.NOW (WAA) is AJUWA DON GEE AM CORFEE ORDER.
Subject: Re: FOR BUFORD
From: SWEGBEH ALFA MAN
To: All
Date Posted: 15:25:27 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
IS THAT SWEGBE ALFA MAN STILL ON PROZAC
Subject: Re: FOR BUFORD
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 17:24:51 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.101.8
Message:
APPERATELY YES,BUT I THINK HE RAN OUT OF SUPPLY,BECAUSE AJUWA'S CHILD SUPPORT MONEY IS BEEN PUT FOR BETTER PURPOSES. NA FOR BECAREFUL OH BECAUSE (WAA) IS EH COAT AND ALFA CAP WAY HE DAE WERR,GET BOKU MANASSII.
Subject: Re: FOR BUFORD
From: SWEGBEH ALFA MAN
To: All
Date Posted: 17:56:33 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
BUFORD DIS MAN IS A "RIP OFF ARTIST" I HEAR THAT HE IS NOW AT THE OTHER SWEGBEH FORUM TALKING TRASH. DE MAN IS VERY VERY PSYCHOTIC. AJUAH DOES NOT EVEN KNOEW WHAT SHE GOT ON HER HANDS. MAN MOS BE SCARCE NAR ATLANTA BRA BECOS DEM SISTER DEM NAR EAST COAST DON FAINT PAN DA MAN DAY LON LON TEM. ENYSIE WAY DE MAN GO NAR HALAKI NORMOR DAY FALLAH AM.
LEH GOD MEK E DAY ON DA CRASE MAN DRUG DAY TAY EE QUENCH BOBS. NAR HALAKI BORBOR.
Subject: Re: WHERE IS ALPHA SAIDU BANGURA?
From: SWEGBE MURRAYMAN
To: All
Date Posted: 14:25:08 01/26/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
ALSO WAA IS THAT THE SLPP DOES NOT KNOW WHO THEY HAVE GOTTEN THEMSELVES INVOLVED WITH. HE IS MORE BAD NEWS THAN GOOD. YOU SEE THE WAY HE DENIED THE ISCANDARI FAMILY THAT RAISED HIM AND HELPED HIM TO COME TO AMERICA? DE BOY NOR GEH BLESSING. HE IS FAILURE AND WILL ALWAYS BE ONE.
Subject: Charles Margai lobbies for water, electricity
From: PROMISES PROMISES PROMISES
To: All
Date Posted: 08:06:31 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Charles Margai lobbies for water, electricity
Rachel Horner 25/1/2007
CONCORD TIMES
Interim leader of the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), Charles Francis Margai Tuesday disclosed that he has lobbied a multi-billion company in the Diaspora to solve the country's electricity and water problems. He made this disclosure at a sensitization meeting held at the East 8 and 9 constituencies at Ginger Hall, Freetown .
Margai said the company would provide these services at affordable cost. “I met with officials of this company during my last tour in United Kingdom and United States of America ,” he said, adding that the PMDC would guaranty the people of a change in development.
“I have negotiated with the company to solve the water and electricity problem in the country,” Margai stated.Margai stated that he played a pivotal role to bring the Sierra Leone Police to what it is today while as Minister of Internal Affairs.
He called on the police to be neutral.Head of PMDC's Media Committee, Bamidele Thompson said they would not disclose the company's name.“We are not disclosing the name of the company because, we don't want the Sierra Leone Peoples Party to make false statements to the company that will confuse them,” Thompson said
Subject: Re: Charles Margai lobbies for water, electricity
From: Sengbe
To: All
Date Posted: 10:32:12 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 198.85.59.5
Message:
"...“I have negotiated with the company to solve the water and electricity problem in the country,” Margai stated..."
What company?
In what capacity did he "negotiate" with this "company" on behalf of the country?
Certainly not in his capacity as the "interim leader of the PMDC". This is NOT allowed, since he does NOT officially represent the country in any official capacity at the present time.
Such presumptuosness points to gross underhandedness in making deals in the future, if the mistake is made by our peoples in appointing/electing him as the governor of the state in the future.
Charles, please wait fors tay u become president befoe u begin make dem deal yah so. Why u mago mago so ba?
Nar lie dem day lie to we poor illiterate peeple dem so.
Subject: Re: Charles Margai lobbies for water, electricity
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 20:03:12 01/25/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
Charles cannot not govern - he is a dictator. What has he got to do with negotiating a contract/agreement/arrangement for SLE when such should be handled by a capable department. is he just giving us his tales to score points. the man is crassly stupid
Subject: Re: Charles Margai lobbies for water, electricity
From: ok dok
To: All
Date Posted: 09:55:46 01/25/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 24.66.94.142
Message:
Why did Margai fail to do this when he a Govt. minister in the SLPP?
Subject: Re: Charles Margai lobbies for water, electricity
From: Truth
To: All
Date Posted: 01:29:28 01/27/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-137-151.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.137.151
Message:
That is the man for you - only his interests counts. After 2007 elections, Charles will find go into a self-imposed exile. He will join his colleagues/borbors in london. If you cannot stay within and fight for change - what man are you?
Subject: Sierra Leone sees all debt cancelled
From: FINANCE MINISTER
To: All
Date Posted: 20:16:05 01/24/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Sierra Leone
Economy - Development
Sierra Leone sees all debt cancelled
afrol News, 24 January - Only a few years after ending its brutal civil war, Sierra Leone has gained so much trust among creditors for its economic policies that the dominant "Paris Club" of nations today decided to cancel 100 percent of the country's debts. Sierra Leone still ranges among the world's 2-3 poorest countries.
The decision to cancel the entire debt of Sierra Leone was taken today by the "Paris Club" countries, an informal group uniting the creditor governments from almost all major industrialised countries. At a Paris meeting with Sierra Leone's Minister of Finance, John Benjamin, a total debt cancellation was agreed upon.
According to a statement by the Paris Club, the creditor grouping decided to cancel first US$ 218 million, that is to say 91 percent of the debt stock at end-2006. This, according to the statement, represents "the Paris Club's share of the effort in the framework of the enhanced HIPC Initiative" - the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative.
Further, the grouping said, "some creditors also committed on a bilateral basis to grant additional debt relief of US$ 22 million to Sierra Leone."
A 91 percent debt relief normally is the maximum granted by the Paris Club, but with bilateral cancellations, an exception was made for Sierra Leone. "As a result of this agreement and additional bilateral assistance, Sierra Leone's debt to Paris Club creditors will be entirely cancelled," the statement concluded.
The debt cancellation came after Sierra Leone had reached the so-called "completion point" under the enhanced HIPC Initiative on 15 December 2006. This means that the Freetown government had complied with all economic reform prescr1ptions given by the World Bank and the IMF, thus declared a "healthy" economy, dedicated to fight poverty, and as such a country worthwhile giving debt relief. So far only around 19 countries have qualified for full HIPC debt relief.
The Paris Club creditors therefore also welcomed "Sierra Leone's determination to implement a comprehensive poverty reduction strategy and an ambitious economic programme providing the basis for sustainable economic growth." The total debt cancellation had come as "a contribution to restoring Sierra Leone's debt sustainability," the statement noted.
Sierra Leonean Minister Benjamin during the meeting had committed his government to allocate the resources freed by the debt cancellation to priority areas identified in the country's poverty reduction strategy. Further, Mr Benjamin had promised to "seek comparable treatment" from all other external creditors.
Sierra Leone's public external debt was estimated to be US$ 1,573 million in nominal value at end-December 2005, according to documents from the IMF and the World Bank. With the Paris Club debt cancellation and IMF approval, Freetown authorities are expected to have a very good chance at achieving similar treatment from remaining creditors.
Especially the World Bank as until now had been hesitant to cancel the debts of one of its poorest clients. Equally, the totally impoverished neighbouring countries of Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Liberia are lagging far behind in the Bank's queue for debt relief, despite being among the world's poorest nations and in need of post-conflict assistance. The Sierra Leone example of total obedience to IMF reform prescr1ptions may however now prove an inspiration to these neighbours.
By staff writer
© afrol News
Subject: JOHN LEIGH THE PROGRESSIVE AND ALIEU THE TRIBALIST
From: Morikeh Bangura
To: All
Date Posted: 17:50:19 01/24/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-44c29146.dyn.optonline.net at 68.194.145.70
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