Mutilated But Not Dead

The Ghanaian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone recently donated 15 megaphones, 7 horn speakers, 7 amplification machines and 7 microphones to the Revolutionary United Front Party.

High Commissioner, H.E. Kabral Blay Amihere presented the items to the presidential candidate of the RUFP in the presence of some of the party's executive members, officials of the High Commission and a cross section of the press.

Kind as it seems, the gesture demanded some clarity as to why the RUFP was singled out for such favour. The obvious assumption is that the former fighting force should be able to handle their own affairs by now, particularly regarding their intention to rule this country. Therefore, to enhance their chances by giving them equipment to facilitate their campaign was enough to raise eyes brows.

However, the versatile and astute High Commissioner clarified the misgivings concerning their move. He said "the presentation was made within the framework of the Lome Agreement of June 3, 1999, which set the parameters for peace in Sierra Leone" He then dilated on the agreement, which among other things under Article III created a frame work for the transformation of the Revolutionary United Front into a mainstream political party.

He noted that Article 111 (4) of the Lome Agreement also encouraged the international community to offer assistance to the RUF in a number of areas, namely the setting up of a Trust Fund; Training of RUF members in party organization and functions and providing any other assistnace necessary for achieving the goals of transforming the RUF in to a political party.

The essence of this clarification was to allay any possible fear, doubt or tongue wagging that might exist or crop up as a result of the gesture. It was also necessary because we are living in a society where there are too many manufacturers of rumours that are capable of causing severe harm.

For clarity of purpose, High Commissioner Amihere, urged the RUFP, for the sake of a peaceful, stable and democratic Sierra Leone to remain committed to its historic decision to help promote peace in this country and to exploit the political processes of dialogue and the rule of law to resolved whatever differences it may have with any of the political parties. He added that the forth coming May 14 elections constitutes a Watershed in the history of Sierra Leone and indeed offer the RUFP the grandest opportunity to affirm its transformation for today and the futrue.

RUFP Presidential candidate, Mr Paolo Bangura thanked the President of Ghana, the Government and people of that great country for their support for the consolidation of peace, progress and democracy in Sierra Leone. He also thanked the High Commissioner for the kind gesture, maintaining that the gifts did not come as a surprise to the RUFP, judging from the positive contributions Ghana has been making throughout the crisis in the country.

We believe the presentation was appropriate and necessary because it will vastly contribute in leveling the playground for the RUFP. That is the kind of politics other progressive minded Sierra Leoneans are expecting so that the injustices, which led to the untold devastation in our country, would never be repeated.

We are also delighted that although the Lome Accord has been substantially mutilated there are still relevant portions of it that can be positively utilised. The Ghanaian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone recently donated 15 megaphones, 7 horn speakers, 7 amplification machines and 7 microphones to the Revolutionary United Front Party. High Commissioner, H.E. Kabral Blay Amihere presented the items to the presidential candidate of the RUFP in the presence of some of the party's executive members, officials of the High Commission and a cross section of the press.

Kind as it seems, the gesture demanded some clarity as to why the RUFP was singled out for such favour. The obvious assumption is that the former fighting force should be able to handle their own affairs by now, particularly regarding their intention to rule this country. Therefore, to enhance their chances by giving them equipment to facilitate their campaign was enough to raise eyes brows.

However, the versatile and astute High Commissioner clarified the misgivings concerning their move. He said "the presentation was made within the framework of the Lome Agreement of June 3, 1999, which set the parameters for peace in Sierra Leone" He then dilated on the agreement, which among other things under Article III created a frame work for the transformation of the Revolutionary United Front into a mainstream political party.

He noted that Article 111 (4) of the Lome Agreement also encouraged the international community to offer assistance to the RUF in a number of areas, namely the setting up of a Trust Fund; Training of RUF members in party organization and functions and providing any other assistnace necessary for achieving the goals of transforming the RUF in to a political party.

The essence of this clarification was to allay any possible fear, doubt or tongue wagging that might exist or crop up as a result of the gesture. It was also necessary because we are living in a society where there are too many manufacturers of rumours that are capable of causing severe harm.

For clarity of purpose, High Commissioner Amihere, urged the RUFP, for the sake of a peaceful, stable and democratic Sierra Leone to remain committed to its historic decision to help promote peace in this country and to exploit the political processes of dialogue and the rule of law to resolved whatever differences it may have with any of the political parties. He added that the forth coming May 14 elections constitutes a Watershed in the history of Sierra Leone and indeed offer the RUFP the grandest opportunity to affirm its transformation for today and the futrue.

RUFP Presidential candidate, Mr Paolo Bangura thanked the President of Ghana, the Government and people of that great country for their support for the consolidation of peace, progress and democracy in Sierra Leone. He also thanked the High Commissioner for the kind gesture, maintaining that the gifts did not come as a surprise to the RUFP, judging from the positive contributions Ghana has been making throughout the crisis in the country.

We believe the presentation was appropriate and necessary because it will vastly contribute in leveling the playground for the RUFP. That is the kind of politics other progressive minded Sierra Leoneans are expecting so that the injustices, which led to the untold devastation in our country, would never be repeated.

We are also delighted that although the Lome Accord has been substantially mutilated there are still relevant portions of it that can be positively utilised.