Sierra Leonean activist, Emmerson Bockarie
After nearly 20 years in the game, activist and self-proclaimed voice of Sierra Leone, Emmerson Bockarie, is not mellowing with age.
“We are slowly getting to that point where Sierra Leoneans are losing their freedom of speech and expression. It feels like everything is political and we are politicising everything,” he told This is Africa.
The 39-year-old’s latest album, 9 Lives, picks up many of the threads he has previously woven through his work: politics, tribalism, corruption and a general antipathy for those in power.
"Since independence, Sierra Leone has been longing for strong leadership. What I do is ask tough questions and speak truth to power.
I want a Sierra Leone that is inclusive, where women and youth contribute to matters that affect their lives.”
One track, in particular, stands out on the new album as an attack on those who don’t share Emmerson’s views: a 14-minute finale-come-monologue entitled Kokonat Ed.
“I feel like we have made our decision as a people, putting our political parties and our tribes and our region ahead of our country. So I’m calling us again to action by calling us coconut heads.”
But Emmerson has paid a price for speaking out so bluntly.
"I have received death threats in the past. I’ve never been attacked physically but I have had text messages, in my social media, they’ve sent messages to my phone.”
With a loyal following in his home country, would it not be more productive for Emmerson to try to instigate change from inside the halls of power?
“If you ask me if I have that ambition to be a politician…? No, I do not have it. I do not have a bit of it.”
“I just want to contribute towards nation building and play my own part, and I expect the same from every Sierra Leonean.”
You can hear more from Emmerson Bockarie on This is Africa this Saturday, on BBC World Service radio and partner stations across Africa.
