By Umaru Kande USA
Today there are so many things on my mind. So many developments things are happening. And I am eager to write something about them so that I can give a clear understanding of what they mean and what we all can learn from them especially our political elites but also more importantly our social media influencers and party loyalists.
As we speak, the main worry in the minds of the Sierra Leonean population is for peace to prevail after the June 24th parliamentary and presidential elections. The fear is palpable. In mosques and churches right across this small nation, prayer vigils are being observed so that God Almighty will work some magic for this downtrodden population.
I will talk about what is happening in the Central African nation of Sudan in this piece so that our political elites in Sierra Leone and Guinea can see what is happening, know why it happened and then desist from making the errors that led to such a catastrophic and shameful scenario in Mother Africa.
In its political history, Sudan is the country where street protests have led to the demise of two entrenched dictatorships if my memory serves me right. Military bosses have responded to the call of the civilian population by removing the heads of state but have failed so far to deliver for the people a government that is credible and accountable to the Sudanese citizens.
For those who have been paying little attention to developments in Africa, you must have heard of the name Janjaweed. They were a private militia force formed by the president and his political elites and military bosses in Sudan to do their dirty work in Darfur.
They became notorious for their unspeakable human rights violations in that conflict. The international community was planning to bring them to the Hague but China, one of the permanent members of the United Nation’s Security Council was a staunch ally of Omar al Bashir.
Today this Janjaweed is called the Rapid Support Force RSF. When talks break down between the Sudan Military and the RSF that was aimed at making the RSF part of the Sudan’s military force, fighting break out between the two factions that has led to this calamity. The two Bosses of the factions General Burhan of the Sudanese military and General Hamdan are both fighting for total control. This has nothing to do with Sudan’s future as a peaceful democratic nation. Throughout their history, the Janjaweed committed unspeakable atrocities for the Sudanese political elites only to be disappointed in the last minute to be accepted as part of the mainstream Sudanese military. A promise broken. Do not kill for politicians. Do not make enemies for them. Politicians must also learn to make promises that they can keep.
The people of Guinea and Sierra Leone need to co-exist with their neighbours and other tribes’ men and women in perfect peace and harmony. Do not let bad Politicians tear our nations apart.