That government press statement was appalling
I take great exception to a press release put out by State House in relation to the Bo disturbances, and therefore say without any uncertainty that posterity is sure judge the arbitrators or powers that be should they inconsiderately catch fire or inflame civil unrest ahead of the 2012 elections.
It is but a shame that the government press release on the Bo shoot out did not in any way, manner or form say anything regarding the arrest and punishment of persons found or believed to have schemed unrest at all.
Devoid of our political belongings (you who are politicians – so to say) it is an observable fact that a statesman in the person of Julius Maada Bio was wounded by an unknown attacker and that the police must be given the right to abidingly search for and cause the arrest of whosoever may have done such a dastardly act.
I am sure it is to the knowledge of even President Koroma that the recent Bo unrest has lead to the burning of national structures as well as inflicting serious injuries to peaceful and well meaning Sierra Leoneans.
Allow me paste verbatim the first paragraph of the so-called government press release so that Sierra Leoneans might single out the ‘flip flops’ of what was projected as government’s statement on the Bo saga.
“IT HAS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF GOVERNMENT THAT DURING THE VISIT OF THE SLPP PRESIDENTIAL FLAGBEARER JULIUS MAADA BIO TO BO TODAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2011, CERTAIN EVENTS YET UNCLEAR OCCURRED, THAT HAVE ESCALATED INTO SERIOUS VIOLENCE AND DISORDER…”
What exactly was the so-called press release saying nevertheless?
“Certain events yet unclear occurred, that have escalated into serious violence and disorder,” meaning that that release was telling Sierra Leoneans that it unclear to government what really triggered the violence and disorder in Bo.
So, was State House telling Sierra Leoneans that disclosures in relation to the pelting of stones at the convoy of the SLPP Presidential flagbearer thus inflicting multiple wounds on his head did reach them but are doubtful such happening?
It brings to reflection however that politicians trivialize issues of state concern by shamelessly making unfounded and reckless political statements, which if not checked, may burst into flames of civil war as old.
For the sake of clearness though, I have been compelled to accurately include in this commentary excerpts in the government press statement on the Bo disturbances. Please take your time to read contents below and ask yourself if such a release is of any significance to the seriousness of incident anyway.
“PRESENTLY, THE SECURITY FORCES ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO BRING THE SITUATION UNDER CONTROL, AND TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER IN BO AND ITS ENVIRONS.”
“GOVERNMENT STRONGLY CONDEMNS VIOLENCE IN ALL ITS FORMS AND IN PARTICULAR THE UGLY INCIDENTS THAT ARE REPORTED TO HAVE OCCURRED IN BO.”
“GOVERNMENT THEREFORE APPEALS TO ALL STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING MEMBERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES TO REMAIN CALM AND GO ABOUT THEIR NORMAL BUSINESS, WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT LIVES AND PROPERTIES WILL BE PROTECTED.”
“E N D”
“STATE HOUSE
FREETOWN.”
And it is in the history books that the downfall of what used to be as a ‘land that flows with milk and honey’ was all the making of unprincipled, dishonest and unscrupulous politicians.
It is against this that upright media practitioners have vowed exposing rotten and uncalled for conducts of cheap, talkative and corrupt politicians ahead of the soon to come elections in 2012.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
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babson kolleh
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Mr. EDITOR. I hope you will receive Fuad’s comments with great thinking and meditate and reflect over it. Journalism is a noble profession. You Guys should help and save our country Sierra Leone from another fall. We are yet striving to reach global expectations towards development and peace. Be wise. Let’s help to build mama Sa lone. We are still crawling due to your politics and biased journalism. Say the truth and you will be freein the sight of God and us all. Your comments about the Government press statement to be appalling is total disregard for authority. When your brother plays the devil’s game, do the best you can to put a stop. THe press release was simply the best. President Koroma and his team believes in peace. “Fire cannot extinguish Fire”. The barbaric days are over in Sierra leone LONTA
25th September 2011Fuad
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The editor of the above might be stupid and arrogant on his piece. Maada Bio left Freetown on the pretext of going to Bo to thank the people who voted him in as flag bearer but not a campaign rally. More so the author should know that, within the SLPP party, there is problem from the start of flag bearer campaigning of which some anti Bio camp were victimized.The author is also aware of the incident that took place when one of the flag bearer of SLPP who lost to Bio went to Kenema. He was attacked including those who attended to his call. He was latter castigated to have been bribed by APC. The same went to Dr. Jabbie when he took his own party to court, he too got the same castigation for been manipulated by APC. This is a clear manifestation that whatever happens within SLPP, the APC is always blamed.
18th September 2011In view of the above, I want to ask the author of the above, what type of press release should the government have issued on the Bo incident?
The government is the father of the nation but you should also know that the area of the alleged attack on SLPP flag bearer is their strong hold with above 75% support. Therefore how comes in their own strong hold their flag bearer could be attacked and latter the blame casted on APC with minority support in the DISTRICT?
Mr. author, Bio passed through Mile Saika and Mile 91 where he made a stop and he was not attacked in those areas which are dorminated by APC supporters except in Bo their strong hold.
To my view the press release by government is in place. Some of you guys you are not working in the interest of justice and equality for all because you belong to religion of either APC or SLPP. I am not a politician though all humanbeings are political beings, however, national politics is not part of me. What we need to do, we need to analyze issues objectively and as journalist some of us who have high respect for that profession, we are expecting objectivity in reporting than to be bias as the author of the above article. Tell me Mr. author, how can a stranger fight you in you own compound when he/she is not secured? This is an issue of investigation. Note, there are disgruntled SLPP supporter who are not in favor of Rt. Captain Bio from the onset of flag bearership and these people became under attack by Bio camp, can you analytically come up with issues that are associated with such problem? Let me say to you Mr. author, the incident in Bo is an example. Bio will never be attacked in APC strong holds because the people there are civilized and they believe in the ballot box to speak for them than violence.
My advise to you and your religion party, SLPP, it is better for you to call on all the former flag bearers to an emergency meeting to iron their differences and admonish their supporters to be violence free, otherwise this issue will continue in the South-East unabaited. Please note that the other 18 aspirants that lost to Maada Bio due to tribal affiliation and regionalism, manipulated by john Benjamin and Sama Banya has created a serious problem within the party. Western area the seat of government, they don’t believe in violence, as a result they have just tendered their letters of resignations.
Therefore, let’s call a spade a spade than to use the government and APC as a scape goat because you are not part of it neither do you support it.