I rest my case – when the Church warns of religious violence, the authorities must act … or!

A significant portion of Christians from various churches across the country, have in what has been referred to by many observes as an unprecedented move, issued a two-week ultimatum to His Excellency the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, warning of a tit for tat response to any further violent provocation from their compatriots in the Muslim faith.

This stern warning came following strings of reported violent attacks on a total of five churches in the eastern part of Freetown and at Kambia District in the north, of which the authorities concerned were duly aware about…but nothing tangible has been done to prevent a repetition of the ungodly act…reportedly perpetuated by overzealous Muslim fanatics.

The five churches in question were either pelted with stones and other deadly missiles or burnt aground.

Concerned about the ugly development, especially taking into account the unabated religious violence that seems to be threatening the peace and quiet of Nigeria and other countries, Christian groups forwarded a formal complaint to President Ernest Bai Koroma (himself a Christian), raising serious concern over the situation and warning of danger if nothing is done immediately to checkmate the excesses of those involved in the dastardly act.

At least two Muslim men, one being a sheikh, said to be responsible for at least two of the attacks on the churches, are said to have been charged to court, but that nothing has come out of the matter by way of conviction or institutionalization of a remedial measure.

The seeming inaction on the part of the authorities concerned is apparently the reason why the churches deemed it fit to come together as a united front to send out a clear message to the President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and the All People’s Congress (APC) government that enough is enough and that any further attack on any church by Muslims anywhere in the country will be met with stiff resistance…i.e. teeth for tat.

Whatever that means is supposed to be treated seriously, because this is the very first time in the history of the Republic of Sierra Leone that a given religious body is issuing an ultimatum to a sitting government over a matter that it feels gravely aggrieved about…and one that has sent out very bad signals.

The matter is no doubt a unique one, as Sierra Leone is renowned internationally for its citizens being religious tolerant. In fact early this year, the country bagged an international award for religious tolerance.

It is therefore worrying that for whatever reason, such a remarkable attribute of a country that is held in the highest esteem worldwide for its religious tolerance, seems to be sliding towards the opposite direction…towards the Nigerian experience.

It should not be forgotten for one single minute that this country went through a decade-long rebel war that left tens of thousands of innocent civilians killed, hundreds of thousands more heartlessly mutilated and several others rendered both internally and externally displaced.

Looking at the level of wanton destruction that occurred during the war, especially taking into consideration the utter hatred and brutality displayed by all sides in the conflict, it goes without saying that any other war, be it tribal or religious, will be bloodier and far more devastating.

This is all the reason why the government should act proactively to ensure that while the majority of the people of this war-ravaged nation are struggling to at least cope up with the biting economic realities prevalent in the country, they are not subjected to another round of violence…this time round with a religious undertone.

I was taken aback the other day when on a Tea Break programme on United Nations Radio, the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Soccoh Kabia, dismissed the ultimatum or warning issued by the churches to His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma, saying it was uncalled for.

He debunked the claim by the churches that nothing has been done to address their concerns, noting that eight people are currently standing trail for offences relating to the reported religious violence and that the report of the committee that was set up to look into the matter and make necessary recommendations to government as to the way forward, is due soon.

He rather argumentatively maintained that there is no cause for alarm, referring to as unfortunate fears being expressed by the churches that the country has the potential of becoming another Nigeria, where the effects of religious intolerance seems to be dividing the country, if something is not done immediately to put a decisive end to such unwarranted provocations.

From the minister’s comment, and taking into consideration the fact that the committee set up by government to fully investigate the reported cases of religious violence is yet to produce its report after months doing virtually nothing, one may safely conclude that the government does not attach much seriousness to the matter. Vice President Sam Sumana happens to be the chairman of that all-important committee, and Dr. Soccoh Kabia, a member.

Except one tends to be dismissive, I really don’t think that the ultimatum slammed on President Koroma and the seeming threat of a teeth for tat response to any further provocation, should be treated with levity. This thing should not be politicised, as everything else has.

Sierra Leone went through a devastating war under the previous APC regime…and we do not want to experience another war under the current APC regime.

Ernest Koroma should learn from the grave mistakes made by his APC predecessors i.e. former presidents Siaka P. Stevens and Joseph Saidu Momoh… mistakes that are still haunting our growth and prosperity as a nation.

He should know that the mistakes made by Siaka Stevens created the opportunity for the war to happen in the first place, while the mistakes of Joseph Momoh President, provided the fuel for the war to last much longer than expected…eventually resulting in the death of several thousands and the destruction of the country.

Sierra Leone can’t afford another war.

I rest my case!!!

By Theophilus S. Gbenda, Freetown

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