COMMENTARY!!!
By: Ilyasa Baa
His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone has restored peace and unity amongst the Fullah community in the northern region who were divided during the previous All Peoples Congress (APC) regime of Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.
The Fullah community, especially in Bombali district became divided after Ernest Bai Koroma took a decision to install American self – styled Mr. Jalloh who was his friend to serve as the Fullah Tribal Head for the North. Jalloh was power drunk using his connection with the then President to disrespect elders, especially those deemed as being supporters of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP).
His predecessor Pa Bah was removed from the position and later passed away deprived of the power he was supposed to hold till death as practiced by other tribes. When Jalloh took over, the current Fullah Tribal Head, who doubles as Chairman for the region, Alimamy Mohammed Yayah Sillah was the only stakeholder by then who questioned the appointment of Jalloh on the grounds that the Fullah community was not consulted over the appointment of Jalloh. This observation led to a big fight between Jalloh and Sillah with Chief Sillah gaining some fans despite the political support his opponent was enjoying from the APC led government of Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. Chief Sillah faced humiliation from the APC party to the extent of being charged by members of the Poro Society that he disrespected the former President. He was accused of disrespecting him as a senior Poro man.
The matter between Sillah and Jalloh went to court but was settled out of court later.
The Fullah Community started seeing Sillah as a hero, being the only one to rise up peacefully so that the right thing is done. When the ruling SLPP assumed power 2018, Sillah, being deemed fit to captain the ship and restore peace and unity amongst his tribes’ men, was appointed the Fullah Tribal Head for the north. Since he assumed office, a good number of developments have taken place as widows are now supported regularly, under his leadership, the Fullah community can now for the first time boast of a cemetery. He is working on a project to erect an Islamic Boarding School to teach the Fullah language as well.
One difference between Sillah and Jalloh, according to cattle rearers in the north, is that they enjoy more peace under the SLPP than the opposition APC. They lamented over the way and manner the former Head used to fine them heavily on false allegations taking many cows always from them in the name of fines.
Speaking to this medium over the week end, Sheikh Alimamy Mohammed Sillah thanked President Bio for showing respect to the Fullah community.
He said they are going to support him achieve his agenda.
He said with the support of President Bio, today is better than yesterday, noting that in Sierra Leone, meat is less expensive than in Guinea. Being the Chairman of the Council of Fullah Tribal Heads and Coordinator for the northern region, Chief Sillah called on the Fullah community in the region to unite and rally behind President Bio’s agenda.
