March 26, 2021
By: James Kamara-Manneh
Sierra Leone is populated with over eighteen ethic groups and one way or the other we are related either by marriage, child bearing and other cleavages. Religious tolerance and inter-tribal relationship has been the Sierra Leone’s identifying mark; therefore there is no room for tribalistic comments that can stir dissension.
The audio making rounds on social media supposedly the voice of someone of high social standing making pejorative tribal comments sent wave of shock and dismay across the country..
In the audio the Mayor openly sounded despising in her comment “Buwa Beseh” (the Mende’s form of greeting ‘’Hello’’) not coming anywhere closer to the stakes of the Freetown City Council. This is decidedly part of her strategy to ensure that her party the APC makes a comeback.
It is an unfortunate situation to hear someone presiding over a metropolitan community with people from different ethical background making such an awful comment. This is a flagrant display of animosity towards other residents simply because they belong to a particular tribe.
Sierra Leoneans are peace loving citizens gone are those days when selfish and devilish politicians will try to smear the good image of this country by preaching inter-tribal war or conflicts. Patriotic citizens are focus whether in public or private life to throw support in developing their country devoid of whichever political party they belong or tribal line they come from.
However, if Mayor Aki-Sawyer can openly confess her hatred for fellow Sierra Leoneans based on their tribe, region or political affiliation, then she has no business occupying that envious seat as the first lady of the Freetown Municipality.
Having said that, nobody is against freedom of expression because it is an enshrined and absolute right one needs to enjoy
However, for the mayor, to have blatantly express her disgust for other set of citizens is not something to treat with levity. The central government is now challenged by the public to see the outcome of this issue. Who knows how many ‘Mende might have applied for job at the Council and been sideline? Who knows how many individuals with a ‘ Mende’ surname but in actual sense not belonging to the tribe have been prejudiced by the ‘Anti-Mende Mayor’?
If the Mayor cannot look at the broader perspective of developing a unified nation, it is therefore an imperative to take her to task. It is by now clear that her intention is to sabotage the Bio government.
The reaction of the Mayor has been captured: “I have been made aware of an excerpt of a recorded conversation making rounds on social media in which some of my words have been presented out of context. I want to categorically state that the inferred tribalism in the edited audio does not represent my values, actions nor my track record. I would like to apologize to anyone who has been offended by these hurtful and inaccurate inferences. Over the past 3 years I have worked with all Freetonians irrespective of gender, tribe or religion within and outside of Freetown City Council. I place a premium on diversity and inclusion and I want to assure you all that I have and I will continue to work in all of our interests.”
If the apology must be accepted to put this issue of hate comment to rest, then we can be moving towards a conciliatory path, which is fine. The Rwandan experience has taught us to enough not to entertain this kind of conversation. The Mayor must have blundered and she is regretting and willing to make amends in her actions henceforth.