January 6: to forgive is wise but to forget is foolish
January 6, 1999 was definitely one of the darkest days in Sierra Leone’s history. The carnage was unimaginable. A combined group of rebels and rogue soldiers descended on Freetown with unrivalled violence, turning the city and its environs into a theatre of bloodbath and destruction. Those old enough still remember the events. We must be […]
We need to take ourselves seriously
Our President, Julius Maada Bio and other African leaders have been in Washington this week, attending President Joe Biden’s US-African Leaders Summit. For Sierra Leone, there are no new learnings from the meeting. Just some stark reminders of our petty politics and the need to elevate our political conversations. We need to take ourselves seriously […]
The State and Human Rights in Salone: giving with one hand, taking with the other
It is Human Rights Day again. As usual, events will be held around the country to mark the day. It is all good. Human Rights are important, and it is that one day in the year that everyone seems to care or at least talk about rights. More importantly, it is a time to take […]
Unexplained wealth: the corruption we hardly talk about
This week, the Government briefed the media on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commissions of Inquiry (COIs) and White Paper. Cutting it short, properties belonging to some of the people found wanting by the COIs have been seized by the State, as recommended. There is a lot more to be confiscated. Among other […]
Ruling justly?
Sierra Leone is a small nation, but it guarantees at least one dramatic event a week. So much that requires you to stop and catch your breath; or else, you would be overwhelmed by the running episodes, starring mostly politicians and their sentimental and ever-cheering supporters, and once in a while, you would have extras […]