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Return of a War Lord

By: Ibrahim Jalloh - (Jallomy)

The eleven years brutal and brutish war in the West African State of Sierra Leone end in 2002 or thereabout. 

A revolution that started with the lofty ideals of liberation and political emancipation degerated into calculated savagery and incredible Carnage unrivalled in the West African sub region.

Following the end of the war, a UN backed Special Court was set up and anchored in Sierra Leone to try those deemed to bear the greatest responsibility. Few notorious RUF War Lords, including Augustine Gbao who was a major player in the heinous crimes perpetrated in Makeni and elsewhere, were indicted, tried and convicted. Augustine Gbao and his partners in crime against humanity were sent to Rwanda to serve various jail terms. Gbao was sentenced to 25 years. By December last year, he has served 16 years plus few months. This represents 2/3 of his jail term.

A difficult to understand proposal has been put forward for his early release to return home and serve his remaining jail term and he will be based in Makeni where he ruthlessly agressed innocent woman, children and harmless people.

A hurriedly organized and seemingly disjointed meeting has been held with a defined stakeholders group. Just last night, a panel was bellowing at Mankneh Radio with the expressed objective of sensitizing and testing the pulses of the victims of Gbao. Inclusive on the panel were the Sierra Leone police, local leaders and a thinly represented civil society. 

Remorse, restitution, forgiveness and reconcilation are significant human values and virtues for a cohesive society. Personally, I have no problem forgiving and dining with Gbao who murdered my cousin in cold blood and in the glare of an agonized public on the frontage of the Makeni city Council under the brutal command of Self styled General Issa Sesay. 

What I will have problem with is the limited engagement and shallow sensitization of a terribly offended Community. The war memories are lingering. It is a festering wound. We cannot and will not entertain an acceptance of a prodigal son on the premise of few people making an industry out of it. Revenge is illegal but can be morally justified in excruciating circumstance. 

The engagement needs to be broadened and deepened. One cannot Lost the war and win the peace!
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