Posted by MRS FATOU SANKOH on May 23, 2000 at 10:29:08:
New York, 5/19/2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
I am Fatou Sankoh, the wife of Foday Sankoh who since July, 1999, is a senior government official holding the rank of Vice President in the government of Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. I am a lawyer by profession and also president of an NGO by avocation.
I plan to present information on several related subjects with the hope of setting the record straight.
Much misinformation has been printed about my husband. This distorted public information -along with wild press speculation- is especially true as from the end of April 2000. About that time, a mob approached the official residence of my husband. A senior official member of the government allegedly organized the mob, sympathetic to President Kabbah's government.
Bodyguards assigned to protect my husband responded to the mob and at one point -fearing for my husband's life- the guards opened fire on the mob and, sadly casualties resulted. My husband was quickly taken from the scene and became unavailable for a time.
Subsequently, following a reward bounty allegedly offered, my husband's whereabouts became known and he was seized by elements of the Kabbah government, publicly humiliated and detained. He presently remains in detention by government officials.
This behavior by officials of a democratic government is both unlawful and outrageous. I appeal to all responsible and informed followers of this Sierra Leonian democracy to protest this most undemocratic activity. The distinction between this treatment of a sitting Vice President in an elected government and the treatment of a member of a dictatorship is apparently none.
My husband was approached by a mob; was protected by his personal security guards, taken away from the life-threatening situation, and was subsequently 'captured' by members of the same government which provided him with security guards!
My husband has not been allowed to make any statements to the press since his government residence was stormed by the mob. Instead, he has been stripped and forced to walk in public areas naked. The intent to provide maximum humiliation to my husband is clear. Humiliation of this leader who is loved -almost revered- and supported by an impressive organization will not go unnoticed. There can be serious consequences for this government-sanctioned behavior.
I am confident that my husband, when given the opportunity, will provide detailed statements of the state of the Lome Agreement from the perspective of his organization. Rational, interested and responsible persons will want to hear his view of the matter.
I'm attempting to rejoin my husband. He will not want me to travel to see him unless my personal safety =as well as his own personal safety- is assured. Recent events suggest that his personal safety and freedom to move about is in serious doubt. To that end I am in discussions with relevant individuals and organizations regarding the status of my husband.
Thank you.
Fatou Saybana Sankoh (Mrs)