Posted by THE POOL NEWSPAPER on March 04, 2000 at 01:54:37:
Exclusive interview with Chairman Foday Saybana Sankoh
Following the recent uproar surrounding his trip to
South Africa and Ivory Coast, the Pool Investigative
team led by Managing Editor, Chernor Ojuku Sesay,
assisted by able lieutenants including Editor, Osman
F. Koroma, Political Editor, Augustus Mye-Kamara,
Sports Editor, Sorie Ibrahim Sesay and Photo
Journalist, Abu Whyte Fofanah, had an exclusive
interview with Chairman Foday Sankoh last Wednesday at
his Spur Road residence. Sankoh threw light on
pertinent issues relating to his relationship with
UNAMSIL, the disarmament process and his vision for
Sierra Leone.
The reader has a choice. Please read the full
interview.
The Pool (TP): What was your feeling about the uproar
which your trip abroad caused?
Foday Sankoh (FS): Thank you very much. First of all,
I consider it as both an internal and external
conspiracy to discredit the leadership of the RUF,
which I think some politicians are responsible. This
is no allegation; it is a conspiracy. President
Kabbah thinks that he can use his international
influence to destroy my image. But I am not really
worried. I know all they were saying was just
fabrication.
TP: Which countries did you visit?
FS: The Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa.
In fact, I did not go there on a visit. I went see my
physician in Cote d’Ivoire who directed me to South
Africa. And I received my medical treatment. Now
listen, the South Africans have far more advanced
medical facilities. They can do all types of tests
just as in Europe. So South Africa is advanced. No
need for me to go to Paris, I denied. I was given an
alternative and I had to choose South Africa.
TP: What you are saying is that your physician advised
you to go to South Africa.
FS: Of course, yes.
TP: There were allegations that you went to South
Africa to sell diamonds.
FS: It is all nonsense. I know they are trying to
destroy my image. I am totally against corruption.
If you could remember during my last press conference,
I made it known to you [journalists] that there were
very influential people, including top cabinet
ministers that are involved in mining our diamonds,
together with some Lebanese in Bo and Kenema. So
therefore, they are trying to revenge by making these
wild allegations just to destroy the RUF. Why should
I be so callous as to take diamonds out of Sierra
Leone for sale in South Africa?
TP: Do you have any relationship, business or
otherwise, with one Morie Kabbah?
FS: He is my brother. All Sierra Leoneans in this
country are my brothers and sisters. I am not a
businessman. I am a politician. I will never deny
him. He has been visiting me. He is interested in
the RUF ideology. Why should I not talk to him?
TP: There were allegations from various quarters,
especially the press, that this Morie Kabbah
facilitated your trip to South Africa to transact the
diamond business.
FS: Not for business. I am not a businessman. I don’t
deal in diamonds. I am the Chairman for the Strategic
Minerals Commission. People from all over the globe
can meet me, and I need their help to see how best we
can build this country. What they are saying is utter
nonsense. No wonder they are trying to sabotage the
commission.S
TP: Was it true that you were deported from South
Africa?
FS: No, man, no. I spent almost a week in South
Africa. In fact I was received by a top government
official. I was given a visa in La Cote d’Ivoire by
the South African embassy in Abidjan. Nobody deported
me. I travelled with the Ivorian Foreign Minister who
was returning from, I think, Alegria. We met at the
airport and all of us travelled to Abidjan.
TP: From South Africa, what was your next port of
call? Where did you go next?
FS: Cote d’Ivoire, Abidjan. I was there waiting for
Ghana Airways.
TP: Speculations are rife that you ordered your men to
continue mining precious minerals in spite of your ban
on ilicit mining.
FS: This is again absolute nonsense. Sankoh is
against corruption. Why should I order my men to
mine. Why should I join the corrupt politicians in
raping this country? Mind you, if I want to get rich,
I will not go into the bush to fight war to liberate
this country. The onus lies on them to prove that my
men are engaged in mining. I am telling you that this
is rather a political and psychological warfare just
to kill the RUF. While they were mining in Bo, Kenema
and Tongo, I ordered that it be stopped. But they are
still refusing to obey that order. Travel through the
Bo - Kenema highway and see people mining there.
TP: What is the relationship between you and UNAMSIL?
FS: My dear brothers, as far as our [RUF] position is
concerned, we are here for peace. So, we are ready to
work with whosoever is ready to bring peace to Sierra
Leone. But they should realise that we are governed
by the Lome Peace Agreement. I don’t want to know how
they came as a peace keeping force. The Lome peace
accord talks about transforming the ECOMOG
intervention force into a peace keeping force. This
was agreed on the 6th July before signing the accord
on the 7th. But because our people need peace in this
country, we can move with anybody. This is not a case
of relationship. I do not believe in sentiments. I
want somebody who can work to bring peace to this
country.
TP: From the press releases issued by UNAMSIL, it
seems as if the snail’s pace of the disarmament
process is as a direct result of your non-compliance.
FS: Don’t mind them. They are used by the SLPP
politicians who want everything to their advantage.
All the parties should disarm - all militias, be it
RUF,CDF,or the former SLAs who were with us in the
bush. Now, they are nursing the SLAs to fight the
RUF. If that is so, then they are here to destroy the
peace accord. Why should they pay monthly salaries to
the ex-SLAs? Now the UNAMSIL people are saying if
necessary, they will use force. Use force on who? We
are ready to disarm, we have been disarming. Nobody
should dictate to us or force us. The language of
force is unacceptable to the RUF. We will never
accept that.
TP: Well, this is exactly our next question. There
are suggestions in many quarters that UNAMSIL should
use force to deploy, if necessary.
FS: Then it is another war. We are not going to fight
but we will defend ourselves. For the sake of the
people, we will never encourage anybody to use force
in this country nor will we allow somebody to provoke
us to start it. We are not here for war. There is no
more war in this country. We are for peace because we
believe in democracy. That is why we are now a
political party. It is no more war but a political
struggle now. UNAMSIL should not interfere in the
political struggle of the country. They are here to
keep the peace. We expect them to be neutral. The
language of force is out of vogue. Let them forget
about it. Using force if necessary - what does that
mean?
TP: There were allegations of a shoot-out between the
RUF and UNAMSIL peace keepers at Pepel. Are you aware
of that?
FS: (laughs) It is all false; it is a lie. If there
is single gun shot in this country again, believe me
they will never see the day. There was no fighting
there. They [UNAMSIL] are just trying to cause
problems by provoking the RUF personnel. Believe you
me, the RUF are no more combatants; they are political
cadres who do not believe in fighting again. So, they
are lying.
TP: They are also saying that your men are creating
road blocks thereby preventing them from deploying in
certain parts of the country.
FS: They have to do the right thing. They have to
respect the High command and leadership of the RUF. We
are not controlling any place. My men have already
disarmed. It is just a matter of their commanders
handing over their guns. What we are saying is that,
let us live in peace because of our people. But it
seems as if they are singing a different tune. Because
of one man? There is no more arms struggle. It is a
political struggle. They know that things are going on
the side of the RUF. There is a swing in the political
struggle. So the only people the SLPP government can
use are the United Nations Peace keeping forces. In
fact they are saying that ECOMOG should leave before
the next general elections.Why should that happen? We
are too sensitive. It does not mean that when they
take the arms from us, they should marginalise us. No.
They are harassing and intimidating our supporters.
They are even marginalising RUF ministers and deputy
ministers. There are also rumours of plans to kidnap
top RUF members. Now let me tell you this: There is a
ploy to arrest me if I refuse to comply with UNAMSIL.
But they have to be very careful. I always get
everything they discuss at State House or in Kabbah’s
lodge.
TP: This brings us to the next question. Your men are
alleging that there are mischievous plans to arrest
you and some RUF top brass. What about that?
FS: Actually that suggestion was made and the planning
is still going on. Fortunately, the RUF leadership is
well informed of every move they make. When I was in
South Africa, people called me from the United States
and Britain, telling me of the plan to arrest me.
They even suggested that I do not return again. But I
say no to them because some would interprete it to
mean I ran away from Sierra Leone.
TP: But in case, say, tomorrow morning you are
arrested?
FS: Arrested? Let them try it. Anyway, my political
cadres will answer that question.
TP: By the way sir, why is it that your party has
still not been issued with a final registration
certificate?
FS: Well, there are rules and regulations governing
that. They say I must have an office in the centre of
town. I sent a proposal to the INEC telling them that
I do have a house but it is not in the centre. But
they did not agree to that. The problem now is that
politicians are sabotaging every move we make to
acquire an office. The other day, we paid for an
office right in the heart of the city only to
experience some problems. It is definite that we are
going to get an office. I believe in the terms of the
peace accord. They are joking.
TP: Some politicians are suggesting that disarmament
takes precedence over elections. Do you agree with
their view?
FS: My dear brother, we are ready to disarm today to
make way for the elections. Look, we are not
answerable to any politician or what have you . The
peace accord is our Bible.
TP: How strong is your party nationwide?
FS: (Laughs) Hundred percent, plus, plus.
TP: There has been a lot of noise about your departure
culminating in your not informing the leadership of
this country and obtaining authorization from
UNAMSIL. Any comment?
FS: God and Sheik Nabay are my witnesses. Before my
departure, I informed President Kabbah well ahead of
time, two months, to be precise. He said he had no
problem with that. But the problem there now is
honesty and sincerity. We met and discussed my trip
and he said I should talk to the United Nations. I
told him that I had no business with the UN. He is my
executive President and I am answerable to him. I
believe he had the power to do everything possible to
facilitate my travel. So, talking to the Special
Representative, to me, meant subduing my status as
Vice President. Again, it means the diplomatic
passport I am carrying is just a farce. However, I
spoke at length with the UN man here when he visited
me, and I believe we thrashed out that issue. I also
informed ECOMOG though the Commander was not here by
then. But Buhari Musa was aware of that. I got a
police clearance, though it was a humiliation on my
part. My Commander and political cadres are harassed
on a daily basis. How do you think my men will act?
So you see, we have to be very careful in this country
not to derail the peace process. Do not provoke us as
we will never yield to that. Our people need peace in
this country. I am back in Freetown; I will never run
away, and of course we will not go into the bush
again. All of us are going to stay right here in
Freetown. The only thing is that we all should
realise that the people are tired of war. We should
give them peace. It is not easy but we have to try
hard.
TP: Do you have plans to travel abroad soon?
FS: No, I was supposed to travel to Mali but
Icancelled the trip because I had an inkling that
there were plans to arrest me. If t hat is so, then
let it happen in my country. Come and arrest me in
this house (laughs) and not at the airport. A man’s
best security is himself. So I cancelled the trip and
sent the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mike Lamin,
Sheik Nabay and a Secretary to represent me.
TP: During a discussion programme over 96.2 FM radio
station, Hinga Norman suggested that the RUF
combatants disarm first before the kamajors because
you are the aggressors. What is your view?
FS: I don’t blame Hinga Norman at all for making such
an irrelevant statement. The Lome Peace Accord does
not specify who to disarm first. I do not blame him
at all. Norman was arrested by my men in 1995 but I
ordered his release because I took him to be a
brother. But the next time he tries, it will be
different. We were in the army together dating as far
back as 1954 when he was in the Boys’ Platoon in the
first battalion. He was a boy soldier. We were
promoted to the rank of Corporal and later, he became
a commissioned officer in 1963 while I and former
President Momoh were in Kaduna. So you see, I know
him very well. Remember, Norman was tried for plotting
a coup in 1967. Just forget about the lucky Hinga
Norman. Ours is a liberation struggle. We fight
against the enemy of the people. But now, it is time
for peace and not war. In fact let me tell you that I
will never sit together with Norman in any radio
conversation. I will not do that. Norman still wants
to fight. As I am talking to you, he is getting arms
in a particular place around Sierra Rutile. They are
getting arms, let me tell you. Kamajors are in
Bonthe, training daily. This is a threat to both the
leadership of this country and the people of Sierra
Leone. I am getting all the necessary information
from the very heart of the government.
TP: Recently, Johnny Paul Koroma told parliament that
his boys at Okra Hills would not disarm because the
RUF had plans to invade the city. Do you have any
knowledge of such a diabolical plan?
FS: Leave Johnny Paul to say what he wants to say. He
knows he has failed this nation. He tasted power and
was overthrown because of his foolishness. If I were
in that seat, nobody could have shaken me off it. But
because he acquiesced to the words of old politicians,
he failed. He let down the people and caused
thousands to die as junta collaborators. I am here.
Nobody will take me out of Freetown. Forget about
him. He is my brother.
TP: What is your relationship with your wife?
FS: Cordial. In any society, there must be problems.
In fact, there are more problems in the home than
anywhere else. You can call it privacy, but we the
leaders should accept criticisms. However, the
criticisms should be constructive. I am a human being
like any other person. Let me take this opportunity
to advise my brothers that are here. The krio proverb
says, “If you ose nor sell you, trit nor go buy you”.
If I have any problem with my wife, I don’t think
somebody should take it to the press. I don’t blame
the journalists, I blame the system. If the system is
rotten, everything is rotten. The journalists need
money to fund their papers. So they will do anything
to get it. I am not bothered by their writings. No,
I am not. History is there to tell. My wife and I
were responsible for not controlling our emotions. I
am a man who does not take nonsense from anybody,
including my wife. In order to be Sankoh’s wife you
have to be liberated. I am a liberated man. We say
the struggle of the soul. That woman will never be my
wife if she is not liberated. The papers can write
what they want to write. I am not bothered as long as
I am doing the right thing.
TP: Finally Sir, what is your vision for Sierra leone?
Exclusive interview with Chairman Foday Saybana Sankoh
Following the recent uproar surrounding his trip to
South Africa and Ivory Coast, the Pool Investigative
team led by Managing Editor, Chernor Ojuku Sesay,
assisted by able lieutenants including Editor, Osman
F. Koroma, Political Editor, Augustus Mye-Kamara,
Sports Editor, Sorie Ibrahim Sesay and Photo
Journalist, Abu Whyte Fofanah, had an exclusive
interview with Chairman Foday Sankoh last Wednesday at
his Spur Road residence. Sankoh threw light on
pertinent issues relating to his relationship with
UNAMSIL, the disarmament process and his vision for
Sierra Leone.
The reader has a choice. Please read the full
interview on pages 2 and 3.
Now read on:
The Pool (TP): What was your feeling about the uproar
which your trip abroad caused?
Foday Sankoh (FS): Thank you very much. First of all,
I consider it as both an internal and external
conspiracy to discredit the leadership of the RUF,
which I think some politicians are responsible. This
is no allegation; it is a conspiracy. President
Kabbah thinks that he can use his international
influence to destroy my image. But I am not really
worried. I know all they were saying was just
fabrication.
TP: Which countries did you visit?
FS: The Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa.
In fact, I did not go there on a visit. I went see my
physician in Cote d’Ivoire who directed me to South
Africa. And I received my medical treatment. Now
listen, the South Africans have far more advanced
medical facilities. They can do all types of tests
just as in Europe. So South Africa is advanced. No
need for me to go to Paris, I denied. I was given an
alternative and I had to choose South Africa.
TP: What you are saying is that your physician advised
you to go to South Africa.
FS: Of course, yes.
TP: There were allegations that you went to South
Africa to sell diamonds.
FS: It is all nonsense. I know they are trying to
destroy my image. I am totally against corruption.
If you could remember during my last press conference,
I made it known to you [journalists] that there were
very influential people, including top cabinet
ministers that are involved in mining our diamonds,
together with some Lebanese in Bo and Kenema. So
therefore, they are trying to revenge by making these
wild allegations just to destroy the RUF. Why should
I be so callous as to take diamonds out of Sierra
Leone for sale in South Africa?
TP: Do you have any relationship, business or
otherwise, with one Morie Kabbah?
FS: He is my brother. All Sierra Leoneans in this
country are my brothers and sisters. I am not a
businessman. I am a politician. I will never deny
him. He has been visiting me. He is interested in
the RUF ideology. Why should I not talk to him?
TP: There were allegations from various quarters,
especially the press, that this Morie Kabbah
facilitated your trip to South Africa to transact the
diamond business.
FS: Not for business. I am not a businessman. I don’t
deal in diamonds. I am the Chairman for the Strategic
Minerals Commission. People from all over the globe
can meet me, and I need their help to see how best we
can build this country. What they are saying is utter
nonsense. No wonder they are trying to sabotage the
commission.S
TP: Was it true that you were deported from South
Africa?
FS: No, man, no. I spent almost a week in South
Africa. In fact I was received by a top government
official. I was given a visa in La Cote d’Ivoire by
the South African embassy in Abidjan. Nobody deported
me. I travelled with the Ivorian Foreign Minister who
was returning from, I think, Alegria. We met at the
airport and all of us travelled to Abidjan.
TP: From South Africa, what was your next port of
call? Where did you go next?
FS: Cote d’Ivoire, Abidjan. I was there waiting for
Ghana Airways.
TP: Speculations are rife that you ordered your men to
continue mining precious minerals in spite of your ban
on ilicit mining.
FS: This is again absolute nonsense. Sankoh is
against corruption. Why should I order my men to
mine. Why should I join the corrupt politicians in
raping this country? Mind you, if I want to get rich,
I will not go into the bush to fight war to liberate
this country. The onus lies on them to prove that my
men are engaged in mining. I am telling you that this
is rather a political and psychological warfare just
to kill the RUF. While they were mining in Bo, Kenema
and Tongo, I ordered that it be stopped. But they are
still refusing to obey that order. Travel through the
Bo - Kenema highway and see people mining there.
TP: What is the relationship between you and UNAMSIL?
FS: My dear brothers, as far as our [RUF] position is
concerned, we are here for peace. So, we are ready to
work with whosoever is ready to bring peace to Sierra
Leone. But they should realise that we are governed
by the Lome Peace Agreement. I don’t want to know how
they came as a peace keeping force. The Lome peace
accord talks about transforming the ECOMOG
intervention force into a peace keeping force. This
was agreed on the 6th July before signing the accord
on the 7th. But because our people need peace in this
country, we can move with anybody. This is not a case
of relationship. I do not believe in sentiments. I
want somebody who can work to bring peace to this
country.
TP: From the press releases issued by UNAMSIL, it
seems as if the snail’s pace of the disarmament
process is as a direct result of your non-compliance.
FS: Don’t mind them. They are used by the SLPP
politicians who want everything to their advantage.
All the parties should disarm - all militias, be it
RUF,CDF,or the former SLAs who were with us in the
bush. Now, they are nursing the SLAs to fight the
RUF. If that is so, then they are here to destroy the
peace accord. Why should they pay monthly salaries to
the ex-SLAs? Now the UNAMSIL people are saying if
necessary, they will use force. Use force on who? We
are ready to disarm, we have been disarming. Nobody
should dictate to us or force us. The language of
force is unacceptable to the RUF. We will never
accept that.
TP: Well, this is exactly our next question. There
are suggestions in many quarters that UNAMSIL should
use force to deploy, if necessary.
FS: Then it is another war. We are not going to fight
but we will defend ourselves. For the sake of the
people, we will never encourage anybody to use force
in this country nor will we allow somebody to provoke
us to start it. We are not here for war. There is no
more war in this country. We are for peace because we
believe in democracy. That is why we are now a
political party. It is no more war but a political
struggle now. UNAMSIL should not interfere in the
political struggle of the country. They are here to
keep the peace. We expect them to be neutral. The
language of force is out of vogue. Let them forget
about it. Using force if necessary - what does that
mean?
TP: There were allegations of a shoot-out between the
RUF and UNAMSIL peace keepers at Pepel. Are you aware
of that?
FS: (laughs) It is all false; it is a lie. If there
is single gun shot in this country again, believe me
they will never see the day. There was no fighting
there. They [UNAMSIL] are just trying to cause
problems by provoking the RUF personnel. Believe you
me, the RUF are no more combatants; they are political
cadres who do not believe in fighting again. So, they
are lying.
TP: They are also saying that your men are creating
road blocks thereby preventing them from deploying in
certain parts of the country.
FS: They have to do the right thing. They have to
respect the High command and leadership of the RUF. We
are not controlling any place. My men have already
disarmed. It is just a matter of their commanders
handing over their guns. What we are saying is that,
let us live in peace because of our people. But it
seems as if they are singing a different tune. Because
of one man? There is no more arms struggle. It is a
political struggle. They know that things are going on
the side of the RUF. There is a swing in the political
struggle. So the only people the SLPP government can
use are the United Nations Peace keeping forces. In
fact they are saying that ECOMOG should leave before
the next general elections.Why should that happen? We
are too sensitive. It does not mean that when they
take the arms from us, they should marginalise us. No.
They are harassing and intimidating our supporters.
They are even marginalising RUF ministers and deputy
ministers. There are also rumours of plans to kidnap
top RUF members. Now let me tell you this: There is a
ploy to arrest me if I refuse to comply with UNAMSIL.
But they have to be very careful. I always get
everything they discuss at State House or in Kabbah’s
lodge.
TP: This brings us to the next question. Your men are
alleging that there are mischievous plans to arrest
you and some RUF top brass. What about that?
FS: Actually that suggestion was made and the planning
is still going on. Fortunately, the RUF leadership is
well informed of every move they make. When I was in
South Africa, people called me from the United States
and Britain, telling me of the plan to arrest me.
They even suggested that I do not return again. But I
say no to them because some would interprete it to
mean I ran away from Sierra Leone.
TP: But in case, say, tomorrow morning you are
arrested?
FS: Arrested? Let them try it. Anyway, my political
cadres will answer that question.
TP: By the way sir, why is it that your party has
still not been issued with a final registration
certificate?
FS: Well, there are rules and regulations governing
that. They say I must have an office in the centre of
town. I sent a proposal to the INEC telling them that
I do have a house but it is not in the centre. But
they did not agree to that. The problem now is that
politicians are sabotaging every move we make to
acquire an office. The other day, we paid for an
office right in the heart of the city only to
experience some problems. It is definite that we are
going to get an office. I believe in the terms of the
peace accord. They are joking.
TP: Some politicians are suggesting that disarmament
takes precedence over elections. Do you agree with
their view?
FS: My dear brother, we are ready to disarm today to
make way for the elections. Look, we are not
answerable to any politician or what have you . The
peace accord is our Bible.
TP: How strong is your party nationwide?
FS: (Laughs) Hundred percent, plus, plus.
TP: There has been a lot of noise about your departure
culminating in your not informing the leadership of
this country and obtaining authorization from
UNAMSIL. Any comment?
FS: God and Sheik Nabay are my witnesses. Before my
departure, I informed President Kabbah well ahead of
time, two months, to be precise. He said he had no
problem with that. But the problem there now is
honesty and sincerity. We met and discussed my trip
and he said I should talk to the United Nations. I
told him that I had no business with the UN. He is my
executive President and I am answerable to him. I
believe he had the power to do everything possible to
facilitate my travel. So, talking to the Special
Representative, to me, meant subduing my status as
Vice President. Again, it means the diplomatic
passport I am carrying is just a farce. However, I
spoke at length with the UN man here when he visited
me, and I believe we thrashed out that issue. I also
informed ECOMOG though the Commander was not here by
then. But Buhari Musa was aware of that. I got a
police clearance, though it was a humiliation on my
part. My Commander and political cadres are harassed
on a daily basis. How do you think my men will act?
So you see, we have to be very careful in this country
not to derail the peace process. Do not provoke us as
we will never yield to that. Our people need peace in
this country. I am back in Freetown; I will never run
away, and of course we will not go into the bush
again. All of us are going to stay right here in
Freetown. The only thing is that we all should
realise that the people are tired of war. We should
give them peace. It is not easy but we have to try
hard.
TP: Do you have plans to travel abroad soon?
FS: No, I was supposed to travel to Mali but
Icancelled the trip because I had an inkling that
there were plans to arrest me. If t hat is so, then
let it happen in my country. Come and arrest me in
this house (laughs) and not at the airport. A man’s
best security is himself. So I cancelled the trip and
sent the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mike Lamin,
Sheik Nabay and a Secretary to represent me.
TP: During a discussion programme over 96.2 FM radio
station, Hinga Norman suggested that the RUF
combatants disarm first before the kamajors because
you are the aggressors. What is your view?
FS: I don’t blame Hinga Norman at all for making such
an irrelevant statement. The Lome Peace Accord does
not specify who to disarm first. I do not blame him
at all. Norman was arrested by my men in 1995 but I
ordered his release because I took him to be a
brother. But the next time he tries, it will be
different. We were in the army together dating as far
back as 1954 when he was in the Boys’ Platoon in the
first battalion. He was a boy soldier. We were
promoted to the rank of Corporal and later, he became
a commissioned officer in 1963 while I and former
President Momoh were in Kaduna. So you see, I know
him very well. Remember, Norman was tried for plotting
a coup in 1967. Just forget about the lucky Hinga
Norman. Ours is a liberation struggle. We fight
against the enemy of the people. But now, it is time
for peace and not war. In fact let me tell you that I
will never sit together with Norman in any radio
conversation. I will not do that. Norman still wants
to fight. As I am talking to you, he is getting arms
in a particular place around Sierra Rutile. They are
getting arms, let me tell you. Kamajors are in
Bonthe, training daily. This is a threat to both the
leadership of this country and the people of Sierra
Leone. I am getting all the necessary information
from the very heart of the government.
TP: Recently, Johnny Paul Koroma told parliament that
his boys at Okra Hills would not disarm because the
RUF had plans to invade the city. Do you have any
knowledge of such a diabolical plan?
FS: Leave Johnny Paul to say what he wants to say. He
knows he has failed this nation. He tasted power and
was overthrown because of his foolishness. If I were
in that seat, nobody could have shaken me off it. But
because he acquiesced to the words of old politicians,
he failed. He let down the people and caused
thousands to die as junta collaborators. I am here.
Nobody will take me out of Freetown. Forget about
him. He is my brother.
TP: What is your relationship with your wife?
FS: Cordial. In any society, there must be problems.
In fact, there are more problems in the home than
anywhere else. You can call it privacy, but we the
leaders should accept criticisms. However, the
criticisms should be constructive. I am a human being
like any other person. Let me take this opportunity
to advise my brothers that are here. The krio proverb
says, “If you ose nor sell you, trit nor go buy you”.
If I have any problem with my wife, I don’t think
somebody should take it to the press. I don’t blame
the journalists, I blame the system. If the system is
rotten, everything is rotten. The journalists need
money to fund their papers. So they will do anything
to get it. I am not bothered by their writings. No,
I am not. History is there to tell. My wife and I
were responsible for not controlling our emotions. I
am a man who does not take nonsense from anybody,
including my wife. In order to be Sankoh’s wife you
have to be liberated. I am a liberated man. We say
the struggle of the soul. That woman will never be my
wife if she is not liberated. The papers can write
what they want to write. I am not bothered as long as
I am doing the right thing.
TP: Finally Sir, what is your vision for Sierra leone?
FS: (Laughs) My vision? Oh, bright with the
cooperation of the people. I want Sierra Leone to be
the Athens of not only West Africa but Africa as a
whole whereby you and I will enjoy the fruits of our
labour.
This cannot be the task of one man. We have to break
tribalism, nepotism, sectionalism and corruption. My
vision for this country is for generations yet unborn
to reap the fruits of our labour. We should therefore
build a strong foundation which will serve as a
springboard for development. All hands should be on
deck to build this country today so that our children
will say our fathers were noble men. The future for
this country is bright and beautiful.
FS: (Laughs) My vision? Oh, bright with the
cooperation of the people. I want Sierra Leone to be
the Athens of not only West Africa but Africa as a
whole whereby you and I will enjoy the fruits of our
labour. This cannot be the task of one man. We have
to break tribalism, nepotism, sectionalism and
corruption. My vision for this country is for
generations yet unborn to reap the fruits of our
labour. We should therefore build a strong foundation
which will serve as a springboard for development.
All hands should be on deck to build this country
today so that our children will say our fathers were
noble men. The future for this country is bright and
beautiful.