UNDP, IRC-SL & TRC on reconciliation drive

A high-powered team of religious leaders of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone IRC SL, will next week embark on their second leg of community reconciliation in the northeast of the country.

Abdul Kuyateh picks the story: The delegation, which will be made up of a cross section of the executive of the IRC-SL and representatives of the TRC, will visit Kono in the east and Tonkolili and Bombali districts in the north.

Courtesy calls to provincial administrators, chiefdom and district authorities will form part of the mission, to culminate in the performance of traditional rites and ceremonies in various communities of the three districts geared towards healing the deep wounds of the war and setting the basis for true community reconciliation to hold.

Last week, the delegation visited three districts in the south-east including Moyamba, Bo and Kenema districts.

At Mayolo village in the Moyamba district, the religious leaders were received by excited community members longing for the opportunity to pay their last respects to relatives who were brutally murdered during the war.

At a ceremony held in the court barry, terror stories of amputations, brutal murders, inhuman treatment, rape and arson were recounted amidst running tears.

Among the testifiers was about 60 years old Jenneh Mustapha. She recalled February 18, 1996, when the rebels struck the village and how she was gang raped and many people killed.

A visit was made to the mass grave, where about hundred people were said to be burried.

Christian and Muslim prayers were said and traditional rites performed in honour of the dead at the side of the grave.

The team then departed for Dama chiefdom in the Kenema district, enroute Bo.

At Kpandebu village in Dama, the occasion was well attended. At the high table, were the paramount chief of Dama chiefdom, PC Momoh Fowai I, the Hon. Member of Parliament Dr Francis B. Momoh, chiefdom speaker, members of the IRC-SL and UNDP expert, Sylvia Fletcher to grace the occasion.

In his welcome address PC Sandi Momoh Fowai lauded IRC-SL for their invaluable efforts in mending the broken hearts left behind by the bloody war in Sierra Leone.

He particularly noted the role played by the IRC-SL on the difficult path to peace in Sierra Leone, making reference to the Abidjan Peace Talks.

Chief Fowai expressed gratitude for the encouraging turn out especially of his section chiefs; though at a very short notice.

He described the event as a "land mark" in the reconciliation process since the bloody chapter of war ended, adding that "many people were killed during the war including my predecessor" all of whom need a befitting memorial service.

In essence, the chief said that he heartily welcomed IRC-SL in his chiefdom.

Making his remarks, Rev. Moses Khanu of the IRC-SL, said that his organization did not intend to "refresh the bitter memories of war by embarking on community based reconciliation", but to "allow you to say something for true healing to take place".

He told the gathering that the objective of the project was to ensure the performance of the relevant traditional cleansing on reconciliation and to offer prayers for the departed souls.

He warned against revenge, which he said would lead to a vicious cycle and stressed the need to put "this sad chapter behind us".

The Secretary General of IRC-SL Alimany P Koroma, extended fraternal greetings from HE, President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah and reiterated the objective for which the TRC was set up, adding that reconciliation should come from the community.

Pledging the support of his organization at all times, Koroma thanked the people for their "courage and bold step towards reconciliation".

Making brief remarks, UNDP Senior Governance Advisor, Ms Sylvia Fletcher said that the "memorial is about honouring, remembering and consecrating those who died in the war".

Ms Fletcher lauded government's decentralization policy and urged community members to dialogue with their new councillors.

She urged the people to work for the future and forgive.

Statements were also made by the Hon. MP Dr Francis Momoh , district councillor Fatmata Bendu Dasama.

Quranic recital led by Sheik A.B.S. Conteh and a visit to the mass grave where traditional ceremonies were performed marked the high points of the event.

The team left Kenema for Freetown on Friday 13th August 2004, comprising Rev.Moses Khanu, Sheik A.B.S. Conteh, Rev.Tom Bernnett, Rev. Sorie B.Kamanda, Madam Mabel, A.P.Koroma, Rev. Henry Sammuels and Alhaji Dr Abdulai Babatunde.

The youth leader Ahmed Dambi gave the vote of thanks.

The Community based Reconciliation project was born in the aftermath of the TRC to continue with the healing process at grass root level.

Funded by the UNDP, the project kicked off with a TOT workshop held in mid November 2003.

The workshop drew participants appointed by the community from the twelve districts, including the western area.

Known as district coordinators, the participants were mandated to take the message of reconciliation to their various communities through chiefdom and district workshops and the identification of community based reconciliation activities, now in full swing.