Concord Times (Freetown)
Chernoh Alpha M. Bah
17 December 2007
opinion
The Africanist Movement hereby expresses dismay over the fatal incident that culminated in the police shootings of innocent and defenseless masses in Kono struggling to take control of their resources that are being constantly looted by mercenary companies.
The Africanist Movement wishes to state that the protest of the people of Kono against the destructive and exploitative mining activities of mercenary corporations like Koidu Holdings and Branch Energy represents a critical component of the struggle for self-determination in Sierra Leone. It is a manifestation of the growing desires and aspirations of the poor and exploited masses of our people to challenge the forces that are responsible for the conditions they experience and create a future for their children.
The Africanist Movement would like to remind everyone that Kono is home to the richest diamond mines that produce the world's best and precious diamonds. But since the commencement of diamond mining activities in the country around the 1930s, thousands of diamonds amounting to millions of carats have been extracted and are still being extracted by multinational corporations owned by the British, the United States and the various European nations with no dividends to the people who own these resources.
Today in Kono, there are some ninety (90) multinational corporations including Branch Energy, Mile Stone, Sierra Leone Diamond Company (SLDC), Bridge Resources, Koidu Holdings and a host of others - partly or wholly owned by the British, Americans and other Europeans - that are involved in the exploitation of the diamond resources of our people in Kono. These multinational corporations make millions of dollars regularly in diamond revenues at the expense of the future of the masses of our people whose inalienable rights to access and control their resources are being constantly violated by the dubious and devilish activities of these corporations. It is estimated that about 10 million carats of diamonds is being taken out of Kono every month through the activities of these corporations.
The Africanist Movement sadly notes that while these corporations make huge revenues from the resources, our people in Kono live on less than a dollar a day with no electricity, no good roads, no proper health care system, no pipe borne water and other social services necessary for human existence. For a very long time, our people in Kono have been completely deprived and rendered powerless by the activities of these corporations who often receive protection and guarantees from the government. Regardless of the enormity of resources, it is appalling that our people in Kono are still forced to live in a situation where there is no economic and social infrastructure necessary for growth and development. It is also sad to note that seven of every ten of our children in Kono are found in the diamond mines instead of classrooms. It is disgusting that three of every five pregnant women in Kono die during childbirth due to the absence of clinics and efficient health care delivery. It is also a pity that most of our people in this country have never seen a diamond let alone knows how a diamond looks like.
The Africanist Movement wishes to state this horrendous crimes and abuses inflicted on the masses of the areas where these corporations are located is the product of a state-syndicate and it receives the backings of state actors. More often than not, successive governments whose accession of political power is roguely facilitated by the sponsorship they receive from these corporations are completely unconcerned over the deplorable conditions the people experience as a result of this situation.
The Africanist Movement believes that the brutal response of the police to the democratic demands of our people in Kono for control over their resources is not triggered by a desire to maintain peace and order than a move to protect the interests and property of multinationals who remain culpable of organized theft of the people's resources.
The Africanist Movement therefore calls for the prosecution of every member and shareholder of the management of Koidu Holding, Branch Energy and the other multinational corporations operating in Kono for the egregious human rights violations committed against our people.
We call for an independent inquiry to be undertaken by representatives appointed by the masses to ascertain the amount of diamonds and resources that Koidu Holdings and Branch Energy in particular have extracted and exploited from Sierra Leone.
We equally call for an independent investigation into the police action that has resulted into the deaths and wounding of innocent and defenseless people struggling for their basic democratic rights.
We also call for the urgent relocation and rehabilitation of the more than two thousand families that have been rendered homeless by the operation of Branch Energy and Koidu Holdings.
We demand that all multinational companies operating in Kono should cease operations immediately and unconditionally and pay reparations for the unknown number of diamonds and other resources stolen from our people.
We demand basic social and economic development for our people in Kono who have been left impoverished and isolated by these oppressive conditions.
We call on every African in Sierra Leone and other parts of the world to join and unite with the struggle of our people in Kono to take control of our resources.
Down with multinational corporate exploitation! Down with police violence and brutality! All power to the people!
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I agree with you regarding the fact that Sierra Leone has all those diamonds and yet is one fo the poorest countries in the world... it begs the question "why?" But before you start calling others guilty, be absolutely sure of your facts. Do your research. Are you SURE that the United States has any holdings in Sierra Leone diamonds? My research indicates 'no'. Someone is to blame for how things are there, but be sure before you accuse. And don't seek revenge. Find a way to peacefully reclaim what belongs to Sierra Leone, for her betterment.. So that you and your children can stop being hungry and without work to do.
Gail United States
I agree with you regarding the fact that Sierra Leone has all those diamonds and yet is one fo the poorest countries in the world... it begs the question "why?" But before you start calling others guilty, be absolutely sure of your facts. Do your research. Are you SURE that the United States has any holdings in Sierra Leone diamonds? My research indicates 'no'. Someone is to blame for how things are there, but be sure before you accuse. And don't seek revenge. Find a way to peacefully reclaim what belongs to Sierra Leone, for her betterment.. So that you and your children can stop being hungry and without work to do.
Gail United States
I agree with you regarding the fact that Sierra Leone has all those diamonds and yet is one fo the poorest countries in the world... it begs the question "why?" But before you start calling others guilty, be absolutely sure of your facts. Do your research. Are you SURE that the United States has any holdings in Sierra Leone diamonds? My research indicates 'no'. Someone is to blame for how things are there, but be sure before you accuse. And don't seek revenge. Find a way to peacefully reclaim what belongs to Sierra Leone, for her betterment.. So that you and your children can stop being hungry and without work to do.
Gail United States
I want to first of all thank the Africanist Movement for standing strongly in defence of our poor,helpless Kono people; who have always been mistreated and disrespected by forejgn miners on their owmn soil, in their country.It is only in Sierra Leone it is okay.I have never seen a similar thing in any of the few countries I have been to. The Police Fofce in Sierra Leone has always been used as a tool by all exploiters in that country to violate the rights of the poor citizens of that country for a dollar tip or two.SHAME on the SLP who DO NOT know the rights of their nationals and the values of their badge. I am strongly supportive of the condemnation and that a proper legal action taken against those Police. May the souls of the ones killed rest in perfect peace,the injured ones cured.God bless you and who ever is with you and God bless our new GOVERNMENT. Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year and the entire population in Sierra Leone. Mohamed Timbo, a concern Sierra Leonean living in the U.S.
I want to first of all thank the Africanist Movement for standing strongly in defence of our poor,helpless Kono people; who have always been mistreated and disrespected by forejgn miners on their owmn soil, in their country.It is only in Sierra Leone it is okay.I have never seen a similar thing in any of the few countries I have been to. The Police Fofce in Sierra Leone has always been used as a tool by all exploiters in that country to violate the rights of the poor citizens of that country for a dollar tip or two.SHAME on the SLP who DO NOT know the rights of their nationals and the values of their badge. I am strongly supportive of the condemnation and that a proper legal action taken against those Police. May the souls of the ones killed rest in perfect peace,the injured ones cured.God bless you and who ever is with you and God bless our new GOVERNMENT. Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year and the entire population in Sierra Leone. Mohamed Timbo, a concern Sierra Leonean living in the U.S.
I want to first of all thank the Africanist Movement for standing strongly in defence of our poor,helpless Kono people; whom have always been mistreated and disrespected by forejgn miners on their owmn soil, in their country.It is only in Sierra Leone it is okay.I have never seen a similar thing in any of the few countries I have been to. The Police Fofce in Sierra Leone has always been used as a tool by all exploiters in that country to violate the rights of the poor citizens of that country for a dollar tip or two.SHAME on the SLP whom DO NOT know the rights of their nationals and the values of their badge. I am strongly supportive of the condemnation and that a proper legal action taken against those Police. May the souls of the ones killed rest in perfect peace,the injured ones cured.God bless you and who ever is with you and God bless our new GOVERNMENT. Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year and the entire population in Sierra Leone. Mohamed Timbo, a concern Sierra Leonean living in the U.S.
My dear brother or sister, who in this present time has the government; is it SLPP OR APC. For this said, you be the judge and traced the time this accident or incident happened. I hope you will get in grib with this situation accordingly in our home town and lovely country, Sierra Leone. After 27 yrs and plus with our country in one party's hand; what development do they actually creat or come true in our country, Sierra Leone. Let's stop dissappointing ourselves and look closely to the truth.
Your Brother in Christ and Allah
A BIG SHAME on all those POLICE OFFICIALS who subjected the CITIZENS OF KOIDU to the brutal force in their GOD GIVEN PLACE OF DWELLING, all in the name of EXPATRIATE MINING COMPANIES. YES IT IS ONLY IN SIERRA LEONE that such an activity will be carried out in SILENCE. Firstly all the GUN BEARING POLICE who exhibited such violent force could have been illiterate just obeying orders. Secondly, How come Koidu Mining signed a contract in the midst of DWELLING AREAS to conduct their Mining ACTIVITIES. When there was a sane government in existence in the early sixties, when the Sierra Leone Selection Trust and then in the late seventies when DIMINCO was mining in Yengema, did not the Government provide them with uninhabited areas for them to conduct their mining activities. Why this FREE FOR ALL ACTIVITIES, now taking place in the midst of farming and dwelling areas. PLEASE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF MINES, SEARCH YOUR CONSCIENCE. WHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU FIND MINERALS BEING MINED IN DWELLING AREAS. When BOTSWANA wanted to resettle the Bushmen from their settlement so that they could use it as a mining area, there was outcry and even Court battles that the GOVERNMENT LOST because this could have infringed on the livelihood of the Bushmen and would have caused them unnecessary hardship. PLEASE PEOPLE OF KONO DISTRICT AND GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE, STOP SELLING OUR BIRTHRIGHT TO A FEW GREEDY ROGUES IN THE NAME OF MINING. Who are these CROOKS FROM ALL PLACES LIKE ROMANIA,UKRAINE, CANADA, BRITAIN, who have suddenly become so attracted in the MINING ACTIVITIES IN SIERRA LEONE. If they were so FINANCIALLY RENOWNED?WHY DID THEY NOT SEEK SHARES with DeBEERS and TEMPMESMAN to be able to HAVE MINING CONCESSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA? The reason being is that these are all ROGUES AND CROOKS whose activities could only be encouraged in SIERRA LEONE WHERE THERE ARE NO CHECKS AND BALANCES IN PLACE. WHAT CAN KONO DISTRICT BOAST OF FOR ALL THE DIAMONDS THAT HAVE BEEN EXTRACTED FROM ITS SOIL SINCE THE EARLY 1930, "NOTHING." ONLY ONE KONO SON, The Late Paramount Chief SORIE , of JIAMA SEWAFEH, (MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PERFECT PEACE) was a TRUE SON OF THE KONO DISTRICT. HE HAD A SPINE. He it was that told the SIERRA LEONE SELECTION TRUST, that upon refusal to construct A BRIDGE across the TARFEWAH RIVER leading to his TOWNSHIP, that no MINING WILL BE CONDUCTED in his township. He stood his grounds with the GOVERNMENT OF (The Margias, Stevens ERA.) It was only upon his death thet his Township was ventured into for mining purposes. His town dwellers farmed their land. This man saw the destruction of our beautiful country. He knew how much money SLST was raking out of Sierra Leone. He asked for a simple infrastructure to be built and it was refused. How many of the pits were alligators and crocodiles dwell at ease only to attack our farmers and children enroute to their farms or schools have been refilled after their mining activities. SIERRA LEONE POLICE, PLEASE EDUCATE YOUR RECRUITS SO THAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN PEOPLE RISE UP TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS THEY SHOULD NOT BE KILLED. Please PRESIDENT KOROMA, STOP ALL THE MINING ACTIVITIES IN SIERRA LEONE. STOP THE PROSTITUTION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. Send your Minister of Mines to BOTSWANA AND SOUTH AFRICA to study the type of MINING ACTIVITIES THEY HAVE IN PLACE so that for once, SIERRA LEONE CAN INSTITUTE THAT MODEL. OUR COUNTRY IS TOO FREE, we have allowed every CROOKED INDIVIDUAL WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO TRAMPLE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE INNOCENT only for PITTANCE that they will receive from these SO-CALLED MINING CROOKS.