CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM THE NATIONWIDE TOUR OF PRESIDENT KABBAH TO CROWN THE 60 NEW PARAMOUNT CHIEFS AND THANK THE PEOPLE OF SIERRA LEONE
January 26th to January
30th 2003
1. Sixty Paramount Chiefs elected were recognised and therefore officially became Paramount chiefs. This itself is unprecedented in the history of Sierra Leone.
2. There are three more
vacancies. Elections in the areas concerned did not take place because of
logistics problems but arrangements are being made for these elections to be
held at the earliest opportunity
3. The calibre and relevant
experience of those elected is impressive and has the potential of contributing
to the consolidation of the peace and the promotion and improvement of the good
governance structure and maintenance of law and order at the chiefdom level
which is the foundation of National Security and subsequent Development.
4. The people of Sierra
Leone have concluded that the chieftaincy elections were conducted in a free,
fair and transparent manner. The people themselves elected their own chiefs without
any interference. This gives the President the assurance that they will work
together since the newly elected chiefs are their own choice and will
communicate well with them.
5. The main purpose for the
visit apart from the recognition of chiefs was to explain to the people in the
provinces governments policies with regard to the new governance structure at
the chiefdom level. With the people not knowing what type of structures that
will govern them, this may lead to suspicion and unnecessary conflict.
6. The chiefs, by consulting
their people and building consensus, they will be able to carry the people with
them and thus enable them to embark on activities for the development of the
chiefdoms. The process of regular
consultation will also get rumour peddlers out of business and thereby prevent
unnecessary conflict.
7. Another experience from
all this, is that the people of this country are in the process of changing
their attitude by subordinating their personal interests to that of the nation. President Kabbah was highly impressed to see
the people from the North officially attending meetings in the East and South
and carrying goodwill messages and gifts to the newly elected chiefs. The East and South also reciprocated in the
North.
8. The President severally
stated as follows, ...those who have written Sierra Leone off, I have a
message for you. I can now categorically say that there is hope. Sierra Leone
will make it. Sierra Leone will be a great, prosperous and rich country.
9. Speaking to reporters on
his return to Freetown, the President stated that another very impressive
development was when him and his entourage arrived in Makeni and there were
placards by the APC welcoming us and the APC as a political party even gave
presents to me. The same happened again in Port Loko.
10. We can hold different
political views but that should not interfere with our interpersonal relations,
or to those who hold very high national positions. In a healthy opposition, the
government of the day will be on its toes to make sure that they are careful to
ensure that the people receive the services they need and deserve. President
Kabbah stated.
11. Politics is about policies
and delivery of services to the people and it is for political parties to
gain the confidence of the people by providing the services they need, not
to kill, maim, loot and destroy personal properties. It is my sincere hope
and prayer that this new development will be sustained. The President continued
in his remarks.
12. Somehow, this spirit has
reached Freetown from statements made at the public gathering at the Victoria
Park in Freetown on Wednesday January 29th 2003. Meanwhile the historic event
has been described as a resounding success nationwide. In Kenema, Bo, Makeni
and Port Loko, large crowds, together with local traditional chiefs, elders,
young men and women, all poured out to welcome President Kabbah.
13. It was euphoric and colourful
and even the President could not hold back his emotions when he stated in
Makeni that he found great pride in the new spirit of nationalism and brotherliness
that now permeates the Sierra Leonean society East, West, North and South.