ANOTHER SCENE OPENS IN THE UNENDING MUSA TOMBO DRAMA
It’s now clear that the stabilization job that Bo Rangers tried to do on Musa Tombo did not end as expected. Even with his contractual period with the football champions of Sierra Leone there were moments of high tension and unnecessary drama. Bo Rangers were patient – possibly they wanted to be in the position in which they find themselves today. Now they are able to tell the world that with the Musa Tombo case they did their best to rescue the career of a man of huge talent on the football field but totally out of range with accepted standards of modern organizational behaviour.
From the look of things Musa Tombo has started this scene in the drama of his life by throwing down a challenge to the integrity of one of the prominent lawyers of our time who also own the new premier league outfit, Luawa FC. Lawyer Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai went on social media and announced that he had managed to free Tombo from the choking grip of the Libyan club that he refused to play for after signing a contract with them. He then said that Tombo had also agreed personal terms with his club and he was now their man. Within minutes of that report going viral, Tombo sent out a video describing it as FAKE.
We had no reason to cast doubt on what Lawyer Abdulai published because he is a man we respect so we took Tombo’s denial with the proverbial pinch of salt. Anyway, here’s what we think in this new scene:
1. Tombo definitely cooperated with Luawa to get him off the hook with the foreigners in Libya, believing that he could blackmail his way out of the contractual tight corner as long as it’s left with a local club.
2. Tombo is not as stupid as some people make him out to be. He also has sophisticated minds in the background remote controlling his actions for financial gain. The next few weeks would clearly reveal the reasoning behind this position.
3. We are not among those few but very loud Sierra Leoneans that are not tired of being fooled by Tombo’s displays on and off the field, like walking along a street in Bo with just his boxer’s pants. He should try another trick to deserve our sympathy.
4. He is now at a point of no return in his directionless career. Luawa FC is probably tougher than the Libyans and he is not the star player he was when he was at EE Lions or in his first season with Bo Rangers. He also doesn’t have much sympathy in the football environment in Sierra Leone because he has pushed his luck too far.
Let’s see how this ends as we approach the new league season.
WILL AFRICA GET A SEAT ON THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL?
We don’t like to sound pessimistic about anything these days because in this 21st century world it’s advisable to always hope for the best. It’s not much use adding to all the difficulties we have to deal with daily. So following that trend, we want to hope that Africa will finally get a permanent seat on the Security Council with full veto powers like the 2nd World War allies and China. But is that realistic?
We don't know how many meetings have been held and how much time the African Union has put into trying to harmonize their position as the agitation proceeds but despite all promises from those already in that body, the continent is made to remain in the non-permanent position. We agree that the international system is rigged against us but what have we done to dig ourselves out of the hold in which we have been put – in some cases with our consent?
Africa should start by closing ranks in this place we call home. Like Kenya’s William Ruto and the firebrand EFF politician in South Africa have said, let's remove all colonial era boundaries by removing all visa restrictions so that African can move freely, interact and trade with each other and also resist all attempts of the West to divide the continent. They profit a lot from a divided Africa.
Africa should stop going to the West to beg for everything including the food we eat. We can’t stand up against those who feed us. We should simply forget about sitting at the same table with those who feed us in the first place. They will NEVER allow that.
Africa should build up its armed forces to be able to fight and win battles and wars against those in and out of the continent that may challenge this new thinking by force of arms. There is nothing controversial about that. There will be no permanent seat for Africa as long as the continent remains in this condition.
PAUL KAGAME IS RUNNING AGAIN AFTER 23 YEARS IN POWER
There’s very little outrage around the world to Paul Kagame’s announcement that he will be on the ballot again for another presidential term in 2024. Social media is awash with people praising the good work of Paul Kagame. Indeed, a lot has been achieved in that country after the genocide and Paul Kagame should rightly take credit for that. However, we are in the same world where presidential term limits and freedom of expression and association are expected to be taken for granted. Why are people not outraged enough about what Kagame and his neighbor are doing in that corner of our continent is something we find hard to understand?
Paul Kagame won the last election by more than 90% of the votes cast. We are used to those kinds of mandates in those former Soviet republics that are trying to behave like democracies to gain recognition in the international community. Opposition is non-existent in that country; the few people who manage to raise their voices are quickly arrested and jailed for this and that office. Now they operate from outside the country. In fact, they have to be very careful anywhere in the world because Kagame’s long hands can catch them easily. They are not even safe flying around the world because their plane could unexpectedly land in Kigali.
We join others in applauding his development projects but we are not fools. We know what democracy really is.
KORTOR JULDEH TALKS TOUGH AT SS STADIUM: WE ARE WAITING
Kortor Juldeh was at the stadium the other day to talk to the Chinese contractors renovating the place. He is the most senior government official to undertake that exercise as the work grinds on slowly. Kortor Juldeh was assured that the work will be completed on schedule and on budget. That’s fine. We have endured pain to get the 1979 facility to a reasonably good standard to host local and international events.
Kortor Juldeh is reported to have said that ALL the original land space belonging to the Siaka Steven Stadium will be recovered. We thank him for that and we want to help in our own small way to call his attention to areas of concern around the stadium.
Kortor Juldeh should look at the area at the back of the swimming pool. Of course the entrance to the swimming gate near YWCA is a complete mess. Next is the area leading to the big gate opening towards STAND 17 – that place is now totally in the hands of car dealers, vehicle mechanics, drug pushers and small-time criminals. Kortor Juldeh should also clear those illegal stalls along Kinsella Street opposite the cemetery. They are a complete eyesore.
In a politically –correct society like ours, this is a difficult task to undertake but the VP surely knew what he was up against when he made that statement. Well done sir!
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