By Umaru Fofana
My fear of Al Shabaab in Sierra Leone
By Umaru Fofana
The United States over the weekend warned about a terror threat against its citizens and its interests in the Middle East and North Africa. It led to the closure of its embassies in some of the countries in the regions. In some cases the Sunday closure has been extended to last for a few more days.
Destroying our girls
By Umaru Fofana
As I sat down in Bo to write this piece, I was shown the picture of a 10-year-old girl who went to a clinic in Blama, Small Bo Chiefdom in the eastern Kenema district. She carries a pregnancy that should be around 12 weeks old now. I cannot publish her photo because of ethical reasons. That is how bad it is!
As Ambassador Owen leaves…
By Umaru Fofana
In the next couple of days or weeks US ambassador to Sierra Leone, Michael Owen leaves the place that has been his home for three years. And I have to warn him that this country is infectious and I would not be surprised to see him wake up for the rest of his life with memories of this great country and its hospitable and resilient people, especially its hoi polloi. Ambassador Owen could feel free to ask Peter Penfold, the former British high commissioner who came here by road and has hardly been able to stay away for a whole year.
It’s in the nature of Sierra Leonean politics
...a sequel to OPPOSING THE OPPOSITION <http://politicosl.com/2013/07/opposing-the-opposition>
By Umaru Fofana
"An intelligent and conscientious opposition is a part of loyalty to country." That is, according to American lawyer and politician, Bainbridge Colby, who served as the last Secretary of State to President Woodrow Wilson.
Opposing the opposition
By Umaru Fofana
When he was Minority Leader in Parliament and head of the then opposition All People’s Congress, Ernest Bai Koroma and his party made an interesting attempt at fusing a feature that is germane to the Westminster-style democracy into the presidential one that we have. He appointed a Shadow Cabinet. And I remember him discussing this with me over lunch at Paladio restaurant as we watched the Michael Jackson child sex abuse trial on television.
