By Septimus Senessie in Kono
Clad in white T-shirts, with a motto “One Kono” boldly inscribed on the back, over 20 youth organisations in the eastern district of Kono have signed a “peace communiqué” at the youth complex in Koidu town to support peace and solidarity in the district. They include political and social activists as well as rights-based organisations drawn from across the 14 chiefdoms in the district. Leaders of the various youth groups, who committed themselves to the peace pact, publicly “denounced violence, ‘campism’ and disrespect for authorities in the district.” The programme, held over the weekend, was organized by Kono Youth for Peace and Development (KoYPeD), the umbrella youth body in the district, with funds provided by UNIPSIL and coordinated by Centre for the Coordination of Youth Activities (CCYA). The UN deputy head of mission and political affairs, who gave the keynote speech, described the ceremony as “a new dawn in the history of Kono that is also ground-breaking.” Berhanemeskel Nega said the district suffered a lot during the eleven years of civil war that cost the country a great deal, “with traces still boldly written on the walls in the district.” He said UNIPSIL’s operations in the country would end in 2014 but noted that as an organisation they were happy to have seen youth mobilizing themselves against “violence and other anti-social behaviours.” Nega said the move was a clear assurance that “Sierra Leoneans are indeed capable of manning their own affairs even in terms of crisis,” but warned the youngsters against fighting for politicians “who do not mean any good for you, but to use and abuse you for their selfish desires.” Chairman of the council of Paramount Chiefs of Kono, PC Paul Gabba Saquee V of Tankoro, thanked the young people for realizing that what they were doing was “inimical and counterproductive” to their own future. He blamed disunity and what he called “campism” among youth in the district on high profile political leaders who benefit from “inciting the youth against one another.” “Our politicians have not been sincere with themselves, not to mention with the youths,” he chided. Youth ambassador for Kono, Raymand Gbekie, who coordinated the entire process, said they were now ready to rebrand themselves and the district as a whole. The chairman Kono district strategic development unit, Sahr Julius Ngangea Mbayo, said peace and development were inseparable, adding that “there can never be development where there is no peace and there can never be peace where there is no development.”
(C) Politico 01/10/13
