By Khadi Mansaray
Freetown under siege, alpha jets and Mig fighters in the sky. I remember breathing a sigh of relief every time I heard a bomb drop somewhere thankful it wasn’t me this time. Bullets whistled past but they say you never hear the one that’s for you. Iremember my neighborendlessly calling for water, his voicegrowing weaker as his life ebbed from his body with his guts exposed from the injuries inflicted by rebels. Rest in Peace Obreh. I remember another diabetic neighbor who died when her insulin run out, Rest in Peace Kipti. I remember the day my home was set on fire and I was rendered homeless and I remember performing ablution and saying the Shahaadah just in case I didn’t survive the next hour.
The Lome Peace Accord was signed in 1999 and I left Freetown in early 2000,angry with the leadership and vowing to never return.
When President Ahmed Tejan-Kabbah took office he promised to end the war. He had the responsibility of leading a country ravaged, a people weary and a society broken by violence. Some wanted justice; some wanted revenge but most just wanted the horror to end. He made tough decisions and difficult compromises but on 18th January 2002 he declared the war over. He fulfilled his promise and went on to retire with dignity.
I returned to Freetown in 2009 and again in 2013. Roads and infrastructure arebeing built today because we have peace. Investors go to Sierra Leone because it is safe. Former rebels are part of the democratic process and I can take pictures of sunsets without the fear gunshots. The courage and perseverance of President Kabbah made this possible. Keeping everyone happy was never the goal and never achievable, the ultimate goal was peace.
During his tenure women in public office became visible and the Child Rights Act became law but his true legacy undeniably is the peace he brought to us by ending a war he didn’t start.
When I last saw him in January he was frail but still cheerful and my brother insisted we watch a Nollywood movie.Heads of State are just people after all and he was a really nice man.
(C) Politico 18/03/14
