AFRICANEWS
SIERRA LEONEAn ex-president returnsby Chris Samai (690 words)
"I am back home fully charged, invigorated and determined to make my own contribution...towards the noble ideals of democracy." That is ex-president Joseph Saidu Momoh, speaking moments after his arrival from exile early this year. Awaiting him, there were Cabinet Ministers, party representatives, former Ambassadors, traditional dancers and hundreds of jubilant citizens. It was a moment marked by high emotions and flamboyant display of solidarity as thousands of his colleagues and supporters converged at the airfield. The mass turnout itself must have given the ex-president the assurance that all was not lost. He carried himself high and for a moment appeared to have put behind his five year ordeal as an exile. Speaking at a reception held for him, bitter memories came rushing back to him. Momoh wasted no time in attacking those who had ousted him from office and forced him in to cold exile for nearly half a decade. He lambasted the National Provincial Ruling Council (N.P.R.C) military junta, and their "collaborators", whom he said had illegally removed him from office by unconstitutional means. "Today," he said "they have been exposed as the real enemies of peace and progress." He also accused the National Provisional Ruling Council (N.P.R.C) of not only having failed to right the wrongs for which he was booted out of office, but of being the very perpetrators of tyranny and despotic governance. As a politician, it must have occurred to the former leader that five years in exile has had some significant impact on his political career. He himself acknowledges that a lot of water had passed under the bridge since his departure. With a new party now in power, a new political system in place and the rebel war itself nearing its end, the future appears to contain a mixed bag of challenges and prospects. It's like starting all over again. Yet, Momoh thinks he still holds the handle of a brilliant political future. He was clear about his plans to work in harmony with the government of the day in furtherance of democracy, but had a word of caution. He emphasized the need to always seek the truth and lay it bare for all to see, adding that "any attempts to sweep matters under the carpet would only cut across the cherished principles of justice and fair play." Momoh's greatest hope of a chance in the new political environment will, however, be seen to rest on the number of pledges made by the dissident party groups to return to the All People's Congress (A.P.C),. the party he led before he was overthrown. At least five parties pledged their loyalty and support that day. It was easy for Momoh to have swallowed those promises with a pinch of salt. The party's poor rating during the past election was not unconnected with divisions that rocked the party during its last days in office. Having lost all hopes in the party making a successful comeback, a good number of Momoh's minister deserted him either to set up new parties or to join the party's long standing rival-the ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (S.L.P.P). By the time the National Provisional Ruling Council (N.P.R.C) came to power, the All People's Congress (A.P.C) itself was already in a shambles. With rampant corruption, a shattered economy and an ugly rebel war staring Sierra Leoneans in the face, there was little chance that the party would survive the storm. Momoh's last ditch attempt to return the country to a democratic rule and salvage the drowning face of (A.P.C) came a little too late. Today, however, those who deserted the APC have come to see Momoh as a real force for future political success. Will these prodigal sons stick to their word? That's the question Momoh must find time to ponder. Momoh's pension, which had brought a lot of controversy was awarded under a 1986 Act of Parliament. A cabinet sub-Committee allocated nine hundred thousand leones a month to the former president as "a humanitarian gesture. According to the Attorney-general and minister of justice, Solomon Berewa, the ex-president is now to get a pension, appropriate lodging, security and house servants.
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