AFRICANEWS
Sierra LeoneBlood for peace?Human rightsby Jia Kiangbai
Brigadier Hassan Conteh the former head of the defunct Sierra Leone military was the last of the condemned men to climb down the truck.Like the others that fateful day, he sang "have faith in God"as he walked towards the stake were he was to be tied and executed.His last words were even more audible.
"You Nigerians had 17 coups and up till now you are under a military
government.Today you are to execute us _."Hewas among 24 soldiers
sentenced to death by court martial in October. Defending the executions over BBC that same day, Presidential Spokesman Septimus Kaikai said the executions were justified,taking into consideration the atrocities committed by the junta during its reign. A opinion shared by many in the country who had suffered under the reign. However government critics were quick to state that the trials were not fair especially on theissue raised by some members of the public, that of"mandatory"death sentences passed by the court'spresident.
According to Mr Eke Halloway, aprominent lawyer and defence counsel for
most of the condemned prisoners, the death penalty is not mandatory. If public reactions in favour of the executions were at its highest peak prior to it, it was at its lowest ebb after it.People are now against further bloodshed and would prefer custodial sentences for the remaining convicts who have been sentenced to death.These sentiments in a way once more highlighted the hypocritical culture of the average Sierra Leonean. One local newspaper, The New Sierra Leonean cautioned the government against carrying out more executions.According to the paper those calling forexecutions will be the same ones who will later blame the president, particular political party or one particular tribe of spilling too much blood. Reacting to the executions and the sentencing to death of Corporal Foday Sankoh, The Revolutionary United Front(RUF) founder and leader, the group's acting leader, Colonel Sam Bockarie told the BBC that the RUF will be stepping up its military campaign nation-wide until the Kabbah-led administration reckons with their movement and talks peace with them. Following his threats, troops loyal to the ousted junta and their RUF allies attacked a series of towns in the North of the country along the Guinean border.Massacres said to have been carried out by the rebels in the diamond rich Kono District was also reported. In spite of these atrocities committed by the rebels and their sympathisers, the government and other pro-government news outlets continue to herald Government troops and Ecomog success.In one of its lead stories the local Independent Democrat newspaper reported that government troops are now in the final phase of the war. And ina more sensational report, another local newspaper gave a deadline of 72 hours for the war to end but it still continued. The spate of rebel attacks especially in places earlier designated as "safe" or "liberated" and its spill over effects into neighbouring Guinea prompted the United Nations to come out with a heavily worded statement on the situation in the country. According to UN secretary-general Koffi Annan, the UN is calling on the junta "Remnants " to stop their brutality against innocent civilians. The statement also expressed concern over the spread of the conflict to the centre of the North of the country, as well as rebel attempts to cut off government supply lines. As the war rages onSierra Leoneans have started asking themselves whether the blood of the junta is enough as a price for peace or whether more blood should be shed. Those in favour of the latter do not have to wait long as Justice Ministry Officials have already confirmed that more treason and court martials are to be held shortly. And like those that have just been executed, the accused persons if found guilty may face the death penalty.But the issue of "blood for peace" is not a new phenomenon in the political ball game in the country. In 1974, a foiled coup during the reign of Late President Siaka Stevens saw the executions of at least 15 senior citizens, while similar event in 1988 under former President Joseph Momoh saw the execution of 17 civilians. Unlike the 1974 executions when most of those executed were Northerners, those executed in 1988 came mainly from the south of the country. The recent executions however, were in a way ethnically, balanced. And like the earlier executions, the latest oneswere said to have been carried out in "order for peace to prevail". Far from the issue of politics and justice, the road to peace and justice, reconciliation inSierra Leone appears to be a rough one.And events in recent times may worsen the situation, for ex-President Joseph Momoh, 75-year old Nancy Steele and other prime architects of the two previous executions alongwith 26 others are about to be sent to the gallows for the same offenses. But the nagging questions is: now that the blood of the junta has been shed, will it be enough to quench the thirst of the common man in the village who bears much of the brunt of the atrocities committed by the rebels in the country side and the powers that be?In either case the issue of "blood for peace " will make the road to peace and reconciliation a daunting task in the upcoming years.
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