By Richmond B. Tholley
Residents of Tonkolili District, especially political analysts, have been keenly following the political wrangling unfolding within the governing Sierra Leone People’s Party membership in Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone.
There has been political banging and hitting between and among members and supporters of the Sierra Leone People’s Party in Tonkolili.
The ensuing episode has led to deep discord and divisions between factions headed by two of the party’s political heavyweights from the District.
Ahmed Saybom Kanu, the party’s current District Chairman in Tonkolili, and Mohamed Orman Bangura, the country’s current Youth Minister, who also hails from the area, are the two political heavyweights.
Recently, the aftermath of the ongoing infighting in what political analysts called toxic politics within the membership of the SLPP in Tonkolili District led to the alleged physical attack of six of the party’s youths and the arrest of a pro-SLPP youth leader in Bumbuna town.
One of the Youth Minister’s blue-eyed boys, as alleged by numbers of online SLPP articles, John B. Cole, the Youth Chairman of the Dasogoia Chiefdom, was arrested and detained over allegations of attacking colleague SLPP youths in Bumbuna town.
Reports say the injured youths went to a mining site in Bumbuna to stop an ongoing illegal mining scheme when the detained youth chairman ordered their attack.
Immediately after that episode, we saw articles authored by known SLPP members accusing one of their members—the youth minister—of not only having knowledge of the ongoing reckless and illegal mining but also benefitting from the illegal business.
These articles and audio messages were filtering around, leaving many flabbergasted, especially the revelations that were coming out.
Days after the SLPP entered into its political hitting and banging, it has come to the attention of many, including this writer, that what the majority of the SLPP supporters say was a fight to stop illegal mining and polluting the river Rokel is misleading and a political gimmick.
Between the camps of Ahmed Saybom and the youth minister, those who have greatly benefited from the recent and ongoing commotion were telling us they were doing what they had done to stop illegal mining and polluting the river.
That was a blatant lie. In fact, a disgrace and mockery to our people, who are still forced to drink unpurified water as a result of the ongoing reckless and illegal mining along the river Rokel.
Members of the public, especially those who have been following the unfolding episodes, might be convinced that the camp that has politically benefited more from the fracas is the lesser evil and demonizing the other camp.
Because members of the winning camp think they would be seen as campaigners against illegal mining, forgetting their motive behind the so-called fight against illegal mining and polluting the river Rokel is no longer hidden.
It’s no longer secret; they are fighting for political supremacy in the District.
Like their leaders, let me categorically say here that the majority of the members from the two political camps weren’t fighting against illegal mining and those polluting the river Rokel. It was a personal fight for selfish interest and political gains.
The fight was and still is for political supremacy between the Saybom camp and that of the youth minister. They and their followers are doing what they’re doing for political reasons.
Before this incident, several unconfirmed reports had it that the youth minister is likely vying for the district chairmanship of the party as the SLPP prepares for its next leadership and executive elections.
Though not official, Bangura’s intention is no longer secret among the SLPP grassroots across Tonkolili’s ten constituencies and nineteen chiefdoms.
It might not be shaken by the news, but the Saybom camp seems politically threatened.
The Saybom camp has also been preparing for the battle ahead. The cold and silent political war between Saybom and Orman Bangura has been around the mineral-rich chiefdoms of Sambaia, Dasogoia, and others.
Controlling the illegal mining and who should head the criminal syndicate were also the reasons for the ongoing wrangling by the two camps.
Illegal mining in the district is a well-organized syndicate benefiting prominent politicians in high places. And it’s a very lucrative business, though its impact on society at large is hazardous.
Because of its financial benefits, followers of the two leaders of both camps wanted to be at the helm of affairs. The leaders themselves have been pushing and fighting to ensure their boys take charge of the illegal business.
As this political movie continues with new scenes unfolding every day, it’s important to note that the people of Tonkolili District have understood the motive behind the whole commotion within the SLPP in Tonkolili. It wasn’t for the general benefit of society but a bunch of selfish individuals wanting to be at the helm of affairs.
Evidence has it that most of those coming after the detained Youth Chairman of Dasogoia and his team are from the camp of the District Chairman, Ahmed Saybom Kanu. They’re neither doing this to stop the illegal mining nor to expose the pains our people living along the river Rokel are faced with, but for selfish interest and political gains.
Finally, as we heard about setting up an investigation, let me remind the authorities that our people are currently going through a lot to access drinking water as a result of the threat illegal mining poses in the area.
