By Amadu Daramy in Maryland, USA
Over 500 indigenes representing all the sections in the Lower Bambara Chiefdom in the Kenema District on Friday, 19th April 2025, unanimously resolved to settle their differences, turn a new page, and work selflessly for the development of the chiefdom.
At the meeting held at the Panguma Court, Barry, some of the stakeholders accused the Member of Parliament for Constituency 015, Hon. Mrs. Rugiatu Tarawalie Mussafa, of undertaking a campaign of intimidation, disrespecting and using all sorts of invectives against the Paramount Chief.
The stakeholders added that the absence of the MP at the meeting is a gross disrespect to the chiefdom and that she is desperate and drunk with politics, adding that her husband, who is her partner in crime, has no business in the chiefdom, and attributed all her actions and disrespect for the Paramount Chief to banning their timber and diamond activities in addition to their land-grabbing enterprise.
According to the stakeholders, the MP and her husband do not have respect for the chiefdom authorities, customs, and traditions, for which they must be banished from the chiefdom; the reason the people have isolated them or are in self-imposed exile is that they would not vote her in 2028, adding that she is a nuisance to peace and peaceful coexistence in the chiefdom.
Although they were officially invited, former Hon. Francis Konuwa, former Hon. Med Lans, and former Hon. Bernadette Lahai all did not attend the meeting.
Sheku Farmer, who contested against Mohamed Mustapha in the SLPP lower-level election, was in attendance, but Mohamed Mustapha failed to attend the chiefdom meeting.
Credible sources from the State House intimate that plans are underway to conduct the elections again in areas that were marred with violence.
However, some people argue that the candidates are bankrupt, exhausted, and frustrated and cannot fund such a process again.
Other stakeholders are calling for power sharing to prevent a rerun of the elections.
In another development, a candidate, Mohamed Moiwo Korji, for Panguma Bonya has petitioned the Senior District Officer (SDO) in Kenema, complaining that the money is too high and that the time is too short for the section chief elections.
Prior to the meeting last Friday, Paramount Chief Alimamy Farma welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation to all for their timely intervention, especially stakeholders like Dr. Julius Sandy, High Commissioner to Nigeria; Hon. Timothy Musa Kabba, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; and the Chairman of the Lower Bambara Descendants Association (LoBDA), Mr. Fyston Bockarie.
He also acknowledged the tremendous efforts of all stakeholders for their sacrifices and efforts to prevent violence in the chiefdom that led to serious injuries and loss of lives, as well as the humiliation he was subjected to by the Member of Parliament for Constituency 015, Mrs. Rugiatu Tarawalie Mussafa, who boasted that she got her authority from the First Lady rather than the constituency people who voted her into office.
Highlighting the purpose of the meeting, Dr. Julius Sandy reminded all that he received a call from the Member of Parliament on 8th April this year expressing concern over the violence and unrest in the chiefdom that threatened her safety, for which he alerted the executive of LoBDA and the Minister of Foreign Affairs for their prompt intervention.
He furthered that the primary aim of the meeting was to explore solutions to the various problems affecting the chiefdom for a lasting solution.
In his statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Alhaji Timothy Kabba, expressed dissatisfaction with the current situation in the chiefdom and stressed the need for peace, unity, and reconciliation to facilitate development, cataloging the government’s initiatives aimed at improving the road network and enhancing the livelihoods of women and creating job opportunities, and disclosed that land reclamation efforts are underway in Tongofield to prevent further disasters, citing the previous deaths of school children.
According to Hon. Timothy Kabba, a committee has been formed to investigate the recent violent unrest in the chiefdom and report to the stakeholders within two weeks.
The committee is made up of the following:
● The Chief Imam, Tongofields
● Rev. Lahai
● Mr. Francis Balama Musa
● The Court Chairman—Amara Garmoh
● Madam Messie Senesie
● Chief Mugbai
● Alhaji Adami Swarray
Various speakers, including youth and women’s leaders, students, chiefs, and other community stakeholders, made salient contributions, with the key recommendation being to call for the cancellation of all lower-level elections for the Sierra Leone People’s Party to prevent future violence, injuries to innocent citizens, loss of lives, and damage to properties.
The meeting then moved to the Panguma Hospital, where victims of the recent lower-level SLPP election violence are admitted, although some of them have been discharged.
A letter from the students and youths of Lower Bambara Chiefdom commended the stakeholders and the leadership of LoBDA for their swift intervention in peacefully resolving the unfortunate incident of the recent electoral violence in the chiefdom, thus diffusing the tension and restoring peace, unity, and reconciliation.
The letter also appealed to the committee set up to investigate the violence to be sincere, diligent, and impartial so as not to prejudice the investigations, pointing out that this is a critical moment in the history of the chiefdom.
According to the students and youths, the committee must not only uncover the truth but also ensure that the investigations are done in a way that restores trust, promotes justice, and upholds peace, and they cautioned against any form of bias, external influence, or neglect that could compromise the integrity of the investigations.
“We firmly hold the view that a transparent and credible investigation will serve the best interest of all parties involved, especially ordinary citizens whose voices and rights must be protected,” they underscored and continued, “The investigation must set a standard for accountability and transparency, and the outcome should reflect the collective efforts of all for peace, justice, and progress in Lower Bambara Chiefdom.”
They furthered that the intervention of the stakeholders not only reassured them of a better path forward but also reignited hope among them and the entire community and commended the dedication of stakeholders for standing with the people during their difficult and trying moment.
