SIERRA LEONE-POLITICS: Military Prepares to Stay in Power

By Lansana Fofana Reprint | | Print |

Lansana Fofana

FREETOWN, Jul 31 1997 (IPS) - The news that Sierra Leone’s military junta has decided to dig in its heels and remain in power has forced residents in the capital city to make plans to flee to neighbouring countries.

An economic embargo by the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) to reverse the May 25 coup and restore civilian rule has led to reduced food stocks and other essential items, and it is beginning to take a toll on residents in the capital.

“I can’t stay here (in Freetown) and starve to death. This is unbearable,” said Margaret Conteh. “My children are starving and my only hope was that these soldiers would see reason and step aside. All of this is gone.”

Not a single commercial flight or ship has arrived in the country since the military takeover and limited stocks are running out. Prices for the few available food items are increasing daily.

Aid agencies here have predicted a possible outbreak of famine and disease, because food and medical supplies are no longer coming into the country.

Major Johnny Paul Koroma, the new military leader, however has welcomed the embargo as “an end to the dependency syndrome”.

Thousands of Sierra Leoneans fled the capital city and the country when 17 junior army officers ousted President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah’s 14-month-old government.

Now, following Koroma’s broadcast late Wednesday that the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) will remain in power until November 2001, more people are preparing to leave. Koroma said that it will take this long “before true democracy is restored”.

“I can’t serve the AFRC junta at all. The destruction that followed the coup is a signal that the junta is not sincere,” said a senior civil servant who declined to be named. “I’m pulling out to Guinea.”

Koroma said on state radio and television that the “AFRC will not yield to any pressures or intimidation. We must consolidate the peace that our country now enjoys and will later on organise free and fair elections”.

His announcement came just as the members of ECOWAS mandated to negotiate a return to civilian rule were about to hold a round of talks in the Ivoirian capital, Abidjan. The four countries involved in the talks are Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria, ECOWAS’ chair, with a delegation from Sierra Leone’s military government.

It is not clear what ECOWAS’ next move will be, following Koroma’s statement. The options agreed on to restore democracy in the West African nation included diplomatic efforts, an economic embargo and as a last resort, force.

Many Sierra Leoneans fear that Koroma’s latest ploy could lead to force from the West African Peacekeeping Force (ECOMOG). The country’s territorial waters and airports are already occupied by ECOMOG troops.

Kabbah, who resides in neighbouring Guinea, has called on loyal troops to surrender to ECOMOG. And according to some reports, hundreds of soldiers and police officers have handed over their arms.