By Prince J. Mua in Kenema
A delay in the de-amalgamagtion process in Kanduleppiama Chiefdom in Kenema District has sparked a row which led to the arrest of two chiefdom authorities and a section of the residents angry.
The process of de-amalgamating Kandu and Leppiama sections began during the last administration of Ernest Bai Koroma, as part of the nationwide de-amalgamataion process the government back then said was meant to rectify the wrongs of colonialism. But before the process could be completed in Kanduleppiama, there was the change of government in 2018.
In recent months residents of a section of the chiefdom; Leppiama, have stopped attending meetings and refused to pay tax, among many other measures designed to boycott the authority of Paramount Chief Thereesa Vibbie. The residents accused PC Vibbie of sidelining them in dvelopment projects. They also say they haven’t received much of the proceds from mining royalties the chiefdom has been collecting over the years, thus their desire to be separated from the chiefdom.
The controversy has sometimes degenrated into physical confrontations. In one instance, Foday Mallo and Sidike Vandi, two of the leading agitators for seperation, were arrested. They duo was reportedly detained by the Police for three days for allegedly threatning civil disobedience in the chiefdom.
Mallo told Politico on Friday November 1, that the Paramount Chief instigated their arrest.
“This allegation made by PC Theresa Vibbi against us is not correct and nobody has ever planned such thing,” he said.
He added: “Our concern as peope of Leppiama is for government to de-amalgamate the chiefdom so that the problem will be solved”.
Mallo spoke to Politico in Nongowa Chiefdom, shortly after his release.
He and his co-accused were released after a meeting involving all parties in the conflict at the house of the Reisdent Minister East, Andrew Ansu Fatorma. Fatorma said he had been approached by authorities from the chiefdom regarding the issues emanating from the de-amalgamation process. He told the parties that government was looking at the situation.
Fatorma said his concern currently was for the safety of ordinary residents in Kanduleppiama Chiefdom.
“Nobody is denying to de-amalgamate the chiefdom, but the manner in which it is causing unrest for the ordinary people in that chiefdom is against the law,” he said at the meeting.
He added that discussions concerning the completion of the process were in advance stages within the government.
There were times during the meeting that Fatorma had to quell rising tention amidst heated exchanges.
Kanduleppiama is one of the 16 Chiefdoms in Kenema District. Farming and mining are two of the major economic activities within the chiefdom.
Abdul Musa Swarray, a chief from Tanenahunm Village, one of the villages on the Leppiama side of the chiefdom, said they had already written a letter to the central government that they wouldn’t obey PC Vibbie until the de-amalgamation process is completed.
“Divide the chiefdom then peace will reign in those communities. Otherwise this problem cannot be laid to rest,” said Swarray.
He added: “We have sent a letter to the minister and government that we will not obey the authority of PC Theresa Vibbi until government de-amalgamates this chiefdom.”
Vibbi herself was absent for the meeting at the Resident Minister’s residence. Politico could not reach her for her comments regarding the dispute, after repeatedly calls to her phone in the last one week.
Among many other things, the entourage from Leppiama demanded the release of Mallo and Vandi and, they were released at the end of the meeting.
The Resident Minister’s call for peace maybe holding, but it is a fragile one.
© 2019 Politico Online
