By Mohamed T Massaquoi.
A 17-month-long conflict which effectively divided Kpaka chiefdom in the southern Pujehun district that led to the suspension of the Paramount Chief has been resolved. It followed mediation efforts by a peace-building organisation, Pujehun Youth for Development (KNSL/PYD) who selected some stakeholders to resolve the impasse.
The conflict had led to an uprising by some residents of the chiefdom who were opposed to their Paramount Chief, Alhaji John Sallia Rogers on allegations he was disrespectful to them.
Speaking to Politico the international liaison officer of KNSL/PYD, Edward Mando said his project was contracted to handle the situation by some senior indigenes of the chiefdom after several attempts by government officials and local authorities proved futile.
He said that his findings showed that the conflict emanated from the chief's alleged mismanagement of $10,000 given to the chiefdom for the celebration of Sierra Leone's 50th independence anniversary by Bio Palm Oil Sierra Leone Limited. He also alleged that he forcefully took away property belonging to the Kpaka chiefdom youth structure including DSTV and a deep freezer, and the removal of some gazetted town chiefs among several others.
Mando said a communiqué was developed and signed by all parties as a way of committing themselves to a peaceful co-existence in the chiefdom.
PC Rogers told Politico that the day was the happiest time of his life since his election. He said that following his election in 2006 he told his subjects that he did not believe in "fragmentation" but collective efforts to maintain peace and development. "I have admitted to my mistakes and from today I promise my subjects of a good working relationship". He admonished his people to be law-abiding, adding that as their traditional leader he would continue to have much regard for their culture and tradition as these had formed part of the concerns during the conflict.
He said his suspension had greatly undermined development projects in the chiefdom for nearly two years and commended KNSL/PYD, his colleague paramount chiefs, the office of national security and others who worked to remedy the situation.
The Section Chief of Njasende, chief Mohamed LB Rogers admonished the Paramount Chief to work in the interest of his people and to fully respect their traditions. Similarly, the PC of Sowa Chiefdom, Lahai Sowa pleaded to the people to give full respect and cooperation to his colleague John Sallia Rogers, adding that respect was the "pride of every traditional leader". He also encouraged his counterpart to be consulting them in dealing with some critical issues in his chiefdom.
(C) Politico 15/01/14
