Article written by Bankolay Turay

HOW BRIGHT IS YOUR COLOR? RED VESUS GREEN IN SIERRA LEONE POLITIC

Author: Bankolay Turay 

The puzzle is now set with all wanting to be the presidents’ man, can’t stand the heat of poverty, the shame of being jobless and the mockery of your education by mostly half baked appointee's. The stage is set for those whose color brighter to survive, amidst poverty, corruption, bad governance, lack of basic social amenities and recreational facilities. The question many asked themselves; when putting this piece together; - How bright is my color?

The color fight began in the early 1950’s with the advent of the palm tree carrying Sierra Leone’s people fighting for liberation and independence. The symbolism depicting it existence is one of the rainbow colors and the first color on the National flag of Sierra Leone, Green. After turbulence and disagreement saw the emerging of the Sun, that normally rises from the east and set in the west at the Atlantic Ocean, now rising from the North and setting in the South-West of Sierra Leone. They amass support with grassroots, common-man and elites alike. Though the sun is bright and white as snow, it is painted red a more conspicuous color. They canvass all people into a congress agitating for election before independent. With sympathy from the people after the persecution, humiliation and later detention of its leaders; then emerge the complete plot of the set back drama of Sierra Leone. The sun though served as opposition does little to make it healthy, 76 year Alhaji Conteh remarks. ‘’They engaged on blackmailing, slanderous propaganda. In the elections that follow saw the antics of the sun blazing the palm tree and haul aging it to the ground’’. Though ‘khaki boy’ military set up a coup and usurp power for a short spell, they return the corny sun boys who ended up making a strong dycotomony between the palm tree and the sun. The color saga brought so much challenge in Sierra Leone political leadership and in all works of life. ‘’They stem from within the same country, run and managed by Sierra Leoneans, but with different ideologies’’ noted Hashim Kamara a Political Science student of Fourah Bay College. He continues that, ‘’those ideologies continue to sink Sierra Leone and reaping it much glamorous and envious riches. They engaged in continuous divide, tribalism, regionalism and corruption’’ he lamented. Though those colors are naturally created, it is today strongly associated with palm tree party and sun boys’ party.

Color has gain grape of society so much that every single action is associated with either green or red. It is common believed that: is either you are red or green; instead of ideologies of development. Many other Political Science students I spoke with lamented that, colors has been pushed beyond the surface right into tribes, regions and names. As soon as one introduced him/her self, judgement is cast on your color belonging. People have to play along at times for fear of reprisal and have to debunk were necessary. Color has taken over all works of life that even the peasant farmer and petty traders can now determine when the green is due in power or when it the time for the red..Vice -versa. Racheal Sheriff a petty trader at Abacha street noted that politicians came to campaign and  to vote them in power, ‘’we have one choice to make, that is the party that give us more money and leave us to continue selling here on the streets, because they can’t cater for us’’ she informed me. It has cut deeply into our society and divided us as a nation. It’s a common argument about a Sierra Leonean that does not belong to either red or green. Maddy syllah 27yrs, at Attaya Base noted that, this is because many times we have seen people acclaiming and advocating against the color dominance in politic, and ended up serving one. ‘’Who is really neutral in Sierra Leone color divide?’’ he question. Cross-carpeting is very common amongst politicians. They play the game according to the existing tune of the masses and switch over in search of opportunity. Though many youths frown at this diabolic attitude of politicians, yet the voting populace has used it to their advantage. Jonathan Robert a teacher noted that, ‘’many people will collect money, goods and make promises of voting for a particular candidate (usually independent) and ended up voting the other way; they commonly referred to  as ‘’water melon’ (green on top and red inside) politics’. He went on that this has given rise to bad governance and the predominate stay in power of green and red who has strong traditional electorates. Many will vouch that green or red is in his/her blood and will never vote otherwise even if for the better.

The agitation for a better Sierra Leone is a clarion call by all, but none want to take the lead. At the ghetto, many youths I spoke with lamented that corruption is deep rooted between this two parties. ‘’Una gofment go kill we wit 444 system’ (your government will kill us with the 444 system), ‘tin trong lek iron stone rit now’ (things are hard like an iron stone at the moment), ‘’Na we turn boo…una lef we bo! (It our turn, please leave us alone), wetin una do wen una bin dey Na power?’’ (What did you do when you were in power?), una go drink ‘cosombo’ en drone d pain en pwel hat’’ (go and drink local alcohol to drown the pains and heart break). These are the common arguments you find at the ghettos.

The question many have asked is that, will there be a break through of a third political party? Many such political parties have emerge during the five decade of  turbulence between the red and green party. The National Unity Party, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the former party of the current President; Dr. Enerst Bai Koroma and the People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PDMC). They gain the influence and trust of the people. Ibrahim Bangura a young politician of People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) noted that, these parties misplaced the trust of the people for political compensation other than the desire quest of the people; to see a new dawn in the political leadership. ‘’Much that was expected turns to be a nightmare and an agony for many who betray their traditional beloved party for a change they sacrifice for’’ he noted. He said for many, they see them as the force to break through, but ended up serving the other side leading the race. Those that seek a political twist in our leadership have now much of a burden to cope with. Many chasing the few available jobs and enriching themselves at the expense of the masses and the continue mistrust has given the people limited choices. They now believe that its’ few political opportunist wanting to seek popularity and amassing the lost lots to his/her traditional party advantage during elections. Political disillusionment render many with little option, rather to form a political party as a get back gesture. Though we practice a multi –party system in Sierra Leone, the traditional colors give no way for a healthy, level playing field and fair competition without intimidation, reprisal, barricade, verbal and physical attack on the supporters of other political parties. John M.Korma of the SLPP contested for local council elections in 2008 in the Northern Region, lamented that, ‘’certain provinces, districts, towns, and villages belong to either red or green in the name of ‘strong holds’, in most cases, many of the inhabitants held different political views’’. He continues that they are coerced to join the status quo or face eviction from his/her home-land. ‘’The local authorities and chief’s enraged on brain washing generations upon generations of the need to keep party ‘A’ or ‘B’ in power’’. ‘’That is the party that educated your father and other relatives, that party send your grandma to Mecca (to perform Hajj), they build that building, that bridge, that road was constructed by them, they bring peace, they are for the people, by the people and of the people, they are grassroots party etc’’ he concluded.

Many of these clauses will emerge to brain wash electorate of that area and see no need to try new party, who has done nothing at all. The appalling situation that many find interesting is the fact that elites, educationists and diaspora base Sierra Leoneans are leading these campaigns. They ended up succeeding because their peers and society see them as the light to salvation. A senior politician elite I spoke with who beg for anonymity, noted that, ‘’these people will not understand, neither will they accept the truth, they have used to it and like making stories out of it, so we continue in the trend of our fore-fathers-lie to them’’. He noted that ‘’they see true as lie and lie as truth, so which do youth preferred to give them?’’ he asked. ‘’Though many of us can’t relate with them properly because of the traditional, level of better understanding and able to empathize their problem first hand’ ’he concluded. They seek pleasure in dooming their own kindred for political leadership and continue to make ends-meet with their deplorable conditions.

 The society accepts those with brighter party colors. They are given the big jobs, all the state of the art opportunities and the will to do as they like. The grassroots, common-man who sweats, toil all night and fought for the party are now shadow with mere sympathizers with flashy party colors. Alious Tarawally aka ‘arata’’, a ghetto youth who is currently serving jail term, noted that ‘’we are now seem as enemies of the state and are jail randomly’’ he continue that, ‘’though they release us from prison to carry out their agenda during elections, after they win, they will ended up locking us up for no good reasons’’. He noted that those that normally sit at home or move over sea enjoying luxury, pour un-accounted and un-check money behind the scene and even drum up support  in secret now enjoys the state wealth. He concluded that ‘’when cabinet and other positions are announced, they will sublime to the top of it, whilst we continue to suffer in jails’’.

Contracts, procurements and big government jobs are long been occupied in shadow before they are officially announced. Bewailed Morlai Kamara, a young mass of the population amongst which are competent, educated, die-heated party supporters and well respected by the people are left in shamble, he noted. ‘’they wallowing in a state of dissolution and crumble to the knee with hopes of surviving on hand-outs from political cronies and/or left to prepare the party for the next elections’’ he noted. This is due to the fact that many of them possess the Cham, charisma, respect and love for the country and their party. ‘’our hopes is now set on reshuffle of cabinet, death, dismissal for none performance and illness for us to be disappointed for the second time’’ noted Mohamed Lamin Kamara, a strong supported of the All People Congress (APC) party. He continues that, they are console with ’pepper water words’ ‘’don’t worry this party belongs to you and that the ‘Pa’ have not forgotten you yet’’ he concluded. Many times, this position becomes an open campaign for who is fit and competent. The local tabloids propel the trumpet for the intending candidates. They prepare the list on the president’s table, with headlines; Reshuffle today! Five minister to be sacked! President to dismiss that MD! Who is next on the New Cabinet? Etc. Hassan Fackie, a veteran Journalist elucidated that ‘’the hassle is normally set by whose color is bright, rather than their competency, educational qualifications, initiative drive, but whose praise sing antics work, give money in the background, hail from the same region with the president, or is the family, relative or friend of the president’’ he continue that even those who take strong stands against the president and the government act of corruption and bad governance are sometimes considered. These are the virtuous vices politicians use to assess your color brightness’’, he concluded.

 The puzzle is now set with all wanting to be the presidents’ man, can’t stand the heat of poverty, the shame of being jobless and the mockery of your education by mostly half baked appointee's. The stage is set for those whose color brighter to survive, amidst poverty, corruption, bad governance, lack of basic social amenities and recreational facilities. The question many asked themselves; when putting this piece together; - How bright is my color?

       AUTHOR’S PROFILE

Bankolay Theodore Turay is a young Sierra-Leonean Academic pursuing Bachelor's degree in development studies at the University of Makeni  have considerable years of experience working directly with communities focus on research, media work as citizen reporter, development in rural communities and entrepreneurship for youths. He has served as the Minister of Affiliation in the outgoing SRC and the PRO of the Development Studies Society. A founding member of The Pen Foundation, University of Makeni.

Bankolay has impacted upon the lives of young people by creating the linkages for them with sponsors and mentors from institutions interested in young people's affairs globally. He is skilled in utilizing meager resources, as he served in various private businesses; serving in management capacity, He is also skilled in canvassing support, business and communications, including multiple social media utilities

Throughout these years, Bankolay has won the affection and admiration of everyone particularly students and administrators, for his diligence and sense of responsibility. 

Bankolay had demonstrated the ability to work independently, deplore analytical reasoning and generally very committed to team work.

Bankolay have travelled to a number of countries across the world (Africa, Middle East and Asia) to participate and speak at events related to children, youths, cultural diversity, research and peace building.

Many of his effort have been to serve others. He is both a leader and team member, trailblazing and also taking the time to out to those who need the spark of inspiration that is in abundance in him.

I have the honor to vouch with no iota of doubt about his ability to persevere, hardworking, dedicated and has a sense of purpose with a breadth of passion and very committed to his duties. He is a good team leader and can work along with people different cultural background.