By Mohamed Kakay
Former President Ernest Koroma once said jokingly that his once darker hair has all become grey due to Koinadugu problems, because for any appointment he made he will be questioned whether he took into consideration those appointees tribe.
The president was joking but he meant what he was saying as throughout his presidency he had to deal with this tribal factor before making any appointment.
As if it’s now a law in the district, every successive Heads of State since Late President Siaka Stevens had to appoint cabinet ministers from all 5 major tribes; Kurankos, Limbas, Yalunkas, Fullahs and Mandingos just to appease them in exchange for votes.
In his 1977 Cabinet appointment, president Stevens made the following appointment:
- Dr. Sheku Sesay: Kuranko
- Hon. PHILIPSON Kamara: Limba
- Hon. Kawusu Konteh: Mandingo
- Hon. ABM Kamara: Yulunka
During the same period while Kawusu Konteh (Mandingo) was battling with Hon. S.B Marah (Kuranko) in the hills of Krubola, Hon. ABM Kamara (Yulunka) and Alpha Barrie (Fullah) were at each other’s throat in the Sulima Forests.
Fast forward, immediately after the nomination processes of would be parliamentarians in Koinadugu district, I started getting calls from people of All Walks of Life raising concerns about the allocations of party symbols to candidates without taking cognizance of their tribes.
Many would ask the question whether it’s important to consider the tribe of a candidate before awarding him or her a party symbol or in the appointment as Minister or Ambassador or to any other job.
Again, to many, the answer is just a big no, but to some us familiar with the geopolitics of the district, the answer is yes.
A Fullah friend called and questioned why was a Fullah candidate not included in the first four names in the APC party parliamentary list in Koinadugu District? And why was 2 Kurankos placed in the list of only 4 MPs? And another friend from Falaba asked why wasn’t a Mandingo placed in the APC list?
Meanwhile, some tribal questions were also brought up against the SLPP list. That, why was 2 Mandingos placed in the first four names of parliamentarians? Why wasn’t a Fullah representative amongst the first four names? These and many tribal questions are sent on a daily basis but unfortunately, I don’t have all the answers.
Does Tribal Consideration In The Politics of Koinadugu District Matters At All?