Despite conflicting views on the deployment of ECOMOG troop in Sierra Leone, this press has been informed about the possibility of a foreign combatant in the country which proposal was flying in the air forth night ago; few days after the failed coup.
Nevertheless, apprehension still continues to gain momentum on the rationale behind the agreement, given the fact that our country is not at war. Yes! Any reasonable citizen will not deny the fragility of our peace which by all indications is precipitated by the visible power struggle between the two leading political parties: the main opposition APC and the ruling SLPP in the country. But that does not in any way warrant our nation to bow to foreign intervention – to cement our security for defense of our territorial integrity. Although some people may postulate that there is a semblance of cracks in our security, yet, the intervention will send a negative signal to the international community about the insecurity in the country. And this unfolding scenario will have the potential to balloon into scaring away investors. Notwithstanding, the ramification of the attitude of some security personnel for pinching tent with the marauding coup plotters, yet, we should not allow few rotten eggs to destroy the lot. We should understand that the ECOMOG troops are not going to stay in Salone for ever which implies that we still need our security forces for our national protection. Some citizens expect the government to look at the other side of the coin by identifying the problems that have led to the so-called cracks within our security forces and for government to immediately institute a plausible solution to amend the problems.
Many citizens have learnt their bitter lessons during the rebel wars in Sierra Leone and in Liberia where ECOMOG troops were deployed and the negative consequences of those warring episodes still dawdle in the minds of many people. Without delving much into that ugly history, some of us will not relent to juggle memories. And as the adage states, “experience is a good teacher”; some experienced citizens are still sitting on the fence negating the idea of jubilating over the unfolding issue of ferrying ECOMOG troops in this country at a particular time like this when we are not at war.