By Paul Kamara aka Salone Mandela: Salone’s leading freedom fighter.
The great and legendary warriors Bai Bureh and Singbe Pieh raised the banner for freedom and justice; within and outside Salone, respectively. Taqi and Forna resigned when Shaki took the crooked path; but we’re executed for putting Salone first!
It was the APC thru Navo and Khan of Auradicals and Gardeners; who played a pivotal role for what I am today; even though, I had earlier registered the newspaper. I never in my wildest dreams, thought I would be a journalist. That’s why I see it as a calling.
Journalism is Truth and humanity; it leads to God. To speak Truth to power is almost non-existent in society. And to walk upside-down is virtue; to walk normal is vice; as society is cocooned in a culture of silence and fear.
Christ was a radical journalist, a revolutionary and Conqueror of the Truth; that comes from God. Any true journalist must therefore, eat His flesh and drink His blood; whilst sacrifice, persecution, rejection, deprivation and death will be his lot.
He opens your eyes to two roads; that taken and that not taken inorder to make a difference. To serve God or Mammon; to find love or humanity or to steal, kill and destroy. In short, to kill Jesus or free Barabas. Salone chose the latter. But the Truth of Jesus leads to spiritual journalism.
For Jesus guides you in the search for the Truth to the Holy Ghost Faithful. If you seek, you’ll find Him. If you knock, He will open the door. And if you ask Him for anything, it shall be given to you; for Truth is Power!
The Judiciary is the citadel of Evil; of injustice and the den of corruption. It mocks truth like they did to Jesus. You are jailed, humiliated, refused right to appeal, properties seized. The whole Judiciary kep silent in the face of injustice.
But the Truth of Jesus in the Judiciary; is greater than the Truth of the Courts. It was Tolla’s sword that killed him thru an injunction that stopped him to become third term president of the FA. It was also the truth that exposed him to become Chief Justice-a position already slated for him but bcos of the scandal.
Again, the judiciary wrote a 60-page ruling that I am a convict and should not hold public service; and parliament, journalists and the rest of mankind said it is true I lied. In the eyes of society, I am the convict, not Tolla. I stand to lose my job; but the Truth of Jesus won. Yes, I was made a convict like Him; but it was for the Truth; and not for fraud or dishonesty.
Jesus is a mysterious and Living God; His wonders to perform. On release after serving six months without right to appeal, I was saluted by the Chief Prison Officer Jabbie; that I am an excellent prisoner. And also became the first convict to be carried shoulder-high through the streets of Freetown. A packed-filled Judiciary came out to watch the spectacle. In their eyes, I am a convict; but not in the eyes of God.
Spiritual journalism is a revelation of the power of God’s Truth over that of Satan which is falsehood. So too, in the case of President Kabbah; a convict who became president. The truth exposed that which was hidden; how politicians always chose those who steal, kill and destroy. For them, God does not exist in politics. I was jailed four years and spent 13 months in solitary confinement.
But I was not alone; for God was with me. I had already found Jesus when I was possessed by the Holy Spirit and immediately spoke in tongues; during the course of the Kabbah Trial. In solitary confinement, Jesus exposed me to my weakness that I cannot win them; bcos the citadel of Satan can neither give justice; nor do they believe in the Truth that can save Salone. In my helplessness, I saw His image and that it is for the Truth; that He was persecuted and killed but that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
God let them put me in solitary confinement to reveal Himself to me in so many ways; for me to understand my mission. I vowed to be His bondservant till my last breath. I did not appeal my case but my wife told me lawyer Jenkins-Johnson was so perturbed by the egregious level of injustice; that he offered pro bono service. I came to Court a weak man having survived an attempt by Justice Cowan to poison me.
One of the Judges, Abel Stronge was so moved that he gazed at me and said: young man, you are free to go; we are tired of this injustice. We will write our judgement later. I became perhaps the first Salonean to win a sitting president in Court; even before they wrote a ruling. And that judgement by the Presiding Judge John Muria from the Solomon Islands; became the landmark case in matters dealing with both seditious and defamatory libel in Salone and the entire Commonwealth. Jesus stamped my name forever in the law books of the world.
Again, God has revealed that He is not of the law but in the law; and His Truth reigns supreme. In the case of Tolla, he was sure of a third time as FA president and had already told his friend Justice Ademosu stand by him. He was all set to watch the parade by Kenema school pupils that morning; when his secretary general Alimu Bah handed him the court injunction signed by Ademosu. The previous afternoon, the very futbol stakeholders who had sided with him and kept mute while he misused the law to deal with me; stormed the office of Chief Justice Timbo in protest; leading to the injunction.
Like in the case of Goliath, it was Tolla’s own sword that killed him; and also stopped him to be appointed CJ by Kabbah bcos of the scandal that emanated from the Truth that was revealed during the trial. But it cost Timbo his job; for he had earlier refused to grant a fiat for the Tolla Trial to commence when the Courts were on holidays; and no criminal trial should be heard; and must also be gazetted. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Eke Halloway, was also sacked for his refusal to grant Tolla a 136 proceeding for a speedy trial; which was illegally prepared by Tolla’s lawyer, Nasiru Deen Tejan- Cole in his own very Chambers.
And when the Presiding Judge Umu Hawa Tejan- Jalloh locked me twice in a stinking cell for demanding my right to a lawyer; and no lawyer was willing to take up my case for fear of the Red Judge; except the Nigerian Gibson Okeky who too, was locked up amongst criminals for doing so. And he was equally denounced by the Salone Bar Association; for bringing the entire judiciary into shame, scandal and disrepute. Indeed, God opened my eyes to the entire gamut of the judiciary; to justify the name the Limba people gave me: open your eyes, see for us, be our light.
Indeed, to quote Shaki the pioneer of the one-party system likes his kith and kin Albert that: God moves in a mysterious Way, His wonders to perform. When I was nominated by EBK to serve as minister, the judiciary which did not produce a ruling to make an appeal possible; came up with their 60-page ruling. It was backed by a hostile parliament; for many had been exposed by the uncompromising pen of For di People newspaper. My conviction was meant to stop me from ever holding any public office; and it was an outright cry by all that I should not get the job since I lied on the esteemed Judge. But again, God proved that even though I was a convict before the eyes of men, yet, I was a free man before Him. This was how Jesus overcame His conviction and death; and rose again so that those who believe in His Truth shall overcome the lies, falsehoods, plots and plans of the devil.
Under such circumstances, how can a man who stands by the truth and tells truth to power; a God-fearing leader leads Salone; when politicians and their adherents believe; that God does not exist in politics? A society that is subservient to dog-eat-dog, usai den tie cow na dae e dae eat, den say Bailor Barrie, u say Davidson Nicol?
A society, where Saloneans have bad heart for one another; where virtue is vice and vice is virtue? A society, that hates one another and love foreigners; and prefer to mortgage their abundant wealth to foreign- vested interests? A society, that has learnt nothing from the apocalyptic rebel war; and forgotten nothing!
A society that prefer to sacrifice human blood and engage in other demonic practices for power and riches? Is this not the reason why Gov Clarkson cursed us in his famous Clarkson Prayer for Salone; but asked God to forgive us in the world hereinafter? Indeed, Saloneans have learnt nothing! And forgotten nothing!
But the Truth that comes from God is Power! Truth is Victory! Satan offered power and worldly riches to Jesus; if only He bows down and worship him. But Jesus told him that we should worship only the one and only true God. But alas! We have fallen prey to the dogma of agba satanism; and destroyed a country that is supposed to be a paradise on earth! In such a negative climate, it is difficult, almost well-neigh impossible for a good leader to win; they will always try to destroy him. In my case, the APC and SLPP did not only convict me; but nailed me for corruption to stop me from holding public office, but they failed.
Infact, amongst the flagbearer aspirants, I am the only one that did not align myself with the old system; but always stand for God and Country and backs the NRM youth movement that has been eclipsed somehow; but is still alive! The other aspirants including the Big Six; kept silent as not to upset the oligarchs; who keep fighting each other and is in disarray.
And recently, the Tripartite Talks were a misnomer; bcos they failed on the electoral fraud by the SLPP; only to point finger at Samura Kamara for their failure to be led by the nose; and speak out and betray the party. And instead of uniting the party, the chairman and his deputy Minkailu Mansatay and Osman Yansaneh; have embarked on a witch-hunt tour against Samura which is bound to split the party rather than heal wounds. How then, can they bring positive change; when they are part of the corrupt, inept and evil system? A question of birds of the same plume, are bound to flock together.
I was the only one that EBK did not invite in the two dinners he hosted for the aspirants; even though after he sacked me and my wife advised we should go to State House and thank him; he confessed, that I inspire him and that I am honest, sincere and always think about the development of my country. And that I am not a sycophant like other ministers; who always asked for one favour or the other. Yet, he sacked me for sonkor sonkor; for standing up for what is right; even though he said, I am an excellent minister amongst the rest.
And the only one that was not given accreditation to the Port Loko convention; but was attacked by thugs of Bai Manoud and my vehicle damaged. I complained to EBK the night at the Buya Hotel; but some guys told me I should temper my views to conform with those of the party. On the morning, I was the only one that was barred from entering the convention; on the pretext that I could pose a problem bcos of my radical views. But the main aggro against me was simply bcos I had outrightly backed the NRM together with former EBK strongman Alpha Kanu; who later defected to the SLPP bcos of the growing hostility against him. My incessant write-ups and radio talks acted as a springboard to galvanize the NRM youth radicals. And it was at the very Port Loko convention; that a new democratic constitution was approved; that nullified the old EBK selective one. And by God’s intervention, it symbolized the start of the downfall of the old EBK/ Shaki dynasty; which culminated to his self-exile in Nigeria; as a fugitive running from a charge of Treason; and Bai Mamoud who also spent some time in prison before he was recently freed from the same Treason charge.
But I am consoled in the fact that God is with me and anointed me for a special mission; if not, I would’ve long been dead. A medico Swee Chai Ang at the London Independent Hospital said it was a miracle that I survived an assassination attempt under Bio; when I gunned down with an AK 74; whose bullet did not exit and it’s impact likened as if a napalm bomb is dropped on the victim. And thus, the sacrificial lamb for the democracy that has now gone to the dogs.
Whilst outside my office at Bishop House, a white bird with the speed of a rocket killed a poisonous snake between my legs; and left its tail swooshing up and down the hard ground with such ferocity.
A bush pigeon flew from nowhere and started playing and kissing my mouth, ears, sat on my shoulders and hopping all over my body. I gave it rice and water to drink before it flew away.
I survived a poison attempt by Justice Cowan in prison. And a prison officer wept bitterly that I had removed his evil ring from his finger; even though I was locked up in my cell. It was the first time he was sent to guard me; and a member of the Tetina ojeh society.
An angel in solitary confinement told me that an Egyptian Mufti told him whilst they were crossing the ferry from Lungi; that God will send a prophet who has womanized, drank and smoked to save Salone; even though, I didn’t know at the time he was an angel.
How about the vision of Jesus when I was totally helpless in prison telling me that it was for the same reason (the truth), that He too, was persecuted and killed; but that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Or the slaughter of a black cow on a Sunday when the prison blocks were locked; without a single drop of blood on the ground; and a prisoner serving a long sentence who took part in it; told me it was meant to eliminate me.
Or, being a ghost minister under EBK after he’d replaced me with Ahmed Khanou three months earlier before I was finally sacked.
Or, when ACC boss Ade Macauley was ordered to go all out to indict me; with govt ministers and other top guns in phyrric celebrations that I would definitely be jailed. But in the end, when the truth nailed the FA president Isha Johansen, Ade swopped the cases to free her; only for the diabolical APC secretary general Osman Yansaneh; to issue a press statement thanking Justice Fynn for letting a culprit off the hook.
Not to forget when the APC Parliamentary Committee on Sports invited me seven times in one year on allegations of corruption. It was a deliberate witch-hunt to lock up a man and destroy his political ambitions; even though EBK said he was a sincere, honest man who always thinks about the development of his country; and not a sycophant like his colleagues who always ask for one favour or the other. But in the end, many of those that diggeth a pit; subsequently fell in it as they fell victims to Bio’s COI and White Paper.
These are just a few examples of the many struggles that I went thru; that opened my eyes and led me to the path of spiritual journalism; and convinced me, that Jesus Christ is a Living God. I also won many awards; amongst them from: the National Youth Coalition, Kids Advocacy Network and All Walks Of Life. Also, students, traders, sports, journalists and from international bodies such as the UN Human Rights Office, the International Editor of the Year from the US-based World Press Review; and the first African newspaper to win the Gold Freedom of the Press Award from the London-based International Press Directory in Partnership with Index On Censorship; pipping the Israeli newspaper Al Haaretz. Also, from the Evangelical Fellowship of Salone for being a true soldier of Christ.
But the one that sums up my struggles for God and Country is the Civil Courage Prize from the Northcote Parkinson Fund; now John Train Foundation, whose chairman is the great Soviet nobel laureate Alexander Solzhenitsyn. The award reads: “for fighting tyranny in Salone and for steadfast resistance to evil at great personal risk.” My God-sent mission therefore, is to fight tyranny and evil in Salone as I did thru the pages of For di People newspaper and as Chairman of the National League for Human Rights and Democracy; from the one-party, authoritarian rule of Shaki to the prevailing fascist state.
And that is why God has a way of revealing Himself in events yet to come; in both physical and spiritual ways. It was a revelation to Dr Ibrahim Abdallah ( just like John the Baptist about Jesus), for him to quote the prophesy of ITA Wallace-Johnson, who is the founder of the APC National Youth League; which was hidden, but brought to light by him. In Abdallah’s preface to his historical account of the eleven year rebel war titled: Bushpaths To Destruction; the NYL founder said that:
“The youths would one day elect a radical leader; who would once again restore our status back to the Athens of West Africa; and make us an envy not only to Africa, but the rest of the world.”
If the voice of man is the voice of God, then certainly, that of Dr Abdallah in his book; echoes God’s spiritual message for the APC youths and by extension, the entire youth populace. This prophesy is already revealed when APC radical youths in the name of the NRM; ignited the revolution for God and Country; which continues to impact on the APC with dire consequences; since the EBK imposition in 2018; which continues to divide instead of unite the party. These are looming realities; that one can no longer put new wine in old skins. It will burst! Thus, the old, outdated APC must now give way to the new, radical APC youth!
The youths also identify the radical leader when they chose Paul Kamara (amongst all APC aspirants), to launch the NRM at the Harry Yansaneh Hall; named by Salone Association of Journalists after For di People journalist martyr, who was killed by the SLPP. It was also the newspaper that provided sanctuary to both the NRM and the ARM; when they took the APC to Court; that led to the vacation of the APC oligarchs, and the emergence of Alfred Peter Conteh to head the APC by a Court Order; and to conduct free and fair elections; which the one-party, selective oligarchs under the defacto Team A kakaed upon. This is enough evidence to show, that the prophesy of ITA Wallace-Johnson, the great Pan-Africanist, historian, journalist, poet and APC politician, has indeed, come to pass! The NRM was able to pin-point the radical, revolutionary leader in the person of Paul Kamara amongst the lot.
This is to buttress the fact that the seeds already sown by the radical NRM youth movement within the APC; would subsequently lead to the youth revolution that would embrace all youths from disparate political divide. The question as to who should lead the youth revolution is also echoed in the poignant songs of Emmerson and Amara Kabba- the two notable revolutionary musicians in the history of Salone. Both caused the political tsunami that played a pivotal role to conscientize the youths against Kabbah’s SLPP; and led to the emergence of EBK as APC leader.
But the only aspirant that Emmerson singles out as the man who is persecuted for the truth, is Paul Kamara. In one of the songs titled: Tu Fut Arata; Emmerson states that: Bra Kamara draw den attenshon den put d man detenshon. That the reason Paul Kamara is jailed and persecuted is for telling truth to power. There is already sufficient evidence that over-qualify him to lead the democratic youth struggle for God and Country launched by the NRM. And the Moses that Emmerson believes; would save Mama Salone from this norshi norshi en bola bola. Almost all the so-called lecturers cum bukmen and other professionals in politics; have kow-towed to the negative dog-eat-dog system from Shaki days to the present crop of APC/SLPP politicians; apart from Dr John Karefa-Smart and Dr Sorie Forna and journalist Ibrahim Bash- Taqi; both hanged ignobly by the APC for putting Salone first! This is why Shaki in sheer disgust and mockery said that: na sens mek buk norto buk mek sens.
But it is Amara Kabba, the reggae maestro dubbed the Bob Marley of Salone; who is explicitly clear as to the identity of the God-sent leader. And he also answers Emerson’s gnawing yearnings in Tu Fut Arata; as to who would be the Moses that would lead Sierra Leoneans to the promised land; the paradise outlined in the prophesy of the Egyptian Mufti and ITA Wallace-Johnson. But by what other ways would he be identified apart from the above?
In ‘Confront It’ song, an Amara Kabba state that Paul Kamara is the only aspirant who has confront it; and is respected for telling truth to power right across the globe. Also, that he is the only freedom fighter amongst not only APC aspirants but every other politician for that matter; and can be likened to Bai Bureh, Sekou Toure, Mandela, Marcus Garvey, Steve Biko or Haile Selassie. To crown it all; that Paul Kamara has got the power of the truth, the courage to suffer for the truth and the experience to tell it as it is; that no-one can deny.
But to stress and lend emphasis on the spirituality of his message; Amara Kabba gives assurance to the people of Salone; that they should wait the coming of the prophet; who will come in the Turning Revolution. This is the final revolution to crown all past revolutions; but this time, it will bring alleiluia/ alhamdulilai to the people; instead of the subhanalai of past revolutions; that brought in their wake blood, sweat, misery, war and tears. The coming prophet would be identified as one who is shoes to the cause of the people, of justice, humanity and freedom; and the only one to raise the banner of God; just like Mohamad, Jesus, Bhudda, Confucius, Moses and Rev Mooni. Again, only Paul Kamara has sacrificed life, limb and property; in the cause of the Youth Revolution in the God Revolution to free Mama Salone forever!
In Conqueror, the political trinity of evil encapsulated in dog eat dogism, is depicted by the head of the cobra in the cover of Amara Kabba’s album: Confront It. It symbolizes the inevitable fall of agba satanism; and those who believe that God does not exist in politics. It also marks the triumph of truth over falsehood, of good heart over bad heart; just like Christ’s triumphant cry: It Is Finished! The defeat of Satanism in Salone by His Truth thru the power of the resurrection; to also show, that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. That is why in Conqueror, Amara Kabba tells us that this prophesies that signals the demise of the evil trinity; was revealed to him whilst he was with the people serving God.
Conqueror therefore, is the finale to identify the leader as the one who has stood for the truth thru thick and thin; even though, demonic forces had often tried to bring him down; but however, has the courage to resist no matter the rise and fall; by always standing up for the truth and to do it again. And that consistency has made him the conqueror; to overcome and conquer the vicissitudes and persecutions of both the evil and tyrannical siamese twins- Luseni and Lansana of the APC and SLPP. And so, no matter how the APC sun is hot; or the SLPP tide is high, he is the conqueror. Again, only Paul Kamara has suffered the persecutions of both SLPP and APC amongst aspirants; and still remains undaunted.
In conclusion, the struggle within the APC party is between those who are part and parcel of the old, anarchronistic, one-party, selective ideology who are at each other’s throat; and Paul Kamara who stands alone for always telling truth to power. And also, the only one that can bring true democracy, humanity, unity and justice to APC and Salone; bcos Bio and the SLPP spilled his blood for democracy and killed Yansaneh; and thus, the sacrificial lamb for Salone democracy. He is also the father of the youths; and of the rebel, sobel, kolonko and the kalanka!
