Beyond Stand Fast

8:00 a.m. – As I write, we are nearing the two week mark in “Stand Fast” mode here in Kenema City and it would seem there is no end in sight.  We’ve had fits and starts of progress with small glimmers of hope only for them to be dashed by new, unforeseen circumstances.  Here is a brief run-down on what’s happened…

As I said in my last submission, Sierra Leone held its elections two Saturdays past on the 17th to what international observers and numerous groups within the country alike hailed as “free and fair”.  Sure, there were complaints about certain precincts counting more votes than the number of registered voters but that isn’t terribly unusual…hey, in Chicago, we were always reminded to vote early and often!  But not wanting to be too flippant about this, the cause for concern over voter irregularities seemed to be a terribly overwrought.  When results were finally announced late in the afternoon Friday, November 23rd (with over 87% of the registered voters casting their ballots, by the way), the incumbent, President Ernest Bai Koroma, was re-elected by a margin that would deny any doubt that abnormalities played a part in his victory.  The President garnered over 58% of the vote (as you may recall, 55% was necessary to avoid a run-off which we all feared) while the Green guy held steady with just a bit over 37% of the popular vote.  It seemed that this 20% spread was clearly significant.

The night of the announcement, Tony and I went over to the University Canteen with numerous other lecturers, a mixed group of Reds and Greens, while the radio blared out the long-awaited news.  When Koroma’s winning percentage was announced, a hushed, but nonetheless, distinct murmur of voices was evident, not in the room but from the city itself.  It was evident that just about everyone in Kenema was talking but whether it was angry or supportive, we could not discern.  But, the white noise-like rumble in “surround-sound” was certainly disquieting.   Not long after, Kenema was quiet.
To my mind, a combination of things contributed to the surprisingly calm night that ensued.  A drenching rain began as the sun set which kept a lot of people in their homes and off the streets.  Coupled with that, planned or not, the electricity went out about 7:00 p.m.  Finally, the winning margin itself was simply too great to rationally dispute this clear win so most people in the city were caught in the rain, in the dark, without a leg to stand on.  Or so we thought…

Saturday proved to be amazingly calm, too, but Sunday, the day the commission was to announce the results of the Parliamentary seats, found unrest in both Bo and here in Kenema.  A flash mob was reported mid-afternoon in Bo City and a group of demonstrators rallied near enough to Tony’s house that we clearly heard them coming and I could see them on the other side of the university soccer field as they coursed through the streets waving placards and shouting political slogans.  As a precaution, a curfew went into effect Sunday night and the streets were, once again, silent all night. 
That brings us to today, Monday, November 26th.   The campus awoke slowly and students, singly or in small groups, shuffled to class while we awaited word from Peace Corps that Stand Fast would finally be at an end.  What we got, though, was a text message from our Country Director saying she’d be calling soon to discuss plans for our “unique” situation.  Hmm.  That sure sounded like Stand Fast was still standing; and for us, it was.  We learned that the seeming morning calm on campus was an illusion.  In fact, almost right under our own noses, a number of nearby downtown businesses had either been bombed or burned last night and word on the street was that tonight targeted residences would be hit.  Thank goodness Peace Corps, as always, played this with safety uppermost in their minds.  We had about 45 minutes to pack, secure the house, and board the already waiting Peace Corps vehicle to be whisked off to a secure setting. 

8:00 p.m. – So, with the power on, I’m sitting in my little living room, returned to my quiet little bungalow in the bush and am happy to report real quiet…well, other than the rumble of thunder and the tapping of rain on my metal roof as yet another rolling storm lumbers through the area.  I’m totally safe and sound!

From this experience, there is one thing I know for certain abdout Sierra Leone which has been echoed in many, if not all conversations I’ve had of late…the people are tired of war and will go to any lengths to prevent a repeat of that horrible civil war of ten years past.  I truly believe them and even more importantly, I believe in them.  Peace will prevail here!