Stand Fast

I’ve been in Kenema City, in the eastern province of Sierra Leone, with two other of my fellow Response Volunteers, for a week now.  We shifted into what has been called a modification in our Peace Corps Emergency Action Plan, referred to as “Stand Fast” in the lingo.  Stand Fast is the lowest significant level to be initiated when political conditions in a country become tenuous and where there is potential for violence or danger.  Kenema, as is the entire eastern region, is one-sidedly supportive of the Sierra Leone People’s Party which we refer to as the Greens since they wear green garb while the incumbent party wears red…er, they are referred to as the Reds.  I am happy to say it has been almost pastoral here so quiet are the streets. 

Presently, the populace is patiently poised for the results of last Saturday’s elections and it is, predictably, taking a long time for the vote count.  News blurbs this morning indicated that a very peaceful and successful election was held and International Observers praised this little country for its ability to hold such a contest given that only ten years ago they were in the throes of a violent civil war.

Even though we’ve been without water for almost two days, we have had electricity most of the time and I have to say we are living like kings and queen!  The street food is delicious and bountiful and the Star beer is still Le 3000 a bottle.  For Thanksgiving, we are going to go out and get a Guinea hen or large chicken (there are no turkeys in Sierra Leone) and Tony, the consummate cook with all the equipment, is going to treat us to a feast as he has a few times already.  It’s always interesting to see how you can substitute ingredients when virtually nothing American is available…especially as far as this holiday goes.  But Tony has been in Peace Corps for over five years in both South Africa and Madagascar and has learned all the tricks so it’s bound to be great!

Back to the election, in the final count, if no candidate for president has won 55% or more of the popular vote, a run-off will need to be held on Saturday, December 8th.  According to all news sources, this would be the time for civil disturbance to occur.  I have to say, when PCRV Jessica and I walked through Bo on our way to pick up a taxi to Kenema, the streets were replete with Greens in what appeared to be a city-wide political rally.  The experience, even from the windows of the taxi, was frighteningly crazy.  People, drunk on palm wine or the general cacophony, and bedecked in palm fronds and silly hats (hmm…sort of like our own national presidential nominating conventions) milled everywhere blowing whistles and shouting fervent political epithet for their man (and woman…the Green’s vice-presidential running mate is female!). The almost frantic feeling I got, however, left me with the taste of how potentially dangerous a crowd like this could be if they were rallying nearby the opposition and an altercation broke out.  So, for the time being, we Peace Corps Volunteers are happily clumped together in small clutches for safety’s sake and good reason, living the good S.L. life, and standing fast!  I’ll send out more when we know something; I could be off until January or teaching this coming Monday. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and you enjoy the long weekend! We’ll be here in Kenema where it is easy to be Green.