The good old saying is still true: “those who live in homes of glass must never be first to cast the stone.” Mr. Varfley Dorlleh has caste the metaphoric stone and so a reaction is appropriate to set the records straight and bring sanity to the important conversation that is the Mandingo Conference.  I think silence would have done Mr. Dorlleh more good than harm.  Amazingly and in spite of his own admissions that history would not be unkind to him for being silent, he nonetheless goes on to launch a volley of assault on free thinkers who are basically asking legitimate questions as it relates to the organization of the impending Conference.

 I have participated in one meeting where I raised concerns about having one universal keynote speaker, whose selection I understand was based on his “great revolutionary acumen and achievements.” Pardon the phraseology, as the latter is not the exact but rather the contextual descriptions I heard.  It is the context within which the discussion progressed.  That being the case, I suggested for instance the inclusion of others such as Sekou Conneh, and also the inclusion of a female speaker, representation amongst the youth and elders. I also suggested that the brother and sisters from New York, LIMANY(s) be included. After that healthy discussion in May 2007, a key organizer assured that “we will get back to your.” The organizing Committee,  not fast on their feet, allowed a growing number of respected community leaders to chime in on the issue. 

To my understanding and to this date, the organizing committee has remained immutable to change. It is not only very counterproductive to characterize people with opposing views as supporters of Brumskine, Johnson-Sirleaf, Bacuss-Matthews and Sawyer, it is erroneous, misleading, infactual and only designed to create the seeds of discord among our people, thus defeating the intent and spirit of the conference.  Sheer partisanship is the basis for some of our troubles and that is why I had thought this conference would address.  Mr. Dorlleh’s tirade transports sweeping generalizations bereft of basis and specifics. No single individual is named as collaborators of the opposition, thus rendering the gentleman’s argument feeble and timid.  From my own assessment, the majority of people asking questions are in fact long-time supporters of Mr. Kromah. They want to be assured that this conference is all-inclusive, that the forum lives up to its name. I think a perfect opportunity is being hashed here for Mr. Kromah to share the podium with others of divergent views and at the end of the day, they may find a common ground. The stage could also be used to reach out. That’s what politics is all about. Political Science 101, remember?

     Mr Dorlleh, granted some of the people or even most of us agree with your premise that Alhaji Kromah is  an icon, a political genius worth emulating, why then did you campaign against his presidency in recent election of August 2005? Why then did you join the Center for Democratic Change (CDC) of whom I believe you are still a card-bearing member? Why did you sway voters away from your icon?  Had your party, the CDC, won, would you be in the same defensive posture you are in now? Most Mandingoes will find your belated intervention hard to stomach, I am afraid. A political butterfly is as light as the ink he writes with. It is absolutely disingenuous on your part to stab people in the back who yielded unflinching loyalty to the causes of our people while you vacillated and traded your loyalty for a few coins and dollars.  You have only been outspoken when it befits your narrow interests. The Mandingo community has done so much for you and it is about time that you begin to give back in a real positive way.

     One morning, I believe it was in January 1991, not quite sure, Mr. Kromah spoke to the BBC. He announced a position statement, the collective mandate of our people most of whom were then in exile.  He called on Charles Taylor to allow our people to return home or face the wrath of a concerted action. That was the militancy that galvanized our people to rally around him. I do not have any iota of doubt that he has the capacity to bring a great majority of our people together. Now is the time. Now is the time to put aside what breaks and instead embrace what makes us. This generation must be molded to take up the challenges of tomorrow. It behooves our leaders to spearhead that enterprise.  The fear tactics of labeling anyone that opposes your views as “Taylorites ,” is mere jungle justice that holds no place in the community of civilized people.

     Mr. Dorlleh has the right to say whatever he wants to say. In the same breadth, he must respect and be tolerant of other people’s opposing views. In the words of a French Philosopher of the Enlightenment, “I may not agree with a word you say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it.” To that end, it is commendable that LIMAP has decided to stand its ground and publish his article, however divisive It may be. LIMAP will also do justice by publishing opposing views.  Instead arguing about Mr. Kromah, the main issue is whether the organizers or Mr. Kromah himself will allow anyone else to share the stage with him during this Conference. This is the real issue and the test-case of our time. 

Msherif18@yahoo.com