Opinion

By Ibrahim Sourie Mansaray, California.

It was filled with horror when I contemplated a recent photo of former Sierra Leone Head of State, Valentine Esegrabo Strasser, currently "living" in Touba, Senegal.The photo (displayed here) has provoked fresh debate both in the diaspora and in Africa about a former leader who had tried in his own little way to make history but is now languishing in a foregn country, waiting for death.

It is shameful to Africa and particularly to some Sierra Leoneans who had enjoyed tremendously under his regime. Good or bad, Strasser does not deserve what he is going through. Are there not worse leaders than Straaser in the world ? Why is he left to rot? What is happening to humanity?

In the Bible and Quran, it is clearly stated that a price of evil should not be paid back.You don’t repay evil as that is not one of the commands of God.Though Strasser’s regime was described by some as a mixed blessing for the country, it is yet to be seen when and how God will help this poor soul.

It is unquestionable that Strasser’s appearance on the political stage was a master stroke. His flamboyant military attire at the time was immaculate, his accent was soothing and his penchant for statesman-like appearances at occasions was magnificent. But all that seems to have gone into thin air. Who will help Strasser? Will God help Strasser in his present physically moribund status by sending Ernest Koroma to help him? The president can even help Strasser on humanitarian grounds. Where are all his friends?

Ironically, a lot of his friends who had dined with him are presently serving the ruling APC party. But alas, the human dynamics is full of hypocrisy , hate and malice.

It is for this and many reasons that political critics and philosophers have branded politics as a nasty game. Trusted friends are not in politics but permanent interests. Since his shameful return from London and his shabby appearance at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Strasser has been living in a shadow of his former self.

The legacy of Strasser will ever linger in the minds of Sierra Leoneans and the annals of history. His regime heralded unprecedented changes in the history of the country, though shortlived. However, his regime was also tainted with unsavoury executions of famous and selfless Sierra Leoneans whose contributions to national development were unquestionable.

The likes of Bambay Kamara, (former Inspector General of Police), Lt. Col. Yayah Kanu, Salami Coker, to name but a few will ever continue to haunt not only Strasser but all those who took the decision to end the lives of those people. Again , some have argued, it is what goes around in life that comes around.

The predicament of Strasser can be categorised into three phases: the failure of his personal ego to read the signs of his life, the ungrateful attitude of his ex-wife who abandoned him so cruelly when Strasser needed him most and the most painful can be attributed to the disloyal attitude of those he trusted around him.

From all political rhetorics and chess games, Sierra leoneans have failed to respect their past leaders. Look at the Nigerian scenario, all the past military leaders like Abdul Saalami Abubakarr, Ibrahim Babangida, Obasanjo, Muhammad Buhari are still respected despite their reigns being very bloody and nasty.

In 2001, before the death of former president J.S Momoh, the then leader of the RUF ,Foday Sankoh openly chastised Momoh at the Makeni Wusum field where ironically, the former president hailed from. Momoh was scorned and became of a feast for laughter by onlookers. Imagine, a former president whose motorcade in the country was most people’s aspiration. For some who saw Momoh is his days in Makeni at the hands of the rebels, he was reduced to wearing different colors of sneakers. What a disgrace to our former leaders! Even when Momoh was eventually residing in Guinea, there were reports that his health was failing and he needed medical attention. No one endeavored to help the late man. Why is politics so bad with us Sierra leoneans?

It would be foolhardy and hypocritical for people to wait to read tributes at Strasser’s funeral when they can save him now.This former leader must be taken care of.There are various ways the government can convince the God-fearing Sierra leoneans that Strasser needs help. If some of his pals and disloyal cohorts are enjoying today with impunity whilst the former strongman who laid his life for the country perishes in isolation, then someone needs to forget about politics and save a dying man from being mad.

Today, it’s Strasser, who knows who’s next?