By Mohamed Juma Jalloh
The deadly spates of violence that occurred a week ago at principal streets in Freetown is reminiscent of the brutal civil conflict that wrecked the country for years.
Many say, it is the neglect of past years and the time- honoured adage: “Look not where you fall but where you trod” is relevant here.
it is a maxim common to all Sierrra Leoneans.
The maxim aptly describes the age-old negligence of the authorities to stop clique violence which right-thinking members say, has landed Sierrra Leone into a terribly violent society.
Freetown’s Central Business District fell victim of clique violence when irate youths took to the streets against each other.
The Violence which resembled an Operation Pay Yourself led to partial damage of Sierra Leone People’s Party headquaters on Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown.
Many Sierra Leoneans say, youth violence is a direct consequence of the decade-long conflict in Sierra Leone.
The Office of National Security (ONS) in one of its national security assessment reports had warned of a generalized wave of youth lawlessness that is characterizing post-conflict Sierra Leone.
The warning, however was taken with a pinch of salt by the authorities.
The storm began rumbling long ago and it has only begun to wreak havoc on an impoverished state like Sierra Leone.
The violent tactics employed by the youths are doubtful. The youth’s actions are extreme and their message is compelling. They showcase a clear national security threat for the authorities.
Clique violence began in Sierra Leone in 2005 and ‘The Rock’ at Aberdeen beach was the meeting place.
The clique guys are identified by a red cloth worn around their necks. Their bodies are marked with tatoos representing the initials of their names and political constituencies in their communities.
Many of these cliques exist with different names but the ‘Member of Blood,’ the deadliest is in the West of Freetown.
Frequent police raids have not stopped them from violence. On a Sunday evening, a week ago, the police dispersed and apprehended some of its members at the beach.
It did not end there, peer group influence took them at the stadium car park, a vast empty space suitable to play hide-and-seek game with the police.
‘Black Street’ as it is popularly known becomes a center for the sale of different harmful drugs. No doubt, the spot has relegated to a hiring ground for vicious and ruthless thugs.
These thugs are easily preyed upon by some politicians of the main opposition, All People’s Congress and the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party during times of inter-party conflicts.
Some residents in clique communities are frightened and worried since the clique guys can do anything if hired. “The clique youths are mercenaries who will stop at nothing to do politicians’ bidding as long as money is paid,” one of the residents said.
Apart from MOB, other violent clique groups also flourish and wreak the most havoc.
The Community Revolution in Progress and Brotherhood Support (CRIPBS) plunders central Freetown, while the Stay Black (SB) threatens the mid and extreme east of Freetown.
They are very much notorious at UP-Gun and Waterloo communities.
Although MOB ‘clique guys’ can be found in and around the Salad Ground, Falcon Bridge as well as Eastern Police, the central business district is dominated by CRIPBS thugs represented by the ostentatious blue mufflers.
The inscriptions go as MOB 109, CRIPBS 105 AND Easthood101, but these later changed following the de-amalgamation process.
A huge number of these youths are complete illiterates and some are school dropouts.
The Carwash at the Youyi building, adjacent to the Miatta Conference hall has been transformed in to a hang-out spot for the errand boys of some ministers.
The intake of cannabis and other harmful drugs seems uncontrollable as the canabis smell rents the air all day long.
The police at the gate seem helpless to stop the intake.
A great number of personalities seem apparently dissatisfied with the behaviour of the clique guys.
A Notable government minister has expressed resentment over the attitude of the carwash boys at the Youyi Building. “You will be hounded for money by the car-wash guys,” one of the ministers said.
Severing the relationship between clique boys and politicians is extremely difficult. The bond hinges on ‘Quid Pro Quo’ reciprocity, because the boys do not perpetuate the work of politicians for nothing. Whenever they run into conflict with the law, politicians such as councilors Parliamentarians and misters storm police stations for bail negotiations.
The Police Commander for Freetown East was bold to say, Sierra Leone Police operational independence is sometimes micro managed by politicians with the prevalence of “Na Mi Borbor” syndrome.
Marriages are cemented between politicians and Clique boys at the secret society bushes.
The bonds strengthened at the ‘Ojeh’ and ‘Hunting’ bushes where deals are struck to attack and intimidate political opponents, activities viewed by many Sierra Leoneans as totally unrelated to politics.
On public holidays, periods masquerades parade the streets as a form of cultural display, clique boys march side by side with politicians with a penchant for violence.
The party offices of the two old political parties are breeding grounds for clique violence.
Encampment of intoxicated youths at those party offices is a naked display of lawlessness that negates President Bio`s war on the menace.
The Mayor of Freetown municipality was surrounded by belligerent youths before they were dispersed by military personnel who have occupied the ruling party office to prevent thugs going there again to play tricks.
Madam Aki Sawyer has, over the years, become a visible target for irate SLPP youths.
Brandishing of machetes by clique guys, pelting stones and setting cars ablaze are scenes reminiscent of the brutal civil war.
Of what benefit these youths hope to achieve by hitting their fellow citizens with a machete?
As it always happens, politicians are always inclined to defend their parties.
The spiraling clique violence has reached worrying trends and the public has been wondering how could such level of violence threatens communities sandwiched by two police divisions.
Residents are most frustrated and worried when such incidents are tainted with political colouring totally ignoring the clique violence factor.
It is no gainsaying that clique boys are emboldened by highly placed politicians.
The local Police partnership Board (LPPB) which were established in different communities to provide information to the police to strengthen the fight against crime has so far proved ineffective. Investigations have proved that whenever relatives of LPPB executives are embroiled in criminal activities, the issue is swept under the carpet or the suspect is advised to relocate to another community.
Accusations have been swirling that the LPPB’s expose only those whose relatives are not resident in such communities.
Youth violence in communities can be traced as far back as the 1970’s, a period when politicians began employing youths to disturb the peace for the achievement of political ends.
As terrorism becomes widespread in contemporary societies, the fear of recruitment of the clique boys into terror groups is very prominent.
With a few thousand dollars, these youths can be transformed into home-grown terrorists targeting government buildings, public squares and embassies.
The Ministry of youths, the focal institution charged with the mandate of policy formulation is overwhelmed in tackling the youth violence problem.
Youths, 15-35yrs, account for about 33% of the country`s population and represent about 63% of the economically active population of which 67% are unemployed.
It is incontrovertible that the youths are the most energetic segment of Sierra Leone’s population. Thus, many Sierra Leoneans have argued that “idle youths are a recipe for chaos and anarchy in any country.” The few projects implemented by the New Direction government are touted by critics as “white elephants” owing to the unsustainability factor.
One of those projects is the ‘Youth in Carwash’ which is a mere scratch on the surface considering the mammoth unemployment facing the youths in Sierra Leone.
If the new direction government is enthusiastic about the plight of the youths, efforts at transforming the lives of the youths must not stop at one-off publicity stunt projects.
Rather, strategies must be systematic, nationalistic and comprehensive.
As Mohamed Orman Bangura, Minister of Youth Affairs sums it up “government can sometimes provide the favourable conditions it is left with the youths to nurture a passion to succeed in life.”