The Kafe Chiefdom’s paramount chief has urged his people to put the past behind them and embrace peace and togetherness for the benefit of the Chiefdom and its people.

PC Dr. Masakma Madibie II spoke to his people over the weekend in the chiefdom administrative center town of Kamaruku. He urged them not to continue letting the post-election impasses that have led to animosity and division among the populace hold development and yet-to-be-born generations hostage.

His Royal highness PC On May 29th, 2022, Dr. Masakma Madibie II was elected Paramount Chief of Kafe Chiefdom, Tonkolili District. However, the traditional leader inherited a divided chiefdom as a result of election-related disputes that later escalated into post-election violence, resulting in the burning down of homes and the injuries of several people.

The Chiefdom currently has four ruling houses, all of which are members of the Tholley clan. However, an attempt by the Chiefdom’s former Regent Chief and caretaker to introduce a new ruling house to the chiefdom was met with stiff resistance and also sparked tension, which resulted in the aforementioned incidents.

Tensions erupted between supporters of Ibrahim Sankoh, the former Regent Chief and current Paramount Chief, as soon as it was announced that he had won the election with 97% of the legal ballots cast.

For their protection, some citizens, particularly those in villages where homes were burned, are forced to flee to nearby chiefdoms. Both sides blamed each other and denied any wrongdoing throughout those unpleasant incidents. The Paramount Chief stated that it was against this backdrop that he was gathering his people and pledging to never again permit such despicable incidents in the chiefdom.

PC The chairman of the Tonkolili District Council of Paramount Chiefs and lecturer at the University of Makeni, Dr. Masakma Madibie II, urged his people to carry the chiefdom ahead by forgiving those who had wronged them. Only the natives, he claimed, will develop Kafe.

“Let’s put the past behind us and concentrate on securing a better future for our kids. We won’t advance as a chiefdom unless we forgive ourselves “said the Paramount Chief.

He asserted that internal disputes will not advance the chiefdom. He pardoned the former Regent Chief and his family, who are thought to be the masterminds behind the disastrous events because they not only established a new governing house but also made two of his brothers run for office.

“I’m also calling on others to forgive and move forward our chiefdom,” he said.

He shows sympathy for the victims of home fires and comforts those who were hurt. This, he claimed, is the cost that everyone in the community must bear for having bad people there.

However, the gathering finished with singing, dancing, and everyone promising the Paramount Chief that they would keep the chiefdom peaceful and united.