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A long-standing conflict between the Muslim majority and the “Wonde” Secret Society in Gorama Mende Chiefdom, Kenema District, Eastern Sierra Leone, has escalated into a full-blown crisis.
Reports monitored from the Chiefdom indicate that the Secret Society’s attempts to impose its rituals on the Muslim majority citizens of Gorama Mende Chiefdom have been met with resistance, leading to ongoing conflicts between the two groups.
The situation took a dire turn with the suspension of Paramount Chief Haja Mariama Gassama Kanja 1V and the appointment of a caretaker Chief, Wahid Kallon by Sierra Leone’s Local Government and Community Development Minister, Tamba Lamina a few days ago.
The suspension of Paramount Chief Haja Mariama Gassama Kanja IV, a Muslim herself, has sparked controversy, with many believing it’s a result of her stance against the Wonde Secret Society – an allegation vehemently denied by government. The government cited a leadership gap and failure to provide leadership in the chiefdom as the reason for her suspension.
Paramount Chief Haja Mariama Gassama, according to reports, has previously used her wisdom to settle conflicts between the two factions amicably. Her suspension has significantly escalated tension in the Chiefdom with her supporters arguing that the suspension is “unjustified and politically motivated.”
A wave of violence has gripped Gorama Mende Chiefdom, as members of the Wonde Secret Society have allegedly attacked the Muslim community, targeting Imams who spoke out against the Society. Several victims, including Imams, have been stabbed, leaving many injured.
Fearing for their lives, numerous residents have fled the Chiefdom, seeking refuge elsewhere. The injured are reportedly receiving treatment at government hospitals in Kono and Magburaka.
Reports indicate that multiple Imams, Chiefs and prayer proclaimers (muezzins) have been arrested, taken to Freetown, and incarcerated at the Pademba Road Correctional Centre. Latest reports from Freetown allege that the detainees are being subjected to torture in prison.
A senior member of the Muslim community in the eastern region described the detention as “unjust”, stating that the Imams are being held solely due to their religious leadership roles.
Despite a high-profile visit in the Chiefdom recently, the tension in the Chiefdom remains unchanged. This is concerning, given the delegation’s impressive lineup, including the Minister of Local Government, Minister of Internal Affairs, Inspector General of Police, Chief of Defense Staff, the National Coordinator, Office of National Security, the Senior District Officer (SDO), among others.
Their presence was expected to ease tensions, but it appears that the underlying issues remain unaddressed.
It’s unclear what specific steps the delegation took during their visit or what measures they proposed to resolve the ongoing tensions. However, it’s evident that their efforts have not yielded the desired outcome.
Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu has confirmed that the violent clash in the Chiefdom resulted in significant property damage, including the burning of houses, motorbikes and other valuable property.
The Police Chief confirmed the incident to me in a telephone interview last night, stating that the police are investigating the matter. Sellu assured that a detailed briefing will be provided to the public upon completion of the investigation.
Dr. Habib Sheriff, President of the United Council of Imams, has also confirmed that the incident has indeed been brought to their attention. He revealed that the matter has been reported to their regional office in Kenema, which will compile a report to be submitted to the head office in Freetown for further action.
Attempts to obtain comments from the Minister of Local Government and other stakeholders were unsuccessful.
Citizens of Gorama Mende Chiefdom, both within and outside the country, are calling on President Julius Maada Bio’s government to take immediate action to protect the rights of the Muslim community and other peaceful citizens, and to prevent further violence in the Chiefdom.
They are also demanding the immediate reinstatement of the Paramount Chief and calling for the establishment of effective conflict resolution mechanisms to promote harmony among community members.
Gorama Mende Chiefdom is located in Kenema District, Eastern Province, with Tungie as its capital. The chiefdom has experienced ongoing tensions between the Muslim majority and the Wonde Secret Society, highlighting the need for effective conflict resolution mechanisms to prevent further escalation.
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Too sad for that chiefdom.society should not supersede religion
Onfotunately we have ignorant Muslims a lot in Sierra Leone. Muslims should not let initiatives over Islam because it can’t save any soul in the here after, only obeying the rules of the Creator and totall submission to HIS laws will save one in the here after, not any initiatives what so ever. May Allah put us among the repenters before death over come us Ameen
We pray that justice to be privaled
Hello
Is there someone or some group of people manipulating and inciting these incidences.When something that was never there before starts happenin,look for who is behind it.
This is so sad !!! 89% of all those causing those problems in the name of society are also muslims….something might have trigger this !! Most of the young boys been initiated nowadays does things out of ignorance and when some members standa agaist it , majority goes against them in the name of secrets society just out of ignorance and malice ….If imans are preaching against those things …ignored them an continue ur doings ….they are doing their own works in the name of religion , but if some members feel offended and awaits the time of indications trying to forcefully iniciates them due to an act of revenge or out of malice ….these can creates tensions and unrest within the community . Out of experences so it’s most times happens ….Let the government be fear in doing things ….paramount chife’s are known to be pillars of their secrets societies , so seen paramounts chife’s been suspended for not standing in favour of what he/she is supposed to stands for ….is a case to be investigated !!!!
God save our beloved country Sierra Leone 🙏 so many atrocities are happening now motivated by individuals and groups who don’t want to see peace amongst God’s people.
These political delegation from freetown will not stop the fighting because they’re also part of the wonde society(Evil cannibalism society). Allah will surely avenge his people for fighting against evil.
Na all den alaki ya mk Salone nor dae go b4. Den nor craze go with this alaki society na overseas.
You’re an ignorant fool, playing to the gallery. For proof for your claim, name one person, just one person that has been eaten anywhere in Sierra Leone. Fool.
The secret society is been used to do their evil ceremonies for political gains, so what will you expect them to do, is to support the secret society. Putting innocent Imams under pressure. God save salone
Someone wants access to land and to have power over land you need to be a chief,to be a chief you need to join the Wonde;and this person cannot join the Wonde.So that person decides to attack the Wonde which is a stumbling block to that person’s access to land.How does that person do it?Use religion to divide the people.You know how many hundreds of years The Wonde has been part of Sierra Leone culture.We are going to preserve our culture!GET THAT NOW!!!
I hope you also preserve it in the hereafter as your Creator awaits your return.
The most beloved person in the sight of Allah is the one who speaks the truth in the sight of a matyr even if it causes your death.
Did you hear about the woman and his daughter that were sent into fire by Pharouh for saying the truth about Allah. They are presently in one of the highest level of paradise.
The arrest of of those Muslims and the suspension of the paramount chief is unjust.
Is it the pc that conduct the lower election or the Muslims.
Please Mr President handle Gorama mende secret society issues by majority. Justice delay is justice denied
Both Muslim and Christian Kpai Mende are in The Wonde society because it is our culture for hundreds of years now.You cannot stop it!!!!It’s NOT POSSIBLE!!!!
If you don’t accept Mende Culture the leave MENDE LAND!!!
I am not a member of the wonde society but, I believe everything should be done to protect that culture. What a nation we will be without our cultures.
Most of our cultures existed before religion came to our country.
Many Muslims do not read the Quran, if they do, do not understand it.
In Sura 3 vrs 106-107 tell you, if you are Black you are destined for hell. In the quran, blacks are slaves. The Prophet himself was a slave master and Bilal was his slave.
The Hadiths tells you that the Quran was sent for the Arabs .
Read and understand the book you are following, it will open your eyes.
Let us protect our cultures and customs, that is what defines us as a nation, religion was imported.
Ignorance is a disease and you are suffering from that. Some of you are the ones who are misleading this young generation.
That landbis Kpai Mende Land whether you like it or not!!!
Have you asked yourself Why they have not attacked the bondo and poro ociety only Wonde.Because Wonde is where the power is for leadership and for land in Kpa Mende Land.They think we are fools!
Wait a minute. This looks like a very simple matter to resolve. I think everybody should mind his/her business. If members of the Wonde Society are not meddling in the affairs of the Muslim community, I see no reason why the Imams should be criticising the existence of the Wonde Society. The Wonde Society has been in existence for hundreds of years. In most Chiefdoms and communities the two coexist peacefully. Most of these Imams are idlers and trouble makers. I think it is a good idea to lock them up for some time. The first mistake was to have elected a woman as Paramount Chief of a Chiefdom where the Wonde Society exists. She should be removed from office instantly.
Infact it is not all muslims,just those controlled by some people behind the scenes.
My brother a country without justice is a country without hope
May Allah guide our people over there 🙏…
This thing call secret society is the root of all this problem in our home ground,Gorama mende chief dom.Let them reinstate our PC back or else there will be no peace in that chief dom,because the people of that chief dom loves their leader( PC ) and also the Muslim majority