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 The Jenkins-Johnston Commission of Enquiry, set up to look into the fatal
standoff between locals and security personnel of the Koidu Holdings mining
company in Kono yesterday questioned Sierra Leonean ownership of the country's
minerals.
Formally presenting the 105-page report, including proceedings, findings,
conclusions, reasons for the conclusions and recommendations to President Ernest
Bai Koroma at State House chairman of the inquest lawyer Blyden Jenkins-Johnston
noted with grief that: "It is fundamental to note that even though
Sierra Leone has been in the mining business for some 75 odd years, there has
never been any document, legislative or otherwise, that states or reflects that
the minerals belong to the people of Sierra Leone and not to those who have to
mine." He further reiterated that in the Commission's view investors
should be made to know that there has to be a "reasonable partnership" where the
owners must be seen to be benefiting.
The bloody fracas that prompted the setting up of the enquiry occurred on
December 13, 2007 when locals took to the streets of the diamond rich town of
Kono demanding that Koidu Holdings Ltd must address their grievances after
21-day ultimatum expired. In the process security personnel reportedly shot and
killed two of the demonstrators while many more were injured.
The human right lawyer observed that they were not only mandated to look at
the discontent between the people and Koidu Holdings, but to search for the root
causes as well.
"Although we were appointed on December 12, 2007, we travelled to Kono on the
January 19, met with Paramount Chiefs, and had a church service the following
day before we actually commenced work the next day," he said.
The investigators interviewed 42 witnesses and got 79 separate exhibits.
Apart from witnesses under oath, they also took statements from more than 30
other people but who were found to be duplicating evidence earlier obtained.
However, Jenkins-Johnston was skeptical about the implementation of the 17
recommendations five of which relate to the incidence and twelve relate to the
causes of the discontentment. He expressed fear that in the past many
commissions of enquiry have been set up but their reports ended up being locked
away and forgotten.
Meanwhile the President said the report was timely because government was
just at the point of reviewing all mining licenses and leases.
"We believe Sierra Leone has not been getting a fair share of its riches,"
the President said, adding that "this is not to threaten investors but that we
should all be partners in development." He said Sierra Leone must have something
to show as owners of minerals, maintaining that government will look at what is
contained in the report.
"On behalf of government, I'll accept the report. It will be studied and it
will not be shelved," he assured.
The
Diamond Guru: Sierra Leone: Who Owns The Country's Diamonds?
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