SORI SESAY ALMAMY

Almamy Sori Sesay (late 19th century-1970) was a vigorous and enlightened paramount chief of Konike Barina chiefdom in the Tonkolili district of Sierra Leone. One of his main concerns was to persuade the government to build a road to facilitate the marketing of rice which his chiefdom produced in abundance. After many years of campaigning, the road, later to be extended to the Tonkolili-Kona highway, was eventually completed, due in large measure to his efforts.

He was born at Mayopeh in Konike Barina (one of the two Konike chiefdoms in Tonkolili district), a member of the Muslim Sesay ruling family in which he grew up. He appears to have started market operations in rice, for which the chiefdom was noted, on a large scale. By 1930, he had become a successful trader at Magburaka, the nearest big town to Konike Barina and a terminus for the northern branch of the Sierra Leone railway.

When the paramount chief of Konike Barina, Almamy Kanu, died in 1930, Almamy Sori stood as candidate in the subsequent elections. He was opposed by several others, among whom was Ali Fefegura, son of Mirabong Sesay, the last 19th century warrior chief of all the Konike Temne. Almamy Sori won the election but his opponent could not accept defeat and stirred up trouble in the chiefdom during the first two years of Sori’s rule.

In 1932, Sori took action and had Fefegura banished to Bo by the colonial authorities. Although he eventually forgave him, Fefegura was never allowed to return to Konike Barina. Lanky in appearance, Almamy Sori was a determined and progressive leader. He made the pilgrimage to Mecca twice during his lifetime, and was nominated unofficial member of the Legislature from 1942 to 1945. He was awarded the Certificate of Honour in 1946 and later of O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire). Successive district commissioners, colonial secretaries, and governors spoke of him in the highest terms. E.F. Sayers, a clear-sighted provincial commissioner in the north, wrote in 1940, that Almamy Sori was “an energetic and progressive-minded chief who favours common sense when it and old tradition conflict.”

Another district commissioner stated that the paramount chief had “a natural dignity and courtesy… [was] very sound and public-spirited, [and]…. was prepared to risk unpopularity…” among his subjects for their benefit. This same district commissioner, however, said on another occasion that Almamy Sori was “impulsive and hasty, quite ready to forget the Native Law and quite prepared to be overbearing.” Different situations appeared to bring out different reactions.

One of Almamy Sori’s most significant endeavours was his campaign for a road to link his main town of Makali with Matotoka, a town situated on the BoMakeni road. Long before the present Tonkolili-Kono highway (completed in 1971) became a reality, he had seen the need for a main artery of this nature. For over 13 years he pressed his case with the colonial authorities, combating their procrastination.

Sori first sent a letter to the district commissioner of Bombali district north of Tonkolili in 1935, requesting the construction of a road whose main purpose would be to assist the marketing of rice which Konike produced so abundantly. The letter stated in no uncertain terms that the paramount chief wanted his people to “get rest [from transporting loads by head….” He promised labour and financial assistance if only administrative blessing and support were forth-coming.

The colonial authorities showed little interest. A surveyor was sent to examine the area, but no action came of the survey. While the authorities wrangled over cost and feasibility, Almamy Sori again appealed in 1937, this time directly to the governor of Sierra Leone. A survey was again made in 1938 and again the matter appeared to end there. In July 1939 Almamy Sori tried again, by talking to Governor J.D. Jardine (term of office 1937-41). This brought no quicker action. In August 1940, he wrote again, this time on behalf of all three Konike chiefdoms promising to give all possible help to the project so that the chiefdom may gain light.

By this time the project, much discussed on paper by the administration, had expanded to include an extension beyond Makali to Masingbe. Although officially approved, no work was started until the needs of World War II quickened the pace.

The colonial administration imposed a rice quota on the provinces to feed extra personnel at the important port of Freetown. By 1943, Almamy Sori’s report to the provincial commissioner indicated that transporting rice by headloads made it impossible for his chiefdom to fulfill its quota. Thus spurred, the governor in November 1943, ordered work on the Matotoka-Makali road to be started as soon as possible. Only now was the need for a road, expressed by Sori eight years earlier, felt to be urgent.

Work was started in 1944, but with the end of the war the sense of urgency died down, and the difficulties of finding labour and the fact that the road would pass through secret society bush loomed as grave problems. Thus the work was suspended. In 1947, it was resumed, and was finished by June 1948. Finally, Almamy Sori’s 13-year-old dream became a reality, amid celebrations in Konike. It was this road that was extended and later remade in 1971 to become the Tonkolili-Kono highway.

Almamy Sori died in 1970 after ruling as paramount chief of Konike Barina for 40 years. He was buried at his capital Makali.

C. MAGBAILY FYLE