By Mohamed Kamara
In the 70’s, it was the Cold War all the way, countries referred to today as developing countries were in the diplomatic language referred to a ‘Third World Countries’.
These countries were the dumping ground of the East and the West in searching for partners in solidarity at all times, then the Russians on the one hand and the Americans and their allies on the other.
Their state of independence was never guaranteed, but something took place which changed the whole scenarios in International Relations, the quest for Unity among Third World Countries was born giving way to the formation of the Non-Align movement which comprise African, Caribbean and Pacific states.
In Sierra Leone, the then Siaka Stevens government established Diplomatic Relations with North Korea, Tavian, Israel and Cuba. It was a testing time for most countries in the block, China wage diplomatic war with counties which recognized Taiwan but South Korea stood against those countries that recognised North Korea, the Americans stand firm against Cuba and Israel was condemned by Islamic countries for its war with Arafat’s Palestine.
The going was never easy, pressure piles with economic offers and Siaka Stevens cut off relations with North Korea in exchange for the South, China in exchange of Tavian, the Americans in exchange of Cuba and finally Israel in exchange of the Middle East. Sierra Leone had never had cause to cut off diplomatic relations had it not been for pressure.
Most of what occurs with developed nations which had convinced Siaka Stevens was the introduction of the lending and borrowing culture, the infiltration of investors from the west and expanded trade relations.
Now, with the Cold War over and the Non-Align Movement defunct, each country now stands to mend its own colours, we have got a lot of experience and it is timely for us to revive the old not only to show our strength but the integrity of being a Sovereign State.
Visionary President Bio sees reason why it must be today. The challenges of the 21st century especially those in the Economic range does not need for other nations to tell us what to do and what direction we should be heading for. We knew what our people want and to achieve this we don’t need limitations. We are matured to buttress other countries ideologies. They will never work because we have our traditions, cultures and customs that unite us together.
