Q. Tell us about the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and Sierre Leone.
A: The SLLC is a national trade union coalition like your TUC with twenty two affiliates covering around 400,000 workers. It has survived despite one party rule and military government. It is the largest single democratic organisation of civil society. Sierra Leone is considered by the World Health Organisation to be one of the world's most impoverished countries.
However, the country is rich in diamonds, gold, bauxite and rutile. It has been ruthlessly exploited by multinationals who have ignored the outrageous levels of smuggling that has propped up corrupt regimes.
Q: How did the coup come about?
A: Those in the front line of the so-called rebel war have long claimed that there was so little distinction between the rebels and soldiers that they called them "sobels". Both factions benefited materially from the war, leaving the people caught in the middle.
Their fusion was no surprise. They stormed Freetown prison to free their comrades awaiting trial for crimes against the people and then embarked on a bloody, brutal looting spree. The six hundred released were given guns and told to help themselves to anything they needed. Workplaces have been ransacked, homes and small shops stripped and wrecked, vehicles stolen at gunpoint. Gangs of drunken, aggressive young militia men and women have abused and sometimes murdered those trying to reason with them while the military authorities turn a blind eye and claim complaints are exaggerated.
Q. How have the trade unions responded?
A: The SLLC was able to call for and sustain a mass stayaway from work despite threats from the regime that all those not reporting for work will be immediately dismissed. We have formed an alliance with all other sections of civil society, including the religious councils, women's organisations, small traders, students and professional bodies. We have acted in unison on the need to mobilise and ensure that this junta is unable to consolidate its position.
Q. What are your main demands and what position have you taken towards the mainly Nigerian ECOMOG forces that have sworn to topple the regime in Freetown?
A: We have called for all measures including military intervention if necessary. We have issued an unambiguous statement that the overthrowing of the civilian government was a crime and must be put right before peace can be restored. We know that we speak with the overwhelming support of the people of Sierra Leone. The masses are tired of war and military rule. They took great risks voting for a civilian government and all their hopes are invested in that prospect. The very thought of being governed by this military junta is repugnant and will not be tolerated by the masses.
Our other demands are to revive the peace accord, for comprehensive demilitarisation and to find peaceful methods of resolving differences. Our young people can strip and clean an MK47 but cannot read or write.
The campaign to oust this regime is gathering pace. There are incredibly moving stories of workers refusing to be forced to work at gun point.
Q: What lessons have you drawn from the struggle so far?
A: First, we have to recognise the centrality of the working class in any activity to defeat the military regime.
Second, the need to build alliances with other sections of civil society based on clear demands, and what I would call an ultra-democratic way of working, is essential.
Third, we should begin to think about the form of government we need. Many of those elected last year wasted no time in supporting the military. Our representatives must be accountable, all business must be transparent and the trade union movement cannot be relegated to a back seat.
The workers' movement is in the forefront of defending democracy, and we must be in the forefront of ensuring that it works, which includes ensuring the wealth we produce is equitably distributed. Exploitation has to stop.
Q: You have received messages of support from all over the world. What else can be done?
A: These messages have been very heartening and encouraged us to carry on when the situation looked very grim. We now want our friends to think about what material help they can give us to rebuild our movement. We are also asking all workers' organisations to pressurise their own governments to reject the advances of this regime. We want to ensure that they have nowhere to turn for support and are totally isolated.