by John Koroma
The Goderich Community in the Western Area of Freetown is predominantly occupied by Muslims and fishermen and this community considers homosexual or bi-sexual as a heinous offence that carries severe consequences and sometimes death.
This incident highlights the deep social tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ issues in Sierra Leone, where same-sex relationships are strictly prohibited.
Information reaching this news outlet from the Goderich Community indicates that youths residing in the community have gone on the rampage in search of one Augustine Foday Kargbo and his lover Emmanuel Conteh who were allegedly caught in the act of homosexual in the neighborhood of Solo B. Drive. According to reports, Augustine Foday Kargbo have been identified as son of the Chief Imam of Umar Bin Alkatab Mosque of Solo B. Drive in the Goderich Community and his lover Emmanuel Conteh as a fervent Christian worshiper.
The report further disclosed that, both Augustine Foday Kargbo and his lover Emmanuel Conteh were caught in one of the schools in the community having sexual intercourse that led the youths residing in the community to go on the rampage by eliminating or killing both of them which would serve as a deterrent to others who are engaging in same sex in the neighborhood. As a result of the protest by the angry youths, Augustine Foday Kargbo managed to escape but Emmanuel Conteh was brutally killed.
These irate youths took to the resident of the runaway Augustine Foday Kargbo but after several search at the home where his father is currently residing but to no vail, his father the Imam of Umar Bin Alkatab was strictly warned to produce his son or else they would make an official report to the Sierra Leone Council of Imams.
Based on the severity of the matter, the Sierra Leone Council of Imams met and suspend Augustine Foday Kargbo’s father pending the handing over of his son to the youth for justice to be served.
As a result of the decision of the Council of Imams, Mariama Kargbo a family member has appealed to the council to revisit their decision. She further narrated that their father has never supported Augustine Foday Kargbo practicing homosexual or same sex. She added that, sometimes in 2015, when he (Augustine Foday Kargbo) was caught by their father with the deceased lover Emmanuel Conteh their father threatened to hire youths to kill him.
“Practice of homosexual or same sex is strictly prohibited by not only the state but also the Islamic teachings although him Augustine have been Christian for a while now,’’ she added, stating that, based on the threats from his father, Augustine Foday Kargbo threatened to kill himself by drinking caustic soda used for making local soap and that prompt him to leave his father house and rent in the next neighborhood. Again, she stated that, after the landlord notice their move with his lover, Augustine Foday Kargbo was served with an ejectment notice. Mariama Kargbo added that, Augustine Foday Kargbo also went and rented another house and shortly they were caught by the youths. She concluded by appealing to members of the council of Imams to revoke the ban place on their father. She shed tears that their father is an upright man that always love to be with his people especially in religious gathering and banning him would cause a lot of trauma for him.
The angry youths who are determined to cleanse the community have intimated to this medium that they will not rest till justice is served.
“The act of same sex or homosexual is a heinous crime that we are fighting to end in our neighborhood and we would only succeed by eliminating the perpetrators,’’ the Youth Leader stated.
Family members of the deceased Emmanuel Kamara remains reticent to comment on the matter.
As we go to press, the whereabouts of Augustine Foday Kargbo still remains unknown but we hope to get his side soon.
