Veteran journalist and peace activist, Mr. Michael Massaquoi has over the past weekend brokered peace discussions between Paramount Chief Robert Seselo Papawo 111 of Bagruwa Chiefdom, Moyamba District and the community leaders to the applause and admiration of the people and even visitors who witnessed the event.
The occasion attracted all stakeholders in the chiefdom and beyond who commended Mr. Michael Massaquoi for the initiative for which they heaped praises on him and appealed to him to continue his peace and development overtures in the chiefdom.
The peace initiative came in the wake of the last upheaval in the chiefdom over an alleged manslaughter case otherwise known as cannibalism against the Paramount Chief.
After through investigations by government lasting over a year and involving neighboring chiefdoms like Gbangbatoke, Tamidale and Kagboro, Paramount Chief Robert Seselo Papawo 111 was not found wanting, the reason government has decided to reinstate him on 9th October this year.
In an exclusive interview with the Paramount Chief, he intimated this medium that as a firm believer in God, he has forgiven all those who machinated the allegations against him and that he has put the whole fiasco behind him all in the interest of peace and development in the chiefdom and his people.
He also underscored that he is ready to work with everybody in the chiefdom irrespective of political, tribe, religion and other sentiments.
Mr. Michael Massaquoi told this medium that given his extensive experience in peace building in other countries like South Sudan, Uganda and Sierra Leone under the mandate of the United Nations, he is committed to ensuring peace and stability returns to his beloved Bagruwa Chiefdom.
Some youths and other stakeholders interviewed in the neighboring chiefdoms of Gbangbatoke, Tamidale and Kargboro asserted that such baseless allegations against Paramount Chiefs and other chiefdom stakeholders/authorities are common in their chiefdoms, especially by people who want to settle old scores, former opponents and perceived enemies, but that such gruesome assertions should not deter authorities from doing their duties by burying the hatchet and turning a new page for the development of their people.