Man declared wanted
By Joseph Kamara
If caught Idrissa Faisal Barrie maybe imprison or face mob justice
Monday, July 15th, 2019
Idrissa Faisal Barrie, Sierra Leonean national has been declared wanted by both the Sierra Leone Police and his family members after he was accused of being a gay.
Crime Officer of the Sierra Leone Police at the Calaba town Police Post also confirmed to this medium that they officially received a complaint from some group of men lead by one Mohamed Barrie, the father of Idrissa Faisal Barrie for homosexuality.
He said the police have mounted an investigation on the matter and have declared Idrissa Faisal Barrie wanted.
Unlike our neighbouring country Liberia, where people enjoy the freedom to associate, belief and practice, Sierra Leone is very toxic to homosexuality. Local authorities have instituted some rigid bye laws against people who practice homosexuality within the jurisdiction of the country.
Barrie is a Muslim and his family belong to the Fulani ethnic group. The Fulanis’ are believed to be one the most fanatic Muslims in Sierra Leone. They strictly abide by some extreme Islamic doctrine (Sharia Law) that regarded homosexuality as a crime punishable by death (stone to death).
Idrissa’s father, Mohamed Barrie is a senior Islamic cleric, an Imam and an influential Fula tribal head man in one of the suburbs of Freetown.
For Mohamed Barrie, his son, Idrissa has committed an unforgivable sacrilege in the sight of Allah (God) which has afflicted the entire family and the general Fulani community with endless shame.
News is that Mohamed Barrie disowned his son and pledges a ransom of Le 5000,000 for anyone that will disclose his son’s location leading to his arrest.
Not only the Fulanis, but Sierra Leoneans in general view gay or homosexuality as a taboo, therefore, those who are suspected to be part of the act consistently face systematic and targeted discrimination, harassment, and inhumane treatment.
Local authorities in the country have declared homosexuality illegal and vehemently prohibit the act to a point that those who are found guilty of the crime are often mobbed or face long-time imprisonment.
Mariatu Jalloh, a family friend to the Barrie family, informed this medium that Idrissa only got married to his former wife on the 25th of October 2018 after being seriously pressured by his parents because it is part of the Fulani’s customs for a father to marry a wife for his eldest son.
She went on to state that the two kids Idrissa had with his wife was as a result of persistent pressure by his family as he was never ready to have kids.
Mariatu said Umu use to express concerns over Idrissa’s affiliation with his male colleagues and had been worried about his deep association with male friends instead of family.
According to Mariatu, Umu’s complained about Idrissa’s attitude to his parents who set up an investigation and later persuaded Idrissa to confess, but he refused to do so because he knew the possible repercussions of his action.
Mariatu said unfortunately for Idrissa, his wife later went through his phone chats and discovered pictorial evidences which proved he was a gay.
She said Idrissa was disowned by his family immediately his wife forwarded pictures and messages proving that he was a gay. She said he was also denied access to his two kids who are now with his mother for care-giving.
“The disgrace and the pressure which came along pushed Idrissa to fled since the first week of July in 2019. Since then, no family members have set eyes on him. His parents and the entire family and neighborhood are extremely aggrieved with him, and angry youth in his community may lynch him if he shows up. It is better he stayed in exile because this country is very unsafe for him,” Mariatu stressed.
All efforts to reach the family members of Idrissa proved futile. Mohamed Barrie made it clear that he was not going to speak to any journalist on the matter.