Picture by Mr. Kamara
An optimistic Alhaji Dumbuya in a telephone discussion indicated that the current impasse in the North America branch can be resolved through communication. "The unending bickering, the character assassination, the innuendoes, and the endless finger- pointing will not take us anywhere. We need to sit down, air out our concerns and grievances; identify all the problems, then come up come up with suggestions." That was Alhaji's simple solution to the lingering crisis in the North America branch of the APC.
Inspired by President Koroma's Open Government Initiative, Alhaji Dumbuya immediately set out to work toward peace; fired by that patriotic urge, his unswerving commitment, loyalty and love for the All People's Congress.
Alhaji Dumbuya was on the phone for over week, calling the aggrieved members of the APC in the North America branch, talking to His Excellency Bockari Stevens and other highly-respected members of the All People's Congress all across the United States about his intention to host a special meeting at his 6503 Greenfield Court residence, Lanham, Maryland, in an effort to restore peace, sanity, and unity; and to move forward with the APC agenda for a better Sierra Leone.
Defying an inclement weather, some party faithful drove for over eight hours to make it at the meeting. The Turay brothers, Aziz and BMT, from Arizona, who found themselves in the political spotlight since the 'neutralization' of the Seven APC chapters, made it by plane.
His Excellency Bockarie K. Stevens, Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the United States of America, Deputy Ambassador to the US Ibrahim Conteh, former diplomat and senior member of the All Peoples Congress Mr. Patric Ojong, and Hon. Kadie Sesay - were on hand for the meeting that was aimed at putting an end to the vitriolic attacks and the acrimonious exchanges among members of the APC in North America.
It was a lengthy and sustained discussion on a wide range of issues: the suspension of the Chairman of the North America branch, Mr. Ousman Conteh, the neutralization of the seven chapters, the formation of an interim committee that will lead the branch to a convention within 90 days, and the holding of a convention in Ohio.
On the whole, the discussion was very spirited, enlightening, and educative. Despite the divergence of views and opinion on a number of issues, there was a general agreement in working toward peace and unity to solidify and strengthen the party ahead of 2012. In the end, in the final analysis, an agreement was reached on the following:
A truce is observed with immediate effect between the observer chapters in question and the Interim Executive;
Both sides agreed that for the sanctity of the organization, chapters must submit their membership list to the Secretariat.
Among other things, it was agreed that as soon as members submit the membership list, the chapters suspended will take their rightful place in the Interim Executive with voting rights.
With regard to members suspended for setting up rival organizational structure within the branch, it was agreed that the structure so formed will be simultaneously disbanded at the same time as the letters of suspension will be withdrawn by the interim executive.
Ending on a very positive note, members joined hands in singing the APC victory song. Then came the moment for picture-taking, characterized by smiles and laughter; followed by a sumptuous dinner provided by the host of the meeting – Alhaji Dumbuya - the man who made it possible for the peaceful resolution to the APC NA crisis. He deserves credit for all he did by way of telephone calls, emails and a whole lot more. Even though some members were reluctant at the initial stage, Alhaji did his best to persuade them to attend. He provided a road map to peace in the North America branch, proving that he has what it takes to lead.
Born in Port Loko, Maforki, on March 2, 1964, Alhaji was educated at the Schlenker Secondary School, Port Loko where he successfully took the General Certificate of Education (GCE). As a young man growing up in Port Loko, he actively participated in all the self-help projects launched by his late uncle, Sorie Ibrahim Koroma, who was Prime Minister and Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Alhaji was instrumental in mobilizing and galvanizing the youth; organizing young boys to carry by wheel barrows or their heads mixed cement meant for the construction of the Port Loko Government Hospital, and later the Bai Bureh Memorial Hall at the center of the town.
He worked at Lungi International Airport Hotel as an Account Clerk for two years before leaving Sierra Leone on a scholarship in 1964 to study in Czechoslovakia, now the Czech Republic. While in Czechoslovakia, he completed a five-year master's degree program in Social Science and Law, graduating in 1989. After completing a Jurist Doctorate degree in International Law in 1991, he proceeded to the United States.
While in the United States, he enrolled at the University of Maryland, Graduate School of Social Work in 1999, graduating in June 2002 with a Master's in Social Work (MSW). Since then he has worked in the field of social and human services, holding positions as Mental Health Counselor, Behavior Specialist, Social Worker, and currently, Program Director for United Communities Against Poverty, Inc. (UCAP) – a community action agency established in 1957 to combat poverty in Prince George's County.
A member of the Association of Social Workers, Alhaji Seray Dumbuya is also secretary general of the Port Loko Descendants Association, USA.
As a member of the PLDDA, Alhaji has participated in raising funds for the development of Port Loko District. A devout Muslim who performs the five daily prayers, he is a member of the executive committee of Prince George's Muslim Association mosque in Lanham, Maryland. Having fulfilled the fifth pillar of Islam by making the pilgrimage to the holy land Mecca, Alhaji has devoted his time for the past three years organizing Muslims for the pilgrimage to Mecca. During the visit of Vice President Sam Sumana to Washington, Alhaji arranged for the VP to join Sierra Leoneans for the Friday prayer (Jumah) at Prince George's Muslim Association Mosque.
Married with four children, he enjoys reading, jogging and playing table tennis. Above all he enjoys mediation and conflict resolution. Little wonder he was so persistent in his quest to bring about peace in the North America branch! Through his dogged determination, and persuasive skills, he was able broker peace between Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the US His Excellency Bockari Stevens and dissatisfied members of the North America branch of the APC.
Considering his ability to persuade and his organizational skills, I posed this question to him: Any political ambition? The modest, unassuming and soft-spoken Alhaji had this to say: "My aspiration is to contest under the All People's Congress for the Port Loko Central one constituency in the 2012 elections." With his impressive academic background and impeccable track record, the sky's the limit!
