Former British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Peter Penfold, fondly known as Komrabai in the local Temne language, which means ‘Elder of Chiefs,’ has sadly passed away.
Peter Penfold played a pivotal role in Sierra Leone during one of its most tumultuous periods. In 1997, when a coup led by the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) and supported by the brutal Revolutionary United Front (RUF) guerrillas plunged the nation into chaos, Penfold stood as a beacon of stability.
Alongside the Sierra Leonean government and countless citizens, he sought refuge in neighboring Conakry, Guinea, where the exiled government continued to be recognized internationally as the legitimate authority, thanks in part to British support.
Having developed a deep affection for Sierra Leone during his tenure, Penfold vehemently opposed the coup as an unacceptable violation of democracy.
In collaboration with the exiled government, he took the bold step of enlisting the assistance of a UK-based security firm, Sandline, to train and arm the local Civil Defence Force (CDF), who were actively resisting the junta. While the Nigerians ultimately spearheaded the effort to dislodge the AFRC in February 1998, minimizing Sandline’s direct involvement, the controversy surrounding Britain’s role in the arms supply persisted, seemingly breaching a UN embargo on Sierra Leone.
Despite being vindicated by the Legg Report, which cleared British involvement of any wrongdoing, the controversy raged on in the UK press. Regrettably, Peter Penfold was retired by his government. However, in Sierra Leone, he remained a hero, celebrated for his instrumental role in liberating the nation from the clutches of a despotic junta.
Peter Penfold continued his deep engagement with Sierra Leone even after his retirement, regularly visiting the country and supporting various projects.
His legacy as a staunch defender of democracy and a friend to Sierra Leoneans will endure in the hearts and minds of those he touched during his remarkable career.
