***Much media attention on the crisis in Sierra Leone is focussed on the role of British, West African and UN troops in preserving the fragile peace.

Domestically, however, another heated debate is taking place — over how to deal with rebel leader Foday Sankoh. Gemini News Service listens to the arguments.***

ANG him. hang him" urges the graffiti scrawled on walls and

buildings around Freetown.

The slogan, and others in the same vein, signifies the degree of anger the name Foday Sankoh generates in Sierra Leone today.

Tens of thousands of amputees and rape victims blame him and the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels he led for nine years for their plight.

Now he is a prisoner of President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah's government, having been

captured tn mid-May. apparently after being spotted and turned in by a Muslim cleric on his way to 'morning prayers. He Is held in a secret location.

At first glance, it seems obvious: Sankoh should be tried as the leader of a rebellion accused of the death, mutilation and rape of more than 100,000 people, the torching of houses and schools and the wrecking of the economy.

But political reality is more complex, and opinion is divided about how best to deal with the country’s most wanted man.

For many he Is the least wanted — and deserves to die. Others also do not want him — but favour his rapid despatch to another country'. Some do not want him, yet are prepared to put up with him in the hope that Ills continued participation in the country's troubled politics would inhibit the rebels from resuming hostilities. And some, presumably. support him. since lie has given them a purpose. f)ower guns, excitement and oot.

The government is cautions, caught between conflicting demands. ministers embarrass-edly explain that trying Sankoh in a court of law “is not all that easy".

President Kabbah has said that a trial In Sierra Leone would exorcise the past and act as a deterrent to future rebels, but the London-based fortnightly bulletin. Africa Analysis. has suggested that "privately. he fears the short to medium-term fallout from a trial." It also points out that providing a secure detention for Sankoh would not be easy.

"There are many factors to be considered and we have to listen to the international community on the Issue." Information Minister Julius Spencer said in an interview with a local radio station. "We would (hen have the best way out."

But even the "International community'' Is divided — just as they were last July when a peace agreement was signed in the Togolese capital. Lome. The pact was designed to end the war. with the rebels disarming, giving up all economically important areas under their control, such as the diamond towns in the east, and working within a government of national unity.

Some voice warned that to welcome people responsible for atrocities into government would be unforgivable and against natural justice. The pragmatists Insisted it was the

best way of healing the wounds of war.

The pragmatists turned out to have a weaker understanding of reality than they thought. The RUF was given four Cabinet posts and. most controversially. Sankoh was made Vice President and Chairman of the Strategic Mineral Resources Commission. Yet violence continued. The incident which broke the camel's back occurred in May when Sankoh's bodyguards killed 22 anti-RUF demonstrators. In the melee. Sankoh disappeared for 10 days until his capture.

Today, foreign countries with interests In Sierra Leone still offer conflicting advice. There is speculation, for example, that members of the West African military force (ECOWAS) that played a key role in ending the fighting view Sankoh as a potentially useful bargaining counter In future negotiations with RUF rebels.

Nevertheless, domestic public opinion, as expressed through the media, seems to favour a speedy trial — and execution — for Sankoh

The Sankoh Issue is like the Top IO in the record chart." says commercial radio executive Pasco Temple. "He is public enemy number one and many, many people are calling for his blood.”

Social welfare worker James Vincent is a typical voice. He described a proposal by the West African peace-keeping force for Sankohs removal to a neutral count i\ as “detestable. A man who lias created so much misery to so many people should stay here to lace the music.''

Insisted businessman Tamba Allleu. "Sankoh is the enemy within and he must be within and not go anywhere else."

"* intent must ensure that > led here and not in any outer country." agreed hawker Aluslne Koroma.

They believe that sending Sankoh abroad would enable him. in te words of one phone-in call ’to plan further problems wnile living in splendor and affluence."

The daily Democrat scornfully editorialised (hat "ECOWAS leader would not feel squeamish In sitting in the same room with Foday Sankoh. a mass murderer, a man who amputated babies and disembowelled pregnant women. These leaders see such atrocities as normal".

Many Mi’s back a trial We

are angered over the delay." fumed parliamentarian Issa Conteh. An opposition leader, who asked not to be identified, claimed "the government has yet to demonstrate a popular courage, ability and resources in putting the’ interest of the people first, the leaders second and foreign influence last.'

Further support for a trial comes from the non-governmental Civil Society Movement — We urge the government the international community and human rights institutions not to sacrifice justice on the altar of political expediency" — and the National Forum for Human Rights. The latter considers that "all violations and abuses committed by the RUF actors, including Sankoh. since the signing of the Togo Peace Agreement should not go unpunished."

Paramount Chief Momoh Soloku. who heads the Council of Paramount Chiefs could hardly hide his anger when he commented in an interview. "Sankoh should be brought to book. He should be taught the bitterness of war."

Freetown lawyer Maxwell Johnson considers that a domestic trial is necessary’ for the credibility of the Judicial system. and would reassure the public about the state of national security.

Fellow jurist Fred Askott agrees that "if Justice is to exist in Sierra Leone, there should be no reason why Sankoh and all those now In the dragnet should not be tried. We have had too much of Sankoh and his mad waves, it must end now."

But a sizeable minority calls for caution. Businessmail Pos-seh Kamara, warns that to try Sankoh would mean an escalation of the killing and maiming of civilians living in the countryside by cocaine-filled rebels. I tear very much "

Oil tanker driver Aluslne Balmbay has similar concerns: “Taking action against Sankoh will aggravate an already volatile situation."

Nervousness Is natural, for people are all too painfully aware of the ruthlessness of the rebels. Decisions on Sankoh — whether there should be a trial, where it would be held — are not theoretical matters: wrong decisions could mean yet more death and maiming.

The author is a Sierra Leonean journalist living and teorking in Freetown. He formerly worked for the Sierra Leone Netvs Agency.