Subject: WHY JOHN LEIGH'S ROTO-RATA SHOULD
From: Francis Pa Santhikie Bangura
To: All
Date Posted: 23:22:29 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: gateway.cyberstar.com at 209.239.66.36
Message:
WHY JOHN LEIGH'S ROTO-RATA SHOULD
BE DISMISSED
Francis Pa Santhikie Bangura Acting Secretary General,
APC party North America Branch
President Kabba got fed up with Leigh’s acid tongue and
did the right thing - fired him. Now he is at it
again. This time with adrenalized juvenile disposition
that is quite plainly petty and unbecoming for a
former ambassador. Why this man was placed on my
country’s diplomatic pay roll defies convention. As
former ambassador with the loco-standi to protect and
serve the Sierra Leone community in the US, common
sense would have dictated to this man to rise above
poly-tricks and be the honorable statesman we took him
for. Disappointingly he is not.
It’s ok to be partisan, well that is what got him the
job in the first place. But being an apologist for a
system whose ineptitude and misappropriation of funds
is perpetuating our dependence on foreign hand-outs is
criminal. Leigh forgets his former role as ambassador
for all Sierra Leoneans does not sits well with his
wanna-be status as Berewa’s man in the US. Some things
are exclusively incompatible. Just like oil and water
is. The two just do not mix no matter what you do. No
one disputes your partisan leanings, but you cannot
now be an SLPP mouth-piece after being mr spokesman
for all Sierra leoneans at this very locat1on.
Your colleagues are on the ground campaigning - which
is what politicians do. But you want it the easy way
out. Fact is there is no easy way in politics. Even
the easy way doesn’t come easy - very reason why you
caught my attention.
You call me “over-ambitious political mental juvenile”.
Well, great leaders start off with great ambition. On
the other hand, my youthful looks should not be
misconstrued with naivety. I am a political being: I
read politics with honors, practice it with vision and apply it in the pursuit of a better Sierra Leone. The juvenile part is way out of the mark. Except, I can do a lot with the
adrenaline rush, now that I have been declared
juvenile.
If standing up for a better alternative political
dispensation for my country is wrong, I certainly don’t
want to be right!
SLPP will loose this elections not for what the regime
did, but for what they failed to do - which is, uplift
this nation from the abys! They had the resources at
their disposal to do the job. Do it? They did not. It’s
time for a change! You can spend time blaming APC for
the past, when in fact crucially, the ball is on SLPP’s
court. They woefully have not delivered even on the
basics of everyday living. Pipe-borne water,
electricity, health and sanitation. Jobs? You have to
belong to the wutehteh elites. Education, roads and
youth unemployment? The list goes on.
The most compelling argument for SLPP to pack up and
go is: the conditions that fueled the war are still
glaringly prevalent, despite being marinated in
unprecedented good will and donor cash. Like him or not, Ernest Bai Koroma will make that “Turn Around” in our nation’s history.
Subject: Re: WHY JOHN LEIGH'S ROTO-RATA SHOULD
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 23:41:23 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Why does Leigh deliberately misspell the great man’s name?
He is not “Dr. Davidson Nicole” (a name which name if googled throws up very wrong information about DR. DAVIDSON NICOL – who never called anyone flunkey, fulmuku, etc)
He is indeed – a distinguished scientist and educator and an accomplished diplomat of very high status. Someone who helped everyone that he could.
Davidson Sylvester Hector Willoughby Nicol
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Davidson+Sylvester+Hector+Willoughby+Nicol&btnG=Search&meta=
Subject: DR. PRINCE HARDING SHAMES PRESIDENT TEJAN KABBAH
From: Momoh Pujeh
To: All
Date Posted: 22:58:14 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: gateway.cyberstar.com at 209.239.66.36
Message:
DR. PRINCE HARDING SHAMES PRESIDENT TEJAN KABBAH
Whatever may be said of President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, one sure fact about him is his fatherly love and loyalty to his cronies. Kabbah has certain people he loves so much that in his eyes they do no wrong. And even when they get into trouble, the Presidential Big Stick is always available to fish them out of it, even at the peril of his name being maligned by his critics. Throughout the years, Kabbah has shunned all appeals by the nation to reshuffle his cabinet because he has some ministers who are the apples of his eyes. and he dare not touch them. Even the bad reputation the SLPP has that it uses kid gloves to fight corruption could be traced to Kabbah's unflinching loyalty to his cronies whom he must protect in all circumstances.
However , it now appears as if there is one of his cronies that Kabbah had had to strengthen his resolve to abandon, according to insiders talking with COCORIOKO yesterday. He is none other than the Minister of Transport and Communication, Dr. Prince Harding, whom people close to President Kabbah yesterday accused that he threw scum into the old man's face, for all the love he has shown him and all the breaks he has given him since he catapulted him from the obscurity of his colorless university teaching job at Fourah Bay College to national and international prominence.
We have all blasted President Tejan Kabbah for his apparent hypocrisy in getting really mad for the helicopter crash at the Lungi International Airport, Sierra Leone, two weeks ago that brought the nation international embarassment when 19 fans and officials of the Togolese national team were killed few hours after their side defeated the Sierra Leone nationa team , Leone Stars, 1-0 , in the Africa Nations Cup in Freetown. We have all argued that Kabbah and his government shared collective responsibility for the disaster and it was double standards to single out the Transport Minister and few officials for punishment in connection with the accident , which the public has blamed on negligence and recklessness .
However , facts now emerging before the Sierra Leone Police and the Anti-Corruption Commission clearly demonstrate the enormity of Prince Harding's alleged involvement in the negligent and reckless conduct being attributed to the crash. If these facts are proven beyond a reasonable doubt, Kabbah is right in his reactions and there could be grounds for the public to conclude that Prince Harding not only betrayed the trust reposed in him by President Kabbah, but he put the old man to shame.
A government statement on Friday disclosed that Dr. Harding and four men , who have all been arrested and detained were alleged to have received bribes from two commercial airlines in the country "To remove a safety-related flight ban" . It must be recalled that several months ago, helicopters plying the Freetown-Lungi International Airport route were grounded by the government for safety reasons. Though the ban was widely announced and also supported by the public, it was stunning that a short while later, the helicopters were seen flying again. On Sunday June 3, a helicopter belonginging to one of the airlines that allegedly bribed the minister for the ban to be lifted , crashed at Lungi Airport with the Togolese football contigent, killing 22 passengers in all : 19 Togolese , a Gabonese and a pilot
We make bold to publish the beliefs of the insiders that Harding shamed Kabbah because though the allegations are yet being investigated, it had been no secret that Harding had some suspicious connections with the airlines. Infact, some members of the public think that Prince Harding has shares in the two airlines.
What Harding should have known is that human lives were involved as well as the reputation of the government and the President. According to insiders talking to COCORIOKO, President Kabbah is really angry over the matter and is blaming himself for putting so much trust in people like Prince Harding, who truth be spoken, was directly responsible for ensuring that aircrafts flown in the country adhered to international safety standards. One of the insiders said that though indeed, the principle of collective responsibility could be applied to this case, "Prince Harding was the President's and the government's Eyes and Ears .That was why he was placed there--To make sure that the interest of the government was protected. But Dr. Harding threw sh---in the President's face by seeking his own greedy and selfish agenda, knowing fully well that whatever disaster came from it would reflect on the President and his government .For a man that the President loved like his own son, this is a big slap in the face".
It was said that Prince Harding was one of the ministers trusted most by President Kabbah. The President trusted him so much that he did not think it was necessary to monitor how he executed his duties. Prince Harding, according to the insiders knew this fact and the insiders said he should have governed himself to avoid betraying the trust of the old man.
Now, the insiders predicted yesterday that unlike the other President's "Blue-eyed Boys", like Okere Adams and Momoh Pujeh, who strangely escaped prosecution for corruption, Kabbah will likely leave Dr. Harding to stew in his own juice.
Web site designed & hosted by Leeroy Wilfred Kabs-Kanu © 2007 at Homestead™
Subject: CADMUS ( corrected
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 19:55:49 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
I prayed this prayer today, a part of which goes (in translation) I pray that God rescue me
“from brazen men and from brazenness, from an evil man, from an evil companion, from an evil neighbour, from an evil mishap, from the destructive spiritual impediment, from a harsh trial and a harsh opponent….”
“Master of the Worlds!
Not in the merit of our righteousness
do we cast our supplication before You
but in the merit of Your abundant mercy.
What are we? What is our life?
What is our kindness what is our righteousness? What is our salvation?
What is our strength? What is our might?
What can we say before You
Hashem, our God, and the God of our forefathers –
are not all the mighty like nothing before You,
the renowned as if they had never existed,
The wise as if devoid of wisdom
And the perceptive as if devoid of intelligence?
For most of their deeds are desolate
And the days of their lives are empty before You.
The pre-eminence of man over beast is non-existent
For all is vain.
The prayer then invokes the event known as THE AKEIDAH
And therefore we are obliged to thank the Almighty, to praise Him , to glorify Him to bless, sanctify and offer praise and thanks to His Name………
Cadmus,
For me, “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of HASHEM”
I am just emerging from the Holy Sabbath….what a loss!
Re- your letter to me:
http://www.hwforums.com/2179/messages/31021.html
No, I do not intend to get my fingers burnt not in your world of duniya and certainly I am not going to hell, to burn with some of the wicked people who are probably already there.
First of all I must thank you (and I am no hypocrite) for bringing certain matters to my attention …. Yes I notice people dying everywhere, but don’t forget Who is in charge…..
1. You say that I am “particularly anti-SLPP”. I am not. I am only particularly anti-corruption and I congratulate my former Latin teacher Henry Joko-Smart for his latest smart moves. I must add that but for the prevalence of rampant corruption and the execution of those 24 soldiers – even though the whole world begged Mr. Kabbah for mercy – Mr. Kabbah or Al-hajj Kabbah if you like , would in my opinion have been the best head of State that Sierra Leone has ever had.
Your words:” you (me?) have lost and outlived your usefulness” Who are you Cadmus? Passing judgment on me?
Let me assure you that I will not be intimidated by you or any of your exalted bosses – although I might remove myself from this Forum should you become the enemy of my soul, to save you unnecessary suffering, because should you become such an enemy then Who do you think will become your adversary?
I am not living on extra or borrowed time. Having identified yourself so vaguely as “Cadmus” the second worst thing that you can do is to threaten me, whether you live in London or Bo Town.
2. You write, “You can try to take me on if you so wish, I am ready.” You are nothing to take on. No challenge. Take on about what? Do you think that I have nothing better to do with my time? You are not that important. I see no intellectual opponent in you, worthy of wasting my time, when you are probably not even up to reading and understanding the tenor of my very simple and very ordinary thoughts.
3. You write, “as you know I live in London where I have been for the past 20 years, after studying and now practicing here”
No, I did not know that and I still don’t know whether you are a man or a woman, especially when you start saying things like “John Leigh is a greater man than you will ever be.” – it seems that he could have been giving you something which you think is beyond my capacity. This is also an area in which a man should not boast. So you have lived in London the past twenty years. Well, I arrived in London for the first time in August 1952. You mention studying. Studying what? I hope that you were very successful and distinguished yourself in your studies. You announce to all that you are “now practicing here”. Where? Practicing what? Who are your clients? I hope that your practice is a very successful one.
“John Leigh is a greater man than you will ever be.” Wow! As a Muslim you should know what TAQWA is. I am not disputing whatever greatness you subjectively or objectively would like to attribute to Johnny Leigh. I myself have never claimed greatness. In the London that I know, there are a few people that I call great or wonderful people. In my own view I know who belongs to that category – even of musicians, but you have your own taste, your own understanding your own moral integrity etc. your own religion, the paradise to which you aspire. I do not envision any of those that you have appointed as “Great”, knocking on the door of paradise and qualifying themselves as fit to enter on the grounds of their greatness.
4. You wrote: “You must secretely admire John Leigh, how he takes on allcomers on this forum.” What is there to admire about him, secretly or openly? Please tell me. With the galaxy of your SLPP big shots that assembled in what Leigh called the Makeni ConBention, he failed to get a nomination. Do you think that if I wanted to go to as far as Makeni, I would not have got a nomination?
5. “My advise to you old man Cornie” Who are you calling “old man Cornie”? I am younger than your old half-Mendeman Johnny’s younger half brother Evelyn (the son of Mr. & Mrs Leigh) and I notice that your boy Leigh has studiously avoided giving us his date of birth, the point at which most biographies begin. I am younger than Blyden Jenkins-Johnston , Abdulai Conteh, Cecil Blake.
“Cadmus” Since I joined the Leonenet Forum on 17th January 2003 and started trucking with Sierra Leoneans in cyberspace, I have only met two of my contemporaries and peers, who knew me in Sierra Leone, namely Professor Cecil Blake, who Mr. Kabbah appointed his Minister of Information when he and the SLPP were in dire straights, and recently here in Cocorioko through a letter from my classmate and friend Blyden Jenkins- Johnston. If you want to know the kind of guy I was when they knew me, please ask them. I was not your typical or average Sierra Leonean and neither were they. I have changed consdierably since those days. You could also enquire from Gipu Felix-George our drummer in those Cacademic days, who I am / was.
In so far as Johnny Leigh in all honesty is fighting for the good of Sierra Leone, I am with him. I am with anyone who is for the good of Sierra Leone (and by the way this is not my “intellectual forum” where I find solace. I get that from my wife, my family and friends – lots of intellectual and social stimulation and satisfaction through the pursuit of intellectual interests
This is your Mr. Johnny’s rather tall claim: “Ambassador John Ernest Leigh aspires to become the next Leader of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party in succession to President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. We believe that Ambassador Leigh has done more for the Party and the country than any other aspirant for Party Leader”
What is this mago-mago maniac talking about? Does his donating a few crumbs or loaning a few dollars to the SLPP translate into “Leigh has done more for the Party and the country than any other aspirant” ?
If that is the case let me refer you to the notes on the last sentence of Parashat Korach
(Numbers16-18.32) for this Sabbath. The STONE CHUMASH note on page 837 to verse 32 reads in part
“Just as one should not make his contribution to a good cause contingent on his receiving something in return – as in this case – so one should not perform good deeds in order to curry favour with others, or for some other ulterior motive. If a farmer or anyone else needs help, it should be rendered without regard to whether it will result in future profit or favours.”
The Haftarah (it’s Rosh Chodesh and the 1st of Tamuz) and the Haftarah is from the last book of Isaiah 66 1-24
The Chumash notes on page 1208 read (in part):
“The chapter gives hope and comfort to the Jewish people, as Isaiah foresees the ultimate downfall of the nations that will do battle against one another and against Israel in the climatic War of Gog and Magog, the war that will precede the final redemption. Isaiah speaks of the defeat of the nations and the universal recognition of God and His people.”
Subject: Re: CADMUS ( corrected
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 21:48:20 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Talking about leaders- here is one. He was recently re-elected leader of the labour Party - not exactly my party.
He also happens to be the most decorated soldier ever, in Israel's history.
Subject: Re: CADMUS ( corrected
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 01:15:56 06/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Here's a real man
Subject: Cadmus
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 19:23:06 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
I prayed this prayer today, a part of which goes (in translation) I pray that God rescue me
“from brazen men and from brazenness, from an evil man, from an evil companion, from an evil neighbour, from an evil mishap, from the destructive spiritual impediment, from a harsh trial and a harsh opponent….”
“Master of the Worlds!
Not in the merit of our righteousness
do we cast our supplication before You
but in the merit of Your abundant mercy.
What are we? What is our life?
What is our kindness what is our righteousness? What is our salvation?
What is our strength? What is our might?
What can we say before You
Hashem, our God, and the God of our forefathers –
are not all the mighty like nothing before You,
the renowned as if they had never existed,
The wise as if devoid of wisdom
And the perceptive as if devoid of intelligence?
For most of their deeds are desolate
And the days of their lives are empty before You.
The pre-eminence of man over beast is non-existent
For all is vain.
The prayer then invokes the event known as THE AKEIDAH
And therefore we are obliged to thank the Almighty, to praise Him , to glorify Him to bless, sanctify and offer praise and thanks to His Name………
Cadmus,
For me, “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of HASHEM”
I am just emerging from the Holy Sabbath….what a loss!
Re- your letter to me:
http://www.hwforums.com/2179/messages/31021.html
No, I do not intend to get my fingers burnt not in your world of duniya and certainly I am not going to hell, to burn with some of the wicked people who are probably already there.
First of all I must thank you (and I am no hypocrite) for bringing certain matters to my attention …. Yes I notice people dying everywhere, but don’t forget Who is in charge…..
1. You say that I am “particularly anti-SLPP”. I am not. I am only particularly anti-corruption and I congratulate my former Latin teacher Henry Joko-Smart for his latest smart moves. I must add that but for corruption and the execution of those 24 soldiers – even though the whole world begged Mr. Kabbah for mercy – Mr. Kabbah or Al-hajj Kabbah if you like , would in my opinion have been the best head of State that Sierra Leone has ever had.
Your words:” you (me?) have lost and outlived your usefulness” Who are you Cadmus? Passing judgment on me?
Let me assure you that I will not be intimidated by you or any of your exalted bosses – although I might remove myself from this Forum should you become the enemy of my soul, to save you unnecessary suffering, because should you become such an enemy then Who do you think will become your adversary?
I am not living on extra or borrowed time. Having identified yourself so vaguely as “Cadmus” the second worst thing that you can do is to threaten me, whether you live in London or Bo Town.
2. You write, “You can try to take me on if you so wish, I am ready.” You are nothing to take on. No challenge. Take on about what? Do you think that I have nothing better to do with my time? You are not that important. I see no intellectual opponent in you, worthy of wasting my time, when you probably not even up to reading and understanding the tenor of my very simple and very ordinary thoughts.
3. You write, “as you know I live in London where I have been for the past 20 years, after studying and now practicing here”
No, I did not know that and I still don’t know whether you are a man or a woman, especially when you start saying things like “John Leigh is a greater man than you will ever be.” – it seems that he could have been giving you something which you think is beyond my capacity. This is also an area in which a man should not boast. So you have lived in London the past twenty years. Well, I arrived in London for the first time in August 1952. You mention studying. Studying what? I hope that you were very successful and distinguished yourself in your studies. You announce to all that you are “now practicing here”. Where? Practicing what? Who are your clients? I hope that your practice is a very successful one.
“John Leigh is a greater man than you will ever be.” Wow! As a Muslim you should know what TAQWA is. I am not disputing whatever greatness you subjectively or objectively would like to attribute to Johnny Leigh. I myself have never claimed greatness. In the London that I know, there are a few people that I call great or wonderful people. In my own view I know who belongs to that category – even of musicians, but you have your own taste, your own understanding your own moral integrity etc. your own religion, the paradise to which you aspire. I do not envision any of those that you have appointed as “Great”, knocking on the door of paradise and qualifying themselves as fit to enter on the grounds of their greatness.
4. You wrote: “You must secretely admire John Leigh, how he takes on allcomers on this forum.” What is there to admire about him, secretly or openly? Please tell me. The galaxy of your SLPP big shots that assembled in what Leigh called the Makeni ConBention, he failed to get a nomination. Do you think that if I wanted to go to as far as Makeni, I would not have got a nomination?
5. “My advise to you old man Cornie” Who are you calling “old man Cornie”? I am younger than your old man Johnny’s younger half brother (the son of Mr. & Mrs Leigh) and I notice that your boy Leigh has studious avoided giving us his date of birth, the point at which most biographies begin. I am younger than Blyden Jenkins-Johnston , Abdulai Conteh, Cecil Blake.
“Cadmus” Since I joined Leonenet Forum on 17th January 2003 and started trucking with Sierra Leoneans in cyberspace, I have only met two of my contemporaries and peers, namely Professor Cecil Blake, who Mr. Kabbah appointed his Minister of Information when he and the SLPP were in dire straights, and recently here in Cocorioko through a letter from my classmate and friend Blyden Jenkins- Johnston. If you want to know the kind of guy I was when they knew me, please ask them. I was not your typical or average Sierra Leonean and neither were they.
In so far as Johnny Leigh in all honesty is fighting for the good of Sierra Leone, I am with him. I am with anyone who is for the good of Sierra Leone (and by the way this is not my “intellectual forum” where I find solace. I get that from my wife, my family and friends – lots of intellectual and social stimulation and satisfaction through the pursuit of intellectual interests
This is your Mr. Johnny’s rather tall claim: “Ambassador John Ernest Leigh aspires to become the next Leader of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party in succession to President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. We believe that Ambassador Leigh has done more for the Party and the country than any other aspirant for Party Leader”
What is this mago-mago maniac talking about? Does his donating a few crumbs or loaning a few dollars to the SLPP translate into “Leigh has done more for the Party and the country than any other aspirant” ?
If that is the case let me refer you to the notes on the last sentence of Parashat Korach
(Numbers16-18.32) for this Sabbath. The STONE CHUMASH note on page 837 to verse 32 reads in part
“Just as one should not make his contribution to a good cause contingent on his receiving something in return – as in this case – so one should not perform good deeds in order to curry favour with others, or for some other ulterior motive. If a farmer or anyone else needs help, it should be rendered without regard to whether it will result in future profit or favours.”
The Haftarah (it’s Rosh Chodesh and the 1st of Tamuz) and the Haftarah is from the last book of Isaiah 66 1-24
The Chumash notes on page 1208 read (in part):
“The chapter gives hope and comfort to the Jewish people, as Isaiah foresees the ultimate downfall of the nations that will do battle against one another and against Israel in the climatic War of Gog and Magog, the war that will precede the final redemption. Isaiah speaks of the defeat of the nations and the universal recognition of God and His people.”
Subject: What happened to the Justin Musa article?
From: Nasultan
To: All
Date Posted: 18:56:45 06/16/07 ()
Email Address: nasultan@yahoo.com
Entered From: pool-71-250-23-234.nwrknj.east.verizon.net at 71.250.23.234
Message:
Why has the Justin Musa article dissapeared from the Cocorioko website? Why should a vauge article be posted in the first place when there are no backup facts. Cocorioko should get their facts right before posting any article.
Subject: Re: What happened to the Justin Musa article?
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 20:53:27 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
The name Justin Musa became synonymous to Swegbe. He was the rogue shown in the news under handcuff while been taken to prison. He tried to escape from the country while under interrogation but was later caught.
His name became headlines in all news papers and his became the face of a villain.
He is an example of what is bad about Sierra Leone.
I do not feel that he acted alone. I believe that he has co-conspirators who would not want his case to blow out.
Many people have sighted Justin Musa in New York and if true that will be a major source of embarrasment for Sierra Leone's Judiciary. It was common knowledge that the man was a flight risk. How then could he have obtained permission to leave the country with his passport and traveling documents.
But may be Cocorioko's Insider would shed some light on the puzzle.
Woudn't it be nice if the Insider would tell us how Justin Musa maintained his home and family in New York for the past seven years.
I guess he had to have been spending a minimum of $2000/Month for the upkeep of his home and that wouldn't include mortgage, if he had any mortgage to begin with.
For a Civil Servant, Justin Musa was simply too loaded financially. His, was a case that aroused suspicion.
The man was planning to retire no sooner he turned 55. It seemed like an opportuned time for him to grab on to all he could, thinking that he could continue to outsmart everyone for the remaining months leading up to his retirement.
He had big plans. He was planning to retire in Colonie, New York. Remember the elegant house shown on Cocorioko worth more than $500,000? That was his crib. For a Sierra Leone Civil Servant this is too much of a stretch.
Justin had three houses in New York that he bought while a Civil Servant in Sierra Leone and supposedly earning within the range of $10,000 a year salary.
Wouldn't it be nice if the Insider tell us where Justin Musa is presently?
Subject: Re: What happened to the Justin Musa article?
From: Alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 20:02:04 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
My friend chill. There was no article on Justin Musa. According to KABS,there was an intended article to be published when the facts are ascertained and corroborated.
Subject: Re: What happened to the Justin Musa article?
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 20:52:20 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: h167-156-253.63.chubb.com at 167.156.63.253
Message:
The main article is coming in our Monday edition. Because the traffic of readers is slow on weekends, I decided to bring the bombshell on Monday --What you read was just a preview.
The articles on Musa will come in series with supporting documents.
Subject: Re: What happened to the Justin Musa article?
From: Alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 01:57:52 06/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
thanks bra for clarification.
Subject: YAYA FANUSIE'S STATISTICS OR LIES
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 18:51:49 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
John,
"My periodic statistical survey revealed that 90% of the dailing postings were attributed to you. Unless you tell me you read your own postings on line; then you are lying again about ignoring 85% of postings".
How did you come up with these percentages?
What method did you use to gather your Raw data?
How long did it take you to conduct this survey?
And in your own words how accurate are these results?
Please answer these questions and accurately.
If not your founding member/senior status on this forum will be severely damaged.
Thanks
Subject: BEREWA TO BAN SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
From: kroobaymom
To: All
Date Posted: 10:17:48 06/16/07 ()
Email Address: kroobaymom@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 206.113.148.2
Message:
If rumours are anything to go by, the SLPP front runner for the position of President intends to ban smoking in public places, government offices, hospitals, schools, restaurants, bars and public transport!!
Subject: Re: BEREWA TO BAN SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
From: Alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 13:13:17 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
"SLPP-Front Runner"
Definition of Front Runner--The front-runner is most often anointed by the media who are following the race, and is written about in a different style than his or her challengers. The term is used in the U.S. Presidential primary process to label the potential nominee with the lead in the polls, the most name recognition, or most funds raised (or a combination of these).
Thank you if this is what you mean.
Subject: Re: BEREWA TO BAN SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
From: Gstring
To: All
Date Posted: 18:58:49 06/16/07 ()
Email Address: gstring @ draws.net
Entered From: c-69-143-224-34.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.143.224.34
Message:
including you pott head, we know its you and stop using phony names. crack jack, and you claiming to be a doctor.
Subject: Re: BEREWA TO BAN SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
From: Alieu sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 02:06:33 06/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
Claiming to be a Doctor? Who? Me? bra lef bo.
You are trying too hard to know me. Hope you are not GAY.
those who matter on thgis forum know me.
But my advice for you is to keep trying.
Subject: Re: BEREWA TO BAN SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
From: kroobaymom
To: All
Date Posted: 06:05:32 06/17/07 ()
Email Address: kroobaymom@yahoo.com
Entered From: at 65.117.246.251
Message:
There is nothing wrong with Berewa the smoker. He should set the example by restraining himself from smoking in his office and embassies. That is what we call leading by example
Subject: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: AVIATION DIRECTOR
To: All
Date Posted: 09:14:01 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 38.119.107.79
Message:
Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter crash
The Associated PressPublished: June 16, 2007
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone: Police have arrested four government officials, including the transport minister, in connection with a helicopter crash earlier this month that killed 22 people, Sierra Leone's government said.
A statement late Friday said the four men were arrested and detained "to assist with the investigations" into allegations that officials accepted bribes to remove a safety-related flight ban on two commercial airlines. One of those companies, Paramount Airlines, operated the helicopter that crashed on June 3.
The other officials arrested were the transport minister's permanent secretary, Sierra Leone's civil aviation director and the deputy director.
It was not immediately clear whether any of the arrested men had been charged with a crime.
The helicopter was ferrying a group of Togolese soccer fans and sports officials — including Togolese Minister for Youth and Sports Richard Attipoe — to Sierra Leone's main airport when it exploded in flames. The Togolese were returning home after cheering their team's 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone at an African Cup of Nations qualifying match.
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Helicopters are used as the main transport between the airport and the capital, which sits across a bay on the Atlantic Ocean.
The Russian-made Paramount helicopters were grounded in January because of concerns about engine malfunction. The ban was lifted in March.
Transport Minister Prince Harding, Civil Aviation Director George Gbongbor and Deputy Director Badara Alieu Tarawallie were suspended soon after the crash. The fourth detainee, Transport Ministry Permanent Secretary Abdul Rahman Wurie had not been suspended.
Wurie had previously told the Associated Press that the ban was lifted after an air-worthiness review by the International Civil Aviation Organization. ICAO spokesman Denis Chagnon said this report was incorrect, and that the organization had performed no such survey.
The government officials are being held in police stations in the capital, Freetown.
After the crash, the government grounded all commercial helicopters operating in the country. The only other way to get to the airport from Freetown is via sea ferry.
In 2001, a U.N. helicopter traveling from U.N. headquarters in Sierra Leone to the airport crashed into the bay, killing all seven aboard. The U.N. said at the time a mechanical problem appeared to have been the cause.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 09:58:20 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.67
Message:
This confirms and goes to shows and indeed it is a good indication of the fact that when the SLPP government gets EVIDENCE (as oppose to rumour) of corruption anywhere even against one of its own senior Ministers, the Party will act swiftly.That is Democracy for you.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: SLPP
To: All
Date Posted: 13:02:12 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-aa14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.18
Message:
"This confirms and goes to shows and indeed it is a good indication of the fact that when the SLPP government gets EVIDENCE (as oppose to rumour) of corruption anywhere even against one of its own senior Ministers, the Party will act swiftly."
Cadus:
As usual, you blind SLPP apologists fail to understand what you read!
The ONLY reason the corrupt SLPP took action in this single case following 10 years of corruption by its ministers and parliamentarians with IMPUNITY, s that it was FORCED to do so by people who it can't ignore --foreigners.
We know this fact because the dead victims of SLPP corruption this time are NOT hapless S/Leoneans like the journalist who, evidence at his inquest showed, was killed at the instigation of an SLPP Parliamentarian, Fatmatta Hassan, but the corrupt SLPP Attorney General refused to prosecute.
It is time you traitorous SLPP apologists stopped betraying the interest of your own country for the puny interest of your corrupt party and its selfish, unpatriotic hangers-on.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 13:08:30 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
You are really full of it. What wil really make you see the light? Put fire nar you waise?
We have arrested senior ministry officials including the Minister, still you think it is not enough.
When was it ever done oin your APC's 200yr rule? Tell us.
YOU CORRUPT APC KID.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: SLPP
To: All
Date Posted: 13:18:25 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-aa14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.18
Message:
Try to understand what you read, blind SLPP apologist.
Your corrupt SLPP govt. was FORCED to arrest their minor league minister and his even more minor underlyings ONLY because the victims of the latest SLPP corruption were FOREIGNERS, not defenseless Sierra Leoneans.
We know this because when the corrupt SLPP's parliamentarian was implicated with far more evidence than in this case, the corrupt SLPP Attorney general BLOCKED tghe case from going forward against the SLPP parl,iamentarian.
That shows that the massiovely corrupt SLPP condones corruption unless and until it involves foreigners.
Do you now get it, you traitor of Sierra Leoneans for the blood-stained benefit of the most corrupt govt. in the history of Sierra Leone??
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 13:52:56 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
Thats your usual anthem- "try to understand what you read".
I did and i understood exactly what the heck you mean.
My point remain valid that you APC are ungrateful.
The SLPP is busy cleaning after you. This is your mess and we are doing our utmost to get the country out of this combolo, yet all you do is cry down good job and good intentions.
My question for you: WHEN DID THE APC IN THEIR 200yr rule ever arrest a sitting minister or deputy minister?
NEVER.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: Question
To: All
Date Posted: 14:51:36 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-aa14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.18
Message:
"My point remain valid that you APC are ungrateful.
The SLPP is busy cleaning after you. This is your mess .."
So the SLPP minister and SLPP party official, Prince Harding has now all od a sudden been transformed by his arrest for corruption into a minister of an APC government that has not been in power for more than 15 years??
You SLPP liars will do and say anything to hide from the truth about your corrupt party that has been putting Salone on the map as the most corrupt corrupt country under any govt. from the time we got ndependence.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: GO SCHOOL
To: All
Date Posted: 02:09:30 06/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
Comprehend my friend. Read AI's reply.
Dan DOGO
Subject: Re: REMEMBER VOUCHERGATE AND SQUANDERGATE
From: M. Aleiu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 14:35:36 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
VOUCHERGATE AND SQUANDERGATE WERE INVESTIGATIONS OF CORRUPTION BY THE APC WHICH BAGGED MANY WITHIN ITS HEIRACHY. REMEMBER AKIBO BETTS, HE WAS THE LONE VOICE IN THE JUNGLE THEN. WHO IS THE LONE VOICE IN YOUR JUNGLE?
Subject: Re: REMEMBER VOUCHERGATE AND SQUANDERGATE
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 18:37:09 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
Bra. I would admit you are the the voice of reasoning in the APC for the way and manner in which you understand what you read and reply. Now!
Lef me en da bor-ge-dor mek we dance small.
Please.
By the way how is VICTOR VOUCHERGATE FOH?
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: SLPP
To: All
Date Posted: 14:35:29 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-aa14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.18
Message:
"I did and i understood exactly what the heck you mean."
If you did, this discussion would have ended with your understanding of the corrupt record of the SLPP a long time ago.
The fact that you did not makes it necessary to remind you -- as it has always been necessary to do so -- to try and understand what you read. Once you do, there would be no need to keep reminding you.
But as long as you conrinue to demonstrate to us that you do not understand what you read, I have a duty to try to help you understand that you need help.
Whether you finally get such needed help, of course, is up to you.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 18:39:55 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
Are you going to answer my question? or will you dodging like you normally do.
Name a minister in the APC government that was arrested and jailed for corruption.
Do not give me your usual answer with many directions.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: SLPP
To: All
Date Posted: 19:46:09 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-aa14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.18
Message:
Your question is irrelevant on a very obvious ground: The SLPP's corruption is one of its kind in the history of Sierra Leone. The SLPP govt. has received more foreign aid than all the other governments combined -- more than $1.5 billion.
Yet, even though it ruled during the civil war, like the APC, and the NPRC, it has overseen the most consistent degradation of life in the history of Sierra Leone, with the country at or next to the bottom of the human development index in the world.
No other Sierra Leone govt. has dragged the people so low, and so consistently -- only the most corrupt govt. in the history of Sierra Leone, the SLPP has ever done so.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 19:55:37 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
So. Whe you can't come up with any answer, the issue becomes irrelevant. Aye. APC.
Before the APC left/was kicked out, sa lone was at a distant last in everything.
So the index is not new.
Unless if you have another index you are looking at.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 11:05:24 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Cadmus talk about democracy to the relatives of the Togolese officials who lost their loved ones. This is evidence of corruption that is endemic my friend and thats the issue here. Could the crash have been avoided? You damn right it could have been avoided if the slpp had given some "TEETH" TO THE INVESTIGATORY, AND PROSECUTION arms of the ACC rather than tying to create a shadow organisation in an attempt to fool the British and the people of sierra leone.
Does the SLPP claim to not know of corruption within its ranks? If so then you guys are blinder than we ever thought you were.
Give us a break brther that could have been you on the helicopter.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: Cadbod
To: All
Date Posted: 12:17:06 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-140-42-143.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.42.143
Message:
Allieu,don't bother yourself with that "cletch"a.k.a Cadmus.The eyes of the world is on them they have no other option but to take action so that the can appear to be righteous.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 10:27:46 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
This is just an indication of a reckless and corrupt government.The bribery of higher government officials within the ministry of transportation would not have come to light,if the crash didn't happen.This is just the tip of the iceberg.Endemic corruption and greed has left the nation in misery.Kabbah and Berewa will give account of the millions of dollars poured to the country for development immediately after the elections.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 10:35:59 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-127-105-250.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 68.127.105.250
Message:
You are really making an ass of yourself. You know absolutely nothing about S. Lone and you make such idiotic statements.
It has reached the point where any sane individual will be ashamed of themselves. But oh ya, you are not sane. So I will leave you in your crase world.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: Borbor Beleh
To: All
Date Posted: 13:11:27 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-aa14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.18
Message:
You are really making an ass of yourself. You know absolutely nothing about S. Lone and you make such idiotic statements.
_________________________________
No one expects you to realize this, but you have written an autobiograhical statement of your failings as a Sierra Leonean.
Like the blind SLPP follower you have shown yourself to be, you imagine that by making basesless accusations against courageous and patyriotic Sierra Leoneans, you can sweep the SLPP's rotteness under the rug.
Well, I have news for you: As Emmerson sang, in the song he made against almost 10 years of SLPP corruption, "those days are gone! We go deal with dem tiffman" in the the worst government ever in Sierra Leone
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 13:18:09 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-127-105-250.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 68.127.105.250
Message:
You just proved my point.
Calling this SLPP Govt, the worst government ever tells me you are an unobjective idiot.
But then again, I do not expect much from people suffering from MDTF (Mumdo-Dumbo-Tumbo-Foolumunkuism)
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone aviation officials arrested over helicopter cra
From: Borbor Beleh
To: All
Date Posted: 13:26:15 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-aa14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.18
Message:
"You just proved my point.
Calling this SLPP Govt, the worst government ever tells me you are an unobjective idiot."
The only thing I proved is that you know nothing about the hsitory of the corrupt SLPP.
The one thing YOU have just proved is that you lack any reasoning ability. And that you are unpatriotic -- and rude. And acking in elementary English grammar skills.
Subject: MODERATOR : Re: Mohamed Jalloh
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 21:15:11 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dialup-4.186.198.193.dial1.weehawken1.level3.net at 4.186.198.193
Message:
Dear Moderator,
Please delete the exchanges between Messrs Mohamed Allie Jalloh and Farrah Marrah. Mr. Marrah made damaging allegations against Mr. Jalloh that he did not substantiate with evidence.
Thank you very much in advance and thanks too for your great work.
Subject: Re: MODERATOR : Re: Mohamed Jalloh
From: foday mansaray
To: All
Date Posted: 21:40:35 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: fmansaray@aol.com
Entered From: host-24-225-160-74.patmedia.net at 24.225.160.74
Message:
Please guys be civil or we have no choice but to send you home for good.
Subject: Re: MODERATOR : Re: Mohamed Jalloh
From: Observer
To: All
Date Posted: 00:13:55 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
The exchange was between Alieu Iscandari and Farrah Marrah who Iscandari says his real name is William Bangura. Jalloh was not involved in it. His name was mentioned by the two who were involved during their exchanges.
Subject: Re: MODERATOR : Re: Mohamed Jalloh
From: Moijue
To: All
Date Posted: 03:25:23 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 89.243.181.231
Message:
I hope it will not be selective justice.U are setting a precedent which u must follow.
Subject: Re: MODERATOR : Re: Mohamed Jalloh
From: MODERATOR
To: All
Date Posted: 21:38:47 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-140-59-137.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.140.59.137
Message:
Please reference the message numbers, like Cornelius did, for easier identification and the entire thread will be deleted. Cheers!
/Mod
Subject: What is Swegbe, Justin Musa up to?
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 19:07:26 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.101.14
Message:
Why caption the headline 'Justin Musa was victim of witch-hunting' even before posting the article? Not only is the headline itself judgemental but it is been pushed down readers throats without the benefit of assessing the strenght of the argument making the claim.
Even if there was witch hunting, the issue is whether Justin is guilty of corruption.
Where is Justin now? Has he been tried or has he been allowed to escaped?
I think that Cocorioko should report the news rather than make the news.
Subject: Re: What is Swegbe, Justin Musa up to?
From: KABS KANU
To: All
Date Posted: 21:19:21 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: dialup-4.186.198.193.dial1.weehawken1.level3.net at 4.186.198.193
Message:
Mr. Formeh Kamara, I believe the quote about Mr. Justin Musa being a victim of witch-hunting was qualified by an indication that it was said by an Insider.
Subject: Re: What is Swegbe, Justin Musa up to?
From: Alie Formeh Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 07:09:00 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com at 152.163.101.14
Message:
In all fairness to Cocorioko, Mr. Kabs Kanu, you are correct.
I suspect the insider may want to draw a connection between been set up and innocence.
We shall see.
Subject: Re: What is Swegbe, Justin Musa up to?
From: Police
To: All
Date Posted: 09:42:21 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: sph16-204.harvard.edu at 128.103.16.204
Message:
The insider should also tell us how Musa was able to afford to by a house in New York.
Subject: MAKE THE CASE WARM( FOR ALLIEU)
From: G STRING
To: All
Date Posted: 16:25:58 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: GSTRING @OVERDRIVE.COM
Entered From: at 198.133.139.165
Message:
the msg i posted is for you geek
Subject: THE SIERRA LEONE ARMY
From: DAN DOGO
To: All
Date Posted: 16:17:54 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-dtc-aa14.proxy.aol.com at 205.188.116.18
Message:
The picture of the soldiers of the Sierra Leone army on COCORIOKO makes me feel sad. The soldiers look hungry, undefed, and holding a very old gun.
This is Kabbah's legacy. Millions of foreign currency in aid to Sierra Leone, yet there is NOTHING in the country to account for all that money. I see why first Charles Taylor, now Guniea, is messing with Sierra Leone. No army, no food. Hunger all the way.
Subject: Re: THE SIERRA LEONE ARMY
From: foday mansaray
To: All
Date Posted: 17:07:20 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: fmansaray@aol.com
Entered From: at 74.8.30.110
Message:
This is what I am talking about.Liberians came in took over our mines and Guniea came in and exploited as much
resources as possible and now they have to wait to harvest there cassava before leaving.
Does Berewa knows anything about land owership? This is the property of sierra leone.Why should they wait to harvest there cassava.
You need a leader that can stand firm on issues like this.Not somebody who is sleepping every 5 minutes and when they wake up they don't even know were we left off.
Subject: Re: THE SIERRA LEONE ARMY
From: Colonel JAMES
To: All
Date Posted: 22:48:49 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 38.119.107.79
Message:
Gallant men and women of the RSLAF
Subject: Re: THE SIERRA LEONE ARMY
From: Confused
To: All
Date Posted: 03:10:51 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-149-167.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.149.167
Message:
What is the point, sending 2 years old news????What is so gallant, about receiving free aid, and most of these vehicles are being misused???
Subject: Re: THE SIERRA LEONE ARMY
From: foday mansaray
To: All
Date Posted: 23:11:37 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: fmansaray@aol.com
Entered From: host-24-225-160-74.patmedia.net at 24.225.160.74
Message:
So what does this mean?These same very trucks will disappear in someone's backyard and become san san boys
trucks just like the 320,000 million pounds in 6 years.
Now that we have seen some of these beatiful trucks ,I hope they are accounted for to the transition committe.
Please we need the serial# for these trucks because our military needs it to for there sole use and not Berew campaign tool.
LUNTA ! You have been warned.
Subject: Re: THE SIERRA LEONE ARMY
From: ARMY MAN
To: All
Date Posted: 22:38:45 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 38.119.107.79
Message:
RSLAF
Subject: MAKE THE CASE WARM
From: G _ STRING
To: All
Date Posted: 16:03:55 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: Palampo@gstring .com
Entered From: at 198.133.139.165
Message:
What don't we know. Allieu i heard farrah got you jilted and that's the main reason for hate here, no need to booh just suck it down and leave with it brother. he is mine and mine forever
Subject: Re: MAKE THE CASE WARM
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 17:52:32 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
hehehehehehehe Thanks its always good to have a nice laugh at the end of a long week.
Subject: One of the wealthiest people in Washington D.C.
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 14:21:31 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: sccinstr204090.scc.losrios.edu at 165.196.204.90
Message:
Well then.
Subject: Re: One of the wealthiest people in Washington D.C.
From: Question
To: All
Date Posted: 02:59:20 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-149-167.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.149.167
Message:
Is he a Sierra Leonean??
Subject: LOOK AT THE CONTEXTUAL NATURE OF FODAY MANSARY ARTICLE NOT
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 13:22:30 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 207.108.136.241
Message:
Actually, the statement or question by Foday Mansary about Sierra Leoneans flying Nigerian planes was a rhetorical one but what we should concetrate in his article is the fact that our hard working soldiers have not been given the respect they deserved from the government. This is a fact that is undisputable by anyone except John Leigh may be.
Many people were blaming the army for their actions during the war and I am not here to defend them. However, one thing we have to bear in mind is that the war was fought in the nastiest way by the rebels, supported by some of you here in diaspora who provided financial support to them. There was a time when no one can tell who was a rebel and who was a soldier because rebels wore the same army uniform as the soldiers. The people believed who ever wear army uniform was a soldier and the rebels took advantage of that confusion to draw a wedge between the people and the army.
I was a victim of this confusion at one time when I was doing business in one of the villages around Rutile area. My friend and I went there to buy grind cassava (Garri). One fruitful afternoon we were sitting out side playing music. Two trucks of well armed, well dressed soldiers or I may be right to say presumable soldiers came to the village. I thought they were our soldiers because their uniforms were very neat. They all jumped down from the trucks. Their commander was a female named Josephine who I met the first time. A little boy among them, probably about 15 years old ordered me to catch a ducks for him. I was so incensed and told him no because the ducks was not his. I was in a very dangerously ignorance of who these guys really were. My friends who have been in the area so many times and knew who those guys were looked at me into my eyes signalling something to me. I started to grow suspicion that may be these are not the regular soldiers I thought they are despite their uniforms. The boy drew close to me and cocked his gun and asked me where I was from "Freetown" I answered with a shaky voice. That is why you are behaving this way he said and for the last time I want you to catch that ducks for me he ordered again. I ran after the ducks and caught it for him. On the process the ducks had to scratch my hand and blood was profusely Oozing out my hand. After they've captured a lot of goats, sheep and other pets Josephine ordered them to leave. After they left my friends told me how lucky I was because the boy could have definitely going to shoot me dead. They were RUF rebels and the lady was the commander.
I share this with readers to reduce their perception against the army based on what they saw or heard about them during the war.
Where those uniforms were coming from? From most of you in the diaspora. As most people know the NPRC overthrow of APC was engineered by some disgruntled former APC and defnitely SLPP folks like Tejan Kabbah, John Benjamin, Berewa and a lot more. Tejan Kabbah was working for the very UN that was advocating against military rule in the world, but when the NPRC took over, he supported them and came to work for them. When he was overthrown by the same military, he cried foul. Hypocricy?
This was the same president who, before the AFRC take over went to Makeni and urged Northerners to appologize to the Southerners for starting this war. Sectionalism? I hope he had since regret his statement. The TRC findings indicated that Kabbah was either supporting the formation of the RUF or complicence of their initial planning when he was at the UN. PAN AFRICAN UNION (PANAFU) was an organization that was used to breed RUFists. Now you know why these guys are not to be trusted.
Subject: Re: LOOK AT THE CONTEXTUAL NATURE OF FODAY MANSARY ARTICLE NOT
From: EX NPRC
To: All
Date Posted: 14:42:07 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
There was a time when no one can tell who was a rebel and who was a soldier because rebels wore the same army uniform as the soldiers.
THANKS TO TOM NYUMA, MAARDA BIO, KOMBA MONDEH, KOMBA KAMBO AND OTHERS
Subject: From The HOUSE OF COMMONS Funding to the SLPP
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:59:47 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
House of Commons (UK)
Sierra Leone: Health Services
John Barrett (Liberal Democrat):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department has provided to health systems in Sierra Leonein each of the last five years. [142760]
Hilary Benn:Since April 2002 the Department for International Development (DFID) has provided £5,284,945 to support health systems in Sierra Leonethrough direct projects.
Please see following table for a breakdown for each financial year.
£
2002-03 1,038,361
2003-04 2,322,258
2004-05 320,302
2005-06 162,335
2006-07 1,441,689
Some of the projects we have funded include:
Support to UNICEF to help children, families and communities to provide care and protection for orphans and other vulnerable children;
Malaria prevention and treatment;
Support to UNICEF for Immunisation;
Reproductive health;
Rehabilitation of the Primary Health Care System in four Chiefdoms in Tonkolili District; and
Establishing access to emergency Primary Health.
DFID also supports health systems in Sierra Leonethrough Direct Budget Support to the Government. Of the £59.5 million that has been provided through Budget Support over the last five years, approximately 11 per cent. or £6 million has been spent on the health sector.
In addition, in 2006 DFID provided $30 million through the Africa Catalytic Fund to fund the World Bank’s accelerated Child Survival Programme in Sierra Leone. This is in its early stages of implementation. DFID is also working with the Government of Sierra Leone to prepare a 10 year programme aimed at strengthening the Health System to increase access to quality sexual, reproductive and child health services. It is expected this programme working closely with the World Bank will begin in 2008 and DFID will contribute £50 million over 10 years.
John Barrett:To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will take steps to encourage the provision of healthcare free at the point of access in Sierra Leone. [142761]
Hilary Benn:The 2006 Department for International Development (DFID) White Paper commits the UKto “help partner Governments abolish user fees for basic health services”. DFID is fully committed to supporting the Government of Sierra Leone to ensure that this is achieved.
DFID’s position is shared by our partner agencies working in Sierra Leone, including WHO, European Commission, World Bank, United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Children’s Fund, World Food Programme and International NGOs. Recent Health Development Partners meetings in country have established a common position: we would like to see user fees abolished and want to help the government to reach that position for themselves, including helping them to understand how to fund the cost of health services.
The first step towards abolishing user fees is to establish the cost of providing basic health services and how to make this cost sustainable when user fees are removed. Currently fees collected by the government go towards funding the provision of services.
DFID is therefore funding preparation of National Health Accounts through World Health Organisation (WHO) to help establish how much money is currently being spent on health services in Sierra Leonefrom all sources (donor, International non-government organisations, private sector etc.). In addition DFID, along with other Health Development Partners, is planning to finance a study on options for pro-poor health financing. Once DFID has this Options paper it will be able to discuss with government the best way forward.
Subject: Re: From The HOUSE OF COMMONS Funding to the SLPP
From: Doctor
To: All
Date Posted: 03:00:45 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-149-167.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.149.167
Message:
What health support????Is it to IMATT or Sierra Leone, as there are no health facilities in Sierra Leone anymore.
Subject: Re: From The HOUSE OF COMMONS Funding to the SLPP
From: DFID
To: All
Date Posted: 13:46:03 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 129.49.7.126
Message:
I am a bit disappointed with these figures. With all this talk about corruption DFID has only given peanuts to salone.
2002-03 1,038,361
2003-04 2,322,258
2004-05 320,302
2005-06 162,335
2006-07 1,441,689
Of the £59.5 million that has been provided through Budget Support over the last five years, approximately 11 per cent. or £6 million has been spent on the health sector.
Some of the projects we have funded include:
Support to UNICEF to help children, families and communities to provide care and protection for orphans and other vulnerable children;
Malaria prevention and treatment;
Support to UNICEF for Immunisation
And only a small portion was given to uur gov't. I wanted to beat on the SLpp so bad that, these figures presented by DFID disappointed me.
Subject: Re: From The HOUSE OF COMMONS Funding to the SLPP
From: DUMB
To: All
Date Posted: 13:53:58 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
Even though the word "health systems" appears at least 3 times in the report Iscandari posted, you still failed to understand what you read. For example:
"John Barrett (Liberal Democrat):To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department has provided to health systems in Sierra Leonean each of the last five years."
Why are you SLPP apologists so dumb?
Every sober S/Leonean knows that the British government has given more than $1 billion to the very corrupt SLPP government over the past 5 years! And the kleptomaniacs Kabbah and Berewa have squandered it. That is a fact, even though you don't know it. And they will be held accountable for that theft, even though they don't know it.
Subject: Looking for Family Members This is NO JOKE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:43:42 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
A BBC programme is looking for relatives of a lady called Winifred Modu James who married an Englishman, William Jessen in the 70’s and settled in Cornwall– both deceased. They are looking for her relatives as she died intestate. She apparently had a brother called Ben Coker and a sister, Dorcas Kindly or Kiely – not sure. Do you know any of these people? Otherwise, the UK Govt will have her money - £32,000 or so. That would come in handy for some relatives in Freetown.
Subject: KABBAH,BEREWA,WHERE IS THE MONEY?
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 12:07:52 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
Millions of dollars funded by the international community for development went in vain.Where is the money Mr Kabbah and Berewa?Both of you should give an account or you pay back the stipulated sum.Mind you everything is on records.Kabbah,you are not a leader but you forced yourself to be one,then misery,chaos and anarchy followed.Now you are attempting to force the sick and irresponsible Berewa to continue your shortcomings and failures,because you have no sentiments,love and respect for Sierra-Leone and her people.
Subject: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 11:51:45 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
Kabbah and his sick,irresponsible Berewa should stand infront of a criminal court.Kabbah was the first individual to pay a mercenary group with our limited financial resources to bring him back to authority.He is a criminal who forced himself to be a leader and Sierra-Leone paid a heavy price for that.Misery,pooverty,endemic corruption,tribal divide and suspicion.They should give account of the millions of dollars poured to the country for reconstruction.
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: Man on the Street
To: All
Date Posted: 03:02:58 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-149-167.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.149.167
Message:
You may say, whatever you wish to about them, but I just cannot understand, how did he force himself as our Leader.Didn't we all vote for him in 1996, and again in 2002??
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: nor men nan
To: All
Date Posted: 08:20:53 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.67
Message:
nor men nam
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 13:06:38 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Kabbah was the first individual to pay a mercenary group with our limited financial resources to bring him back to authority.
No he was not. If you are talking about Executive Outcomes? It was the NPRC with kabba as one of its advisers who called the executive outcomes in first
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: Neutral Observer
To: All
Date Posted: 05:44:00 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-149-167.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.149.167
Message:
Sir, I am no fan of Kabbah, but I know for sure,that Executive Outcome was contracted by NPRC in 1994.The gallant NPRC was busy stealing and diggin diamonds, and had no time to prosecute the War.
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 14:10:00 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
Be it executive outcome or sandline international,it was the heartless kabbah and his power thirst hench men,who orchestrated the contract.The blood of the innocent will haunt them and their families.
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 14:52:32 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
What evidence do you hav that Kabba and Berewa orchestrated and signed the contract of EO?
Produce it or shut up.
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: foday mansaray
To: All
Date Posted: 16:52:21 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: fmansaray@aol.com
Entered From: at 74.8.30.110
Message:
You want evidence that kabba and company did not contract EO to kill as many sierra leoneans as possible
to restore them?
Is that your question? If that is your question get kabba on national TV and I will bring every last economic HIT-MEN (Mercenaries) hired to confessed publicly.Do you know who is an economic HITMAN? Please stop and don't go there.
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: Labo
To: All
Date Posted: 18:54:41 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 65-78-54-33.c3-0.upd-ubr7.trpr-upd.pa.cable.rcn.com at 65.78.54.33
Message:
Bo nar LABO you de par. C'mon post the evidence.
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 01:56:51 06/17/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
Usai ba. nar so so lie lie. some man nor kin get nartin nar im waise den dae rap boku boku.
Let mansaray produce the evidence or like his partner in crime kamara, shut up.
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 15:21:23 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
Unless you are an idiot as you are.Maybe you signed it?
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: Alieu Sesay
To: All
Date Posted: 15:44:43 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
Hey! stop calling people IDIOTS on this forum. What is wrong with someone asking for proof? You are making a serious claim and you do not think one should ask for proof?
is that how the APC behaves? Is that what you call objectivity?
The next tem you call anybody IDIOT nar dis forum, de beat wae are go gee you, you nor go ever forgt me.
You duumbeh.
Subject: Re: KABBAH,BEREWA SHOULD BE INDICTED AFTER ELECTIONS
From: MUSA KAMARA
To: All
Date Posted: 16:09:16 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: luna.hypair.net at 194.50.180.4
Message:
At times I am impatience for some dumbs on this forum and I am forced to use the right adjective for them.WE APC NOR DAE FEGHT,WE DAE USE WE BRAIN.
Subject: Pro APC ariticle by Foday Mansaray
From: Pedantic
To: All
Date Posted: 10:45:34 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: pedantic@not really.com
Entered From: cache-los-ae04.proxy.aol.com at 195.93.21.132
Message:
I dont mean to be pedantic (I am not an SLPP supporter either) but in response to the question in this article (http://www.cocorioko.net/Wednesdayjune132007p8.html) asking if we know any Sierra Leoneans who are flying Nigerian planes, the answer is YES I actually know TWO: Plummer Bailor (Buffy's brother) and Tayo Asgill.
(I believe Plummer still flies for a private Nigerian airline)whereas Tayo is back in Freetown now.
So never underestimate Sierra Leoneans in the name of scoring a political point!!
Subject: Re: Pro APC ariticle by Foday Mansaray
From: foday mansaray
To: All
Date Posted: 16:41:29 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: fmansaray@aol.com
Entered From: at 74.8.30.110
Message:
To qualify my statement.Our Army was subjective to the Nigerian soldiers throughout this odeal.Our Port was turned over to Ghanians to head.Nigerian will never put100% sierra leonean in sensitive positions.
Americans will tolarate immigrants to pursue there abilty as far as they can go.My nice flies a fighter jet for the United States and my younger brother and many, many cousins were and still in the US Army.
Subject: Re: Pro APC ariticle by Foday Mansaray
From: kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 20:34:12 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-187-165-28.nwrknj.fios.verizon.net at 71.187.165.28
Message:
Brother Foday,Please take of your partizan glasses and be realistic. The credibility and lost confidence of the Sierra Leone army had occured long before SLPP or Berewa dreamed of winning elections in Sierra Leone. The army was purposely emasculated and decimated by SIAKA STEVENS because he feared an
overthrow of his Govt.This is why certain military men changed out of the military uniforms when the rebels advanced.(lack of disipline, sense of duty and respect of the profession)
The military establishment had been corrupted by Siaka Stevens the same way he corrupted the moral fabric of Sierra Leone. Confidence will be regained in the army and other establishments in Sierra Leone when we have leaders who will fairly enforce the
law of the land and follow the constitution.
Subject: Re: Pro APC ariticle by Foday Mansaray
From: WASHINGTON POST
To: All
Date Posted: 21:05:26 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 38.119.107.79
Message:
Siaka Stevens, president from 1968 to 1985, "corrupted the entire political class to the point it was impossible to believe what any politician said," Opala declared in an interview. "He dismantled all the country's institutions, totally destroyed the civil service and the army and ruled over a one-party state.
WASHINGTON POST--1996
Subject: Re: Pro APC ariticle by Foday Mansaray
From: ABK
To: All
Date Posted: 11:09:48 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-69-140-42-143.hsd1.md.comcast.net at 69.140.42.143
Message:
To add to your point I know Sierra Leoneans who are flying American fighter jets and U.S. commercial airplanes.
Subject: Re: Pro APC ariticle by Foday Mansaray
From: M. Alieu Iscandari
To: All
Date Posted: 11:24:38 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
To add to YOUR point I know sierra leonenans who are engineers that design Fighter jets for the US air force, and commercial jets for Boeing.
Subject: Re: Pro APC ariticle by Foday Mansaray
From: Tamba Menjor
To: All
Date Posted: 10:58:15 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-142-2-137.range86-142.btcentralplus.com at 86.142.2.137
Message:
To add to your point i know a sierra leonean who is a top engineer at British Aerospace.
Subject: CAMPAIGN TO BRING DOWN AIR FARES TO AFRICA
From: Jacques Sotero Agboton
To: All
Date Posted: 09:51:44 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: jacquesagboton@yahoo.com
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
http://www.mathaba.net/0_index.shtml?cmd%5B40%5D=i-43-&x=552451
BRING DOWN YOUR AIRFARES OR GET OUT OF AFRICA
By Jacques Sotero Agboton
Author of Philosophy of Engagement (An ideological basis for the liberation of African people)
American and European airlines are bilking African passengers
There are no reasons for airlines to charge African passengers 4 to 5 times higher airfares than passengers of Europe, Asia and the Middle-East for the same duration of flights.
It is apparent that the prohibitive airfares are to limit African passengers from crossing frontiers where they can explore personally environments so far denied them by white racists and their institutions under so-called immigration laws.
Also, beneath the veneer of the language of public relation used by these airlines which has fitted in very well with the sordid hypocrisy practiced by whites or their corporations since their incursions into Africa, no one should wonder now that free circulation of persons, free trade and globalisation are but meaningless statements shown to be false not in some but in all respects.
It is not only the racism of whites we should condemn but the unbridled greed of directors behind their corporations left to operate on our soil and defraud our people.
DELTA AIRLINES, NORTH AMERICAN AIRWAYS, AIR FRANCE, IBERIA, LUFTANSA, SN BRUSSEL AIRLINES, TAP of Portugal and BRITISH AIRWAYS are charging African passengers for cross-Atlantic flights between 1200 to 2200 Dollars for economy passengers while these fares would have been First Class between North America and Europe. Fares between North America and Europe can be as low as 200 Dollars.
It will be spurious for anyone to talk about market forces since as many as 30 cities in Africa and to name a few: Dakar, Banjul, Freetown, Monrovia, Accra, Lagos, Abuja, Douala, Bamako, Libreville, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Nairobi, Mombassa, Harare, Luanda, Maputo, Johannesburg serve as gateways to as much as 200 million potential customers. That is, only if they were not Africans or rather, except they were Blacks.
It seems that more than 10 years later, the legacies of Apartheid have yet to vanish since the notorious South African Airlines, carrier of these renegade racists who are still important shareholders; SAA cannot adjust its fares in spite of having a CEO who is Black and Black managers posted in but symbolic positions. Illogically, the fare New York to Dakar is the same as the fare New York to Johannesburg. You will be amused of the reasons Ghost SAA experts give in the computation these fares. Alas, some combatants of the liberation struggle in the hierarchy have forgotten the sacrifices in lives of entire generations so as to be cosy with their oppressors for crumbs of a pay check, a bonus…and sometimes bribes. That is not to say, the hand that gives in not as corrupt as the hand that takes. But, the betrayal is painful, and costly.
Beside that, we have in every metropolis in Africa, the embassies of these whites expropriating entire roads or avenues under their schizophrenia that some dialysis-ridden Bin Laden will terrorize them while our people queue before their consulates to suffer indignities of rejection and the extortion of their money for some cracked-up application fee. Meanwhile hordes of these Europeans and white North Americans do not pay for visas when entering African countries.
Instead of whining or complaining, it is time for Africans on the continent as well as in the Diaspora to begin targeted boycotts, airline by airline, until their fares are reasonably lowered or until these corporations leave our continent. For once, let there be a generation of men and women who will not allow that more than 500 years of brutal exploitation and inhumane slavery continues in Africa.
Firstly, a global campaign has begun with advice to the management of these airlines they are being monitored and advised to lower their air fares. Secondly, public protesting will begin before their local and regional offices as well as the homes of their senior staff until their total operation ceases or fares are lowered.
Conscious African Brothers and Sisters are called to adhere strictly to the boycotts which are to be announced and to use every media possible to spread the word.
Send a copy of this campaign to the following:
- Travel agencies
- Churches/Mosques/Temples
- Local organization
- Friends and relatives
- Black Radio Hosts
- Local Newspapers
- Broadcast on webcam/internet sites
- University bulletin boards
- Internet forums
- Conference/Seminar/Workshop Venues where Blacks meet.
Subject: The Kambia Appeal, UK
From: James Dowling
To: All
Date Posted: 09:34:13 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
The Kambia Appeal, UK
Achievements since June 2006
1. We have now changed the name of the charity from The Kambia Hospital Appeal to The Kambia Appeal, UK, to reflect the widening of our support beyond the hospital to some of the district’s health centres, and to allow us to support other projects beyond “health”, such as school education, if we so wish in the future.
2. The Kambia Appeal now has a new Project Manager in Sierra Leone. Mr Moses Kabba, former head teacher at Kolenten School has been working for us since September and has made great progress in working with the Ministry of Health and the Kambia District Council on our behalf.
3. We are in the process of registering the Kambia Appeal, UK, as an international NGO in Sierra Leone. Although we have been a registered charity in the UK since our inception in 1992, it is now necessary to register locally as well. As an NGO we will have automatic duty-free status on all consignments of goods we send.
4. We are also about to have a permanent base in Kambia, the house and compound previously occupied by MSF. From 8 June we will be able to offer visiting medical staff and students from the UK a comfortable place to stay, close to the hospital. With MSF leaving Kambia this week, there will be an even greater need for medical personnel to help at the hospital, so we hope to establish a rolling programme of visits by doctors, nurses and midwives over the coming years. All those who wish to apply..............
5. Our project to renovate the health centre at Barmoi, a town about 16 miles from the Kambia hospital, is now underway. The contractor has started work on the staff quarters, and the local paramount chief is providing alternative accommodation during the work so that the staff can remain close to the clinic. The work should be finished within two months. This is a £15,000 undertaking, and we are very grateful to Polly Boyd and Lizzy Pelly for helping to raise over £3,000 toward this for us at the Delrey House Christmas Shopping Emporium.
6. We now have six motorbike ambulances in Kambia. The vehicles were donated to us by the E-Ranger Production Company, and are worth a total of £32,000. The ambulances will be based at the health centres in Barmoi and Maselleh, and will provide a vital transport link for pregnant women between rural villages, the clinics and the hospital. Travelling 30km on one litre of fuel, the ambulances should provide a low-cost means of helping the poorest women gain access to healthcare. We are currently working with the communities to establish how the bikes will be used and managed locally.
7. Another new initiative for us is the running of the Maternity Waiting House in Kambia Town. Originally a Cheltenham idea, the Waiting House has been run by MSF to provide “at risk” mothers with somewhere to stay close to the hospital prior to giving birth. The House will also be used to accommodate VVF patients prior to their fistular operations in Freetown at the Mercy Ships hospital.
8. We now have two Cheltenham Scholars hard at work studying for new qualifications. Joseph Kalokoh, the theatre assistant at the Kambia hospital, is about to complete his first year at Njala University in Bo, training to become a Community Health Officer. Once qualified, Joseph will be in charge of a health centre in Kambia, with skills and responsibilities similar to a doctor. Francis Pieh, the Laboratory Assistant at the hospital is now at the Medical School in Freetown, studying for a Diploma in Laboratory and Allied Medical Skills. It is hoped that we will be supporting more scholars on the CHO course in the coming year.
9. Two medical students from the UK completed their medical electives in Kambia: Olly Harvey in November and Alison Holman in April. Three more students, Toyin Ajayi, Patrick Howlett and Robert Hughes, will be working in the district from August through to October.
10. The Appeal purchased three foetal heart monitors for use in the hospital maternity ward.
James Dowling
June 2007.
Subject: For the attention of Rev Kanu:
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 09:30:37 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
dEar Rev Kanu,
A word to the wise>
I am politley reuqesting that you delete the following items that have been maliciously posetd under my name in your Cocorioko forum:
1. http://www.hwforums.com/2179/messages/31000.html
2. http://www.hwforums.com/2179/messages/30999.html
When it comes to resourcefulness and imagination, there is almost nothing that cannot be done.
Please remove those mails.
Subject: Re: For the attention of Rev Kanu:
From: MODERATOR
To: All
Date Posted: 10:10:20 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-66-141-186-66.dsl.rcsntx.swbell.net at 66.141.186.66
Message:
Request fulfilled and imposter jailed. Cheers!
/Mod
Subject: Re: For the attention of Rev Kanu:
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 13:16:28 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Thank you very much. Lots of respect.
Subject: Re: For the attention of Rev Kanu:
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 09:32:36 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Dear Rev Kanu,
A word to the wise>
I am politely requesting that you delete the following items that have been maliciously posted under my name in your Cocorioko forum:
1. http://www.hwforums.com/2179/messages/31000.html
2. http://www.hwforums.com/2179/messages/30999.html
When it comes to resourcefulness and imagination, there is almost nothing that cannot be done.
Please remove those mails.
Subject: TO ALIEU ISCANDRI: OPEN WARFARE
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 09:11:20 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.99
Message:
Alieu
"Oh and on the issue of Mohm J wanting to kick your rinky dinky rebel ruf supporting ass at the DC area Pub, I have confirmed that from other people who were around there then that it is true."
Comparable to your A.P.C. YOUR SOURCES ARE INACCURATE. I DO NOT OFFER THREATS, BUT FROM THIS DAY BE FOREWARNED.
THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS I SUPPORTED THE REVOLUTIONARY UNITED FRONT. On March 23, 1991 we attacked Bomaru which led to the EXPULSION OF YOUR APC and the MURDER OF A.P.C'S GOEBBEL (Bambay Kamara).
Is it a COINCIDENCE that AKT died in June?
One begins to WONDER.
Subject: Re: TO ALIEU ISCANDRI: OPEN WARFARE
From: Historian
To: All
Date Posted: 03:07:30 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-149-167.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.149.167
Message:
I do recall, when Bomaru was attacked, atleast 200 Northeners, were butchered, and dozens amputated.Do you take any personal credit, as to how many of these did you personally handle???Ofcourse, the whole objective was to remove APC, and kill Bambay Kamara.
Subject: Re: TO ALIEU ISCANDRI: OPEN WARFARE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:52:36 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
BUT FROM THIS DAY BE FOREWARNED
Like I promised you, the tactics of the RUF will no longer be tolerated in a united sierra leone. people like you will have to face the music someday. Crimes against the people of sierra leone WILL NEVER go unpunished.
Shaking in my boots? I'm Afraid NOT.
And this is my last response to you. I do not Engage Rebels in any discourse. My ONLY goal is to put them behind bars where they belong.
Subject: Re: TO ALIEU ISCANDRI: OPEN WARFARE
From: Question
To: All
Date Posted: 09:34:35 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-152-107.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.152.107
Message:
Is it a confession that you are a member of RUF, and that you were involved in attacking Bomaru??
Subject: Re: TO ALIEU ISCANDRI: OPEN WARFARE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 10:27:41 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
isnt it OBVIOUS that he has admitted hat against his own penal interest. This information must be turned over to the FBI for investigations. If Mr. William Bangura is a citizen of the US then that Citizenship MUST be taken away from him dependng on how he answered the questions for his citizenship papers.
I am so scared that I am shaking in my boots. Jes clearout before me face you damn rebel
Subject: Re: TO ALIEU ISCANDRI: OPEN WARFARE
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 10:50:36 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.99
Message:
Alieu,
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations), CIA (Central Intelligence Agency), DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency), NSA (National Security Agency) et cetera, et cetera YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF.
Subject: Re: TO ALIEU ISCANDRI: OPEN WARFARE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 11:20:08 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
They will help themselves Mr. William Bangura who works in house keeping at the IMF.
Subject: Re: TO ALIEU ISCANDRI: OPEN WARFARE
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 13:03:50 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.99
Message:
Alieu,
It is very AMUSING that you are one of the VERY FEW that is "EDUCATED" and have a "DECENT EMPLOYMENT".
There is not a William Bangura that works in house keeping at the IMF.
As I have REITERATED YOUR SOURCES ARE ALWAYS WRONG.
Subject: Re: TO ALIEU ISCANDRI: OPEN WARFARE
From: M. Alieu Iscandarii Esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 07:13:46 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
it might not be your william bangura then, but you are not the only william bangura that lives and works in the dc area are you?
I have been told for certain that there is a william bangura that works in housekeeping at the imf, who has a free reign of imf computers and uses it to post trash on the cocorioko forum.
btw do you know this trash talking person who posts on the coco forum and works at the imf in housekeeping and goes by the name of william bangura is short has bad breath and not too long ago was suffering from malaria and typhoid when his lil short ass was almost kicked in a wash DC bar?
might he be a CLOSE relative of yours? When the APC wins in August, I am personally going to bring you your APC membership card and then have you arrested for crimes against humanity and prosecuted, found guilty and sent to jail for a very long time. At least until you begin for grow minjee en jonjo pan you dorty rebel skin.
Subject: For the Attention of Rev. Kabs Kanu
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 09:11:50 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Cadmus and the entire SLPP government is nothing to me. There is nothing that I want from them or from the APC or PMDC.
I DID NOT POST THIS
http://www.hwforums.com/2179/messages/31000.html
Please don't misuse my name. Use your own name.
I'm talking about the world, not Sweden.
I am not a freemason etc.
Kabs please check the IP of the guy who posted under my name.
That is not my language or way of expressing my thoughts......
I AM AGAINST ANYONE USING MY NAME.
Subject: Glad to hear
From: LADIPO
To: All
Date Posted: 08:34:03 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-151-4-13.range86-151.btcentralplus.com at 86.151.4.13
Message:
I am glad to hear that Ernest Koroma intends to set up in his first 100 days in office the proceedure to buying land in Sierra Leone. A good source close to him says that all buying of land has to be done between to lawyers. The seller has a lawyer and the buyer has his or her own lawyer. When both lawyers agree that the land is owned by the seller the deeds change hands. I this way 'tif land nor go day'
My contact also says that a lands court will be set up which would be able to settle cases quickly. I hear Pa Kabba intended to set such a court up but Bobson Sesay had gone and built his house on stolen lands at Milton Margai and could not see himself been brought in front of a Lands Judge.
I hope what i have been told is implemented as it would cut out a lot of hassle for people trying to buy land.
Subject: Re: Glad to hear
From: M. Alieu Iscandari esq
To: All
Date Posted: 12:47:31 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Ladi,
The APC under Ernest Koroma is an entirely different party from the APC of the 70's. There is new blood in the party and a new leader that LISTENS to the people. Sierra leone under Ernest Koroma is in for a "FACELIFT' of a positive nature.
Subject: Re: Glad to hear
From: new APC fan
To: All
Date Posted: 08:48:46 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: 88-65-ftth.onsneteindhoven.nl at 88.159.65.88
Message:
Ladipo, hope what you have heard is true. Ernest Koroma will be the most popular President if he starts to defend the rights of ordinary Sierra leoneans. I would like to see Freetown in particular is full of green trees.
Gone are the days , when the FBC surroundings is full of trees. Even the PWD quarter, where Alieu grew up is also being deforested.
I will be a great Ernest Koroman fan if he can help to bring back Freetown's beauty.
APC has always been the party that has helped Freetown to prosper and its citizens.
Bravo Ernest Koroma
Subject: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 07:49:30 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
This corrupt system in Sierra Leone is long overdue for change as you can read here:
Corruption threatens aid
Britain could hold back £15m for impoverished Sierra Leone, the jewel in Blair's foreign policy crown
Alex Duval Smith, Freetown
Sunday June 10, 2007
The Observer
Senior sources in Sierra Leone believe Britain is about to freeze a £15m payment to the West African nation amid evidence of endemic corruption that has seen millions of pounds in aid line the pockets of dishonest officials while ordinary people struggle in conditions of catastrophic poverty .
Britain, as the single largest donor country, gives the small country more than £50m a year, including £12m for its armed forces and the £15m direct payment to the Treasury, which is due in July to cover public servants' sa
A Foreign Office source claimed that the July payment will not be released. But a source for the Department for International Development (Dfid) disputed this last night, insisting the 'payment will be released' but admitted that some concerns remain about the ability of the Sierra Leone government to meet certain requirements such as accounting for the aid they receive and reaching certain benchmarks.
Ten days ago Blair visited the country on his farewell Africa tour and said things were 'a darn sight better' than five years ago. But people in Freetown were disappointed that he did not travel to the decrepit capital, opting instead to limit his six-hour visit to the area around the international airport at Lungi.
Morlai Kamara, a good-governance campaigner with the Network Movement for Justice and Development in Freetown, said corruption was widespread. 'It permeates every level from the office of the President lawyer to the cleaner. It takes the form of people embezzling funds, appointing people they know and abusing resources. Endemic corruption was one of the main reasons for the war: the government could no longer meet its side of the social contract. Now we are back at pre-war levels.'
In the past few years, chiefly thanks to British lobbying, Sierra Leone has benefited from more international concern than almost any other country. Towards the end of the war it had the world's biggest UN peacekeeping presence - more than 17,000 troops. Britain's high-profile military engagement involved the Paras, Navy, Gurkhas and the SAS and, at the time, was the most expensive British military campaign since the Falklands. Later millions of pounds were pledged to create an army and police force and see through disarmament programmes for 56,000 combatants, including children.
Yet Freetown remains a metropolitan slum, without electricity or drinking water, where living conditions are worse for many than they were during the war. Promised plans by the government - for which aid was paid - to kick-start agriculture in the interior of the country have not materialised. Next month's planned presidential and parliamentary elections have been delayed until August and the reason given - the expected weather - has failed to convince the people.
In the diamond-rich Kono district, miners are still sifting river beds for elusive gems. Diamond exports are now taxed but the revenue is not, as was promised, being spent on building schools and clinics.
Just as before and during the war, Sierra Leone has the worst children's and maternal mortality figures in the world. Life expectancy stands at 41.
Val Collier, former commissioner of the country's Anti-Corruption Commission, said Britain and other aid donors were hypocritical: 'When money is given, checks and balances should be imposed. A large share of the money is spent on sending foreign consultants here to write reports; they come with their laptops in their slingbags, like intellectual mercenaries. Such spending does not put food in the bellies of the people of Sierra Leone.'
The new commissioner, Henry Joko-Smart, is seen as government-friendly and his work has proved timid. A Dfid report on the commission last month found that, of 64 cases examined in 2006, 15 were pursued, including a case against a hospital payroll officer and another against a headmaster. Corruption at other levels was ignored.
A Foreign Office official confirmed the freeze on Dfid's £15m payment, due next month, to the Sierra Leone government's 'consolidated fund', which pays public servants' salaries. 'We want accountability,' said one source. But a spokesman would only confirm that the matter was under discussion.
Corruption threat to aid
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2099506,00.html
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 08:27:31 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.2
Message:
What are we looking at here....another hopeless attempt to make SLPP look Bad.
The reports says...'Senior sources in Sa Lone believes that Britain was about to freeze a £15 million payment to the west African country......
.....'A foreign Office source claimed that the July payment will not be released.....'
....However the Department for International developement (The department that actually pays the money) ......'Disputed this last night..'.
..... Insisting that payment will be released..'
So what are you saying?
Now I know why John Leigh gets angrey with you people here.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 08:56:33 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Cadmus,
I know powerful people in this world, and here in Sweden.Your SLPP Gods are not part of the powerful group. Cadmus, do not mess with me. I will bring you , your SLPP, and your mendedorm down in a few minutes. Cadmus, Fuck you.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 09:16:57 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
THis is worse than bearing false witness. This is impersonation. Plesae read the DISCLAIMER.
Cadmus and the entire SLPP government is nothing to me. There is nothing that I want or need from them or from the APC or PMDC.
N. B. I am not a Mende-phobe or tribalist.
I DID NOT POST THIS
http://www.hwforums.com/2179/messages/31000.html
Please don't misuse my name. Use your own name.
I'm talking about the world, not Sweden.
I am not a freemason etc.
Kabs please check the IP of the guy who posted under my name.
That is not my language or way of expressing my thoughts......
I AM AGAINST ANYONE USING MY NAME.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 09:01:54 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
I DID NOT POST THAT.PLease don't msisues my name. Use your own name.
I'm talking about the world, not Swden.
Kabs plaese check the IP of the guy who posted under my name.
That oi not my langauge or way of expressing my thoughts.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 08:53:02 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Cadmus, whoever you are,
I know people in this world who are much more powerful and organised than anybody in Sierra Leone. Don’t start a war that you will not be able to finish.
Take it up with the Observer's reporters and stop bothering me about people like Leigh.
WHO do you think Leigh is to me, in the world of Human affairs? Sierra Leone’s little toe? Perhaps he is your moral authority or he gives you money? He is your professor? There are hundreds of thousands of professors my dear fellow.
If we go ballistic what can Kabbah, Berewa, Leigh or you any of your cohorts do about it? Get real man. You talk about Leigh as if he is a man of substance, influence intellectual or financial power. This doesn’t have anything to do with Makeni ConBention or your own limited linguistic conventions. In the world of which I speak people like Leigh are next to nothing. Understand that.
You seem to be living in another world. Tune in to another wavelength if you want to communicate with me and never mind all the mindless bubble about me on Cocorioko – that’s just some more bushman talk about pariah, outcast etc.
Now you know why John Leigh gets “ angrey" with people here. What’ is Leigh’s anger to me? Less than his passing wind through his mouth.
Who was it that said “There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats; for I am arm'd so strong in Honesty, that they pass by me as the idle wind, which I respect not." ?
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: CADMUS
To: All
Date Posted: 11:43:12 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 82.198.250.2
Message:
Cornelius Hamelberg,
I have always wondered about you, and now I know better.I did honestly respect you once on this forum,for sometimes supplying useful information, but since you had thought it fit to go poltical, particularly anti-SLPP, my friend, you have lost and outlived your usefulness.
You can try to take me on if you so wish, I am ready. You live in Europe,as you know I live in London where I have been for the past 20 years, after studying and now practicing here.I do not own SLPP or John Leigh anything, Isupport them because at this particular moment in time, it is the right thing to do.
I see you read the Private Eye magazine to which I am also a contributor, maybe that is why I had enjoyed your jokes.
I am my own man I make up my own mind.The only people who influenced me were those who thought me Law some 15 years ago.
John Leigh is a greater man than you will ever be.He has achieved positions and represnted his country at the highest level.What have you ever done for your country.You must secretely admire John Leigh, how he takes on allcomers on this forum.He has been attacked right, left and center, and he fires back at each one of them....you must honestly admire the man.There is nothing shameful to admire a great man.John has a lot to offer Sa lone, and the Powers that be knows that, Just waut till after August 11.
My advise to you old man Cornie, is that you go back to doing what you did best, be a social commentator, which you were quit good at.You being a Jew and me being a MUSLIM did not matter I laughed at all your jokes inpite of....however attacking SLPP gratuitously as you have been doing matters to me . That can be calculated as been mendacious and you will get your fingers burnt.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 13:15:08 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Cadmus,
(Corrected and I stand for my views)
I wish you and yours, a pleasant weekend.
About Judaism, understand this:
http://www.torah.org/advanced/mishna-berura/S61.html
I just got back from the heart of the City where I went to get some Kosher Wine
I posted a news item from the Observer. If you are upset about the contents of the report, then you should write a letter to their editor and not to me. You could also get Leigh to do it, if you so prefer. My life does not depend on Sierra Leone nor does my thinking rotate in that orbit.
I don’t request your respect. Respect Kabbah, Berewa, your Imam, and so on. I have lived all my life without your respect and I don’t ask you to like or love me. It’s not every man and woman in Sierra Leone that was my best friend.
If you are from Sierra Leone, as far as I’m concerned irrespective of whether you are from the North or South, East or West, this or that tribe, you are supposed to be my brother. You will not ask me for bread and I will give you a stone – or a blow with a machete.
Most of my relationships are voluntary.
I do not intend to get close to anyone who exhibits primitive behaviour or mentality. In the circles in which I move here or in London, we are used to more civilised norms of behaviour.
You who live in the world of great and greater (including the literary world) you should know your positions in relation to the axis.
If John Leigh who you know, is a “great man” then who are you?
This is what I mean by we live in two different worlds.
Yes, London is my base.
I have lived in Sweden since 1971. I do not think that I was as Sierra Leonean in mentality as you were in the few years that I lived in Sierra Leone. Don’t get me wrong, I was friends with people like AKT, Remi Johnson etc but I have never been of the type of parochial mentality that is usually on display on this forum. Leigh is not and cannot by any stretch of the imagination be) a star in my heaven. I’m too far away from that kind of thinking, being, wanting to please.
My world, even my literary world is not divided into SLPP and APC.
My interests are far far removed from the petty squabbles that keep Sierra Leone at position 176 / 177 in human development terms. Even music – instrumentation is among the most backward in Africa – when you take away a few innovative guys like Abdul Tee-Jay. Listen to the lyrics “ Cee O Ley Ley “ and “Wele Kpeku” in his “PalmwineA Go-Go”
Try to understand this, because this is the main problem in Sierra Leone today:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Transparency+International+%3A+Sierra+leone
I am concerned about the suffering of the majority of the people in Sierra Leone. At the same time I have family and friends and many interests that fill and fulfil my life. Leigh and Cadmus, Berewa and Kabbah and the biggest and baddest that Sierra Leone can produce are not “the anchor of my purest dreams”. Cocorioko and Sierra Leone forums are not the centre of my gravity, please try to understand that too.
Here’s my son in a discussion in yesterday’s Dagens Nyheter: Click on the link “läs mer”:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Dagens+Nyheter+%3A+P%C3%A5+Stan%3A+Nathan+Hamelberg&btnG=Search&meta=
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 12:55:36 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Cadmus,
I wish you and your, a pleasant weekend.
About Judaism, understand this:
http://www.torah.org/advanced/mishna-berura/S61.html
I just got back from the heart of the City where I went to get some Kosher Wine
I posted a news item from the Observer. You should write a letter to their editor and not to me. My life does not depend on Sierra Leone nor does my thinking rotate in that orbit.
I don’t request your respect. Respect Kabbah, Berewa, your Imam, and so on. I have lived all my life without your respect and I don’t ask you to like or love me. It’s not every man and woman in Sierra Leone that was my best friend.
If you are from Sierra Leone, as far as I’m concerned irrespective of whether you are from the North or South, East or West, this or that tribe you are supposed to be my brother. You will not ask me for bread and I will give you a stone – or a blow with a machete.
Most of my relationships are voluntary.
I do not intend to get close to anyone who exhibits primitive behaviour or mentality. In the circles in which I move here or in London, we are used to more civilised norms of behaviour.
You who live in the world of great and greater (including the literary world)
If John Leigh who you know, is a “great man” then who are you?
This is what I mean by we live in tow different worlds.
Yes, London is my base.
I have lived in Sweden since 1971. I do not think that I was as Sierra Leonean mentality as you were in the few years that I lived in Sierra Leone. Don’t get me wrong, I was friends with people like AKT, Remi Johnson etc but not of that parochial mentality.
My world, even my literary world is not divided into SLPP and APC.
My interests are far far removed from the petty squabbles that keep Sierra Leone at position 176 / 177 in human development terms. Even music – instrumentation is among the most backward in Africa – when you take away a few innovative guys like Abdul Tee-Jay. Listen to the lyrics “ Cee O Ley Ley “ and “Wele Kpeku” in his PalmwineA Go-Go”
Try to understand this, because this is the main problem in Sierra Leone today:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=Transparency+International+%3A+Sierra+leone
I am concerned about the suffering of the majority of the people in Sierra Leone. At the same time I have family and friends and many interests that fill and fulfil my life. Leigh and Cadmus, Berewa and Kabbah and the biggest and baddest that Sierra Leone can produce are not “the anchor of my purest dreams. Cocorioko and Sierra Leone forums are not the centre of my gravity, please try to understand that too.
Here’s my son in a discussion in yesterday’s Dagens Nyheter: Click on the link “läs mer”:
http://www.dn.se/DNet/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=2800&a=660982
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: micro-econ
To: All
Date Posted: 11:55:12 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: pool-71-174-135-79.bstnma.east.verizon.net at 71.174.135.79
Message:
"I support them because at this particular moment in time, it is the right thing to do."
The right thing to do is to call wrong wrong and right right. So let's hear it from you on corruption and mismanagement by the SLPP government. While you at that let's also hear from you on the SLPP convention. After that, tell us about all the good things the SLPP has done. Go ahead and do the right thing.
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 08:54:47 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Cadmus,
Go fuck yourself. You son of a b--------------.Ypu SLPP and mende bastards. F--you, Cadmus
Subject: Re: Sierra Leone: Corruption threatens aid
From: SLPP
To: All
Date Posted: 08:40:17 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
Cadmus:
As you were told yesterday, stop acting stupid!
The salient point in the report is that the British Department for International Development has concluded that the SLPP government is thoroughly corrupt.
There is no dispute in the report about that most important point. So, whether as one source stated the SLPP's corruption has led DFID to stop its latest cash payment to the corrupt SLPP, or another source it would not does not change the FACT that DFID is on record -- along with the UN, the World Bank, the G*, and the European Union -- as finding that the SLPP IS A COPRRUPT GOVERNMENT.
That is a fact that no SLPP apologist who can't write correct English like John Leigh, Koker, or yourself can change!
Subject: Are you Kono or from Kono? 8-11 is here
From: Karamoh Kabba
To: All
Date Posted: 07:16:48 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: karamohslylhorg@aol.com
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
It suffices to agree that God left the Kono land a long time ago with the advent of foreign Manichaeism that conveniently combines religion and imperialism to which God gave way. Yes, God gave way: He gives humanity the two choices of good and evil and thus the "Wages of sin is death." And, without doubt, we saw the death field crammed with the dead, between 1991 and 2002 when God looked the other way to humanity's choice of evil over good against its own kind in Sierra Leone, especially in the Kono land.
(Karamoh Kabba, Sidie Yahya Tunis, Ibrahim Conteh and Maria Gutierrez, December 22, 2006)
What will you do about it?
Subject: Re: Are you Kono or from Kono? 8-11 is here
From: Cornelius Hamelberg
To: All
Date Posted: 07:53:13 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-078472d5.01-32-73746f42.cust.bredbandsbolaget.se at 213.114.132.7
Message:
Is it time for us to go ballistic?
Just give the word.....
Subject: Re: Are you Kono or from Kono? 8-11 is here
From: NAR U SABI
To: All
Date Posted: 08:45:38 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-153-195-162.range81-153.btcentralplus.com at 81.153.195.162
Message:
NAR U SABI U KIN GO ANY WHERE NOT ONLY BALLISTIC
Subject: Flashback: SIERRA LEONE: THE PRE AND POST WAR OVERVIEW;
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 04:46:42 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
*Briefing Published By:*
*African Analysis International*
*(A Research,Advocacy and Information Resource Group)*
Written By: *Ibrahim Bangoura And Nhinson Williams*
*Senior Research Associates, Africa Analysis International- AAI, Field
Service Network, Freetown, Sierra Leone. **BRIEFING NO: 0013. *April 20,
2003
*SIERRA LEONE: THE PRE AND POST WAR OVERVIEW; A COMBINATION OF TRAGEDY,
THREAT AND INSECURITY. ***
After a decade of one of the world most deadly civil wars in Africa, which
took away hundreds of lives, both in the urban and rural regions of the
country, post- war Sierra Leone still faces imminent danger and glaring
national insecurity. This realistic threat has potentials to wreck its
democratization, and the support and cooperation that the country has and
continues to receive in both its human and technical development sectors.
There are several underlying existing and evolving factors that stand
responsible for this very serious national threat in what supposed to be
post- war Sierra Leone. This West Africa state ten years (1991-2001) bloody
and brutal civil conflict generated political witch-hunt, social misery,
economic disorder, judicial ineptitude, and corruptible law enforcement
tendencies. In addition to these, the country is still under a serious
threat of a renewed blood bath.
PRE-WAR PERIOD
The Republic of Sierra Leone is one of the British colonies in West Africa
that obtained its independence in the 1960s. At independence, the country
was ruled by the Sierra Leone's people's party under the stewardship of Sir.
Milton Magai.
Sir Milton was succeeded by his brother Albert Magai. Both Milton and Albert
had lineage and relevant social ties with the Mendes and Sherbro speaking
groups of the Country's east and southern regions.
Soon after independence, the SLPP had urged the population of the country
for a one party state ideology; but did not succeed in achieving same.
Internal disunity within the SLPP, which drew its partisans and loyalists
largely from the Mendes and Shebros, breaded a vital political vacuum at the
national level. Consequential of this national opening emerged an
alternative political perspective which derived its strength from the
country's trade union movement and affiliated civil society groups. One of
the workers' unionists, Siaka Stevens, eventually rose as the leader, and
since the SLPP focus was in the east and south, the APC chose to put its
energy and concentration to the northern region of the country amongst the
Temne, Limba, Mandingo and Fula related speaking groups under the banner of
democracy and social change.
Both the SLPP and APC divided the country's political mechanics on tribal
and regional lines, even though each had and still have connections in one
another's stronghold in terms of partisan affiliation.
As the country infancy political development unfolded, the APC took over the
realm of state power from the SLPP, with Siaka Stevens as prime minister and
later on as president.
Stevens who had earlier on opposed the idea of one party state under the
SLPP proposed and argued that the concept of a one party state was a noble
venture, and that in fact, the SLPP meant well for the unity and progress of
the country with that notion.
So in furtherance of the SLPP brilliant ideology, the APC, which he, Stevens
headed as leader and president of the country, campaigned and intimidated
opposing views for the realization of a one party state under the APC in the
1970s.
In a bid for continuity in the APC's rule of the country, Stevens had to
hand pick a military man and a northerner, General Joseph Saidu Momoh, to
succeed him at the disatisfaction of key and forceful outstanding
politicians in the persons of his first vice president S.I. Koroma, 2nd vice
president Francis Minah, who was also Minister of Justice, Salia Jusu
Sheriff, Thaimu Bangura, amongst others.
With such, the APC ruled the country over two decades. Stevens' hand picked
successor, General Joseph Saidu Momoh, then commander of the Sierra Leone's
Army, worsened the country misery during his half decade rule from
1984-1992.
Although there was disorganized corruption and organized gangsterism under
Stevens' rule, the situation under General Momoh was quite the opposite.
Under General Momoh and his period of the APC's leadership of Sierra Leone,
corruption was very rampant, organized and persistent at every level while
political gangsterism was disorganized but ruthless.
General Momoh's 1st vice president, Francis Minah and others, became victims
of the country political pettiness and witch-hunt. Accused by the APC on
allegation of trying to topple the regime and kill President Momoh, these
men were set by the northerners in the regime and killed.
Conditions subsequent were unbearable for the Country's population. The
economy was deplorable and weak as a result of loot, mismanagement and bad
governance. In view of this, the quest for change surfaced and the need for
change became embelled in every sector of the country.
Opposing groups (including the SLPP) and individuals to Momoh and the APC
regime in the country soon began galvanizing options for the dethronement of
the status quo. This led to the facilitation of some exiled Sierra Leonean
nationals, including Foday Sankoh and others, into Libyan and Qaddaffi's
sponsored rebels training camps near Tripoli.
Outstanding opposition figures both in and outside of Sierra Leone then were
in for a change of regime in the country at all cost so that they too could
participate in the dividend of the aftermath political equation.
Obviously, that became real after the NPRC's rule. Current president Ahmed
Tejan Kabbah, Lawyer Solomon Berewa, Dr. Joe Demby, Dr. Abass Bundu, Hon.
John Kerefa Smart and Chief Hinga Norman were all amongst a long list of
those who had this impulse and wished the change so dearly.
The usual predicament was the question of the most appropriate and effective
medium to use in obtaining this change. This became an eventually unanswered
dilemma for most of them, especially those of them who had links to the
international community, current president Kabbah inclusive.
Then came the Libyan supported war in Liberia against an internationally
unaccepted regime. The Samuel Doe government.
The Liberian war spearheaded by an American Criminal Law fugitive, Charles
M. Taylor and his notorious but brutal NPFL rebel group, nurtured the
formation of the deadly RUF rebel group in Sierra Leone.
Although there were already dissidents for Sierra Leone, trained and in
readiness; the RUF as a full fledge rebel movement was established in
Liberia with the full knowledge, participation and overriding logistical
support of the then NPFL rebels leader Charles Taylor, now president of
Liberia.
WAR TIME PERIOD* *
The RUF rebel group was established in Gbarnga, Bong County, Liberia. The
group launched its rebel attack on the APC regime and people of Sierra Leone
in late 1991. From the onset of the RUF incursion into Sierra Leone, there
was an overwhelming empathy and indirect solidarity from the silent Sierra
Leonean opposition and the largely Mende and Sherbo tribes, respectively,
for the rebel group.
The SLPP then in the opposition at the time mounted serious anti regime
sentiments against the ruling APC governing party which was and is still
dominated by the Temnes, Limbas and others from the north of the country.
As the war raged on into the Eastern region of the country, the RUF soon
began inheriting a track record of mayhem and destruction. The Easterners at
the time had no real dislikeness for the RUF as they did with the APC regime
under Momoh and his northern gang.
Coincidentally, the APC regime was overthrown by a team of young soldiers
from the Sierra Leone Army, calling themselves the National Provisional
Ruling Council (NPRC) Government. The NPRC military regime, though led by a
young officer, Captain Valentine Strasser, was influentially dominated by
easterners who were led by the late Captain Solomon A.J Musa, and had
officers like General Maada Bio, Colonel Tom Nyumah and Colonel Kumba
Mondeh, among others.
The activities of the NPRC regime was overwhelmed by irresponsibility and
latent human right violations which were largely due to the youthful tenets
and inexperience found in the Council's membership.
Nonetheless, the NPRC government pursued the RUF defensively and at least
the war was contained from reaching the capital, Freetown and other bigger
city-towns like Kenema, BO and Makeni.
The regime of the NPRC marked the turning point in the APC – SLPP agitation,
and Sierra Leone's Socio -political and tribal alignment chaos.
Strasser was overthrown by his immediate deputy, General Julius Maada Bio,
who had replaced sacked Captain Solomon A.J. Musa. Bio's coup was successful
because of the support of his fellow easterners in the Council.
General Bio had based his take-over rationale on Stresser's desire to
distort democratization in the country. In the interim, politicians and
intellectuals were gearing up for active participation in a post-NPRC
democratic environment. The NPRC leadership under Maada Bio conducted what
many, including international organizations, described as a "Free and Fair
Multi -Party Election". The Election Commission was chaired by Dr. James
Jonah, a respectable Sierra Leonean diplomat and former Under Secretary
General of the United Nations for Political Affairs.
The SLPP candidate, Dr Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, won the Presidential Elections,
giving the SLPP the authority of state control. Kabbah, a Mandingo and
northerner by patrimony, has a Mende mother from the east of the country. He
was selected by the SLPP in order to divide the vote of the predominately
APC north, since in fact, the SLPP saw the APC as an uncompromising
challenger in the country.
President Kabbah and the SLPP regime were dethroned by the Sierra Leone Army
in 1997 under the command of Major Johnny Paul Koroma. Koroma and his SLA
group called their regime the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) which
popularly became known as AFRC Junta. The AFRC Junta invited the RUF into
the Government as well as some key members, like the late Captain Solomon
A.J. Musa, of the defunct NPRC regime.
According to the AFRC leader, Major Johnny Paul Koroma, the idea was to
conclude the war and end the suffering of the civilian population throughout
the country as well as repartriate the country's refugees.
Many including the international community, particularly ECOWAS, viewed the
AFRC venture as anti democratic and unconstitutional, since in fact the
junta had overthrown an elected and constitutional government.
ECOWAS Peace Monitoring Group, ECOMOG and militia loyalists of the SLPP
launched attacks on the AFRC regime in Freetown through combat activities.
President Kabbah and most of his cabinet and other officials were now
refugees in Guinea and other West African states. Despite their refugee's
status, the SLPP officials were operating government in exile, with Dr.
Kabbah as both President and Minister Of Defence.
Kabbah as President and Minister Of Defence had approved the formation of
the Kamajor militia, largely composed of ethnic mende hunters, villagers and
SLPP loyalists, to fight restore his regime and democracy in Sierra Leone.
In order to give legitimacy to the Kamajors and allow them obtain state and
international funding indirectly, the group was placed under the direct
control of the Country's Ministry Of Defense, and the National Defence
Headquarters' operations.
President Kabbah and his vice president then, Dr. Joe Demby, became fully
responsible for the country military operations against the brutal RUF
rebels and AFRC Junta. And they both received operational and tactical
briefings on the activities of the polarized and complex military groupings,
which included the Kamajor militia, the South African mercenary group called
the "Executive Outcome" and the youthful "Special Forces" group which had
comprised exiled Liberian ex-combatants who fought for Kabbah on hired
basis.
In the Ministry Of Defence, Chief Sam Hinga Norman, as the then deputy
Minister Of Defense took charge of the country's military activities on
President Kabbah's instruction. The military operations at the Ministry Of
Defence during the Sierra Leone's war involved the administrative
supervision of the Sierra Leone Army, the Kamajors, the Special Forces and
the Executive Outcome's relations.
At the National Defence headquarters, President Kabbah appointed General
Maxwell Kobe, a Nigerian soldier and commander of ECOMOG Task Force, as
Chief Of Defence Staff with jurisdiction over the Sierra Leone Army, the
Civil Defence Forces like the Kamajor militia, the Executive outcome and
Special Forces, which then comprised of Liberian and Sierra Leonean youth.
Under the Ministries of Finance and Defence, the SLPP government allotted
and spent millions of dollars on the Executive Outcome and the Civil Defense
Forces in cash and logistical support. At the Ministry of Finance, President
Kabbah also instructed the then deputy Minister Of Finance, Momoh Pujeh, to
handle the budgetary activities of the various militarized groupings which
were pro SLPP and his regime. Also, at the Ministry Of Defence, President
Kabbah employed and appointed Mustapha Lumeh to supervise the logistical
support of the Civil Defence Forces.
President Kabbah and the vice president, Dr. Joe Demby, had regular military
meetings with and received full briefings from the senior operatives of the
Civil Defence Forces through his deputy Minister Of Defense, Hinga Norman
and his Chief of Defense staff, the late Gen. Maxwell Kobe.
At some point Kabbah and Demby ordered specific military instructions based
on briefings they received.
The SLPP government paid the Executive Outcome. On the contrary, the
government did not pay the Kamajor militias and the exiled Liberian
ex-combatant who were seeking refugee in Freetown as a result of the
Liberian regime witch-hunt against perceived enemies.
The Liberian ex-combatants largely came from rival fractions to the NPFL
rebel group of Charles Taylor. They had to escape Liberia after Taylor won
the Liberian elections, took over state power and started to witch hunt
perceived opposition.
Like the Kamajor militia, the SLPP government provided periodic feeding,
medical care and other basic needs for the Special Forces. In addition, the
Special Forces were provided housing by President kabbah at the Brookfields
Hotel complex. This was after ECOMOG and the Civil Defence Forces had
restore Kabbah and his regime back in Freetown.
DISARMAMANT AND THE PEACE PROCESS
Like the RUF rebels, the Civil Defence Forces did not disarm, de-mobilize
and re- integrate in full. Both groupings stored up arms and ammunition in
their former strongholds. These arms and ammunitions are stored in secret in
preparation for eventualities etc.
What the internationally supported disarmament and Peace- building process
did in Sierra Leone was to influence the cessation of physical combat
activities throughout the country as well as reduce the proliferation of
arms and halt the commission of human right abuses, war crimes and crimes
against humanity. But the cells of destructions were not disbanded. They do
exist and can emerge anytime in any part of the country, and this time the
conditions could be far worst and difficult to conclude.
Some members of the RUF and Civil Defence Forces gave up their arms and are
making efforts to adjust in other life situation other than combat
activities. On the other hand, many of the RUF and Kamajor fighters are
active in combat activities in neighboring Liberia and the Ivory Coast where
there are wars at the moment. This is one of the reasons why Sierra Leone is
still under legitimate threat and faces national insecurity.
One source interviewed at Lungi, Sierra Leone, indicated that President
Kabbah and the SLPP government acted ungrateful to the membership of the
Special Forces after he Kabbah and his SLPP regime had "consolidated" power
and security control to some extent. The source stated further that In an
attempt to induce President Taylor's friendship and failed protection,
President Kabbah and the SLPP regime decided to reward the Liberian
dominated Special Forces' youth, who had fought, wasted blood and died for
the regime, with harassment, arrests and detention; threatening them with
deportation etc.
In view of this all, many of the Special Forces' members fled the country to
other West African states and do hold this mistreatment against the SLPP
regime.
In essence, the Kabbah regime used the exiled Liberian ex combatants in
vain. The President, according to our sources, opted to sweetie relations
with Taylor who supported the RUF rebels that ravaged the population of
Sierra Leone so much so that the country has inherited one of the world's
worst social predicaments. Thousands of people are amputated and others
maimed throughout the country.
* ATTROCITIES *
One of the memorable things that characterized the Sierra Leonean civil war
is the level and degree of atrocities committed by all sides in the
conflict.
The RUF committed unimaginable mayhem, mass murder and calculated massacres.
They introduced and practiced the amputation and maiming of civilian body
parts as well as the burning of houses, raping of women and infants and
massive extra jusdicial executions.
This became particularly rampant when the RUF and AFRC Junta were retreating
after being dislodged from power and the capital, Freetown. For the RUF,
their atrocities were committed indiscriminately against civilians and
others. The AFRC Westside Boys later on became no different from the RUF in
everything until they were disarmed at Juba Hill by the British soldiers
based in Freetown then.
The Executive Outcome and the Special Forces focus in most of their combat
operations were on the RUF and the AFRC remnants who had engaged them in
battle. Sources interviewed maintained that a number of human rights abuses
were committed by these groups against civilians. This included harassment
and intimidation which were motivated by the greed for loot and pleasure.
In addition, the Executive Outcome did illicit and disorganized diamond
mining. The Special Forces were complained about on issue of occasional rape
and raiding of properties from civilians on periodic basis.
The Kamajors militia committed liked atrocities too. But at least theirs was
not rampant and glaring against the civilian population. However, the
reality remains that the Kamajors also killed civilians, mainly northerners
in the Kenema, Bo and other regions of the country.
Information from sources interviewed throughout the country and in refugees
camps in neighboring countries where there are many Sierra Leonean
eyewitness, says the Kamajors beside fighting the RUF rebels, targeted
supporters and sympathizers of the elstwhile APC and AFRC regimes which drew
and continue to maintain support and loyalty from the northern region of the
country, particularly amongst the Temnes, Limbas and Lokos.
These became the victims, in actual fact, of most of the atrocities the
Kamajors militia committed against civilians in the war.
Sources interviewed by AAI's researchers also mentioned that in Freetown,
the West Africa Peace Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), did commit awful atrocities
against the civilian population, especially during the fall of the AFRC
Junta. Civilians were shot on site from one place to another by some
ECOMOG's soldiers for what the soldiers called "Collaboration" with the
RUF/AFRC Junta.
ECOMOG soldiers' atrocities were high around the Congo Cross, Kingtom, Kissy
and Hasting areas of Freetown. Although some of the civilians killed by the
ECOMOG soldiers were sympathizers of either the AFRC or RUF; many others
were perceived as such and maligned by others civilians. The situation
increased the civilian atrocities perpetrated by ECOMOG, particularly the
Nigerian contingent.
At a certain point in time, it was difficult to differentiate the original
Sierra Leone Army (SLA) from the RUF/AFRC Junta. Particularly, when the AFRC
was composed of SLA's ring leaders.
Of course, it was from the SLA that a loyalist sect to former AFRC leader,
Johnny Paul Koroma, emerged.
The sect or group known as Westside Boys eventually translated their actions
into rebel's activities. Thus separating them from the main stream SLA which
was commanded by the Nigerian General Maxwell Kobe in his then capacity as
Chief of Defence Staff of the Country Army.
The SLA splitter group - Westside Boys - carried out mayhem similar to that
of the RUF rebels at a certain point in time, mainly when they were forced
to dwell up the hills over Freetown in opposition to the Kabbah government,
ECOMOG and the SLPP.
Eventhough the Westside Boys carried out indiscriminate killings and torture
of civilians, they obtained no glaring record of maiming and amputating of
civilians.
Maiming and amputating of civilians were activities of the brutal RUF
rebels. The Kamajors militia, ECOMOG and the Westside Boys have no such an
opened track record, at least so far as generic testimonies revealed.
However, these various groups harassed and inhumanely tortured and killed
civilians in some parts of the country, too.
POST "DISARMAMENT" AND ELECTIONS* *
After the reaching of what was called a " Peace Deal" by all sides in the
country conflict, the international community facilitated a disarmament
program that at least halted the sound of guns and commission of widespread
atrocities and looting.
The RUF under a new leadership transformed itself from an official armed
group to a political party; and like other political parties in the country,
had the vital chance to participate in the country's democratic process
through the just held elections of 2002 which gave President Kabbah a second
term of continuity.
The Country's post disarmament situation had looked forward to a genuine
national reconciliation process for the healing of bad memories induced from
the war throughout the country. But this has not been the case, instead an
International Special Court assumes correctives measures against those
responsible for the commission of crimes against humanity during the
country's decade long war.
Many sources interviewed in the country applauded the initiatives of the
United Nations in setting up the Special Court, but say it is too untimely
in view of the level of disunity in the country and the general
proliferation of arms and insecurity in the Mano River Union basin.
Many, including diplomats, in the sub region see the present war situation
in Liberia as a threatening and dangerous reality to the establishment of
real peace in Sierra Leone. Particularly so when the U.N. Special Court on
Sierra Leone has put in place an indictment process for some of the same
figures who still have control over militia that fought one another in the
country deadly civil war. The issue, for example ,of Chief Hinga Norman,
raises a threatening concern.
A few Kamajor's fighters interviewed mentioned that the SLPP regime and
Kabbah in particular, do not want the suffering of Sierra Leonean to end.
They opined that apart from the SLPP government, President Kabbah and Vice
President Solomon Berewa befriending of Charles Taylor, who also uses them;
both men are using the UN Special Court to get at their perceived political
rivals within the rank and file of the ruling SLPP, and even in the country
main opposition.
Some say President Kabbah does not understand the political chemistry and
evolving intricate militarized situation in the Mano River basin, because he
is always a prime beneficiary of its end result in political terms.
Many also find it disheartening why President Kabbah should befriend Taylor
to the point of lobbying for him, and assisting him with so-called
intelligence information, when this same Taylor is considered the prime
engineer of the regional calamity which has ruined Sierra Leone and the
entire Mano River Union terrain.
The contradiction here is that, Taylor is the god father of the RUF and a
good patron for the jailed RUF leader, Foday Sankoh. This same Taylor is a
personal friend and political security adviser to president Kabbah ad even
the SLPP regime at a higher level.
The Kamajors feel betrayed by Kabbah and the leadership of the SLPP. This is
a big danger for the party and the country because the Kamajors are the
armed wing of the very party. The question then is, what happens when the
international body reduces its miliatary and security presence in Sierra
Leone?
CONCLUSION
The war in the Republic Of Sierra Leone is still very far from being over.
The country is basically under threat; and this threat is and provides room
for national insecurity and regional social and economic distortion.
The country is under a serious threat and is really unsecured because the
disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process did not meet its aims
and objectives.
There are still arms hidden in the country and various stakeholders in the
war or conflict situation are to some extent still maintaining cells of
their movements. In addition, many adherents and actors, key ones too, in
the war have left the country and are actively engaged in combat activities
in the West African sub region; in Liberia and the Ivory Coast to be
specific.
A key element to the threat that Sierra Leone faces is the situation of war
in neighboring Liberia. Peace and security in Sierra Leone at this moment is
largely contingent on the developments in Liberia and other neighboring
states.
Liberia is the breeding ground for the West Africa regional destabilization
plan, and considering that Liberia was and still hosts some elements that
are the principal actors in the war in Sierra Leone, the situation in Sierra
Leone remains threatening. More so, when the country healing and national
reconciliation process is ineffective, and over shadowed by political
manipulation, witch-hunt and hypocrisy at the highest level of the present
regime, and in the opposition.
RECOMMENDATIONS
*To the international community: *
1. That the international community examines the current activities, timing
and operating locat1on of the UN Special Court on Sierra Leone;
2. That the international community considers peace and security in Sierra
Leone in the context of peace and security in the Mano River basin,
particularly by addressing the Liberian question; and
3. That the international community fully supports the national
disarmament, demobilization and reintegration program in Sierra Leone with
the view that the program will leave no storm unturn in achieving its
objective.
*To the Sierra Leone Government: *
1. That the government calls for and supports a national conference with
all stakeholders to the Sierra Leonean equation participating so as to sort
out and identify unresolved issues and matters that threaten the country's
peace and national security;
2. That the government and all political parties and interests support the
recently setup Truth and Reconciliation process in sincerity and honesty;
and;
3. That the SLPP government engages the country's civil society groups for
the promotion of national unity and healing.
Subject: Re: UNA NOR DAE READ?????
From: LARDA MARCI OH
To: All
Date Posted: 11:18:21 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Like the RUF rebels, the Civil Defence Forces did not disarm, de-mobilize
and re- integrate in full. Both groupings stored up arms and ammunition in
their former strongholds. These arms and ammunitions are stored in secret in
preparation for eventualities etc.
Subject: Sierra Leone: Le 28 Million Electric Cables Missing At BKPS
From: Mr L.A.During
To: All
Date Posted: 01:58:53 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: gateway.cyberstar.com at 209.239.66.36
Message:
Sierra Leone: Le 28 Million Electric Cables Missing At BKPS
Concord Times (Freetown)
14 June 2007
Posted to the web 14 June 2007
Mohamed Massaquoi
Freetown
District Crime Officer of the Kenema Police Station, Jonathan Mattia Tuesday disclosed to Concord Times that copper cables valued at Le 28 million have reportedly been stolen from the Bo/Kenema Power Service (BKPS) transmitting lines.
He said the development will seriously affect certain communities in Bo/Kenema from getting electricity supply after the completion of the Dodo Hydro Dam in few months time.
Mattia's disclosure came after Bal Ram, an Indian trader was arrested with a large quantity of BKPS copper cables.
"BKPS has submitted to us a list of their transmitting lines that have been disconnected by some members of the public," he said adding that the Police have invited the suspect for further investigation but that progress is very slow.
Local Unit Commander (LUC) at the Kenema Police Station, Vincent Nabieu denied claims made by the Board Chairman BKPS, Chief Brima Kargbo that the police are not making any effort to pursue the matter.
"As police officers we are investigating the matter. It is incumbent on us to refer state matters to the State Council for advice before we could proffer charges," he said.
Subject: Guinean Troops Depart Yenga...Nar True???
From: PMDC
To: All
Date Posted: 01:48:57 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: gateway.cyberstar.com at 209.239.66.36
Message:
Guinean Troops Depart Yenga
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a long dispute over Yenga, a border village between Guinea and Sierra Leone, Guinean troops are reported to be gradually relocating to Norgowa in their country with all their military equipment.
According to the second in command at the 1st Battalion in Kailahun, Major A.K Kamara, “only eight Guinean personnel are currently occupying Yenga as compared to resent past when over 200 Guinean troops were deployed there”. He said the eight personnel were waiting to harvest their cassava farm before crossing over to Guinea. Unlike previous time when people including security personnel from Sierra Leone were restricted to Yenga, now there is free movement of people in and out of that once disputed village from both countries.
Major Kamara further revealed that, “the Battalion still maintains one company at the forward patrol base at Koindu with deployment at Baidu and Buedu”.
Subject: Re: Guinean Troops Depart Yenga...Nar True???
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 02:22:17 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-127-105-250.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 68.127.105.250
Message:
Tejan Kabbah, Berewa & the SLPP were right from the onset: Their approach (DIPLOMACY) has worked.
Thank God Foolumunku Margai or Inexperienced & Incompetent Ernest is not in Charge. They would have done something dumb!!!!
SLPP POWER
BEREWA FOR PRESIDENT.
Subject: Re: Guinean Troops Depart Yenga...Nar True???
From: Troops
To: All
Date Posted: 09:50:04 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-152-107.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.152.107
Message:
dem don fraid Berewa!!
Subject: Re: Guinean Troops Depart Yenga...Nar True???
From: slpp
To: All
Date Posted: 03:22:57 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
Is this the same Kabbah, Bereewa's boss who did the dumbest thing ever in Salone when he became the only Sa Lon president to run away to Guinea from them and leave them to die, and then he had bombs dropped upon them, killing thousands?
But when Guineans occupied Sa lon for the past several years and use d our Yenga to harvest their crops, and chase out our people, Kabbah the coward did nothing all those years.
And you call that doing something not dumb?
Are you that dumb? Or, just unpatriotic?
Subject: Re: Guinean Troops Depart Yenga...Nar True???
From: kambo
To: All
Date Posted: 14:02:50 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 67.63.2.157
Message:
when we went to kabassa lodge where did momoh go? Guinea.
So Kabba is not the first.
Una too lie.
Subject: Re: Guinean Troops Depart Yenga...Nar True???
From: slpp
To: All
Date Posted: 19:34:37 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
Please try to understand what you read. The statement did not merely state that Kabbah went to Guinea.
Had you understood what your read, you would have noticed three separate things that Kabbah did which no other president has done. Please have someone explain to you the meaning of the word "and" -- it might help you see understand what you failed to understand on your own reading of the following statement:
"Is this the same Kabbah, Bereewa's boss who did the dumbest thing ever in Salone when he became the only Sa Lon president to run away to Guinea from them and leave them to die, and then he had bombs dropped upon them, killing thousands?"
Did Momoh do all 3 of the things above Kabbah did? So, what makes you think Kabbah is not the first president to do all of them?
Why are you SLPP apologists so dumb?
Subject: APC WILL "HANDPICK" PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES ON FRIDAY
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 01:21:27 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-127-105-250.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 68.127.105.250
Message:
Bo Victor Foh en Ernest Koroma oonar nor make ar laff. Oonar nor get any democratic process for select oonar parliamentary candidates dem. Nar the executive day handpick the candidate dem --- oodat put more money nar im oonar day select. So lef for lie pan we.
Oonar nor day lef thief.
............................................
Friday 15th and Wednesday 20th June 2007 respectively will be hectic and never to be forgotten moments for aspirants of the main opposition, the All Peoples Congress (APC).
Party sources have revealed to this reporter that both the award of symbols to the parliamentary contestants and the naming of the presidential running mate would be done in order to put the minds of party supporters at rest.
As news of these activities became public yesterday, there was jubilation among members especially those expecting to receive party symbols.
It would be recalled that it was the PMDC, in keeping with its promise that it would name its running mate after the party convention did fulfill the promise when party announced Dr. I.I. Tejan-Jalloh as the running mate followed by the award of party symbols.
The National Secretary General Mr. Victor Bockarie Foh disclosed that modalities are underway for the occasion which he described as historic.
Meanwhile, the ruling SLPP is almost concluding that chapter of the political exercise in the entire country.
The APC scribe explained that most of the applicants for symbols fulfilled the requirements “We carried out background checks on each and every applicants, and we are very satisfied with the outcome” Foh Remarked. He promised that the party would not handpicked candidates but choose them democratically in accordance with the party constitution. “We are not hand picking candidates, because we want good people to represent their various constituencies and will produce credible and proper candidates of men and women who would take nation forward” Mr. Foh promised
Source: Standard Times (June 14, 2007)
Subject: Good Bye Mr Sleepy Experience
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 00:50:10 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Adverts Past Issues
SPEECH DELIVERED BY HON. ERNEST BAI KOROMA, LEADER AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OF THE APC TO THE NUAS MMCET, GODERICH
Monday 11, June 2007.
THEME: The Significance of the APC Peace Accord in the forward match to victory in August 2007.
INTRODUCTION: Chairman
Distinguished Guest, Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to be here to meet with you, members of NUAS, in one of our major institutions of Higher Learning, the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, Goderich.
I should have made this journey much earlier as I myself live in the neighbourhood of the College. But, as the saying goes, “God’s time is the best.” I believe as well that no time could be better than now, only 62 days to the August 11, election appointment.
PEACE ACCORD:
Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Party had difficulties – we worked within the democratic process and channels. Eventually, compelling public interest ushered in a political solution.
What is remarkable is that no body left the APC for another Party.
- It is now peace time. We are together. We will stay together and we will fight together and win the August 11, 2007 elections as a united party.
- The people of Sierra Leone wanted peace and we have given them that peace.
- This peace has permitted us to build on the strengths of the party and muster the necessary resources, human and financial, to render the APC, the only electable party in August this year.
Chairman, you have all witnessed, participated in or heard of the very successful peace marches we have staged in Freetown, Makeni, Kenema, Sefadu and Kailahun. The unprecedented crowds that turned out were remarkable in their orderliness and there was an absence of any incident injuries to persons and property.
For that, and on behalf of the entire membership of the party, I express my profound appreciation to you all, for this exemplary conduct.
This is indeed, a true manifestation of the APC spirit. During these occasions, our detractors were disappointed to see all of the APC Leadership processing in unity to demonstrate the camaraderie existing within the APC family. It is said “If there are cracks in the walls, lizards will enter the house”.
The peace accord has now sealed these cracks. No more LIZARDS are allowed to enter. Those already inside cannot get out. They will be annihilated by the intensity of the energy radiating from a re-invigorated APC Leadership.
Mr. Chairman, I will not tire of saying once again that the APC is now a united party and the executive members are all working assiduously towards one goal and one goal only. The resounding first round victory in the Presidential elections on August11, 2007.
This leads me, to the much trumpeted question of ‘experience’
EXPERIENCE: Solomon Berewa has been constantly bragging about his vast experience.
Let me use the opportunity to ask Mr. Berewa, what experience he is claiming to have that Sierra Leoneans desire enough to vote for him.
Mr. Chairman, let me say that there is no school or college you will attend to learn how to be President.
A good President is made, not born. If one is lucky to have a good pupil master, the chances are that he will make a good President.
Unfortunately for Solomon Berewa, his pupil master H.E. Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabba is the worst performing President this country has ever had. He has woefully failed the nation and Solomon Berewa, being his running mate cannot be absolved of any complicity in the conspiracy to misdirect, misinform, misrule and mislead this nation.
This is the experience Solomon Berewa has acquired in his five-year internship under President Kabba.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, you must have learnt that the government declared itself bankrupt last month. It is incapable of servicing its budgetary allocat1ons because DFID withheld budgetary support funding totaling Le85billon until after the elections.
The IMF through the debt relief exercise brought in Le524 billion, with a lid over it. Again, this money, although it is lodged with the Bank of Sierra Leone, will not be disbursed until September. Again, only after the elections.
The IMF has also threatened to pull out of Sierra Leone. The International Donor Community has totally lost faith in the government of Tejan Kabba and Solomon Berewa.
This infact has prompted one Member of Parliament of the S.L.P.P supported by the Minister of Finance to say that the International Community is seeking a regime change. This, I find naïve although I know that regime change in Sierra Leone is inevitable. The SLPP, in looking for a scapegoat to blame for their expected poor showing in the coming elections, may anger some of our development partners with such baseless utterances. I cannot guess at the intentions of the donors. However, the facts on the ground are that billions of Leones have been made available to the SLPP government since 2001. Indeed, Britain has spent over £232m in the past six years. The European Union, the IMF, the World Bank, the ADB, IDB, etc have all poured large amounts of money into Sierra Leone.
Disappointingly, International financial experts say and I quote
“Sierra Leone is making little progress in tackling corruption and is squandering foreign aid, leaving its most vulnerable citizens as destitute as they were before the civil war.
“Since the guns fell silent after more than a decade of conflict, our country of less than 5 million people, rich in diamonds, iron and gold remains the poorest nation on earth. Britain alone has spent $180 million on non-military aid in the last two years and a further $80 million will be spent this year. But endemic corruption has gone largely unchecked.
“Things are as bad, if not worse, today than they were when the war started in 1991.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, the MMCET students can attest, the FBC students can testify, the Njala students can confirm, students of COMAHS, and IPAM, will affirm that the conditions under which they are living on campus are sub-standard and fall far short of conditions that existed in the years preceding the APC overthrow in 1992.
The statement of the International Community has vindicated the APC. It has confirmed that any APC government is better than the best SLPP Government.
Solomon Berewa boasts of experience
What experience?
The experience that has grounded the economy with
- No electricity, no water, poor health and education facilities?
- Highest maternal and infant mortality rate in the world?
- Growing youth unemployment currently about 60%?
- Transforming criminals into saints?
Or is it
- The experience of somnolence?
- The experience of somnambulism?
- The sleepy eyed experience of an aspirant who
can hardly stay awake during crucial meetings?
What experience?
- The experience of endemic corruption?
- The experience of giving contracts and jobs only
to SLPP card holders?
- The experience of politicizing micro credit?
- The experience of embezzling public funds?
No, indeed the donors have resolved not to release a single cent more until a full and proper account of the funds doled out to the Tejan Kabbah/Berewa led government is given.
And you know what, the International Community is right. Any more funds released to the SLPP will be squandered and stashed away especially now that “SLPP dae pack for go”.
As we say goodbye to Mr. Sleepy experience. I Invite you all to join the APC team, fresh, dynamic with a clear vision to take Sierra Leone to the next level.
I thank you.
Subject: Re: Good Bye Mr Sleepy Experience
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 01:30:57 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-127-105-250.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 68.127.105.250
Message:
Ernest Koroma is nearing the end of his political career. After Berewa pistol-whips him on August 11, he will be done for good. Others in the APC will want to be the flag bearer in 2012.
So Goodbye Fine Boy Arata!
Noto all man go be president.HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEH
Subject: Re: Good Bye Mr Sleepy Experience
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 09:51:00 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
WORWOR BEREWA GO GET CHANCE FOR SLEEP AFTER ERNEST KOROMA SEN NAM NAR CATAKUOBAY OR LONG STEP.
Solomon Berewa boasts of experience
What experience?
The experience that has grounded the economy with
- No electricity, no water, poor health and education facilities?
- Highest maternal and infant mortality rate in the world?
- Growing youth unemployment currently about 60%?
- Transforming criminals into saints?
Or is it
- The experience of somnolence?
- The experience of somnambulism?
- The sleepy eyed experience of an aspirant who
can hardly stay awake during crucial meetings?
What experience?
- The experience of endemic corruption?
- The experience of giving contracts and jobs only
to SLPP card holders?
- The experience of politicizing micro credit?
- The experience of embezzling public funds?
No, indeed the donors have resolved not to release a single cent more until a full and proper account of the funds doled out to the Tejan Kabbah/Berewa led government is given.
And you know what, the International Community is right. Any more funds released to the SLPP will be squandered and stashed away especially now that “SLPP dae pack for go”.
As we say goodbye to Mr. Sleepy experience. I Invite you all to join the APC team, fresh, dynamic with a clear vision to take Sierra Leone to the next level.
I thank you.
Subject: Re: Good Bye Mr Sleepy Experience
From: abdul
To: All
Date Posted: 03:06:26 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
The octengenarian Berewa will be the goner in his brief political set-up by Kabbah the Incompetent.
Subject: APC HAS ALREADY STARTED WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 00:21:13 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Curled from Awareness Times:
Tengbeh Town Hails APC Lawyer Chernor Bah in Sierra Leone
By By Abu Bakarr Munu
Jun 12, 2007, 22:30 Email this article
Printer friendly page
Residents of both Upper Tengbeh Town and Lower Wilberforce Communities in the West of Freetown on Sunday 10th June, 2007 showered words of praises on Lawyer Chernor M. Bah esq. of the B & J Partners Law Firm for the construction of a water dam in the foothills between Tengbeh Town and Wilberforce known as 'Water side Road". The dam has been estimated at being worth millions of Leones.
Lawyer Bah and his Constituents at the cutting of the tape
The Freetown based legal luminary, Chernor M. Bah is aspiring for a Parliamentary seat under the All People's Congress (APC) party for Constituency 110, which comprised the two communities in the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections scheduled for August 11.
By providing this source of drinkable water for the two communities, Observers have opined that Lawyer Bah's move has alleviated the longstanding sufferings of the people in that regard and as such, has "unquestionably won their hearts and minds".
Lawyer Bah a.k.a 'Chericoco' said in his statement during the handing over ceremony of the water dam which attracted hundreds of people from both communities that his gesture was out of "humanitarian feeling".
Lawyer Bah (aka Chericoco) raps to his people with fine words of assurances
He said he was particularly moved by the sight of young children and women late at night in queues to fetch water for their families. He observed that as a result of this, school-going children, most of whom are engaged in the exercise of fetching water do not have time to study or do their home works.
He noted that the water dam was therefore to ensure that these children are given adequate time for their school works at home since the problem of staying out late into the night was now a thing of the past.
He admonished the people of the communities to make good use of the dam and assured them of his continued assistance at all times.
The Chairman of the Temgbeh Town Community Development Organisation, Peter Ado, in his remarks expressed thanks and appreciation to Lawyer Bah for his gesture. He recalled how the problem of water has been troubling for them, noting that Lawyer Bah has "provided life sustaining means for them and their children yet unborn." He disclosed that Lawyer Bah was approached with the problem on a very short notice, and that once the issue was explained to him, he immediately made available the funds with which materials and labour were paid for.
The National Secretary General of the APC, Mr. Victor Bockarie Foh in his contribution disclosed to the gathering that based on records at his disposal regarding aspirants for the party's symbol for Constituency 110, Lawyer Chernor M. Bah is expected to go unopposed. According to him, as at his moment of speaking, no other candidate has declared his or her intention to run for the party's symbol for the constituency.
Mr. Foh therefore called on the Constituents to throw their weights behind Lawyer Bah, whom he described as "a young man with dynamic features and capabilities". He assured the people that if they ensure the victory of Lawyer Bah in the coming elections, he will not disappoint them.
"As you have seen, he has already started demonstrating some of his qualities of a good leader, a good representative and a man with vision." According to him, Lawyer Bah has the ability and competence "to deliver the goods much more to the desire of you his people," he remarked.
Other speakers including Hon. Kemoh Sesay and Mr. Alimamy P. Koroma, all senior members of the APC, expressed similar sentiments of confidence in Lawyer Bah's ability and competence to not only enter parliament but to also represent the area.
© Copyright by Awareness Times Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Subject: Re: APC HAS ALREADY STARTED WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE
From: SP
To: All
Date Posted: 05:30:46 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ool-457cb4d6.dyn.optonline.net at 69.124.180.214
Message:
Alieu this is not something new, it is a common practice for african politician or politicians in general to start doing favors for their people close to election time. i 100% believe he lives close to that neighborhood' so he is bantering for their vote. in USA election time as you know is kiss the cute babies time, or attending a black church time etc; but in Africa it is outright bribery for vote and in both places they all disappear after they have won.
Subject: Re: APC HAS ALREADY STARTED WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE
From: Mohamed A. Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 22:20:10 06/15/07 ()
Email Address: Saghinosoccerworld@yahoo.com
Entered From: ool-457951c4.dyn.optonline.net at 69.121.81.196
Message:
Would you rather have him get his constituents confused with an AWUJOR, fire water, addictive herbs and pocket change ( the common vote hustling trend); than providing them with a source for quenching their thirst?
Subject: Re: APC HAS ALREADY STARTED WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE
From: Independent Man
To: All
Date Posted: 01:26:29 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-68-127-105-250.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net at 68.127.105.250
Message:
From way oonar win Freetown City Council Elections, nar now oonar begin do the wok way the council for don begin do lon lon tem?????
Bo leff we yah. We nor impress.
Subject: Re: APC HAS ALREADY STARTED WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE
From: apc
To: All
Date Posted: 03:04:21 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-mtc-aa04.proxy.aol.com at 64.12.116.8
Message:
If that is true, it is far better than SLPP govt. Berewa and his boss Kabba have never started worked for the people. Before that they steal Salone's money and make the people have no water, no light, no jobs.
You SLPP supporters have no shame or you will go hide from the public.
Subject: Re: APC HAS ALREADY STARTED WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 13:55:35 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
stay away from that handle. Fen you yone.
moderator please.
Subject: How Bush is taught how to speak in public
From: BLACKOUT
To: All
Date Posted: 20:41:53 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip70-162-167-106.ph.ph.cox.net at 70.162.167.106
Message:
Do we have such powerful speech writers for our leaders in Africa?
Subject: How Bush is taught how to speak in public
From: POLITICAL
To: All
Date Posted: 20:34:28 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ip70-162-167-106.ph.ph.cox.net at 70.162.167.106
Message:
Do we have such powerful speech writers for our leaders in Africa
Subject: Africa Oh Africa
From: Ijahman Levi
To: All
Date Posted: 18:45:56 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Oh Sweet Africa By Ijahman Levi
Subject: African Talking Point: Sierra Leone Football In A Mess?
From: Dabo
To: All
Date Posted: 16:49:24 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
African Talking Point: Sierra Leone Football In A Mess?
Sierra Leone Football In A Mess; Who Should Be Blamed?
In this edition of African Talking Point, we’ll focus on issues affecting the affairs of football in Sierra Leone, which is greatly hindering the progress of the national team, Leone Stars. We also welcome your valuable comments and possible solutions to the problem.
zoom - galleria Football in Sierra Leone does not seem to be that which many can proudly talk about today compared to the 90s when the country made their first African Nations Cup appearance in Tunisia in 1994.
Although they made a first round exit during their first outing, the disappointment did not have a huge impact on the team spirit as they again made a second appearance in the tournament in South Africa two years later.
Unfortunately, they have since failed to capitalize on those good days and things have never been the same.
For many people, talking about Sierra Leone football today is a sad issue.
“Sierra Leone football was more organized in the 90s as we had some committed people seeking the interest of the game but things have taken a sad turn today,” says Alpha Dumbuya, a football faithful who has been monitoring the progress of Sierra Leone football.
“The football association is now being dominated by greed and selfishness, which is a huge disappointment to the progress of the game in Sierra Leone.”
And what is a way forward then? “The present SLFA should be dissolved or Sierra Leone football will only continue to tumble. Take for example countries in the sub-region; they are all improving while Sierra Leone continues to go down in the Fifa Ranking. We are now 46 out of 52 in Africa and 156 in the world,” Alpha added.
The national team has failed to excel, especially when it comes to international tournaments.
Poor preparation seems to have become a norm for the Sierra Leone Football Association. Many fans of Sierra Leone football, and even the players, are hurt by the way the country’s football is being administered.
In an exclusive interview with Goal.com, Belgium-based Sierra Leone striker, Paul Kpaka, earlier on echoed sentiments that much change is needed for the development of football in his native land.
“I honestly think we need a football revolution in a true sense if we are to ever achieve or win something in African football to say the least,” said the Roeselare striker.
“It’s truly frustrating and disappointing to see how the [Sierra Leone Football] association runs football. I still believe they are living in the past and football has changed so much over the past years that they simply can't catch up at all.
“Talk about commitment, passion, professionalism and organization and these are things you hardly find with the national team. I am afraid people in the association are still living in the past.
“It’s a shame we can't even learn from countries like Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal to name but a few. These countries are where they are now simply because they have made huge strides to bring up their football up to date in terms of modernization and organization.
“People will say we wasted time because of the war. To some extent yes, but we've had enough time since the end of the war to put things right. I am afraid people using those excuses are just ignorant and refuse to accept or implement changes. Until we do that, our football will just go down the doldrums as it is now and we will always be playing catch up.
“Like I mentioned earlier, we need a true football revolution in every sense of the word, from grass-root to the top and even with the people in power. Let’s hope and pray we find people with the will and vision to implement such changes.”
Another Sierra Leone player, Monaco striker Mohamed Kallon, also blamed the football association for poor preparation ahead of the qualifiers for the 2008 African Nations Cup.
“Yes, I will blame the entire [Sierra Leone Football] Association and the entire Sports Council for the lack of communication and lack of understanding because football is something that has to be programmed,” Kallon last told Goal.com in an exclusive interview.
“You need to have a project and for a national team, a country needs to have a project that they can build on. Say for example, 'we want to take the team to the Nations Cup or the World Cup’ and we say ‘this is our programme, this is our project'. You then make it known to the entire country; everyone has to be involved in that programme and know the basics of the national team.”
Many people are demanding transparency in the activities of the SLFA and a comprehensive plan on the way forward for football in the country.
Details of issues such as coach contracts need to be handled in a transparent manner so that the fans will be well informed about developmental steps the FA is taking towards the progress of the game.
Recently, Sierra Leone acquired the services of England-based coach Leroy Rosenior. He guided the team in a 4-2 win over English side Leyton Orient in a friendly match and was also in charge during a Nations Cup qualifier defeat against Togo early this month.
Rosenior’s departure from Freetown to England after the game prompted speculations as to whether or not he will return to guide Leone Stars in their remaining Nations Cup qualifying fixtures.
Sierra Leone will not qualify for next year’s Nations Cup finals in Ghana, as they currently languish at the bottom of Group 9 following poor results since the qualifiers began last September.
Their latest result was a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Togo in Freetown on 3 June.
Things seem to be taking a different turn now that the Ministry of Youth and Sports is calling for an extra-ordinary congress to be held within six weeks.
Important matters affecting Sierra Leone football will be discussed.
There needs to be a solution to the crisis in Sierra Leone football. SLFA many times complain about lack of finance. That is why a comprehensive plan needs to be drawn with much transparency involved as well. Only committed people who are seeking the interest of the country’s football should hold official positions within the Sierra Leone football fraternity.
With that and many other factors, we only hope that things will change so that Sierra Leone can possible merry on prospects of the team qualifying for the 2010 African Nations Cup.
It now time to hear from you, the followers of Sierra Leone football, on issues hindering the progress of the game and possible ways forward.
* Who should be blamed for the failure of Sierra Leone football?
* Is the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), led by Nahim Khadi, doing enough to develop and promote the game?
* Are the players showing commitment to the national cause?
* Are there other factors affecting the team, such as players’ influence?
These are some of the questions that need to be examined.
Use the form below and take this opportunity for your voice to be heard.
Ibrahim Dabo
Goal.com's Africa Editor
Subject: Sierra Leone FA Boss Given Govt. Ultimatum
From: ALIE BITTAR
To: All
Date Posted: 16:48:05 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
Sierra Leone FA Boss Given Govt. Ultimatum
The Minister of Youth and Sports in Sierra Leone has mandated his Director of Sports, Saidu Mansaray, to write an official letter to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) for an immediate extra-ordinary congress to be held within six weeks.
zoom - galleria The congress will be held to discuss pertinent issues affecting football in Sierra Leone.
The ultimatum is in accordance with the provisions of article 8 (1) of the National Sports Council of Sierra Leone Act No. 64 of 1964, which states that “The Council may in accordance with the provision of this
act, do all such things as it may consider necessary and expedient for the promotion, encouragement, development or control of sports in Sierra Leone.”
The agenda for the said meeting inter alia, should be made to include an address by the Hon. Minister of Youth and Sports/chairman of the National sports council.
Notice of the meeting and copies of the financial and Activities Reports should be sent to the office of the Director of Sports 14 days prior to the meeting.
The three-page letter from the Ministry of Sports dated 8 June 2007 was signed by the Director of Sports, Saidu B. Mansaray, and addressed to the President of the SLFA, Nahim Khadi.
It is stated that the recent promotional match on 7 May 2007 with Leyton Orient in London, as well as the Group 9 2008 CAF African Nations Cup qualifier at home to Togo, which was played on 3 June 2007, must be accounted for by the SLFA.
The letter further went on to confirm that the ministry had requested SLFA to provide details of the contractual agreement with Leyton Orient but the FA declined and instead went ahead to honour the fixture.
They also secured the services of a London-based professional coach¾Mr. Leroy Rosenior¾for the team without seeking government clearance.
According to the letter, the SLFA President single-handedly contracted AFRICELL mobile company to undertake the funding for the match against Togo on the 3 June without reference to the Sports Ministry or any information regarding the terms and conditions of such contract/agreement which included the publicity, printing and marketing of entrance tickets, raffles, etc.
In addition, a United Kingdom based Telecommunications Co. MEDIATEL [SL] was engaged by the football association for various reasons including the promotion of the National team, Leone Stars, and its players locally and overseas.
The Ministry also received various representations from stakeholders, expressing concern over the activities and financial management of the Association, which in most cases, are discharged outside the due SLFA statutory process that could guarantee transparency, accountability and probity.
Public interest has also been drawn by the media to Sierra Leone’s involvement in the West African Football Union WAFU impasse which is threatening to cast a slur on the integrity of the football association in particular and Sierra Leone in general and therefore needed to be fully investigated and addressed.
Based on these issues, the Sports Ministry has asked that the 2007 Annual Congress of members be conveyed within 6(six) week in a venue, which should be decided by the SLFA.
Important issues to be addressed include: “The mandate of the Association and its Statutory organs; SLFA local and international programmes and activities for 2006-2007 with particular reference to the aforementioned issues; The Management of funds provided by FIFA, government and other sponsors during the tenure of the present administration including the Leyton Orient, AFRICEL and MEDIATEL (SL) promotions.”
The Sports Ministry has urged the SLFA to take appropriate action without delay also taking into consideration the financial and other logistical support the ministry is providing for matches involving the national football teams, as well as in the interest of the public.
Alie Bittar
Subject: Sierra Leone's Presidential Office Leaving Certificate
From: dont ask me where I got this from
To: All
Date Posted: 16:08:51 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
_________________________________________________________
Name of Student: Ahmed Tejan Kabbah
Class: Presidency
Year of Graduation: 2007
_________________________________________________________
Subject Score Grade
Selling Out True Patriots 200 A+
Licking Oyinbo/Muzungu Boots 200 A+
Subordinating S/L Institutions 200 A+
Women Affairs 200 A+
Globe Trotting 200 A+
Helicopter Presidency 200 A+
Human Rights Abuse 100 A
Fuel Price Hike 100 A
Energy 10 F+
Agriculture 10 F+
Education 15 F+
Credible Elections 15 F+
Poverty Eradication 14 F+
Transparency 14 F+
Potable Water 5 F+
Fighting Corruption 0 F+
Accountability 0 F+
Getting Yenga From Guinea 0 F+
Reforms 0 F+
Crime Fighting 0 F+
Performance: Epitome of Outstanding Failure, Gross Incompetence, Gross Impotence, and Gross Idiocy
Teacher's Remark: Promoted to Bormeh Cleaning Crew
Signed: Sierra Leoneans at Home and Abroad
Subject: After almost four Decades Army gets new service conditions
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 14:35:56 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
Categories: June-14-07
Date: Jun 14, 2007
Title: after almost 4 decades Army gets new conditions of service
New terms and conditions of service have been approved by the government for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
New terms and conditions of service have been approved by the government for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF).
This was disclosed yesterday by the forces’ spokesman, Brigadier Alfred Nelson-Williams, during a press briefing held at the Defence Ministry in Freetown.
Brigadier Nelson-Williams stated that the terms and conditions of service themselves “[are] a holistic package but as at now due to financial constraints on government certain crucial issues were looked into,” while disclosing an increment in rice allocat1on from Le41, 000 to Le65,000 monthly.
This means, “both the current transport allowances (Le40, 000) and the new rice allowance will be incorporated into the basic salary for all personnel to beef up terminal benefits (gratuity and pension).”
The Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (DCDS) further informed the media that, “all ranks of the RSLAF are now entitled to pay allowance of one month net salary of payment annually,” and indicated that, “from Warrant Officer Class 1 to the highest rank are entitled to pay domestic assistant on monthly basis.”
This according to the DCDS, “is to discourage the deployment of service personnel to act as Bat-Men,” and lauded President Tejan Kabbah and his government for their support to the army.
Commenting on the would-be role of the army during the forthcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, Brigadier Nelson-Williams said, “it transcends voting rights to other duties in support of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) for elections.”
Brigadier Nelson-Williams went on that, “following a request from the SLP and it be so desired by the appropriate authority, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces may be deployed to support the police through the provision of specific Military Aid to Civil Power (MACP).
Explaining further he said, “the MACP does not deal with the employment of the RSLAF in support of the civil power in conditions of relative peace, stability and normality,” and opined that there were media speculations that the army would not be neutral during the elections as evident in enhancing NEC’s mobility through the provision of vehicles.
“We unequivocally deny this assertion and emphasize that the RSLAF will not meddle into the conduct of the general elections come 11 August 2007,” he noted, stressing further that, “as our constitutional roles are clearly defined, as we have admonished our men to steer clear of politics in any form and under any guise.”
However the DCDS stated that, “as stipulated in the codes of conduct for RSLAF personnel during elections, we will ensure that all soldiers who registered on Election Day exercise their franchise in civilian dress, and not in uniforms neither in barracks across the country”.
The military spokesman affirmed further that although their role was usually contingent, they were fully prepared for any assistance in area of control or any problem beyond the police, if the need arose.
Subject: Re: After almost four Decades Army gets new service conditions
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 17:55:53 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
would you place your life on the line for a mere $30 extra a month?
Give us some tangible improvements not no crap like this.
Subject: Re: After almost four Decades Army gets new service conditions
From: Question time??
To: All
Date Posted: 05:47:10 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host86-129-149-167.range86-129.btcentralplus.com at 86.129.149.167
Message:
Place your life on line???Are you being cynical???No one in our Army places his life on line.They just carry guns, use it or misuse it, claim salary,rice,house etc etc.
Subject: Re: 1967 Rigging all over again man
From: M. Alieu Iscandari esq
To: All
Date Posted: 16:16:24 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
“following a request from the SLP and it be so desired by the appropriate authority, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces may be deployed to support the police through the provision of specific Military Aid to Civil Power (MACP)"
Subject: Re: After almost four Decades Army gets new service conditions
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 14:36:43 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
courtesy of AWOKO.
Subject: Few of the Wealthiest in California
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 13:33:14 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: sccinstr194115.scc.losrios.edu at 165.196.194.115
Message:
ank Name Net Worth ($bil) Age Residence Source
4 Lawrence Joseph Ellison 19.5 62 Redwood City, CA Oracle
12 Sergey Brin ($bil)14.1 33 Palo Alto, CA Google
13 Larry E Page ($bil)14.0 33 San Francisco, CA Google
26 Kirk Kerkorian ($bil)9.0 89 Los Angeles, CA investments, casinos
27 Donald L Bren ($bil)8.5 74 Newport Beach, CA real estate
35 Sumner M Redstone ($bil)7.5 83 Beverly Hills, CA Viacom
42 Eli Broad ($bil)5.8 73 Los Angeles, CA investments
45 Eric Schmidt ($bil)5.2 51 Atherton, CA Google
49 Steven Paul Jobs 4.9 51 Palo Alto, CA Apple Computer, Pixar
50 David Geffen ($bil)4.6 63 Malibu, CA movies, music
50 Charles R Schwab ($bil)4.6 69 Atherton, CA discount stock brokerage
52 Charles Bartlett Johnson ($bil)4.5 73 San Mateo, CA Franklin Resources
59 David Howard Murdock ($bil)4.2 83 Los Angeles, CA investments
61 Bradley Wayne Hughes ($bil)4.1 73 Malibu, CA Public Storage
68 Rupert Harris Johnson Jr ($bil)3.7 65 San Mateo, CA Franklin Resources
70 George Lucas ($bil)3.6 62 Marin County, CA Star Wars
77 Gordon Earle Moore ($bil)3.4 77 Woodside, CA Intel
77 Patrick Soon-Shiong ($bil)3.4 54 Los Angeles, CA generic drugs
83 Steven Udvar-Hazy ($bil)3.1 60 Beverly Hills, CA International Lease Finance
85 Roland Arnall ($bil)3.0 67 Holmby Hills, CA mortgage banking
85 A Jerrold Perenchio ($bil)3.0 75 Bel Air, CA Univision
94 Steven Allen Spielberg ($bil)2.9 59 Pacific Palisades, CA movies
98 Haim Saban ($bil)2.8 61 Beverly Hills, CA television
103 Riley P Bechtel ($bil)2.7 54 San Francisco, CA engineering, construction
103 Stephen Davison Bechtel Jr ($bil)2.7 81 San Francisco, CA engineering, construction
Rank Name Net Worth ($bil) Age Residence Source
322 Alec Gores ($bil)1.2 53 Beverly Hills, CA leveraged buyouts
322 William H Gross ($bil)1.2 62 Laguna Beach, CA bonds
322 Robert Allen Naify ($bil)1.2 84 San Francisco, CA movie theaters
322 Margaret C Whitman ($bil)1.2 50 Atherton, CA Ebay
354 Jonathan Lovelace Jr & family ($bil)1.1 79 Los Angeles, CA mutual funds
354 Alexander Gus Spanos & family ($bil)1.1 83 Stockton, CA real estate
354 Joyce Raley Teel ($bil)1.1 75 Sacramento, CA supermarkets
354 Elizabeth S Wiskemann ($bil)1.1 NA San Rafael, CA mutual funds
374 Thomas J Barrack ($bil)1.0 59 Santa Barbara, CA Colony Capital
374 Weili Dai($bil) 1.0 45 Los Altos Hills, CA Semiconductors
374 L John Doerr ($bil)1.0 55 Woodside, CA venture capital
374 William Barron Hilton ($bil)1.0 78 Los Angeles, CA hotels, casinos
374 George Joseph ($bil)1.0 85 Los Angeles, CA insurance
374 Sehat Sutardja ($bil)1.0 45 Los Altos Hills, CA Semiconductors
Subject: Re: Few of the Wealthiest in California
From: okdok
To: All
Date Posted: 23:16:39 06/14/07 ()
Email Address: okdok@yahoo.com
Entered From: wnpgmb11dc1-16-111.dynamic.mts.net at 207.161.16.111
Message:
Any Sierra Leonean ?{like E.T kAMARA ETC}
Subject: Re: Few of the Wealthiest in California
From: BUFORD HWY
To: All
Date Posted: 12:33:44 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: adsl-074-228-219-218.sip.asm.bellsouth.net at 74.228.219.218
Message:
Yes. Pa Ahmed Tejan Kabbah,Solomon Berewa,Prince Harding and the rest of the SLPP TIFF TIFF cabinet members.
Subject: Re: Few of the Wealthiest in California
From: APC
To: All
Date Posted: 14:10:16 06/16/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-75-66-114-24.hsd1.tn.comcast.net at 75.66.114.24
Message:
Buford should be amongst them. Since you are here on APC's stloen money. APC TIFI TIFI
Subject: Re: Few of the Wealthiest in California
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 16:12:45 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
Bambay You are banned from this forum for wilfully redacting my name from the list. That was not nice.
Subject: Re: Few of the Wealthiest in California
From: Boy o Boy
To: All
Date Posted: 15:59:17 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-24-127-131-140.hsd1.pa.comcast.net at 24.127.131.140
Message:
So what has this got to do with this forum?
Subject: Re: Few of the Wealthiest in California
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 14:07:49 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: sccinstr204090.scc.losrios.edu at 165.196.204.90
Message:
Oops! M. Alieu Iscandari Esq, I was being technical, emulating you Attorneys. Let us keep that a hush hush affair; do not let every one know that you are one Wealthiest in California. You come and go between Atlanta and California. If and when I put people in your area, I will definately have your name as Um'maro you know (in that language it means #1.)
So how is everything with you?
Subject: Is Congress an Executive or Legislative Branch of gov?
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 13:18:38 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: sccinstr194115.scc.losrios.edu at 165.196.194.115
Message:
What is the U.S. Congress?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overview of Congressional Structure & Leadership
“All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.”
—Article I, Section I, U.S. Constitution
Congress is the governing legislature of the U.S. comprised of two chambers: the Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate is composed of 100 members, two from each state, who are elected to serve for a term of six years. Senators were originally chosen by the state legislatures. This procedure was changed by the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, adopted in 1913, which made the selection of senators a decision for the people. There are three classes of senators. A new class is elected every two years.
The House of Representatives is composed of 435 members. The number representing each state is determined by population, but every state is entitled to at least one representative. Members are elected by the thier constituents for two year terms, all terms running for the same period. Both the senators and the representatives must be residents of the state from which they are chosen. In addition a senator must be at least 30 years of age and must have been a citizen of the United States for at least nine years. A representative must be at least 25 years of age and must have been a citizen for at least seven years.
Officers
The Vice President of the United States is the “presiding officer” of the Senate; in his absence the duties are performed by the president pro tempore. The presiding officer of the House of Representatives is the “speaker” who is elected by the House members. The Speaker may designate any member of the House to act in his/her absence.
The positions of Senate “majority and minority leaders” have been in existence only since the early years of the twentieth century. These leaders are elected at the beginning of each new Congress by a majority vote of the senators in their political party. In cooperation with their party organizations, leaders are responsible for the design and achievement of a legislative program. This involves managing the flow of legislation, expediting non-controversial measures, and keeping members informed regarding proposed action on pending business. Each leader serves as an ex officio member of his party’s policymaking and organizational bodies, and is aided by an assistant floor leader, or whip, and a party secretary.
The House leadership is structured essentially the same as the Senate, with the members each political party responsible for the election of their respective leader and whips. For a directory of the current members of Congress, their committee assignments, and leadership roles, visit http://thomas.loc.gov/links/.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Learn more about Congress:
Staff Members
Committees
Legislative Process
Regulatory Process
Authorization & Appropriation
Federal Budget
Annual Calendar
Contact Committees
FAQ's
Subject: Re: Is Congress an Executive or Legislative Branch of gov?
From: AGAIN
To: All
Date Posted: 16:04:21 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: c-24-127-131-140.hsd1.pa.comcast.net at 24.127.131.140
Message:
What is your point? What do you really want to put across? All what you have pasted is already known.
Subject: Govt. Dismantles Investment Hurdles
From: NEW CITIZEN
To: All
Date Posted: 12:07:27 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
NEW CITIZEN NEWSPAPER
Govt. Dismantles Investment Hurdles
Dr. Kadie Sesay stated that the Parliament of Sierra Leone had passed the Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act 2007, the Business Registration Act 2007 and the General Law (Business Start-up) Act 2007.
She informed the media and representatives of business houses at Parliament Building yesterday that the key features of the new business registration Act and the General Law Act are found in the following:
1. There would now be only a three-step company registration process, thereby reducing the bureaucracy that had discouraged investors in the past.
2. The new system would now insist on abolishing the exchange control permission as a company registration requirement
3. The new system for investment now insists on the removal of the mandatory requirement to engage a solicitor for the preparation of the Memorandum and articles of Association (M&A) for the registration of a company as the investor himself or another knowledgeable person can put together the details of a company without going through a lawyer.
4. The new investment also insists on abolishing the need for an annual renewal of Business Licenses obtained from the Registrar General.
5. The questionable payment of advance tax as a precondition for registering a business in Sierra Leone has also been eliminated.
6. The putting in place a significant reduction in cost and time to allow an investor to set up his business in Sierra Leone without unnecessary hurdles.
Dr. Kadie Sesay dilated on the creation of the Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act 2007 when she stated that SLEDIC, otherwise known as the Sierra Leone Export Development and Investment Corporation, which was established in 1993 now needs to be abolished, as it has failed to meet the high expectations associated with investment and trade promotion for a number of reasons.
To justify the formation of a new body with a strong Board and the necessary legal authority, the Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act 2007, Dr. Kadie Sesay said that SLEDIC was not blessed with strong powers of a Board to control management and that the management of SLEDIC had largely remained unaccountable.
She further complained that SLEDIC’s mandate was confused to the extent that an export promoting agency was in the business of promoting imports i.e. Iranian Exhibition.
She stated about the absence of legal requirements to allow SLEDIC to undertake operational planning prior to the commencement of every financial year was also a clear weakness that made SLEDIC near non-functional.
She also argued that a change in the name of the organization was necessary as could reflect its actual functions and that the expansion of the functions of the new organization could include investment promotion as an explicit function of the agency.
The administrative system of the newly created Investment and Export Promotion Agency Act 2007, includes the appointment of two Deputy Executive Officers, one of whom would be responsible for export development and the other for investment promotion.
The putting in place of a new structure to attract investors into Sierra Leone, according to Dr. Kadie Sesay, was the collaborative effort between her Ministry, other Ministries of government and DFID.
According to Dr. Kadie Sesay and the Minister of Labour, Alpha Timbo, the new government policy on investment is also aimed at removing all the administrative hurdles and the unnecessary bureaucracy that had made it difficult for the private sector to expand in Sierra Leone.
The Managing Editor of the New Citizen, I. B. Kargbo, in his contribution asked the rhetoric question as to whether after all these beautiful policies, poor access to Sierra Leone, due to a very archaic airport system at Lungi, would not discourage investors and tourists from investing in the country.
The Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Prof. Septimus Kaikai, who chaired the press conference, assured members present that the laws passed by Parliament, to quicken the business of investing in Sierra Leone, should be seen as just one step in addressing those issues related to investing in Sierra Leone as issues relating to the infrastructure should be seen as a next step in government’s effort to attract business people into the country
Subject: SLPP primary election ends in Kailahun
From: SYMBOL
To: All
Date Posted: 11:46:59 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: ac202-050.resnet.stonybrook.edu at 130.245.202.50
Message:
AWOKO NEWS
SLPP primary election ends in Kailahun
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Out of six contestants, in the just concluded primary election for the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) symbol in Constituency One in Kailahun district, Alice Mamie Foyah, wife of Sierra Leone’s ambassador to Liberia Patrick Foyah, secured 58 votes out of 108.
The main contender, Navo Kaikai, bagged 22 votes slightly above the incumbent Hon. Sallu Ndoleh with 20.
Though with a heavy heart, Novo Kaikai admonished her supporters at the end of the election to team up with winner Mamie Foyah in the spirit of “one people, one country”.Before he declared the polls opened the returning officer who is SLPP chairman in Kailahun District, Sahr Gevoa, requested every contestant to come up with any objection but there was none. Prior to the election tension was mounting between Navo Kaikai and Mamie Foyah but towards the eve and subsequent day of voting, the tension dissipated.
Subject: ADVICE TO BEREWA
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 11:44:57 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.99
Message:
Please be prepared to take all necessary actions against the A.P.C. when they eventually lose the elections come August 11.
As being reported below by the Patriot Vanguard newspaper the A.P.C. will stoop to any recourse when they are vanquished.
http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/article.php3?id_article=1343
Subject: Re: ADVICE TO BEREWA
From: M. Alieu Iscandari Esq
To: All
Date Posted: 15:51:11 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
farrah marrah I see that your stupid genes have become active for today. Pray teel me what you need to calm you down? Do I need to callMohmJ the man that almost kicked your "Rinky dinky short stunted growth ass" in a washington DC bar, or would you rather just shut the hell up and dont invite any trouble for yourself. You have already shown great disrespect for the dead and that is against our culture. That single act alone has distanced you from many on this forum who like me, now believe that you are a real ASS.
Subject: Re: ADVICE TO BEREWA
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 17:01:28 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.99
Message:
Alieu,
Please COMPREHEND that even if I have MALARIA there is no way in the world Mohm J and you will f--- with me.
As they used to say in my neighborhood "IM MAMA BORN AM FOR NARTIN".
Since YOUR A.P.C. NEVER RESPECTED OUR DEAD, WE HAVE TO RECIPROCATE.
Come August 12, Solomon Berewa will DISPENSE what you and YOUR FECKLESS A.P.C. SUPPORTERS DESERVE.
Need I say MORE.
I don't think so
Subject: Re: ADVICE TO BEREWA
From: FARRAH MARRAH
To: All
Date Posted: 16:52:07 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: at 134.113.7.99
Message:
Alieu,
You are very aware that even if I have MALARIA there is no way in the world that Mohm Jalloh can f--- with me. Or better yet both of you.
Come August 12, Solomon E. Berewa will give you and your FECKLESS A.P.C. SUPPORTER what you ALL DESERVE.
Since your A.P.C NEVER RESPECTED OUR DEAD, YOUR'S DESERVE ANY. Need I say more.
Subject: Re: Farrah marrahs E mail Address
From: M. Alieu Iscandari esq
To: All
Date Posted: 19:12:44 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
williambangura@yahoo.com
You are no longer a phenom hiding behind monikers to attack other people just because they do not subscribe to your usual bullshit. May be people can send you private mail.
Subject: Re: Farrah marrahs E mail Address
From: RUBBER DUCK
To: All
Date Posted: 03:50:43 06/15/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: host81-153-195-162.range81-153.btcentralplus.com at 81.153.195.162
Message:
VERY PETTY
Subject: Re: ADVICE TO BEREWA
From: M. Alieu Iscandari esq.
To: All
Date Posted: 18:58:40 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
I believe that at the time of his death Mr. AKK was a member of the SLPP, I stand to be corrected. assuming that is the case, does his corps now deserve your respect which is the cultural thing to do?
Oh and on the issue of Mohm J wanting to kick your rinky dinky rebel ruf supporting ass at the DC area Pub, I have confirmed that from other people who were around there then that it is true. I guess you must be suffering from malaria and Typhoid Combined.
With regards to me getting involved in any fighting, as a general rule, I do not fight. as a child my mother taught me the following poem and I have lived by it.
"Let dogs delight to bark and bite for God hath made them so
Let bears and lions growl and fight for tis their nature too
But little children we should never let such ANGRY passions rise
your little hand were never made to tear each other eyes"
EXCEPT OF COURSE IF YOU ARE AN AVOWED RUF SUPPORTER who make up the majority of the SLPP.
So you see my friend as a general rule I would not get involved in a fight but as a personal matter if I feel like my life is in danger then I will just Blow you freaking ass away with any of my numerous fire arms that I keep around me for just people like you that are wont to create a climate of violence.
Now you get my point DAWG or is it CHICKEN LITTLE. CHUMP!!!!!! Now go tell Berewah that I called you bloody ass a chump. CHUMP!!!!!
Subject: Re: ADVICE TO FARRAH
From: William Banguras Uncle
To: All
Date Posted: 19:06:13 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: cache-ntc-ad04.proxy.aol.com at 207.200.116.198
Message:
You are about to get demolished, if I were you I would stay away from a cyber fight with the tougest baddest cowboy on cocorioko forum. I can just tell when Alieu is getting riled up for a fight, it becomes a free for all.
Warning before wounded man
Subject: Allege SLPP officials steal phones, election materials
From: Bambay Lans Kamara
To: All
Date Posted: 11:39:15 06/14/07 ()
Email Address:
Entered From: sccinstr194109.scc.losrios.edu at 165.196.194.109
Message:
Alleged… SLPP officials steal phones, election materials
Abdul Karim Koroma & Rachel Horner 28/3/2007
Acting Southern Region Coordinator of National Election Watch (NEW), E F John Tuesday alleged that some officials of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) stole mobile phones and election materials at a registration centre in Bo.John made this disclosure during a press briefing at the Sierra Leone News Agency hall, Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown .He said the accused SLPP members also carted away valuable necklaces, adding that the police are investigating the matter.Spokesperson of NEW, Ngolo Katta said his organization condemned the intimidation of electoral officials, registrars, party agents by government officials.
He called on political parties to train their members on democracy and electoral process, claiming that party leaders are silent on the issue of intimidation and interference, which seriously affected the outcome of the just concluded voter registration exercise.“Political parties must adhere to the Rule of Law and ensure commitment to the Political Parties' Registration Commission (PPRC),” he said.Katta enquired whether the basket fund administered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was solely for the use of the National Electoral Commission or for the entire electoral process.However, Publicity Secretary of the SLPP, Hon. Victor Reider told Concord Times that he was not aware of any SLPP member stealing mobile phones and electoral materials at registration centres.“I am at the Vice President's office now,” he said and promised to call after his meeting with the VP but never called back.
“SLPP deserves third term”....…Hon Victor Reider
Mariama Kandeh 22/1/2007
Publicity Secretary of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Hon. Victor Reider Saturday in a buoyant mood told Concord Times that his party deserves a third term from the people of Sierra Leone come July.Hon Reider who was speaking at his Wallace Johnson Street office, Freetown echoed that the SLPP in the last five years constructed over 500 schools and more than 300 health facilities in all chiefdoms in the country.“There is not a chiefdom in this country that does not have junior secondary school, primary school and health centre,” he said and disclosed that it is their regime that acquired a total of US$140 million from donors at meetings held in London and Paris to be injected into the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).
He maintained that it is the SLPP that has projected Sierra Leone as a model state to conflict driven countries.“The SLPP has attacked lasting poverty through the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT),” he pointed out and noted that records have shown that the National Revenue Authority (NRA) established by the SLPP made over 500% in revenue collection compared to other regimes.He further stated that to improve on freedom of expression 39 community radios and 49 newspapers are presently operating in the country without any censorship, and that the human rights record of the country has improved tremendously.“There are no political prisoners as was the case before,” Hon Reider stated adding that although there is high rate of unemployment in the country, the government is making efforts through the youth employment scheme to create more jobs for young people.“The tourism industry has employed more young people.The government in exercising political tolerance has encouraged the setting up of more political parties to allow a fair play in Sierra Leone 's young democracy.
SLPP exposes PMDC's attempt ‘to discredit elections'
Abdul Karim Koroma 17/1/2007
Publicity Secretary of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), Hon. Victor Reider Tuesday said his party has unearthed the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change's (PMDC) hidden attempt at discrediting the electoral process ahead of the 2007 elections.“It has come to the notice of the SLPP that members of the opposition parties and a cross-section of the press have embarked on a systematic calumny campaign to discredit the electoral process by giving the impression that the SLPP is harassing and intimidating opposition party members,” he fumed.He explained that Concord Times newspaper Monday has as its lead story captioned “PMDC alleges harassment, intimidation: Regent Chief orders to beat up Margai”.
Hon. Reider referred to allegations by PMDC Southern Region public relations officer, Lagacy Sankoh, as baseless and unfounded.The PMDC executive recently claimed that the ruling SLPP has been intimidating PMDC supporters in the southern province.Dismissing the allegation Hon. Reider maintained, “The aim of the opposition is to deceive voters while it gives the impression that the forthcoming elections will be characterised by harassment and intimidation,” adding that the opposition is building a case to justify further claims because they know they are going to loose the elections.“The Regent Chief of Njama Kowa Chiefdom, Moyamba is Mr. Alie and not JP Lappia as was alleged. There is a procedure through which local taxes are collected in Chiefdoms. Usually a tax evader is expected to be fined and not to be brutalised,” he said, adding that there were no evidence to prove that the so-called Mr. Margai was ruffled as was shown on photograph.
SLPP retreat: “No running mate debate,” says Hon. Reider
Abdul Karim Koroma 10/1/2007
Publicity Secretary of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Hon. Victor Reider Tuesday said the party's forthcoming retreat scheduled to take place in two weeks time is not to produce a running mate for the flagbearer Vice President Solomon Berewa.He said the retreat would plan the way forward ahead of the elections.Hon. Reider stressed that the prerogative to appoint a running mate is the sole responsibility of the party leader in consultation with the National Executive Council (NEC).“I have followed with amazing interest the speculation of the press and individuals alike on the issue of the SLPP running mate. Even after the leader of the SLPP Hon. Solomon Berewa in April last year in a press release clarified the constitutional provision of the issue vis a via the SLPP constitution,” Hon. Reider said, adding that the retreat is one of the party's numerous strategies to win the 2007 presidential and paramilitary elections.
He noted that the SLPP is the oldest and largest political outfit, which has the largest pool of human resource that can be constructively tapped for the good of the country.The SLPP, he said, over the years has injected a culture of seriousness into the politics of the country.“The SLPP has an obligation to the people of Sierra Leone being the government's party to positively transform their lives. Consequently from time to time it's becomes necessary to take some time to review success and lapses,” he states, adding that the issue of politics can not be treated in isolation.The issue of naming a running mate has been a controversial one in the past months. Concord Times gathered that the party among the various contenders. It is speculated that President Tejan Kabbah supports Foreign Minster Momodu Koroma while VP Berewa is sympathetic to the candidacy of NaCSA Commissioner Kanja Sesay. Others like Dr. Kadi Sesay, Dr. Alfred Bobson Sesay, Justin Bangura, Alie Bangura and Amadu Wurie have also been mentioned as possible names for the position.
There is no need to vote in SLPP,' Hon. Khanu says
Mohamed Massaquoi 9/12/2006
All Peoples Congress (APC), Hon. Alpha Khanu Thursday accused the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) of failing to provide basic amenities for the people of Sierra Leone, therefore there is no need to vote them, come 2007.He made this statement at a political debate organized by the Political Science Society at Fourah Bay College .The debate was to create a dialogue between political parties, as a way of fostering sustainable peace and democracy in the country.
Hon. Khanu was very critical of government activities citing corruption and other issues.He delved on these issues not only to win the debate but to woo the minds of students ahead of the 2007 elections.“APC is now a well reformed party with a dynamic leader. We have succeeded in weeding out those who were creating problems for the party. I would thank the SLPP for bringing peace to Sierra Leone ,” he said.The APC, he said, is a government in waiting.“We have put in place mechanisms to ensure that the country's educational system is up graded. We will ensure that we educate all of our sons and daughters and provide employment for them,” he promised.Hon. Dr. Alusine Fofanah of the SLPP cataloged the achievements and challenges of his party.He said the SLPP government inherited most of the problems they are faced with.
“We are fighting very hard to ensure that the needs of the people are met. Sierra Leone was a dead state at the time we took up power. All state institutions were destroyed by the APC and the National Provisional Ruling Council. During the APC era no body had the gut to question them on state matters,” he said, adding that the government has a lot of success stories.
35 SLPP supporters return to SLPP
Mohamed Massaquoi 13/9/2006
Former Sierra Leone Ambassador to the United States , John Ernest Leigh Monday disclosed claiming that 35 Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) supporters, who had earlier defected to the People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), have returned.Leigh claimed they were led by one Sam Smith of Gerehun in the Bambawo section of Baoma Chiefdom, Bo district who publicly denounced their membership with PMDC.The lawyer cum politician who made this claim during a press briefing at the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) headquarters, Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown , said the defected group abandoned PMDC on the grounds that they were misled by some PMDC supporters staying abroad.
He said he has spent considerable time in several towns in the Baoma Chiefdom because the area had voted an independent candidate during the 2004 Local Council elections.“I was informed that a newly formed political party had been seeking to exploit the grievances of the people in the area by lying to them that Chief Hinga Norman, Dr. James Jonah and others have joined their political party,” he said adding that in Yamandu a large crowd of people turned up at the courthouse to expose PMDC lies.The SLPP mogul claimed that the said supporters have declared their support for the presidency of Vice President Solomon Berewa ahead of the 2007 elections.He maintained that the award of party symbol to candidates for the Parliamentary and Local Government elections will be done by the community in public meetings.
SLPP assures of 80% victory in 2007
Mariama Kandeh 5/9/2006
Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) National Chairman, Alhaji U N S Jah has assured the party's membership and supporters of 80% victory far above other parties in the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections.He gave this assurance at their Wallace Johnson Street headquarters, where the party national women's conference was being held.“Having moved around to all districts and headquarter towns in the country, we are sure of having 80% of the all vote casts in the forthcoming elections,” Jah stated adding that it is about time they broke the culture of silence on women by allowing them participate in the political process without marginalization.
Chairlady SLPP women's wing, Hon. Bernadette Lahai said the women's conference is to al3rt leaders of the party on the new political wind that is blowing in the sub region.“Women are expected to play a pivotal role in next year's election” she urged maintaining that they should be gender sensitive and must innovative strategies towards enhancing their full and equal participation in the democratic process.Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Kadi Sesay claimed women were marginalized by past governments which to some extent contributed the war.She alluded that democracy is about representation and equitable distribution of resources, and that women should be empowered morally and financially, so that they could rise to the highest ranks in politics.Jebeh Forster from the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNFPA) said the rights of women must be upheld and respected and noted that it is their civic and political rights to vote and be voted for.
“SLPP will not intimidate anyone,” JJ Saffa claims
Mariama Kandeh 1/9/2006
Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), Jacob Jusu Saffa Tuesday refuted claims by the interim Leader of the People's Movement for Democratic Change Charles Margai that the SLPP is guilty of intimidating defectors from their party, at his party head quarter, Wallace Johnson Street .“The SLPP will never intimidate anyone,” he stated adding that they are not aware about any intimidation by their party.
He said that the various people that were suspended operate in an administration and if the authority decides to terminate them it is strictly an administrative decision. On the issue of Chief Suwu's suspension Saffa stated that it was a chiefdom matter and that he understands that chief Suwu had a problem with the chiefdom authority and his suspension was a chiefdom matter. He highlighted that Vice president Berewa intimidating a head master will never be true, he said that the vice president cannot do such a thing and that it is unimaginable.“How can you imagine a whole vice president threatening a Principal?” He asked noting that the story is a farce. Saffa maintains that the Biriwa matter was the business of the local council and not an SLPP affair.
People ‘angry' with SLPP government
Regina Pratt 1/9/2006
Many people within the Freetown general area and its environs continue to raise concerns over the state of affairs under the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) government. A random sample of opinions instituted by this medium revealed some people still consider the situation in the country as not favorable citing, as example, the current status quo. Others claim that much is not being done to address important issues affecting the lives of the citizenry.One observer in central Freetown said; “the SLPP may continue to loose favour day by day if adequate measures are not put in place to address issues bothering the citizenry. It is about time we did a countrywide survey to ascertain the feelings of the people. They are not happy with the situation in the country but I believe a countrywide survey could authenticate such claims.”Mohamed Bangura, a petty trader in Freetown believes: “the SLPP government still have important unsettled national issues but have resorted to addressing such issues as would promote the interest of the party and its members in the run up to the elections in 2007.He said the government had promised free education when in fact parents continue to face more problems in getting their children educated.“The Minister of Education Science and Technology, Dr. Alpha Wurie would dare not stand in the face of this nation to pretend that he is not aware of the high costs of fees taken by principals of Secondary Schools to admit children who could not score grades within a set out threshold following the basic and primary schools exams.
A cobbler, Amadu Jalloh said, “the incredible spate at which armed robbery takes place could not be unconnected to the lack of electricity in strategic areas. With light around, it is easy to identify robbers,” he said adding that government is seemingly very lenient with those people who deliberately tamper with the light system at odd hours.Another citizen suggested that those people that are entrusted with public offices should be monitored so that government gets to know whether they are working in conformity with standardized procedures.He said: “most people are not happy with the situation in the country, especially the high cost of living, poor sanitation, blackout in the city, school charges, injustice and more.”
Parents vow not to vote SLPP
Mohamed Massaquoi 18/8/2006
Aggrieved parents whose children have successfully passed the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) in Freetown and the provinces have vowed not to vote for the Sierra Leone People Party (SLPP) come 2007, if they fail to prevail on school authorities to reduce charges for the coming academic year.Fatmata Kanu a trader, with three children, and a host of others who's children took the NPSE intimidated Concord Times Wednesday that they will not cast their vote for the SLPP if schools charges remain as it is.Some complained that Principals are asking them to pay admission fees of Le250, 000 that they cannot afford considering their present economic status in the country.. “ We are disappointed in the SLPP led government, for misleading us that they will pay school feels for our daughters while principals are bent on asking us to pay huge amount,” they expressed.The parents appealed to the government to monitor all the schools across the country and adequately inform them as to how much should pay in order to gain admission for their children into the JSS programme.
SLPP Vice Chairman seeks women's welfare
Abdul Karim Koroma 16/8/2006
Vice Chairman of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) York District Constituency; Pastor David chambers have disclosed that seeking the welfare of the grassroot women cannot be over emphasized. Pastor Chambers who was speaking last Thursday at the Hamilton Community Center said SLPP under Vice President Solomon Berewa is the only way out. While presenting a large consignment of assorted items including used clothing to grass root women at the Peninsula Area Chambers told the beneficiaries that the party has in its agenda a plan to elevate the status of women in the country.
Pastor Chambers admonished the recipients and the people in that constituency to give their fullest support to the SLPP. “Vice President Solomon Ekuma Berewa positive initiatives will go a long way towards bringing sustainable development in Sierra Leone ,” he said. SLPP Chairman York and Mountain Rural District, Sylvanus Pratt states that the gesture by Pastor Chambers was meant to augment and improve the well-being of the grassroot women.
He says the gift was a sign of good will, which is the culture of the SLPP. Pratt maintained that all other political institutions have failed to exhibit such gestures, as the grassroot women are an integral part of society. “Women are a very important category of people that have been marginalized by selfish and ill motivated politicians over the years,” he said, adding that they are determine to ensure that grassroot women regain their lost glory in the past. The chairlady Martha Kanagboh advised the women not to be misled by misguided and hungry politicians.
Youths say SLPP has failed them
Mariama Kandeh 15/8/2006
President of the National Youth Coalition (NYC), Al Sankoh Conteh Saturday claimed that the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) led government has failed to create a level playing field for youths in the country.He made these comments during a discussion programme marking the International Day of Youths themed; “Clarion call for Youths Representation in Parliament,” organized by NYC at the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) hall, Fort Street .“Our situation in Sierra Leone is very pathetic,” he lamented, adding that the rush to seek employment in Iraq by hundreds of Sierra Leonean youths is as a result of inequitable distribution of resources. He called on government to change the lives of the youths, as problems facing youths are deep-rooted and must be considered a national issue.Chairperson of the occasion and Publisher of Awareness Times Newspaper, Dr. Sylvia Blyden says, “the number of brain cells reduces, as one gets old. Therefore young people must be actively engaged in the decision making process of the state”.She pointed out that the presence of old people in Parliament is causing social lapses such as in the field of Information and Communication Technology.
Discussant and Managing Editor Peep Magazine, Richie Olu Gordon blamed political parties for neglecting the youths.He urged youths to infiltrate all political parties contesting the 2007 elections, making sure that female youths are included in the decision-making.Paul Kamara, Managing Editor of For di People newspaper says the problem of youths can only be solved when the government seeks the interest of its people.He said the present political ethos does not care about young people.Lecturer at the Mass Communication Department of Fourah Bay College , Isaac Massaquoi warned that youth must not depend on other peoples' pocket but must be conscious of their progress.
APC plots against SLPP exposed
Regina Pratt 15/8/2006
Minister of Tourism and Culture, Okere Adams Friday alleged that some supporters of the All Peoples Congress (APC) are plotting to assassinate the good image of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) by asking that potential micro credit beneficiaries pay Le 10, 000 to 15,000 as registration fees which should not be the case.The minister made the allegation while addressing market women and traditional leaders in Lungi, Kafu Bulom chiefdom, Port Loko district.“Supporters of APC organized and presented themselves as representatives of the grass roots. They collected money from people from various communities on the pretext that they will be giving Le 500, 000 per person as micro credit,” he claimed.Minister Adams warned: “Those who come purporting to be ‘Grass Roots' representatives are not sent by the government. They have been collecting the said money for their own interest, which could be another plot to assassinate the hard earned reputation of the ruling SLPP. Government cannot ask you to pay any money as registration fees for micro credit loans. You will recall that the government gave micro credit loans to people across the country.”He maintained that the APC would always develop new strategies to discredit this government, adding that neither the President nor the Vice President has ever announced about Le 500, 000 micro credit loans.
Chairman of the occasion, Kandeh Yillah said the SLPP government has great respect for women and youths which is why they would ensure that all strategies are put in place, not only for the development of the Lungi community but also the entire country.
SLPP launches continental Europe branch
11/7/2006
The official launching ceremony of the SLPP (Sierra Leone Peoples Party) Continental Europe Branch took place on 9th of July 2006 in Rotterdam , the Netherlands under the auspices of Ambassador Fode Dabor. “The motive was to educate Sierra Leoneans this time round about the good side of politics which most of us had been missing for quite a long time,” a statement from the interim executive states.
The main theme of the discussion was centered on Diaspora participation in the propagation of the clean side of democracy in Sierra Leone . The SLPP Continental Europe Branch is primarily being formulated to liaise with all other SLPP branches within the Diasporas and at home in order to ensure good governance in Sierra Leone .
The aims and objectives of the group include: Sensitizing Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora; Promoting the good image of the SLPP within the Diaspora community; Creating a way for the Diasporas to participate in the political process of Sierra Leone.; Create a voice within the Diaspora that represents mediation between the government of Sierra Leone and Western Counterparts in development; and Create a political base where in all Sierra Leoneans could have a chance to discuss political issues about their country.
An interim committee was formed and mandated with the responsibilities to run the SLPP Continental Europe Branch. The committee includes:
Mr. Solomon Baimba Mansaray - Chairman
Mr. Ernest Smith - Secretary General
Mr. John Massaquoi - Deputy Secretary General
Mr. Ibrahim Kargbo - Financial Secretary
Mr. Mohamed Sesay - Deputy Financial Secretary
Mr. Abdul Conteh - Publicity Secretary
Mr. Hakawa Foday - Deputy Publicity Secretary
Mr. Sadiku .M. Fofanah - Organizing Secretary
Ms. Sarah Kamara - Deputy Organizing Secretary-
SLPP councilor, Deputy beaten to coma
Mohamed Vandi 11/7/2006
Irate workers of the Kenema Town Council (KTC) Monday went on the rampage beating up the Council's chairman, Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) chairman, Evans Gbemeh, his Deputy Margaret Shaka and locked them up in their offices. The protesters were agitating for their backlog salary that the council owed them for a long period of time. The KTC Chairman and his Deputy escaped death in the hands of the aggrieved workers through the swift intervention of the police who came to their rescue.
The irate workers attacked the KTC office Monday morning demanding their backlog salary. They chanted anti SLPP slogans and attacked the office of the KTC Chairman and his deputy barricading it and beating the inhabitants to coma. Reacting to the strike action, Assistant Inspector General of police Elizabeth Turay expressed dissatisfaction over the continuous strike action of the council workers, as it will undermine the security of the community. She called for an immediate investigation into the alleged misappropriation of council's funds by senior officers of the council. The chairman Gbemeh after recuperating from the beating maintained that they are putting all mechanisms in place to ensure that the workers' salaries are paid.
Regional Secretary, municipal and local government employees Tamba E. Ngekia says the workers threaten they will not relent until their salaries are paid. He asserts police are investigating the strike action. The KTC workers have been agitating for the payment of their backlog salaries since last year when 88 of them were retired. They claim KTC has to pay them four mounts backlog salary amounting to millions of leones .
SLPP was the Lone Debate Dodger 29/6/2006
Debates bring candidates agenda to the people: In his recent article entitled Berewa Escapes from Debate , John L. Musa’s suggestion; “ For PMDC’s interim leader to condition his appearance at a debate on Berewa’s attendance is irrational,†is equally irrational. Evidently, Earnest Bai Koroma and Abdul Kadi Karim, leaders of the APC and UNPP respectively, did not represent their parties, which, apparently, led to the organizers to reduce the debate into a less than presidential debate.
Charles F. Margai’s resolve to debate only other presidential candidates in the Youth for Sierra Leone Improvement (YSLI)-organized debate was a well thought-out political position meant to equate the dignity of standings amongst the presidential candidates themselves rather than a presidential candidate sharing the podium with the representatives of other candidates. He felt that this was specifically in tune with respecting the needs of the people to hear directly from the candidates themselves rather than their representatives. Just ask yourself, whom will the people hold responsible for what a representative would say in the debate, would it be himself or the presidential candidate he is representing? The SLPP ’s decision to dodge the debate was, apparently, not only in fear of defeat, but also in a premeditated contempt in an effort to diminish the political significance of the value of the debate to the nation and the youths .Being privy to the debate arrangements, I am knowledgeable about other commitments Charles F. Margai, the Interim Leader of the PMDC had in place, including a sensitization meeting that had been scheduled for Kono District a month before the youth national debate notice and press release were made available to the debaters and published as well. Yet, Charles Margai accommodated the youth national debate in full preparedness to debate Earnest Bai Koroma, Abdul Kadi Karim and SLPP's Solomon Berewa. When he was told of the lower level representation, he decided to resume his normal hectic schedule.
Sensitizing the people of Kono District about the PMDC, for Charles F. Margai, is as equally important as educating the people through a national youth debate. Charles F. Margai, before reactivating his already postponed Kono District sensitization trip, ensured that the national Interim Secretary General of the PMDC, Ansu Lansana, stayed in Freetown to debate the secretary-generals of the other parties.Unlike Charles F. Margai, Solomon Berewa assigned the SLPP Secretary General, JJ Saffa, to debate, only for him, according to the YSLI chairman and founder, Dr. Michael Sho-Sawyer, “JJ Saffa called, at the last minutes, to say that he will not debate†– he also dodged the debate in fear of another defeat. He had been defeated in a previous debate, in the state of Maryland , USA , about a little over a month earlier. In Freetown, “ The organizers, YSLI told the gathering that they have been communicating with the Secretary General of SLPP, Jacob Jusu Saffa and no reason was advanced for his absenteeism,†Mohamed Massaquoi reported for the Concord Times newspaper.
The impression created by SLPP's absence. To be the oldest, the seating and the ruling political party, and yet offer nothing to the people in terms of what SLPP intends to do for the nation in Berewa’s administration, is utter disregard for voter need to be informed. Too many questions can come to mind as to why SLPP was absent, the least of which is whether the SLPP just does not have a record to run on besides ending the war, or whether the SLPP want to prevent the people from making a sound objective decision about which party should rule the nation next.The impression about the SLPP is, simply, that the party does not care what the nation thinks about it, so long as it is in charge. SLPP refuses to reckon with the fact that it is crucial for the people to know, so that they can get the best candidate to rule them. This is the epitome of arrogance and taking the people for granted.As if it is not enough that they have very little to show for the past 8 years of dismal leadership, Berewa and the SLPP do not seem to feel that they are responsible or obligated to the nation enough to take part in the debate to enlighten the nation on their deeds.The SLPP did not show up, it was not represented, and it did not care.
It will only be fair that if the nation cannot hear from the SLPP as to what Berewa intends to do for the people, then the people should not be obligated to vote for Berewa and the SLPP.Foreign observers have the same concern that the conditions that caused the war still exist. According to the Concord Times newspaper; “ In his opening statement US Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Thomas Hull said the reason for organizing the debate is to bring together youths and political parties in order to share common interests. He pointed out that the conditions responsible for the decade civil war still exist. Hull maintained the only way of addressing youths' problems is by taking positive steps. He highlighted that one of the major problems in the country is access to justice.Youths bring energy and new ideology to democratic process,’ he said and maintained that even though there is improvement in formal education, more attention should be given to vocational education.
If the nation cannot hear from the SLPP as to what it intends to do for the people in the next five years, it is only fair that the people vote for the PMDC whose political philosophy is a “Positive Change .
Karamoh Kabba
Director of Media & Comm. “ PMDC
“SLPP has lots of failures” UNPP aspirant charges
Abdul Karim Koroma 14/6/2006
Mohamed Ben Kamara, aspirant for United National Peoples Party (UNPP) leadership Sunday vowed that if elected to lead the party he would launch a massive campaign on the demerits of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) to ensure that the latter is ousted from power through the ballot box during the 2007 elections.Kamara who doubles as UNPP Chairman for United Kingdom/Ireland Branch says he would initiate a crusade to sensitize Sierra Leoneans about the ten years of SLPP misrule, which has made the country to go through a generation of compounded troubles and a state of chronic economic hardship.“The SLPP has a lot of shortfalls, which is an open book. I want to tell all Sierra Leoneans and the international community that the solution to all the woes of this country is the UNPP,” Kamara said and called on the delegates to vote with their conscience during the party's Delegates' Congress at the Atlantic Hall.He appealed to the delegates not to elect a stranger or a political ‘jay cee' to lead the party, as they must vote in someone who is appealing to the electorates in order for the UNPP to form the next government after the 2007 elections.“The UNPP has been in the opposition for a long time we don't need a leader who is difficult to sell politically or who the public are not conversant with,” Kamara.
As Freetown continues to be deforested: Guma Valley to run out of water
Ibrahim Seibure 13/6/2006
General Manager of Guma Valley Water Company, Darrell Thompson Monday confirmed that with the massive deforestation and construction around the river catchments in the Freetown area, the water supply to the city would run out in the future.He said the continuous deforestation and erection of illegal structures in the Freetown area has become alarming and life threatening for people living in the city.“We supply water from the Guma dam and from other sources in the west and east of Freetown ,” Thompson disclosed and added that the Guma dam alone cannot supply the city, therefore it is augmented by the smaller catchments at Hill station, Thunder Hill and at the Foot of Fourah Bay College.
The General Manager revealed that serious damage has been caused to these catchments hence they decided to close down three of these water sources as a result of construction and deforestation.“The problem is more acute at Hill Station as the catchment that used to supply is no more, as such we are now pumping water from Spur Road,” he states and continued that Thunder Hill in the east is almost getting destroyed as it is being used for laundry that has polluted and defecated the water, blocked the pipes and brings debris into the water.Thompson pointed out the problem is acute and growing because the population in the city is increasing therefore a method should be put in place to protect the catchments before they are destroyed.“When you take off the trees and the forest cover that serves as a shade to prevent rapid evaporation from the soil the water continues to sip into the river destroying the water sources,” Thompson stated and noted that the relevant authorities must be proactive and that there is also need for the Ministry of Lands and Country Planning to consult with the water suppliers before they give out land for construction, so that they don't encroach on catchments' areas.He concluded that this ugly development in the city is paving the way for Freetown to run out of water in the future and stressed that people living around these catchments should be discouraged from doing so.
Sierra Leone to incorporate Stock Exchange Market
Tanu Jalloh 13/6/2006
Resident consultant with the Bank of Sierra Leone, Martin Maruff Monday told a press conference that the initiative for Sierra Leone to have a Stock Exchange Market now is very appropriate.“It could be a new phenomenon but very important too. It basically looks at how share market works and, why buy or sell a share but is quite different from the usual banking transactions that existed,” he explained adding the essence of having a capital market could not only be limited to restoring pre-conflict market systems but also to catch-up with existing modern corporate interactions.
Nat Wellington, Adviser to Governors, Capital Market Unit explained the level of involvement of both the government and international forces saying they may not be actively involved but very necessary as oversight and supervisory mechanisms.“Besides we are operating an interim structure and the necessary framework that would establish the whole system should be provided by the government which does not in any way intended to impact negatively on whatever involvement of the private sector,” he explained.Acting Director, Development Coordination Department, Rosaline Gobio-Lamin emphasized the need to have the idea explained to and by the media given the fact that the initiative is a complex and new phenomenon. She encouraged the media not only to dwell on immediate benefits and challenges but should endeavor to sustain their effort to explaining how the system operates.
“That's why issues like the reduction of tariffs and taxes as entrusted with the National Revenue Authority would be harmonized in the not too distant future to meet the trend of an integrated regional market. But it takes time for these already targets set for the harmonization of tariffs and taxes,” she narrated.
Thuggery: SLPP complains PMDC to Police
Abdul Karim Koroma 13/6/2006
National Secretary General of ‘Friends of Solomon Berewa,' Melvin Rogers Monday said they have lodged two complaints to the Ross Road and Congo Cross Police Stations regarding some of their members terrorized by some members of the newly formed Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC).‘Friends of Solomon Berewa' is an SLPP campaign outfit for the Vice President and leader of the SLPP, Solomon Ekuma Berewa.Rogers claims that one of the chieftains of PMDC, Sitta Turay recently attacked one of their members Jimmy Rogers at Wilkinson Road after the latter returned from Moyamba with the Vice President to inspect government projects.“After Jimmy Rogers dropped down from the bus, Sitta Turay attacked Jimmy and beat him up,” Rogers claims and noted that in the scuffle Jimmy sustained serious injuries all over his body.He says during the fracas four police officers arrived at the scene and arrested Turay.“The police obtained statements from the duo and Jimmy was issued asked to get a medical report,” he said and continued, “ some of the officers at the station ordered that Sitta should be released because it is a political matter. And the culprit is now on the run after the police issued a warrant for his arrest.”
Meanwhile, a PMDC supporter reportedly manhandled Joseph Demby, a member of ‘Friends of Berewa' a fortnight ago at his residence at Cline Town , other reports claim.Rogers alleged after Demby returned from witnessing a programme at the SLPP office where the Teachers and Grassroots Women declared their support for Berewa, he was explaining the success of the ceremony when a member of the PMDC with whom they are living together at the same house assaulted him.“The police at the Ross Road Police Station had obtained a statement from him. Demby was seriously damaged and initially after the incident for some time he lost his senses,” Rogers claims.Rogers threatened that if PMDC supporters do not stop attacking their (SLPP) supporters, they would stop at nothing but start reprisal attacks.The police at Ross Road have however confirmed the alleged incident, which they say is under investigation.Interim Publicity Secretary of PMDC, Alusine Kamara contacted for reactions Monday said he is not aware of the alleged incidents of assault
SLPP Georgia Chapter elect new executive
Saidu Bangso 6/6/2006
At a well-attended meeting on Saturday 06-03-06 held in Atlanta , Georgia , members of the Sierra Leone People's Party (S.L.P.P.) Georgia chapter, elected a new executive to superintend the affairs of the party.Dr. Mohamed Bayoh was elected chairman while the position of vice-chairman went to Dr. Lahai Rogers.Solomon Berewa II and Edward Arkpan were elected secretary-general and assistant secretary- general respectively.
Alpha Saidu Bangura was elected publicity-secretary, the position of organizing and social secretary went to. Amadu Jabbie.Mrs. Marie Carew was elected women's leader and Mrs.Miatta Smith was elected assistant women's leader.Ahmed Banya was elected youth leader. The position of treasurer went to Mrs. Yvonne Arkpan.The following people were elected ex-officio members: Patrick Goba, Amos Lansana, Alfred Kamara, Kahlil Kargbo and Martin Berewa.In his post election address, the new chairman,Dr. Mohamed Bayoh thanked members for the confidence reposed on him and his executive. He assured members that he would do all in his power and ability to push the SLPP forward. Vice-chairman Dr. Rogers also, thanked members for electing him and called on all members to work together in the interest of the party.
SLPP leadership treats people as expendable… Dr. Blango
31/5/2006
Concord Times' Abdul Karim Koroma spoke to the former Mayor of Southwark in England , Dr. Columba Blango to know his reasons why he resigned from the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and the way forward for the country.
CT: Again, why did you quit the SLPP?
BLA: As I said in my resignation letter, I quitted because I believe the SLPP has, in all shape and form, lost the fundamental values and principles of politics and has become very remote from, and lost complete touch with the ordinary people of Sierra Leone . The SLPP, in its present state, has become a party of the past, controlled by mostly spent politicians and supported by people who are either blind to the party's ineptitudes or have personal interest.
Having practiced politics for over 10 years at a high level within an established political party in Britain , I think I am experienced and skilled enough to give safe analysis on the party's predicaments. My view is that the SLPP lacks vision and direction hence has lost sense of purpose to govern Sierra Leone . I do not believe for a moment that the SLPP means real business for the country.
Almost every week I read about members of government commissioning and delivering or opening projects and programmes here and there all over the country; promising people heaven on earth every where they go. I believe this is bad politics and disingenuous of the SLPP leadership.
Politically aware and conscious as I may be, I am bound to ask myself these questions and I argue every Sierra Leonean to ask themselves too: Were all these projects and programmes part of a long term development plan? Why only now those frantic efforts are made to deliver them? What are their long-term benefits for the people and impact on their communities? Are they affordable and sustainable? Who runs and manage them? What is the long-term management plan for their sustainability? How relevant are these projects and programmes to present circumstances? What are the alternatives? Have they been budgeted for? Where is the money coming from and what is the guarantee for long term funding, transparent and accountable management? Above all, is there anything tangible the SLPP can really show to justify their 10 years in power? I mean stuff that has made a real difference and significant impact on the lives of the majority of the people and communities in Sierra Leone .
The speed and time at which these projects and programmes are announced and commissioned make me believe they are fly-by-night, makeshift, politically motivated actions. They appear to be a knee jack reaction to the emergence of the People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) and the not surprising massive support PMDC is gathering inside and outside Sierra Leone . In short, the SLPP continues to give lip services on a short sighted, short term and unsustainable basis. To me, the SLPP leadership treats people as expendable and this is very wrong.
As I also said in my letter, I am a conviction politician and I have very strong political beliefs, values, standards and aspirations. I am guided, as every politician should be, by a set of political philosophy and ideology by which I benchmark myself. I believe in Civil Liberties and the freedom of the individual. I believe in less power to government and more power to the people. I believe in strong community politics and equality of opportunities. I believe in building and safeguarding a free, fair, open and just society in which we should seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community. In short, I believe in a liberal and democratic principle of government, which is contrary to the principles, methods and practices of SLPP politics. In short, I belong to the center-left of politics.
I do not believe in a system where only the poor and the voiceless go to prison or jail while the powerful and influential are set free to continue to plunder the country at the expense of the underprivileged and underrepresented. I do not believe in a system that promotes class divide. I will not continue to be part of a system that does not respect or protect individual liberty. I do not want to be part of a system that does not care to listen, that is arrogantly and deliberately out of touch with the feelings and aspirations of the people, totally remove from reality and manipulate for its own self-interest.
CT: Which other political party haveou seen as an alternative?
BLA: I have observed the members and activities of the People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) and I have also read their manifesto and constitution. Based on what I have seen, read and observed about PMDC, I believe it is a party that is geared up for reforms and one that has a progressive agenda. Unlike all other parties, the PMDC, in my opinion, demonstrates interest in and understanding of the common struggling people. The PMDC manifesto caters for people at the bottom of the scale, especially petty traders, business people, the youth, women, the disadvantaged, underprivileged, underrepresented and the voiceless. I also see the leadership of PMDC made up of people who will be selfless in their effort to make a difference and equally determined to bring about socio-economic and political changes. Being that APC, SLPP and all the old and recycled politicians have ran out of steam and ideas, PMDC, I believe, is the political party of the future. I see PMDC as a political party that will provide a clear, transparent, accountable, responsible and visionary leadership. Above all, like it or not, I believe PMDC, one way or the other, will definitely change the political map of Sierra Leone, will surely have an impact on the political landscape of the country, hold its own and influence the political dynamics forever. In short, PMDC will be a vital, highly needed ingredient and value added factor to democracy in Sierra Leone .
CT: You have a wealth of experience, which other ways do you think you will help the country move forward?
BLA: I have been involved in Sierra Leone issues and affairs in this part of the world for a very long time and I still continue to do so. I will attempt to list some of the most important and fundamental things I have been engaged in with regard to Sierra Leone .
When the British Labour Government sent troops into Sierra Leone in May 2000 against the Westside Boys, it was my MP who tabled the debate on Sierra Leone in the House of Commons on my request; a debate many Sierra Leoneans went to listen to in the House of Commons. And for the benefit of many who do not know this, the three main political parties had different stance on the issue with the Conservatives against sending troops, Labour in favour of sending troops but for a short period and the Liberal Democrats (the political party I belong to) arguing to send troops to stay until the job of making Sierra Leone safe and secure is complete. This is why today we have a strong and permanent British military presence in Sierra Leone .
Working with Harriet Harman MP QC, I organized and led a vibrant debate between Sierra Leoneans in the UK and the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Commission for Africa report on Sierra Leone in Southwark Council Chamber in 2004. Over a hundred Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone participated. The report was part of the official report on the Commission for Africa .
Currently, I am the Vice President of the Sierra Leone Task Force Group in the United Kingdom . The group is formed to defend the interest of, advocate and lobby for resources to build the capacity of local authorities in Sierra Leone that have twinning or friendship relationship with local authorities in the UK.
In December 2003, my office sponsored the then Mayor of Bo and her team for a three week working visit and workshops in the London Borough of Southwark. The idea was to help capacity building in the Bo Town Council ahead of local elections in Sierra Leone in May 2004.
On the same note, in November 2004, my office also sponsored the Minister for Local Government and Community Development in Sierra Leone and his team for a two-week capacity building workshop on local governance and community engagement in the London Borough of Southwark. The Chairlady of Koidu New Sembehun Town Council was also in the minister's team. In an official ceremony at the end of the visit, Southwark Council and Koidu New Sembehun Town Council signed a friendship agreement in the presence of the Minister and the Chairlady.
In December 2005, my office also invited the Chairman and Secretary General of the Sweissy group in Freetown to Southwark for a four-week workshop on Youth, Culture, Commerce and Sports. They were accompanied by the Minister of Youth and Sports.
The above are just a few of the significant things I have done in regard to Sierra Leone . I believe I could do more if given the chance and opportunity. Here are just some of the projects I am working on at the moment as far as Sierra Leone is concern.
London being the Cultural Capital of the world, I am currently on the London Culture and Tourism Board, a board that ensures London provides world-class facilities for tourist and opportunities for investors. At the moment, I am working with a group of experts on tourism development and investment programme in Sierra Leone . This will include river and air transports. The plans, which will be based on the London South Bank development, has been discussed with the outgoing Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the UK and have informed him that the project would be ready for presentation to him in July of this year. If politics does not kick in, it should be a unique opportunity for developing and investing in tourism, heritage and culture in Sierra Leone from a different angle and perspective.
For the past three years, I have been responsible for developing and implementing Sport, Leisure and Culture strategies in Southwark and I am on the London Local Government Representatives Board for the London 2012 Olympics Games. I have almost put in place a plan to bring to Freetown two top footballers in the UK to help boost the game and promote sport generally in the country. This idea has been discussed with the Minister of Youth and Sports when he was here with the Sweissy boys in December last year. But I am still waiting to hear from the minister on the matter. Again, this is a programme that would be materialized if we keep politics out of it.
The next project I am working on at the moment is how to maintain and promote youth programmes between Sierra Leone and Southwark. Taking it from the visit of the Sweissy boys to the London Borough of Southwark, we need to develop an exchange programme around youth, business and commerce, education, sport and culture. And again, all these would be possible if we keep politics out of it and do it for the benefit and common interest of the country.
Another way I think I can help Sierra Leone is to speak out. Speak out against what I feel is wrong for our country; such as injustice and intolerance; and stand up for the voiceless, disadvantaged, underprivileged and underrepresented. Not many people are prepared to do this but someone has to do it. I am not trying to be a hero but I would want someone to speak out and stand up for me if I find myself in any of the categories described above. I simply want to do for others, as I would wish them to do for me.
However, I believe I am in a unique position to help Sierra Leone and I have the will to do so. Within a short space of time I have done so much, which is indicative of my track record. Given the opportunity and backing and with politics out of the equation, I am confident I will do more.
CT: Where is your constituency base; do you have good relationship with your people?
BLA: My constituency base is Sierra Leone and my people are every Sierra Leonean. Sure I do have relationship with the people of Sierra Leone as made evident in my answers to your questions.
If you mean my hometown Moyamba where my father comes from and where I received most of my primary education at St. Columba's School, I definitely have a warm relationship with the people. I was there in February 2004 and March 2005 on official visits and even visited relatives in the surrounding villages, communicated with them in my native language, and I feel very proud that the people remembered me and gave me a respectable warm welcome. My dad runs a prominent pharmaceutical store at Moyamba Junction and I have been trying hard to raise some money for the new secondary school there. I am glad to say that I have so far managed to raise a few million leones for them which I will proudly donate to them on my next visit some time this year.
My motherland, Pujehun, is where I started my secondary education at St. Paul 's Secondary School. I have many things to be proud of about Pujehun and St. Paul 's. Firstly, I am proud that my mother is a true, true original Kaikai. Secondly, I feel privileged to have attended St. Paul 's. Thirdly, I feel honored that in many ways than one, people still remember that I did the school and town proud while I was there.
I was born in Bo Town, did part of my primary education in Bo at St. Francis School and completed my secondary education in Bo at Christ the King College . Beyond all reasonable doubt, I have a passionate relationship with Bo and the people of Bo Town. Bo speaks for itself so I leave it at that.
For many years, both my mother and dad worked as senior staff in Tongo Field and Kono (with influential connections in Kenema) for Sierra Leone Selection Trust (SLST), which later became National Diamond Mining Company (NDMC). I literally grew up in those areas and I still have relatives and friends there. My last two official visits to Kenema in 2004 and 2005 reminded me of what it means to be home. The people were warm, kind and, as usual, very pleasant.
While I was at school in CKC, I often went to Makeni and Magburaka for sporting competitions during which I made many friends. This led me to more visits and I am happy I am still in touch with people from those areas.
Freetown has always appeared to be a natural base for me since that is where I spent my last couple of years after my ‘A' levels at CKC; working as a laboratory assistant at the Methodist Boys High School in 1979-1981 while progressing my sporting and community activities before traveling abroad in 1982.
Anyway, I have to say that I cannot be too bothered about base or no base. I love Sierra Leone ; I am very proud of the country and feel fortunate that I am from there. I see myself as a proud Sierra Leonean who is always ready to serve his country.
CT: When do you hope to actively involve in Sierra Leonean politics?
BLA: I believe I am, in many ways, currently very active in Sierra Leonean politics. If you mean when I will come to practice politics in Sierra Leone , my answer to that is when the time comes and only God knows when.
I have to be honest to you and your readers that it has never seriously crossed my mind to go into Sierra Leone to practice politics. I did say publicly last year (when I visited the country with my family in honour of the Sweissy group) over the national radio, in the news papers, at public meetings in Freetown, Bo, Kenema and Moyamba that I was not interested in standing for any public office come 2007. My main interest at the moment is to participate, promote, help and engage in a process that will make Sierra Leone a better place to live and work in. I will certainly be involved in the political debates, engage with the issues and place myself where the bolts and spanners meet in politics.
I would like to use this opportunity to address an article titled: ‘SLPP exposes Mayor' that came out in a certain newspaper in Freetown called The News . The article claims that I resigned from SLPP because I could not get a high profile job I wanted from the party; because I cannot compete with those in Sierra Leone and that I want to enter the system through the back door.
Even though this is actually addressed in my resignation letter, the writer of the article whose name is undisclosed failed to pick it up. In fact the article is written in such jumbled English that I found it difficult to understand the real message.
But coming back to the article, this is another SLPP shameless and despicable lie and high-class nonsense. I am not surprised because it shows what the SLPP stands for and how they operate and what they are capable of doing; the more reason why I quitted. I openly challenge every single individual in the SLPP from top to bottom to publicly prove when I have ever asked for a job or any position in the country. If there is still any honest person left within the SLPP let him or her say publicly if I have ever solicited or lobbied for any job or position in or outside Sierra Leone . Integrity counts in my world of politics and I will never stoop that low. Those in the SLPP government whom I have worked with or had dealings with will testify that I have done so with dignity, pride and respect and for nothing else but for the sake of Sierra Leone . So, whoever came up with such a blatant paradigm of a lie should burry his or her head in the sand.
I am very content with my political job in the UK . I control a huge portfolio department with a credible workforce of about one thousand people and a decent budget of over twenty million pounds. I am part of a ten man cabinet team that runs the London Borough of Southwark, which has a population of almost four hundred thousand people. Our annual budget, both capital and revenue, is about four billion pound. The cabinet is responsible for virtually everything in the Borough from street cleaning, garbage collection, social services, education, housing, the environment to community safety and making laws in certain areas. Without making any comparison to Sierra Leone , my responsibilities are enormous and expectations are high in terms of deliverance and accountability. And of course such responsibilities demand a highly skilled, committed, motivated and visionary team of individuals.
In terms of competition, I believe British politics is one of the most fiercely contested the world over. Having fought a tough parliamentary elections in 2004, after just a couple of weeks ago being elected in local elections for the third time, and having just won a fierce competition for a cabinet position on Southwark Council, and for an SLPP approved writer of that article to say I am afraid of competition tells you exactly the frame of mind of people the country is dealing with.
On the approval of the SLPP, the writer also claims that I want to enter the system through the back door. Can someone please tell me through what other door, under the SLPP, can one enter into the system? Only through the back door I believe. That is why I have never been motivated to jump into the politics of SLPP Sierra Leone because one has got to go in through SLPP/APC style – though the back door. And under SLPP/APC administration, when the back door (which is the only door) is closed, even the windows are slammed at your face and that's it.
On a more serious and sober note, I have always said that one does not have to be a minister or a top official in government to help your country. One could still do so from a position of influence from anywhere. All it takes is the love for your country and the will to do something for its people.
CT: Which positions have you held within the SLPP, what do you have to show for your stewardship?
BLA I happened to be on the first SLPP executive in 1991 in the UK . This was the time when the country was making its way back into a multi-party system of government. By then, the SLPP had been in the political wilderness for over three decades; so it needed vibrant, hard working and vociferous people to bring it back on its feet. A million thanks to the late Ambrose Ganda (may his blessed soul continue to rest in perfect peace) who was so instrumental in organizing the first SLPP democratic elections in the UK after thirty years. Mr. John Saad, who has most recently resigned from the SLPP and joined the PMDC, was elected chairman then. Along with many others, I was elected organizing secretary. I went on to be elected deputy propaganda secretary and Vice Chairman in subsequent elections.
I would refer to myself as always been on the centre-left of politics - outspoken most of the time and never afraid of facing issues and challenging problems. I always made sure I held my colleagues to account while at the same time making myself more proactive on SLPP matters. I made sure dignitaries within the British establishment, MPs and other influential people attended and donated to SLPP functions while I was a member. I spent most of my best time within the SLPP fighting for a change, which some time really put me in straight confrontation with ministers and top officials.
CT: In your resignation letter you said the SLPP lacks cohesiveness; did you ever attempt to bridge the gap?
BLA: Yes, the SLPP is not cohesive. I believe the SLPP has no comprehensive, well thought through, sustainable and achievable programme/plan of action for Sierra Leone ; otherwise they would not be dashing left, right and center of the country, in panic, to launch and commission all those fly-by-night, wishy-washy programmes and projects. These are all politically motivated actions and I hope the electorate will remember that come 2007. I would have liked to see the SLPP administration go to the people to say what they have delivered on their 2002 election manifesto pledges and what they would deliver if they win in 2007. At the moment, it seems all they pledged in their 2002 manifesto would be delivered in 2007. What have they been doing then all this time? Playing ball? I will call this taking the nation for a ride and manipulating people with lip services and empty promises.
In regard to bridging the gap, the answer on my contribution to Sierra Leone and my feature plans for the country explains it all.
CT: You said again in your letter you still have respect for some people in the SLPP. Would you like to work with them in another political platform?
BLA: Indeed, I have respect but no affection for some members of the SLPP. I believe many of them have the skills and commitment to deliver good service to the nation but unfortunately they are caught in a deep, thick, political web they can hardly do anything about. They have the responsibility and freedom to speak out or quit the party but vindictive as the SLPP is, and in a system that thrives on a dependency culture and with the prospect of such people falling into the poverty trap, I can hardly see how they can escape. Such people are still needed in our society today but they can only be useful again under a new and different political setup and platform with new ideas, methods, practices and attitude. Sure, I will feel comfortable working with them because they would have been refined and working within a political environment that is stable, well defined with clear expectations, high aspirations and agenda.
CT: What is your opinion about Sierra Leonean politics?
BLA: I indeed do not envy those bodies that enter the political mind fields of Sierra Leone because it is a mucky and gray area that can cost an arm and a leg. In my opinion, the politics of Sierra Leone is without doubt unstable, unclear, ambiguous, and confusing, certainly tough and raw, definitely challenging and exciting, largely inconsistent and incoherent, to a huge extent corrupt and unfortunately based on disastrous selfish motives. The primary factors for this are poverty, ignorance, inequality and lack of or the absence of opportunities.
I have always held the view that without political stability there will be no economic prosperity. Elected representatives are expected to make good and effective laws, sound and relevant policies and judgments for the country. They also must ensure the laws are respected and policies are implemented. To achieve this, there must be a clear philosophical and ideological divide between or among political parties, which should help them develop distinctive policies. The lack or absence of such a divide as in the case of the SLPP and APC does not only affect the ability of elected representatives to make meaningful, relevant and futuristic policies but also leaves the electorate very confused, uninformed or ill-informed thus leaving them with no other choice but to follow their instincts which are most times guided by personal motives.
This is the difference I see in the PMDC. PMDC has a clear philosophy and ideology. One can hardly distinguish between SLPP and APC in terms of what they stand for. There are more similarities between the two parties than differences, which are not very helpful to themselves and the country, let alone the electorate. A clear philosophical and ideological divide among political parties will therefore ensure political stability thus helping elected representatives make sound decisions particularly on the economy with a view to achieving prosperity.
CT: How do you help Sierra Leoneans in England who are always in trouble with British Immigration authorities?
BLA: Sierra Leoneans in the UK are not always in trouble with the British Immigration authorities. I believe most Sierra Leoneans in the UK are here, one way or the other, legitimately. Having said that, some Sierra Leoneans are however going through tough times in their effort to regularize their status.
Returning to your question proper, I have been involved in standing in for Sierra Leoneans awaiting deportation, picking up immigration cases, advising on various immigration and asylum issues, acting as mentor for some people and adviser to some Sierra Leonean organizations in terms of setting them up and building their capacity. I have to say I am very proud of the success rate so far.
The fact of the matter is that our High Commission should be proactive in dealing with these issues but unfortunately that is not the case. Our mission is not only extremely remote from the citizens it should be representing in the UK , it is absolutely oblivious of the plights of Sierra Leoneans and totally disinterested in the wider Sierra Leonean community.
Sierra Leone is a beautiful country with huge potentials to become one of the finest countries, if not the finest country in the world. I believe the vast majority of us living in the UK and the Diaspora would prefer to be in Sierra Leone where we belong. The main reason most Sierra Leoneans chose to live abroad can be explained by the conditions in the country and the absence of opportunities for developing the individual to reach his/her potential.
CT: What is your relationship with the Sierra Leonean community in the United Kingdom ?
BLA: There are a host of Sierra Leonean communities in the United Kingdom some of which I don't know, a few I have heard about but not engaged with yet and a good number I have had dealings with one way or the other. Generally, I think I have a cordial and respectable relationship with a good number of Sierra Leonean communities, especially those in the South East of London, specifically in Southwark where we have the highest number of Sierra Leoneans; twenty five thousand of them approximately. I am a member of a number of Sierra Leonean organizations, a trustee for some, sponsor and adviser for others. Many Sierra Leonean organizations often invite me to their functions as either guest of honour, guest speaker or a special guest. I always do my best to respond to such invites. My main objective for all these organizations is building their capacity within the voluntary sector.
On a personal level, I act as a mentor for some individuals. Politically, I have mentored, sponsored and motivated some Sierra Leoneans who have in fact gone on to participate in politics and a couple of them are today local councilors in their respective Local Authorities or Boroughs. In many cases, I do act as a reference point for those seeking jobs or wanting to do other things like further studies.
CT: How does it feel for a Sierra Leonean to be elected as a Mayor in England ?
BLA: It is a privilege and a unique experience to be the first citizen of an outstanding and spectacular borough in London . Being the first African and Sierra Leonean to be elected Mayor in the London Borough of Southwark was a pride not only for me but for Africans in general and Sierra Leoneans in particular.
Being Mayor is a very high profile job with massive responsibilities characterized by complex protocols. Basically, as the Mayor, I was the Queen's representative in the Borough. In July 2003, I received President Putin of Russia into my Borough on behalf of the Queen. I did get a letter two weeks later from Buckingham Palace thanking me for an outstanding and professional work done on behalf of the Queen. Meeting various members of the Royal family, having tea with the Queen in Buckingham Palace , meeting and dinning with foreign dignitaries and leaders, engaging with high profile people and politicians, knowing, understanding, helping and supporting your local communities and chairing council assembly meetings are all opportunities that exposed me to learning high, complex skills and gaining enormous knowledge in politics. As an African and a Sierra Leonean, I should say this was a wonderful opportunity achievement. And what I still do and enjoy doing as a past Mayor is, on behalf of the Queen, give British Citizenship to qualified candidates in a citizenship ceremony.
CT: After you stepped down as Mayor, what are you doing for a living?
BLA: I am a full time politician and that is how I earn my living. The position of Mayor is just one of the few full time political positions within a Local Authority. After my term of office as Mayor I went on Southwark Council Cabinet holding the cabinet portfolio for Equalities, Culture, Sports and International Development. This portfolio area also covered Heritage, Museum, Tourism, the Art and Libraries.
You may be aware that local elections took place in the UK just a few weeks ago. Proud to say that I was again reelected for another four years, which will bring my stewardship to twelve years of committed service to the people of Southwark as a Councilor. You may be interested to know that I have been again given a new cabinet portfolio for Citizenship, Communities, Equalities and International Development Strategies. I will be responsible for the Voluntary Sector, Community Cohesion, Integration and Inclusion, Community Councils and ensuring equality among Southwark's diverse communities and workforce. I will also be responsible for developing Southwark's International Development Strategies.
Over and above my cabinet job, I do a lot of work in the voluntary sector as a volunteer. I also sit on various committees and panels, on London wide outside independent bodies in the capacity as either chair, vice chair, trustee, board of management team or as a member. I have enough on my plate to deal with.
CT: How do you perceive the leadership of the SLPP and its chances of winning the 2007 elections?
BLA: A very interesting question that deserves an interesting answer. I perceive the SLPP leadership as complacent and intolerant, short sighted and disingenuous, lacking vision, conviction, focus and direction, completely blind and indifferent to their own inadequacies and ineptitudes. This is how I will summarize the SLPP leadership for you.
It is often said that when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. But I am afraid that with the SLPP leadership, they dig the hole and then jump into it. They travel all over the country with bleeding legs and telling people they did not know the guns were loaded.
As to the chances of SLPP winning the elections in 2007, the people of Sierra Leone (the electorate) will decide and hopefully, with a collective sense of purpose and justice. The SLPP may go on unjustly using the country's resources on their endless campaign which has now made government and governance dysfunctional. But my message to the people of Sierra Leone is this; please do not be afraid of change. It is not always easy to embrace changes but considering the situation in Sierra Leone today wherein things are not getting any better, people's personal circumstance are going from bad to worst, the majority can no longer figure out what the future holds for them irrespective of all their hard work and effort, there is little or no hope for children and the youth reaching their full potential, communities are set against each other in the midst of corruption and the leaders playing politics with people's lives, then, everyone must realize and know it is time for a change and must not hesitate to embrace it. There is no point sitting in your little corner complaining, grumbling and winging about the government and its leaders for that will never help. An action for change is the only answer. I believe that only a political change in 2007 will redeem Sierra Leone . If we allow the current leadership to continue to carry the mantle of power, we should not complain later about anything when we see no significant development in our life and no future for our children. We would only have ourselves to blame.
I believe that under a strong, determined and visionary leadership (which the SLPP and APC have failed to provide and incapable of providing), Sierra Leone can be turned around in a short space of time. I very strongly believe that one year should be enough to provide light at the end of the tunnel and two years is long enough for people to begin to see and feel significant changes in their lives and in their communities. I also believe these can only happen with a change in the country's leadership, direction and focus. We need a fresh start for a better Sierra Leone . Let us be brave and bold enough to change the system, which we all know, is rotten to be backbone and a leadership, which is incompetent beyond redemption. We will do injustice to our nation, our selves and future generations if we fail to bring the radical changes the country so badly deserves. It will be on our consciences if we fail to act against those who have bastardized the country and still continue to plunder the nation with impunity from their Ivory Towers, with their children and relatives enjoying the splendor of comfort overseas and while the rest of the nation and majority of Sierra Leoneans suffer from abject poverty, filth, injustice and the despicable consequences of endemic corruption. SO, COME 2007, PLEASE GO FOR A POSITIVE CHANGE FOR A BETTER SIERRA LEONE.
“SLPP leadership is short sighted” … Dr. Columba Blango
Abdul Karim Koroma 31/5/2006
Erstwhile Mayor of Southwark in England , Dr. Columba Blango has told Concord Times from London that the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) leadership is complacent and intolerant, short-sighted, disingenuous and completely blind and indifferent to their own inadequacies and ineptitudes. Dr. Blango, who resigned his position from the SLPP recently, said the party's leadership is digging a hole, which it would end up jumping into.
“They are traveling all over the country with bleeding legs and telling people they did not know the guns were loaded,” he said, adding that the SLPP may go on unjustly using the country's resources on their endless campaigns, which has now made government and governance dysfunctional. “As to the chances of SLPP winning the elections in 2007, the people of Sierra Leone (the electorate) will decide and hopefully, with a collective sense of purpose and justice. But my message to the people of Sierra Leone is this – please do not be afraid of change,” Dr. Blango states.
People's personal circumstance, he said, are going from bad to worst, and that the majority can no longer figure out what the future holds for them irrespective of all their hard work and effort. “There is little or no hope for children and the youth reaching their full potential, communities are set against each other in the midst of corruption and the leaders are playing politics with people's lives,” he said.
“An action for change is the only answer. I believe that only a political change in 2007 will redeem Sierra Leone . If we allow the current leadership to continue to carry the mantle of power, we should not complain later about anything when we see no significant development in our lives and no future for our children,” he charged.
SLPP Scribe calls for open books
Tanu Jalloh 26/5/2006
Secretary General of SLPP (Sierra Leone Peoples Party), Jacob Jusu Saffa, Wednesday challenged civil society to open their books for scrutiny.
Saffa who was speaking at a panel discussion at the Mary Kingsley Auditorium, Fourah Bay College came under stinging attacks from students and civil society participants at the panel discussion.
Saffa in his response to criticisms of civil society members said his government pursues viable policies and these are evident in current post war development strategies.
“Since this government came into power, we can now boast of over five hundred health centers and hundreds of schools in the country as compared to those days when there were virtually few,” Saffa appraised the audience. He promised that should the SLPP win the 2007 elections, they will ensure government and non governmental organizations alike to pursue an open book policy so that donor funds pumped into this country will be strictly monitored.
National Director Civil Society Alternative Processes in Sierra Leone , Fallah Ensa-N'Dayma and Executive Director, Network Movement for Justice and Development urged that there should be a redefinition of internal government policies after 2007 elections.
“We have failed in most our ventures as a government and a nation because we have deliberately ignored and abandoned home grown policies and development initiatives for Western imposed ones. As a result, any government whatsoever that happens to win in the 2007 elections must make it a duty to redefine existing government national (local) policies,” N'Dayma charged arguing that the 5.8 growth rate in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) should reflect on the standard of living of the citizens.
The panel discussion, which was organized by the Department of Economics and Commerce is third in a series of discussions on the topic; “The Leadership Dimension of Sierra Leone's Development.” The UN Executive Representative of the Secretary General who is head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), Victor J Agenlo, chaired the session that was attended by panelists from the SLPP, Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) and heads of reputable civil society organizations.
Meanwhile, the All Peoples Congress was conspicuously absent from the discussion.
SLPP Port Loko disregards Momodu Koroma
Abdul Karim Koroma 18/5/2006
Speakers at a meeting of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) in Port Loko Saturday disregarded Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Momodu Koroma by identifying those who have implemented developmental projects in the north.
Different speakers of the SLPP Port Loko branch named individuals that have contributed positively to development of the district, ignoring the Foreign Affairs Minister who was seated at the high table.The occasion, which took place at the Port Loko Court Barri was attended by Vice President Solomon Ekuma Berewa and other SLPP dignitaries.
The speakers, Port Loko District Fullah Chief, Alahji Wurie, SLPP Youth Leader, MS Kanu and Santigie Bangura, Chiefdom Speaker of Port Loko district praised Trade Minister Dr. Kadi Sesay, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu (Just Kam), Lands Minister Dr. Alfred Bobson Sesay, Deputy Commissioner National Commission for Social Action, Justin Bangura and Yayah Deen Kamara as the people that have been in the centre of bringing development in the north.Some SLPP members told Concord Times the statements made by the above speakers clearly depicts they want a running mate to Berewa form among the afore names mentioned.
“The SLPP delegation from Freetown was introduced by Tourism Minister Okere Adams,” a SLPP member Musa Kamara who witnessed the ceremony said and continued, “ what happened in Port Loko can be construed as a slap on the face of Momodu Koroma as the person who has been tipped as the President's choice for running mate during the 2007 elections.”However, another SLPP stalwart who attended the meeting confided in Concord Times that some contenders for running mate to Berewa influenced the proclamations in Port Loko. But that is yet to be independently confirmed.Momodu Koroma is a strong contender to be running mate to Vice President Solomon Berewa under the SLPP ticket. But many have criticized him as unpopular though some see him as an SLPP loyalist.
Alleged: SLPP government undermines food security in Kailahun
Tanu Jalloh 16/5/2006
Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) District council chairman in Kailahun, Augustine Kourtu recently told Vice President Solomon Berewa and his entourage in Kailahun that the government is making a mockery and undermining their efforts to achieve food security.
“The government should not make mockery of us and our efforts to achieving food security. We here in Kailahun district are making frantic efforts to achieve that vision by 2007. Our problem is that the government recently sent us two tractors with no implements. The machines since their arrival could not be used for their intended purposes as a result. They are a mere white elephant,” Kourtu alleged in front of a throng of SLPP supporters who turned out at the town barri.
Reacting to the vexation and complaint of the chairman, Vice President Solomon Berewa claimed his government is not aware of the lack of implements for tractors sent to Kailahun. He immediately called on the resident District Agricultural Officer to proffer reasons and ordered that he joins his convoy back to Freetown where he may be queried and implements apparently given for the district.
“The agriculture officer did not let us know about the lack of implements for the tractors, why?” Referring to the agric man he continued, “in fact you go and get ready, you are coming with me to the city to explain what went wrong so that the implements can be provided for the tractors,” Berewa said adding that the district is very strategic to the country's development because of its agricultural potential, especially the production of cash crops like cocoa and coffee which increase government's foreign earnings.
SLPP's deadly mistakes committed by erudite lawyers
Abrahim Alimu Jalloh. MD, USA . 16/5/2006
The Sierra Leone People's Party, which was formed in 1951 under the auspices of the most revered medical doctor, Sir Augustus Strieby Margai, gained independence for Sierra Leone from British colonialism in 1961. Sir Milton became active in politics immediately after the Second World War when he joined the Sierra Leone Organization Society. His reign has been described as the golden age of Sierra Leone .
Sierra Leone 's woes started when Lawyer Sir Albert Margai succeeded his brother, Dr. Sir Milton Margai in 1964, which saw the demise of the SLPP in 1967. For 29 years the SLPP wallowed in the political wilderness. Its members started to change political colours from green to blue, to red, to yellow, and back to green like chameleons to regain the SLPP'S Miltonic glory. The 1996 general elections overseen by the NPRC military junta saw Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabba, a legal luminary who had served the United Nations for about two decades, as leader of SLPP and head of state of the republic of Sierra Leone .
With corruption and " I don't care attitude" still rife in the Sierra Leone society, there are two regrettable mistakes that would haunt the SLPP for years committed by two legal luminaries, Pa Kabba and Solomon Berewa, heading the SLPP and the Nation.
It was Pa Kabba as president and Solomon Berewa as Attorney General and Minister of Justice who requested the United Nations to institute the Special Court for Sierra Leone to try those who committed atrocities and crimes against humanity during the RUF/AFRC massacre against Sierra Leoneans.
The government of the United States of America as one of the financiers for the Special Court clearly indicated that none of its citizens would face the Court either as victims, witnesses or perpetrators. It was the prerogative of Pa Kabba as president of Sierra Leone and host for the Special Court , and Solomon Berewa as Attorney General and Minister of Justice to spell out their own interest for all those who fought to restore the SLPP government to be excluded from the trials. The United Nations excluded Ecomog (Economic Community Monitoring Group) from the trials.
It is a thought provoking debate that will last decades for two legal luminaries to sign a document that landed their own SLPP kith and kin (Hinga Norman, Allieu Kondowa and Moinina Fofanah) in jail. It is a bitter lesson to be noted by every Sierra Leonean that even when your neighbour's house is in danger, you would sit back and watch. Because trying to save him or her would land you in jail. Regrettably, the incarceration of Norman and his colleagues is going to cost the SLPP dearly its Mende and civil defense forces' vote in the 2007 general elections!
Hinga Norman has named Pa Kabba as a potential witness in his Special Court trial. Lawyer Carew as Attorney General and Minister of Justice is feigning defense on behalf of the Pa even when the Pa himself has on many occasions stated that no body is above the Special Court . Why then is the Pa shying away from the Special Court he so requested for?
Just like running from one's evil deeds, one regrettably mistakenly follows another to the detriment of the SLPP. I wonder if the Pa and his vice Solo B. were aware of the 1991 constitution, which states that no member in government service will run for an office in the party without resigning his government post a year prior to the party's convention.
Hinga Norman (Norma in Mende stands for stubbornness, pressing or agitating for something) is still hell bent that Solo B. and members of the SLPP conclave violated the SLPP constitution to vote in Solo B. as party leader while he was and still is the vice president of the republic of Sierra Leone .
How are these two legal luminaries (Pa Kabba and Solo B.) going to convince Sierra Leoneans to vote for CONTINUITY. A continued bastardization of the constitution? A continued ungratefulness to members of the party who sacrificed their lives, energy, money and time for the party's interest? A continued calculated humiliation of potential party candidates for the presidency?
Sierra Leoneans need CHANGE to uphold the tenets of their party and the Nation's constitutions. Pa Kabba must face the Special Court he created. A cook must taste his food! Solo B. must respect the SLPP constitution for him to become president. When Napoleon and Squealer in George Orwell's magnu opus ANIMAL FARM were constantly bastardizing the constitution, it came to a boiling point that even Benjamin the donkey could not stand it any more when a clause was added to the seventh commandment overnight which read " All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others". There was huffing and sniffing in Animal kingdom!
Is that the scenario we are facing in Sierra Leone ? It is the moral duty of lawyers, especially political lawyers, to interpret the constitution, not to misinterpret it for their morbid interest. How long sweet mother Salone?
“SLPP may win 2007 elections,” PLP PRO predicts
Abdul Karim Koroma 15/5/2006
Erstwhile Spokesman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Peace and Libration Party (PLP), Amadu Bah Saturday predicted that the “Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) may win the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections” but did not rule out the possibility of a runoff. Bah told Concord Times that from his observation, he is not sure whether any political party will win the elections in the first round.
“Although there are other parties like the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), United National Peoples Party (UNPP), Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC), All Peoples Congress (APC) and the Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP) and the SLPP, as the incumbent they (SLPP) will do everything within their powers to win the elections,” Bah predicted and added that after that first round of votes, many parties would form coalitions.
The former AFRC mouthpiece says a lot of people are asking whether he is still a member of the PLP. “In the next two weeks, I am going to my hometown Kenema. It is from there that I am going to issue a statement about my political plans. After my public pronouncement people will know my political direction. For now I will not say I am certain that I will join any party,” he states. According to Bah, Johnny Paul Koroma, an indictee of the Special Court , is still the leader of PLP. He said Koroma could only be replaced as leader of the party at a National Delegates' Conference.
Suspected Special Court spy, 3 others charged
Sahr Musa Yamba 12/5/2006
Michael Chemidline, an American citizen, a suspected spy nabbed around the Special Court April 29 th has been charged to court together with three other Sierra Leoneans. They were charged with conspiracy to engage in a purpose prejudicial to the interest of Sierra Leone contrary to law.
The three Sierra Leoneans are Felix Rogers, Damascus Kamara and Collins Kamara. They were arraigned before Magistrate Adrian Fischer at court No. 1A Thursday on a three-count charge of conspiracy.
Defense counsel for the accused, Africanus Sesay objected to the first count on the grounds that they were charged under a law that was nonexistent at the time of the alleged incident. “There is no law dating back as far as common law, which the accused have violated for the prosecution to proffer charges as contrary to law,” Counsel Sesay submitted. His second objection was on the grounds of jurisdiction arguing that the court (magistrate court) had no business trying people who allegedly took snapshots of the Special Court , which, he submitted, is an international territory that came into existence by an agreement between the government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations. “The government of Sierra Leone cannot bring an action on behalf of the Special Court ,” counsel Sesay submitted.
His third objection was based on arguments that the Special Court is not a prohibited place and there is no inscr1ption around there stating it is a forbidden area.
He cited Section 61B of the constitution arguing further that the Special Court is an international ground like any embassy or High Commission.
Responding to the objections, state counsel, Gerald Soyie submitted that conspiracy to commit any offence is prescribed under common law citing Section 6 of the constitution. He submitted that any body acting contrary to the interest of the state in the case of espionage could be charged. He submitted that at the material time of the alleged incident, the offence of conspiracy existed and subsisted up to date. “That been the issue, the laws of Sierra Leone have been violated,” he argued.
On the issue of jurisdiction, prosecutor Soyie submitted that the Special Court is an institution “living in Sierra Leone .” He maintained it is an international body, but the purpose of the Special Court is that it is trying prisoners in the interest of justice, prisoners who every body in this country has an interest in and submitted that any one taking photographs as alleged in charges and thereby creating an impression that the prisoners tried at the Special Court might be rescued, the state has the right to be concerned. He argued it is the “paramount duty of the state to maintain law and order.”
Soyie completely disagreed with the defense counsel. He submitted that it is the business of the government of Sierra Leone to take necessary action in connection with any entity within its jurisdiction if government after due consideration establishes that its interest and security are endangered. He submitted the accused were engaged in an action prejudicial to the state.
The accused were refused bail by the Magistrate who is to make a ruling on the objections raised later. The hearing was adjourned to Monday May 15 th .
For lateness: SLPP, APC fined in USA
Representatives of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) and opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) were fined $20 for late attendance of a debate in the United States of America .The debate, which took place on May 7, 2006 in Maryland USA, was a day of grandiose assembly of Sierra Leoneans from all works of life, in partisan rapture for the leading political parties that are contenders of the upcoming 2007 general elections in post war-torn Sierra Leone .The debate was the second in a series that was organized by the Youth for Sierra Leone Improvement (YSLI).
In attendance were the hegemonic ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), the paternalistic All Peoples Congress (APC) that ruled the nation for twenty-four years (from 1968 until it was ousted in a military coup in 1992,) the splinter People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) from the SLPP when Charles Margai, the party leader, claimed foul play in the November 2005 SLPP convention at Makeni, and the Unity National People's Party (UNPP) that has been hanging on tin thread for two five-year terms without much success.The SLPP high-profile representatives Hon. Victor Reider, a Member of Parliament and SLPP national Publicity Secretary and Jacob Jusu Saffa, the National Secretary General, who happened to be in the United States on other matters of resolving internecine problems amongst the SLPP chapters in the Diaspora, came about an hour late to represent the ruling SLPP in the debate. Although the APC representatives were late as well, they came a bit earlier than the SLPP representatives.
Meanwhile, the UNPP and the PMDC representatives waited, agitated in little groups, especially, over the representatives of the ruling party's lack of attention to time.One PMDC official stated; “these people think this is Sierra Leone where they sit around doing nothing, some of us have to go on our eleven-seven shifts.”
In a separate meeting with the debate participants and their executives before the commencement of the debate, Dr. Michel Sho-Sawyer, Chairman and Founder of YSLI, who was also the moderator of the debate, slapped the SLPP and the APC with twenty dollars fine each for tardiness. Both party participants refused to honor the fine. J. J. Saffa charged, “we did not have to honor your invitation,” to which Dr. Sho-Sawyer charged back, “this exercise isn't in the interest of our organization, but in the interest of the youth at home, Mr. Saffa.”The APC members put up a somewhat logical argument to dodge the fine when its Chairman stated; “We waited for more than an hour during the last debate and no one was fined.” Upon this argument, Dr. Sho-Sawyer relented.
Representing the other sides were Hon. Victor Foh and Osman Yasaneh for the APC, Mr. Tejan Savage and the mercurial youth Secretary General, Sidie Yahya Tunis for the PMDC and Mr. John Turay for the UNPP. The latter was a lone debater.The tenseness of the night could be felt by the ensuing side debates amongst supporters of all sides. It made the exercise even more so beneficial to opposing supporters who now had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with their political opponents and former war-time tormentors to sweat out their indifferences in heated exchanges, but peacefully.
At the meeting, people from different backgrounds met, shook hands and hugged known rebels and rebel sympathizers, harmoniously, in a way words could not explain, for only bearing witness to the show of civility and forgiveness could.Before the debate actually started, Dr. Sho-Sawyer gave Mr. Osman Turay of the UNPP a chance to state his party's political manifesto since the UNPP had no representation in the first debate: “If my mathematics can treat me right, 55 years since independence…”, he stated and the audience burst out in a boisterous laughter.Indeed his mathematics failed to treat him right. It was quite an amusing start. Mr. Turay's demeanor throughout the debate was akin to that of rich man Ross Perot of the United State 's 1992 presidential campaign: Constantly, he amused or shocked the people in the audience. He had no in-betweens.
To the following question to all the parties: “ A new generation of Sierra Leoneans are eager to put fighting and war behind them but the lack of jobs and the legacy of messed up education, are driving many of the youths to crime and violence that could destroy peace. One youth states, "Life is very rough because we are even suffering for food. What are your parties' plans for food security and youth education?”The SLPP Secretary General conceded his party recognizes youth unemployment, but further stated that there are robust youth agricultural programs underway to address and support youth unemployment.UNPP's representative, Turay stated that school was free in the 60s and they in fact got allowances to attend school. “How can students focus on education when at FBC they have to fetch firewood to cook food? This is a place where we learned to sit on tables and eat with folk and spoon,” he stated.
The PMDC's Tejan Savage fired back that food security is an endemic problem—cannot be solved through youth unemployment. He explained that the PMDC would introduce a complete infrastructural development in a complete overhaul of the agricultural sector to ensure food security not only to depend on youth unemployment.The APC's Victor Foh reminisced on the massive APC infrastructural projects of the past: “When the APC came to power in the 60s, there were only five schools in the whole of the northern province . The northern province had 50 schools by the time the APC was ousted out of power in 1992,” he stated.Like the first debate, much finger pointing was between the APC and the SLPP with the UNPP man betwixt, constantly calming the heated debate down with some amusing utterances or shocking the audience with extreme claims without evidence. Again, the PMDC's Tunis who had been quiet for the most part took full advantage of the situation when the SLPP's Saffa supplied him with the weapon (the country's economic growth figure at 6.5 per cent) to go after the SLPP all the way, relentlessly in disregard of the time keepers' admonishment.He walked to a tripod stand he had made ready on the side and raised the latest 2006 Economics Intelligence Unit (EIU) past and present Sierra Leone economic indicators and the World Bank's Sierra Leone economic growth pattern since 1999.
J.J. Saffa had claimed that the SLPP has moved the nation from -17 per cent to 6.5 per cent, and Tunis in a mercurial disposition refuted that the economy moved into positive numbers with donor deposits with Sierra Leone government doing almost nothing in 2002 at 4.6 per cent. He stated that the growth attained it's peak in 2003 by 9.3 and 7.4 in 2004 when Sierra Leone exceeded the UNDP 7 per cent millennium development goal for Africa recommendation. This was all due mostly to donor and loan activities not on domestic productivity. Sierra Leone 's economic growth pattern is in decline since to 6.5 in 2005 and the 5.5 prediction that we are yet to see in 2006. “This is consistent with the EIU economic indicators,” he stated and walked off to the tripod stand and raised the figures that had been blown up for that purpose.
In another instance, Tunis charged that “ Sierra Leone economy is on a pair of crutches—one is the World Bank and the IMF and the other is donor nations and once these crutches are removed it will collapse.” He hit the climax of the night when he ended a verbose sentence with a sardonic inflection; “… and both the APC and the SLPP have made Sierra Leone into a sunny nation for shady leaders.” In his conclusion remarks he stated:
“The APC and SLPP,” looking left and right at the APC and SLPP debaters from the middle sit and continued; “that are responsible for everything that is wrong with our country are here today to steal your votes so that they will continue to cause you pain by stealing your resources and running off with your money. Simply, when you ask for votes by making promises to run a good government and neglect your duty for selfish gains upon getting the votes is stealing. All I can warn you; the vote bandits are here again. That is bound to change if you vote for the People's Movement for Democratic Change (P.M.D.C) in 2007. The exigency to change the miserable status of the youth population of Sierra Leone cannot be overemphasized.”Saffa scored big when he scolded the PMDC's Tejan Savage claim that the country needs “a paradigm shift” and J.J. Saffa as if that would have made his already ruined night to Mr. Tunis came back swinging at his best performance; “If the country needs a paradigm shift then we do not need any change—we need to move forward if it does not need a paradigm change,” he stated.
But the PMDC's Tunis ' sometimes sardonic inflections unnerved JJ Saffa and Mr. Reider so much so that they became pretty coarse with their responses to questions. J.J. Saffa showed distress when he went on to challenge every document the PMDC youth man tendered in support of his claims. He openly challenged the document from Freetown , which stated that the SLPP is not ready for the elections for failing to meet some of the requirements. The same document stated that the PMDC is the only party that has met such requirements.J.J. Saffa and Reider even accused YSLI of leaking the questions to the PMDC after taking so much pounding from Tunis and Savage.
Dr. Sho-sawyer rebutted the accusation from Reider and J.J. Saffa by informing the debaters and the audience that “all parties were sent information on what issues would be debated upon, it was upon all to come prepared,” he stated. Someone, during question time from the audience, told both men [J.J. Saffa and Reider] that they are arrogant and condescending towards their audience. Raider replied that “the SLPP is in an urgent situation.”YSLI is scheduled to repeat the exercise amongst the presidential candidates themselves on June 23 at the Miatta conference center in Freetown and the keynote speaker for the event will be the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone , Mr. Thomas Hull.
“I QUIT! SLPP has lost direction” …Dr. Columba Blango
Sahr Musa Yamba 04/05/2006
Erstwhile Mayor of Southwalk Burough in the United Kingdom , Dr. Columba Blango has quit the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP). Blango, who joined the SLPP in 1991, tendered his letter of resignation this week. Stated Dr. Blango in his resignation letter: “Today, I am joining those who have resigned before me, many who are resigning and many more who will resign from the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) for its undemocratic, paternalistic, and corrupt attributes. Without any reservation or regret I hereby tender my resignation from the SLPP following over 15 years of pro-active membership.”
Dr Blango recalled he joined the SLPP in 1991 not because his parents were SLPP or because of where he is geographically affiliated within Sierra Leone, but with a strong conviction that after three decades of the All People's Congress (APC) misrule, misgovernment and the subsequent damage to Sierra Leone, the SLPP would be robust in turning the country round, genuinely provide and care for all those ordinary people who work so extraordinarily hard for their living. Dr. Blango notes he believed then that SLPP would really make a vast difference politically and would make a positive impact on peoples' lives.
“It is now very obvious and apparent that this is not the case since we continue to experience, under the SLPP, all those evil and unacceptable elements many Sierra Leoneans detested and selflessly fought against the APC for,” Blango stated. He said he joined the SLPP in the UK at a time when the party was struggling to rebuild itself after many years in oblivion. Since 1991, Dr. Blango said he served the SLPP UK branch in different and varied capacities on the executive and as an ordinary member. “I believe I was always committed, genuine and diligent in performing my duties to the party and I am very proud of the fact that I offered my services not for what I could have personally benefited from the party but because I passionately believe that as a politician, my main objective is to make a difference in other people's lives, and being a member of a political party in government, I believe my priority was to support my party to achieve that and that was exactly what I did throughout as a member,” he wrote.
Dr. Blango maintained many who know and have worked with him would agree that his is a conviction politician and that he is not a political traveler as many others are. “I believe that in politics, one should have a set of political beliefs, convictions, expectations and values as benchmarks. I have to say that several months back many Sierra Leoneans believed in the SLPP, convinced that the party would live to the expectations of the ordinary people and that as a political party keep, protect and practice its traditional values and principles. This however does not seem to be the case any more.”
Continued Dr. Blango: “What many of us see today is an SLPP that has lost direction, a party that has dumped all its values for self indulgence and gratification, a party that is heavily contaminated at the very top by people who only act in their own self interest, people who have never had anything to offer and still have nothing to offer to the nation, people who could never be role models of any positive sort for an average Sierra Leonean hence they cannot inspire or motivate the vast majority of Sierra Leoneans, especially the youth and women who have always had a raw deal by successive governments who have always used them as political tools for empty promises and lip services.”
He continued that this is not to say that every one in the SLPP and the SLPP leadership is not genuine, committed or hard working. “There are still many decent and hard working people in the party and within the establishment for whom I have the greatest and utmost respect. A good number of them are either my good friends or relatives who, in all fairness to them, mean well for Sierra Leone ; good luck to them,” Blango asserted.
He maintained that he believes such people stand a chance to be effective and to exhibit their good will, skills and knowledge in the interest of the country only in a different political environment, climate and under a different political system.
“The problem as I see it is that the SLPP as a political party has always given a deaf ear to what they do not want to hear and have always had the telescope to the blind eye not to see anything wrong. But what is in fact terribly wrong is the whole system which is embroiled in endemic corruption and injustice; injustice in the face of incompetence, complacency and intolerance. What is worst is that the government is just incapable of dealing with the situation simply so because they themselves are part of the problem. The APC and SLPP politicians have for a long period of time created, managed and presided over a rotten system, which they are now incapable of changing. What this means is that neither the SLPP nor the APC can make or bring about any significant or sustainable changes to Sierra Leone that will positively impact on the lives of the majority of Sierra Leoneans.”
Dr Blango took a swipe at the APC saying they created a Frankenstein Monster in the form of the system. He wrote the SLPP leaders have been feeding and sustaining it with the help of the very APC people that created it and now they have all lost the plot; the monster is out of control and all the SLPP could do or continue to do is to keep the monster [system] sweet and alive otherwise it will destroy them.
He claimed that this again is to say that SLPP does not only lack the capacity and ability for change, but also lacks the political will and guts to effect any positive change. He maintained SLPP and APC politicians have found themselves in a political quagmire with the nation in the middle of it all. “The only solution, in my opinion, is to overhaul the system. The system is dread, we got to change it,” he asserted.
Dr. Blango said many of his colleagues and friends within the SLPP have tried at length to convenience him to stay and fight from within. But his response to them has always been that that is what he has been doing within the party for the past 15 years – “fighting, fighting and fighting. Those within the SLPP very well know that I am a fighter but why should one continue to fight within an establishment wherein no one listens, wherein people see and start to treat you as an enemy within and wherein even those you fight along side with are ever prepared to betray you and the course for their own selfish ends, wherein basic democratic principles have no place? I however had a choice - the choice of staying in the party, lay low, play the game and wait for a lucrative reward. Yes, I had this choice and I am confident if I played the game well, on their terms as many others have done, I would have made it. No, that is not my style of politics. Being a sycophant and opportunist is not my game; I rather say it as it is purely on matter of principle, based on what I believe in and what I consider my overarching political values.”
Blango wrote he finds himself unable to support a political party that does not respect, recognise and guarantee the will and liberty of its citizens. “I find it hard to support or be part of a political party or system that has demonstrated the propensity of tampering with the country's national constitution at will to suit them. I refuse to subscribe to a political party that has the judiciary in its pocket in a country where justice is dispensed not on the merits of the argument but on influence, and I also totally refuse to accept the most grotesque behaviour of the Vice President (now flag bearer of the party) and the Minister of Finance (now special adviser to the president) arguing on national media about who is more corrupt than the other. I do not believe they set a good example to the nation and I cannot be proud to be part of an establishment that is not only indifferent to such an attitude but also guilty of inaction.”
“I am resigning from the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) on principle and for what I stand for in life. I do not dislike anyone in the SLPP for what they are or what they practice. People have the right to be where they want to be as long as it suits them but I find myself at variant with the party in regard to its policies, principles, values and practices. In such a case, I believe that the most decent thing for me to do is to resign from the party, hence my letter of resignation.”
The SLPP running mate Hullabaloo – respectable fears that tear us apart
Sulaiman Bangura
The choosing of a running mate is taking a new dimension in Sierra Leone today to the point that people resort to all sorts of unusual methods including direct campaigning despite the very clear party constitutional provision which states that it is a decision of the presidential candidate in consultation with the National Executive Committee. On one Tuesday last month, there was panic in the city, with rumours spreading like bush fire that president Kabbah has arm-twisted Berewa into declaring Momodu Koroma his running mate, which also prompted instant jubilation in the APC camp. A disappointed SLPP supporter, Momoh Turay of Lumley street shouted: “let Pa Kabbah not do this to us- He has his day. Let him go. It is Pa Berewa's turn. He should be allowed to make his choice.” Well, fortunately for the party and the country the rumor was false. This is the extent to which rumormongers have gone, for better or worse to stir national interest in the running mate issue and the beauty of it is that it keeps political pundits awake.
Lately, I have made it my keen business to follow-up developments in that direction, for two basic reasons. Firstly, as a party supporter, I do worry about the type of running mate that we will have. That choice in my opinion can have far-reaching implications for the party not to just at this coming election, but the next to come. Secondly, we have all fought so hard for Vice President Berewa to ascend the party leadership position, it will be most intriguing and indeed fascinating to see how he makes what I consider his single most critical appointment in his quest for the presidency.
Much has been said or written about the type of running mate that this country needs.Whatever anybody says, Sierra Leone needs a Vice President that is the people's man.The cocktail of attributes that are required are many, but one must include reliability, trustworthiness, popularity, dynamism, articulacy and astuteness. The country yawns for a mixer that relates well with the elderly and Paramount Chiefs, Party Stalwarts and executives, the youths and women. One who belongs to every village, town, chiefdom district city or provinces. In short, the president's an indeed the country's slave. The development challenges of this generation are enormous and require a well-grounded grassroots person to assist Pa Berewa and indeed the country consolidate her socio-economic strides.The beauty about the burst of names for the running mate is that it gives the Vice President a chance to carefully and critically assess the personalities and characters of the people, consult widely and well, of required, make a decision. Certainly, some of the names being mentioned wither in the papers or on the streets have exotic and attractive and if you may, irresistible characteristics, that should make the Vice President's job of choosing a running mate, very exciting indeed. This something historians and he himself would like to reminisce about in tomorrow years. Who knows, the title of his memories or chapter thereof might read: “ the choosing of a running mate”.
This then brings me back to the disturbing rumors making the rounds in the country that His Excellency the President has cornered Pa Berewa in accepting Momodu Koroma as his running mate and that it is slowly brewing discontent amongst key party stalwarts, who see it as unfair to Berewa. It is not about the choice of Momodu Koroma or Bobson Sesay or Kanja Sesay, but “critically of the decision to Berewa's Presidency”. Let Pa Berewa not be coerced and manipulated by President Kabbah.
The world has sample history of the effects of subjective recruitment of the running mates.
During the years of George Bush Senior, America with all its corporate might and flair froze one evening, reason; the president had collapsed during an Asian tour. But what was the problem, there was a vice president Dan Quayle. Yes indeed, but America and its corporate constituents had no confidence in him and therefore not ready for him. Imagine that! The former Ghanaian president, JJ Rawlings, had to fist it out with his Vice President when the Kitchen heat got too much; In Nigeria, Obasanjo is barely on talking terms with his Vice President. Oh least I forget, President Kabbah made a strategic change of running mate from Demby to Berewa because the working chemistry was not right.This therefore should serve as a lesson to all, including President Kabbah, that the decision to choose a running mate should be left exclusively to Berewa. Pa Berewa needs his own loyal and trusted individual. I do not want to believe that Berewa was forced on Kabbah as a running mate. Why would he now want to force one on Berewa? At the end of Berewa's term, he will be assessed both as a president and member and leader of a party that ruled for five years. Let him not have reason to point finger at Kabbah as the one who fidgeted his presidential term. Let His Excellency not allow not allow history to judge him as the president that achieved so much, but had his efforts rolled back for forcing through a decision that most definitely is Berewa's.Over the last months, we have seen the President consulting closely with people who would do everything to see Berewa down and out. He has quickly elevated JBD again. We hear some hidden hand to try to force through a new convention by getting rid of Berewa . What is he up to? Party loyalists and we political activists are worried that the Kabbah trend might sink the party and country as a whole. Why is he so jittery all of a sudden? Berewa is so loyal to Kabbah that it leaves me baffled as to why he would want to undo him at this critical stage. Is Berewa's commitment to law and order and the rule of law getting Kabbah worried to the point that he is beginning to feel uncomfortable with him? Berewa be careful what you say or do these are desperate moments in the political history of Sierra Leone . Transition days in Sierra Leone are historically fragile; if I were you, I would get neutral phone lines for my private conversation and advise same for your close confidants.
There is a worrying view that the things that hold us together as a party are today so fragile that the activities of the President could easily bring the whole party crashing down, if not the country.I must conclude that in spite of all of this, I have been particularly impressed with the way the Vice President has so far handled the political issues; cool and cautions but certainly observant. He has not allowed himself to be pushed into hasty and “over-enthusiastic support” for people who after all might only be enjoying “ exaggerated popularity” in our world of respectable fears.
SLPP YESTERDAY, SLPP TODAY AND VISION OF ITS OUTLOOK TOMORROW Chapel
A Speech presented by SLPP Scribe, JJ Saffa in London
1. Introduction
This paper explores the political economy of Sierra Leone during the SLPP era. It attempts to give a summary account of historic political and economic developments in Sierra Leone largely under the SLPP administration. It starts with a brief but useful information of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) since its formation and its re-emergence in 1996. It also gives an overview of the current structure of the party. It then goes further to inform you about the maladministration under the regime of the All People's Congress (APC) and the impacts of the civil war on our political and economic development processes. This forms the context of any thorough assessment of progress under this regime.The paper further explores the remarkable efforts by the SLPP administration to go through the rough road to recovery and laying the foundation for development. It justifies the need for continuity of good policies and programmes started since the end of the war in 2002. It ends with an unambiguous explanation of the SLPP Makeni Conference and the reforms by the current national executive to restore the confidence of the party's large membership in Sierra Leone and the diaspora in the management of the party.
2. Brief history of the SLPP
The Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) was formed in 1951. Three semi-political organizations merged to form the SLPP. They were the Protectorate Educational Progressive Union (PEPU), the Sierra Leone Organisation Society (SOS) and a Colony-based People's Party (led by Lamina Sankoh). The Party's motto is One Country, One People and symbol is the palm tree and green and white are the Party's official colours. The Party stands for Unity, Freedom and Justice. It is the Party in which every ethnic group, every religious group, and every shade of opinion is well represented. As a Party, SLPP believe in equality of all ethnic groups and equal opportunity for all. It is a Party for all and it is the only party that can boast of a large number of eminent people of experience and maturity from among whom it can always select the best men and women to head the affairs of the country.
Today, the SLPP is one of the oldest ruling political party in Africa and the largest and most organized in the Country. It had majority seats in the colonial legislative councils in 1957 and 1962. It pioneered the fight for freedom that made the people of Sierra Leone independent in 1961 from the British colonial rule. It again won majority seats in the 1962 elections. A few of the notable post independence achievements included the establishment of a central bank, the Bank of Sierra Leone and the introduction of the Leone, the establishment of Njala University College, Milton Margai Teachers College, establishment of trade centres in Kenema, Maugbauraka and Freetown. In 1967, the Party lost power to the All People's Congress (APC) making it the first political party to loose power through a democratic process.
3. Structure of the Party
The Party is organized hierarchically at the national, regional, district, Chiefdom (in the case of the provinces) and zonal (in the case of Freetown and other urban towns) levels.
(a) National Secretariat
The Party is headed by the Leader and Deputy Leader, who also serve as the presidential nominee and running mate in ensuing election. The overall day-to-day management of the party is carried out by the National Secretariat, headed by the National Secretary-General, under the supervision of the National Chairman. The National Secretariat comprises thirty-three (33) national officers and divided into six units, namely: Administration and Coordination, headed by the National Secretary-General, Organisation and Mobilisation headed by the National Organising Secretary, the Women's and Young Generation Wings, under the leaderships of the National Women's and Young Generation Leaders respectively; the Publicity Unit, headed by the National Publicity Secretary and the Finance Unit, with the National Financial Secretary as the head.
(b) Regional, District, Chiefdom, Zonal and Constituency levels
There are four (4) regional offices (3 in the provinces and 1 in the Western Area), each headed by a Regional Chairmen (who are Vice Chairmen) and six regional officers. The regional party officers are responsible for coordinating party activities in the districts in their respective regions. Similarly, there are seventeen (17) district offices (12 in the provinces and 5 in the Western Area), with each district office having ten (10) party officers and the district chairmen as the head. The District Chairmen are responsible for coordinating party activities in the constituencies and the district and are supervised by the Regional Chairmen. A similar structure exists at the chiefdom and zonal levels. There is an organised branch of the party in every parliamentary constituency (105 constit9uencies currently and 112 in 2007), with membership including individual members and representation of member organizations of the party resident within the area.
© Branches
There are two recognized overseas branches of the Party. The North America and UK/Ireland branches. In the past, these branches have provided support, largely in the form of financial assistance to the party. The branches function under separate bye-laws. The relationship between the branches and the National Secretariat is unambiguous. At present, there is no executive in North America although the various chapters but Washington DC are in place. In UK , although the executive is in place, there are difficult relationships with some of its membership largely as a result of differences in support for leadership and the subsequent break away of Charles Margai, who disgracefully lost the elections held in the last Party Conference in Makeni.
The challenges of the branches are as follows:
Ensuring a working Washington DC executive
Ensuring a federal/national executive for North America
Reconciling the differences between executives and some Party members in the UK .
Ensuring an immediate review of the bye-laws of all branches
Defining clearly the relationship between the branches and the National Secretariat
Establishing additional branches overseas.
(d) The Party Conference
The Party Conference constitutes two (2) delegates from each constituency, all members of the Party in the National Legislature, all District Chairmen, two (2) representatives for the first two hundred members of registered organization, and thereafter one for each additional two hundred, the 33 elected party officials, four (4) members from the women's wing and young generation from the 4 regions and two representatives from each oversea branch.The Party Conference meets regularly once in every year at such a place and time approved by the National Executive Council. The Conference directs the overall work of the party including: developing work programmes, examining policies pursued by the government, receiving and considering constituency reports, initiating and approving plans for fund raising for the party, election of National Officers and members of the National Executive Council, authorization of publications and nomination of Presidential Candidate.
(e) National Executive Council (NEC)
The National Executive Council constitute the National Party Official, Members of the Party in the National Legislature, five (5) members at the regional level, one of which should be a member of the Young Generation and one (1) a member of the of the Women's Wing, twelve (12) from the provinces and five (5) from the Western Area, four (4) elders, one nominated by each region and former Members of Parliament.The NEC meets at least once during each session of the legislature and is the principal administrative organ of the party and mandated to carry out the programmes and policies determined by the Party Conference.NEC's duties include: ensuring the establishment and active operation of the constituency, enforcing the Constitution, Standing Orders and rules of the party, seeing that all its officials and members conform to the Constitution, Rules and Standing Orders, amendment to the Constitution, Rules and Standing Orders, present of annual work and progress reports, organize and fill vacancies in the party.
(f) National Policy Council (NPC)
The NPC is made up of the National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman, Leader and Deputy Leader, Regional Vice chairmen, Secretary General, Treasurer, National Organising Secretary, Chaplain, Imam, Leader of Young Generation, Women's Leader, Chairman of the Parliamentary Council and Four (4) Elders (one per region) and work closely with the Parliamentary Council.
(g) The Parliamentary Council (PC)
The PC is composed of all members of the Party in the National Legislature, with a Chairman elected from among its members. The PC discusses matters which come before the Legislature in order to adopt an agreed party line on all matters.
4. Reign of Terror, Civil Conflict and the Re-emergence of the SLPP
Following a brief military rule after the 1967 election controversy in 1967, in 1968, the APC ushered in a regime of intolerance, disrespect for the rule of law and destruction of democratic values. After two poorly managed elections in 1973 and 1977, the APC forcefully imposed the One Party State in 1978 creating a perfect situation for reign of terror. In 1991, the gross misuse of power was later resisted by rural youths and urban lumpen in a form of a rebel war led by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The war caused the loss of many lives, destruction of properties and bringing a near state collapse.The period 1991-2002 was characterised by series of disruptions as a result of the civil conflict and subsequent political upheavals. In 1992, APC Government was overthrown ushering in a military regime, National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC). After 4 years of junta rule, a pluralist democracy was introduced. The war continued to rage.
Multi-party elections were conducted in 1996 and the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) was returned to power with majority seats in the legislature. Barely a year later on May 25 th 1997, a coup d'etat was staged and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), a military junta including the RUF rebels was formed. A state of anarchy followed with severe human rights abuses. The legitimate government went into exile in neigbouring Guinea . Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) through its military intervention force, ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) intervened and rooted out the junta regime about nine (9) months later and re-installed the SLPP Government. As life started returning to normal in 1998, the AFRC/RUF started aggressive attacks first in Kono, Northern provincial capital, Makeni, most Northern towns and then Freetown, the capital City on January 6, 1999 leading to loss of about 6,000 lives and destruction of private properties. This forced the government and the rebels to start a peace talk that culminated into the signing of the Lome Peace Accord in July 1999. A United Nations Mission was fielded with about 17,500 soldiers deployed to disarm and demobilise ex-combatants and provide security for lives and properties of Sierra Leoneans. After series of protracted negotiations and with the support of UN Missision to Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and the international community, Government disarmed and demobilised over 70,000 and provided reintegration services to at least 56,000 of these. Through the frantic efforts of the Government, the war ended in 2002. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was set up as required by the Loma Peace Accord and the Special Court by a UN resolution.At least 3 million people were displaced at different times between 1992 and 2002. Most were displaced locally and a good number (estimated at 1.5 million) fled to neighbouring countries like Guinea , Gambia , Liberia and Ghana whilst others went to overseas such as UK , USA , Australia and Canada . Social infrastructure including hospitals, Peripheral Health Units (PHUs), community barrays and centres, prisons, water wells and public offices were destroyed in most towns and villages. After over 20 years of non-maintenance, conditions of roads became more deplorable and in few cases impassable creating further difficulties for delivery of humanitarian assistance and social services. Where the infrastructure was not destroyed, conditions considerably deteriorated as a result of long period of non-use. Chiefs, teachers, health workers and other essential service workers left work stations. Almost all governance structures at district and chiefdom levels collapsed. Economic activities, notably farming, fishing and mining all came to a halt. Basic implements such as hoes, cutlasses and fishing gears were all carted away. Production levels in all sectors plummeted to unprecedented levels and exports of all products fell to zero level. With cut-backs in imports and slow down in economic activities, revenue from government became meager and thus rendered the government incapable of delivering basic services. Overall, there was substantial economic loss. Recorded real GDP growth was about -17% in 1997 and -10% in 1999.The government had the huge task of repatriating and resettling the thousands of displaced and refugees, restoring law and order, restoring governance structures at local levels, rehabilitating and reconstructing the damaged infrastructure and providing basic livelihood to people to restart their lives. Government relied on donors, particularly DFID, EU and UN agencies to provide both humanitarian and budgetary support to Government. Between 1998-2002, at least 80% of total public expenditures were financed by donors.
5. The Road to Recovery and Laying the Foundation for Development (Second Term of SLPP)
In 2002, presidential and parliamentary elections were conducted. The ruling SLPP secured its second mandate to rule Sierra Leone with majority seats in parliament. It had to carry out the huge task of economic recovery. The National Recovery Strategy (NRS) and the Interim-Poverty Strategy Paper (I-PRSP) guided the recovery process. The UN Consolidated Appeal was the major instrument for mobilizing resources for recovery. In 2002, the government presented the I-PRSP at the Consultative Group Meeting in Paris and over $600 million was pledged indicating a stamp of confidence for satisfactory recovery efforts.The Government has since then embarked on massive reconstruction of state infrastructure, restoration of social services and rebuilding state institutions. Notable gains in recent years are economic and political stability, conducts of chiefdom elections (at least 70 paramount chief elections since 2003), local government elections in 2004 and restoration of rule of law including freedom of expression, movement and association. Since the APC dissolved local government in 1972, decision-making became centralized and was the business of the Freetown-based government officials, largely those in the executive arm of government. Subsequently, this led to neglect of rural areas. The re-establishment of local governments in 2004 creates the opportunity to promote popular participation in the development process and reverse the centralization of power and its associated rural deprivation. Nineteen (19) Local Councils were established and Central Government responsibilities in service delivery, particularly in primary education, health care and agricultural extension are being devolved to the local councils.
Real GDP growth rate averaged about 6.5% between 2002 and2004 compared to its low levels of -17% in 1997 and -10% in 1999. In 2004, Government completed the preparation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) that was tabled at the Consultative Group (CG) Meeting of donors in London in January 2006. A total of $860 million (exceeding $350 million financing gap) was pledged by over 25 bilateral and multilateral donors and partners. This was another registration of independent and external vote of confidence in our recovery drive, particularly when there were disasters and civil conflicts in other countries. It is expected that Sierra Leone will soon benefit from debt cancellation after successfully implementing the PRSP for at least one year and would have reached completion point and become eligible for additional cancellation. This in turn will expand government fiscal space to provide services and reduce poverty that stands at about 70% of the population.Consolidating the peace process and improving governance, promoting pro-poor growth and creating jobs, particularly for the army of unemployed youths, infrastructure development, food security and human development are the key development challenges. These challenges have been recognized by the government and are articulated in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and other policy pronouncements. There is a security sector reform in progress with emphasis on the police and military. Basically, the reforms aim at building the capacities of the security units to ensure a peaceful Sierra Leone . Today, few months after the departure of UN mission to Sierra Leone , Sierra Leone is still peaceful. There are also reforms in public sector, particularly in areas like finance and administration. The decentralization programme is on course. Responsibilities like primary health care, agricultural extension and primary school management are radically devolved to local councils. In the area of corruption, some of the efforts include establishment of an independent Audit Service, strengthening of Anti-Corruption Commission, and enactments of financial and procurement laws.There has been a remarkable turnaround in productive sectors, particularly agriculture. Recently, the government distributed over 100 tractors nationwide and has introduced free tractor services for poor farmers to cut down on production costs and enable them increase acreage under cultivation. Several other interventions in the areas of food production and processing are ongoing. Currently, domestic food production stands at about 69% of total requirement comparable to pre-war levels. Mining and exports of diamond and rutile have resumed. Rutile. Marine and tourism activities are picking up. New hotels and modern restaurants are being opened along the Lumley beach and the peninsula. The Chinese will soon start the construction of a 250-room hotel along the beach. New industries and other commercial enterprises are being established. All these are absorbing the large army of unemployed youths.
Several initiatives are underway to rebuild the poor infrastructure including electricity in Freetown and other big towns. In the area of electricity, through the support of a South-Africa-based firm, Eskom, 7.5 megawatts generated is being installed and we expect additional machines to be provided with funding from BADEA (Arab Bank). Work on Bumbuna is progressing satisfactorily. Pujehun now has electricity and the Dodo mini-dam that provides electricity to Bo and Kenema will soon be expanded to meet the growing needs. Efforts are now being made to immediately supply electricity to Makeni and Koidu. A new potential (Bikongo –lying between Kenema and Kono with a potential of 88 megawatts) has been discovered and discussions with Chinese government are advanced for possible assistance. In addition to the hardware, government also recognizes that electricity supply can only be sustained by strong sector policy. Therefore a robust policy and institutional reform is now taking place. For instance, in Central Business District and parts of West of Freetown, a pre-paid meter system has been introduced as pilot.
Pipe-borne water supply facilities have been restored in Bo, Kenema and Moyamba. Makeni and Kono will soon start enjoying pipe borne water. With the growing Freetown population, providing water supply continues to pose a challenge. Funds have already been allocated to extend water supply to hillsides and East End to meet the increased demand. Work is in progress to improve the situation. In small towns and rural areas, hand-pumps wells or gravity water supply facilities are in almost every community of over 50 houses.Several economic infrastructures are being reconstructed particularly in rural areas. With support from EU, the World Bank and other donors over 1,000 km of feeder roads have been constructed and at least 1,000 have commenced or will soon commence. Regarding trunk roads, below is a brief update:
Masiaka-Makeni highway - completed
Rogbere Junction-Pamlap highway – ongoing
Masiaka-Bo road - contract awarded and work just commenced
Waterloo – Kent road – completed
Lumley-Kent – bids opened and being assessed. Work expected to commence soon.
Hillside road bye-pass Kissy (ashobi corner) – Pademba road – tender process on and discussions on relocat1on/resettlement are ongoing
Bandajuma-Gendema ( Liberia road) – feasibility study ongoing
Kenema-Koindu (through Kailahun) highway – feasibility study ongoing
Makeni-Matotoka road upgrading – tender process just started
Bo-Kenema highway – tender process just started.
Matotoka-Kono road – feasibility study ongoing
Ashobi corner-Kalaba Town road (old road) – work just started
Few roads in towns like Freetown , Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Koidu, Kabala, Pujehun will soon be repairedTransport and telecommunications services have improved compared to the situation in late 1990s. The international airport has been rehabilitated and funds have been secured for further developments and expansion. International flights to Freetown have increased. There has been considerable improvement in port management and additional work is planned and funds are already available. Mobile telecommunication services are impressive. Today, every district is connected by mobile phones and small telephone operators are available everywhere. A large number of young and adult persons own cellular phones in urban towns. Internet services are expanding nationwide. There are now two TV stations and 33 radio stations nationwide. Every district has at least on FM radio station. There are at least 40 newspaper houses with freedom to publish subject to existing laws. Human rights record and freedom to associate, move and speak can hardly be compared to only few countries in Africa .
Policies and laws that affect investment flows are being reviewed to make them investment-friendly. Already, an investment code has been ratified and existing commercial laws are being revisited. Regulatory frameworks are been established and processing of processing of registration simplified. Perhaps, this is one area where we need to intensify our efforts when we renew our mandate.Today, every chiefdom can boast of at least a primary school or a health unit or a community barray or centre. Government has introduced free primary school education nationwide, no examination fees at NPSE, BECE, WASCE levels and girl child education targeting girls entering JSS I(covering fees, uniforms and books) in the North and East (to be extended to South and West in 2007). Government also has adopted a policy of at least one secondary school in every chiefdom. To date, at least 1,000 schools have been rehabilitated/reconstructed and at least 600 additional schools are being constructed. Discussions are ongoing for the establishment of Teachers Service Commission that will have the responsibility for the recruitment and conditions of service for teachers. At the tertiary level, a robust educational reform is implemented. Two separate Universities, Njala University and University of Sierra Leone now exist. Several polytechniques are now in place in all the regions. After over 100 years of western education, for the first time the conferment of academic degrees in the provinces took place this year in Bo.All district hospitals and over 700 PHUs (higher than pre-war number of 528) have been rehabilitated/reconstructed and constructed. Remarkable of all these is the rehabilitation and refurbishment of Connaught , PCMH and Children's hospitals. Several satellite clinics have been built in Freetown . A 300-bed hospital is constructed in Makeni and Kono, Moyamba and Kabala district hospitals are being rehabilitated and expanded with improved facilities including X-ray and laboratory services. New drugs policy has been developed and when implemented is expected to end the leakages in drugs. Government is also seriously addressing the manpower problem in the health sector. As a stop gap measure, Sierra Leone is benefiting from medical doctors from Cuba and Nigeria to add up to the existing doctors in few hospitals. Discussions are already advanced for the construction of a University Teaching hospital and specialized hospital for critical ailments.
In the area of sanitation, government has devolved the responsibility to local councils. The provincial municipalities are performing satisfactorily using locally generated resources. In the Western Area, the appalling situation has been largely as a result of difficult relationship between the central government and the Mayor of Freetown. The Mayor prefers directly implementation and has heavily relied on central government resources. The Public-Private partnership model agreed earlier between the central government and the World Bank and for which about $2.8 million has been allocated is now been fast-tracked. The model involves establishing a semi-autonomous Freetown Sewage Management Company that will have the responsibility to zone Freetown and contract out to private firms the cleaning of Freetown . The company should be established by a special act of parliament. The company is expected to be initially financed by government, Freetown City Council (FCC) and donors. This institutional reform will free the FCC from hiring of staff, vehicles and maintenance, purchase of spare parts and fuel and carrying out minor but important things that usually cause inefficiencies when the Council directly implements.The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) now provides regular pension and other related benefits to retired people. Long queues for pension benefits in front of Ministry of Finance building have disappeared. With huge reserved capital, NASSIT has started investing in real estate. It has started the construction of 1,500 houses to be sold to the public on mortgage basis. There are plans for NASSIT to engage in tourism, banking and other areas. Today, it is the single major source of non-government domestic investment capital.
As we moved from emergency to recovery, our development activities were largely in the areas of security, basic livelihood support in the form of food aid and input supply for small-scale agriculture, rebuilding of social and economic infrastructures and restoration of basic social services. Like most post-conflict country, the level of destruction was the key criterion for resource allocat1on. By all estimation, the rural areas were most severely affected. It was therefore morally correct and economically rational to allocate more of our meagre domestic and external resources to the vast deprived rural areas stretching from Falaba to Sulima, Koindu to Songo, Dema to Fintonnia. These areas were neglected by the APC government and are today the chronic poor areas. As we now move into the development phase, developing the infrastructure (roads, electricity water supply), promoting private investment, promoting mechanized agriculture and increasing income levels of the poor are key.
7. Makeni Party Conference
In September 2005, the Party conducted a National Party Conference as the last stage in its restructuring process. Key changes including Chairman, Secretary-General, Women's Leader, Young Generation Leader, Publicity Secretary were made in the national executive. Perhaps more important was the overwhelming victory of Hon. Solomon Berewa, as Party Leader and Presidential Nominee for the 2007 presidential elections. Prior to his election, Solo B as he is fondly called was a successful Lawyer and Attorney General and Minister of Justice (1996-2002). In his latter capacity, he successful brokered the Lome Peace Accord which formed a formidable basis for peace in Sierra Leone . Currently, he is the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone . Solo B is human and caring, a good listener, a decisive and disciplined character, a respecter of second opinion and a brilliant leader. He appreciates a strong political party as his power base.
Other candidates for the leadership election were Joseph Bandabla Dauda, former Minister of Finance, Rtd. Brigadier Mada Bio and Mr Charles Margai. All except Charles Margai have renewed their pledge to work with Hon. Solomon Berewa and continue to be SLPP members. Charles Margai who was overwhelmingly defeated could not accept the democratic challenge and keep up with the political embarrassment and therefore left with a few members, mostly those who had lost party executive positions, refused party symbols by their people, have not benefited from public appointments and feel marginalized and disgruntled.
The APC and to some extent the public had branded the SLPP as an elitist party dominated by mendes. The APC preached broad-based party ideology, relied on anti-mende sentiments, workers, students and the unemployed youths for its support in 1967. Although this charge was not entirely true, there were grounds that gave credence to it. In 1996, when the war was raging, President Kabbah in his wisdom had topmost on his agenda, bringing the war to an end, promoting peace, reconciliation and unity. He embraced every well meaning Sierra Leoneans and made deliberate efforts to bring into the Party notable Sierra Leoneans, particularly from the North. Some traditionalists see this bold move as an attempt to mortgage the party. The current leadership of the Party is committed to embracing all well meaning Sierra Leoneans into the party fold and would not be blackmailed by conservative and retarding sentiments that the Party might be hijacked by Sierra Leoneans who are fairly new in the Party. The Party will remain broad-based, open to all Sierra Leoneans and respectful to chiefs and all other progressive traditional values and institutions. It is currently the main instrument for uniting the people of Sierra Leone .
Until recently, the SLPP was also seen as a party dominated by elders. There was an apparent inter-generational crisis in the Party. Although this might have been true, the last National Party Conference held in Makeni elected into strategic offices young, dynamic and educated people to man the affairs of the Party. Few of these were the Hon. Dr Bernadette Lahai, a renowed gender and agricultural specialist as National Women's Leader, Hon. Victor Reider, a renowed civil society activist as National Publicity Secretary, Sahr Nyama (formerly Secretary, Kono district) another veteran civil society activist as National Young Generation Leader and myself, a former World Bank Development Economist as the National Secretary-General. Under the guidance of the new Chairman, Alhaji UNS Jah, a renowed Islamic scholar, public confidence in the Party has been renewed. After barely five months in office, the Secretariat has been relocated to its own building and started putting in place systems for better party management. The young team is moving aggressively to rekindle the confidence of the youths in the Party and its development agenda. Public perceptions are changing and criticism of the Party is now shifted from the composition of the Party hierarchy to the performance of public officials. Young professionals are being attracted to the Party as they now see hope of playing key role in national politics. This confidence is re-echoed by the flagbearer, Hon. Solomon Berewa who has around him several young professionals either as government officials or unofficial advisers. Other well-meaning Sierra Leoneans with progressive ideas are welcome to make their contributions.
7. Post Makeni Activities
The current executive inherited a very bad situation. The national secretariat was located in a crowded and filthy building at Rawdon Street . There was an overall bank debit balance of Le 138,000,000. The then systems for party management, particularly in the areas of administration and financial management were weak. Roles were not clearly defined and there was no schedule for regular party meetings. The executive did not inherit a single vehicle. The executive relied on personal vehicles for official party activities. To date, no hand-over note has been submitted by the previous National Secretary-General.
As we try to address these problems, Charles Margai despite series of efforts to reconcile with him, left the Party with a few members and started a calumny campaign against the SLPP, largely in the South and Kenema district in the East in his desperation to create a political base for his People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC). He allied with the APC and sympathizes with anything that is or anybody who is anti-SLPP. He wanted to use pro-Norman and thus Kamajor position to advance his course. Just after few weeks, he lost the steam as the Party moved aggressively to undo him. Today, we are confident these areas are under control but we will continue to work to ensure no other party survives in these areas. With only pockets of opposition supports in these areas coupled with our robust sensitization and eventual focused campaign, we are confident no Party will win a single seat in the South and East. We will largely rely on our development activities in these areas.
Most interesting is our substantial gains in the North and areas that were perceived to be APC strongholds. Total votes for SLPP presidential candidate increased in four districts in the North between 1996 and 2002. In Tonkolili from 3,577 to 21,531 (21%), in Kambia 18,673 to 49,107 (60.1%), in Koinadugu from 18,266 to 50,828 (67%) and in Port Loko from 11,613 to 35,828 (28.8%). We also had majority seats in these four districts in the 2004 local council elections. All district chairpersons of the local councils in these districts are SLPP. Today, all MPs in the South and East and 5 out of 8 in Kambia, 6 out of 8 in Koinadugu, 3 out of 8 in Port Loko and 2 out of 8 in Tonkolili and 2 out of 8 in Bombalili are SLPP members. We have gained confidence in the Northerner electorates because of our fairness in public appointments and unbiased development resource allocat1on and the non-tribal non-regional sentiments of our leadership. The people see it and feel it. They trust us and have promised us the votes, We are confident they will pay us back. With this, we are confident that we will defeat APC in the North. This will make the SLPP more national. We are not complacent but remain proud that we are in the lead. We are very much mindful of the award of symbols to parliamentary candidates and the implications for the results. We promise the process will be transparent and broad-based and the popular candidates will be awarded symbols. We therefore encourage those interested to become parliamentarians to go home now and start working.Within the context of a reform agenda and barely seven months in office, we have accomplished the following:
• Administration and Coordination
• Rehabilitated and refurbished original Party Office at Wallace Johnson Street (former NEC office)
• Moved into the refurbished party office
• Put in place basic management rules to complement the constitutional provisions
• Defined more clearly job descr1ptions of all national officers
• Developed a wage structure of party officials
• Provided training for party members in basic computing
• Started the following regular party meetings
- Weekly Management Meetings – Mondays 12 noon. Core operational staff (National Secretary-General & Assistant, National Organising Secretary & Deputy, National Women Leader & Deputy, National Young Generation Leader, National Publicity Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Accountant and Administrative Secretary. It is chaired by the National Secretary-General.
- National Officers Forum – Bi-monthly
- Chairman's Forum – attended by regional/district chair & secretaries –bi-monthly
- Patrons Meetings – Grand chief patrons/chief patrons - Quarterly
- Support Group Meetings – held monthly
- National Secretariat-Parliamentary Council Interface - quarterly
- Local Council Forum - bi-monthly
- Policy Council Meeting – quarterly
- Finance & General Purpose Committee - Quarterly
- Constituency/district/regional meeting - monthly
In addition to these, all officers, particularly the National Chairman, National Secretary-General, National Deputy Organising Secretary, National Young Generation Leader and National Women's Leader hold regular and irregular meetings with various groups to address different party issues.
(iii) Financial Management
• Prepare financial rules and regulations for the party
• Established more accountable system for managing Party finances
(iv) Organisation, Outreach and Mobilisation
• Developed a database on party membership
• Decentralized the registration of ordinary members to the district
• Accelerated membership drive.
• Reached out to prominent party members that felt disgruntled and have renewed confidence
• Reached out to APC strongholds in Freetown and in the provinces
• Encouraged support groups to exist under the leadership of the respective elected officials. These support groups have been very useful in areas of weak executives.
• Established strong linkages with youth groups, women's groups and other strategic/vote-pulling groups like teachers etc…
• Visited several chiefdoms/districts in the provinces
• Young Generation
• Developed a concept note youth empowerment
• Established a student coordinating office
• Conducted a national student retreat and prepared an action plan
• Women's wing
• Developed a proposal on women's empowerment
• Resolved several conflicts among women's groups
• Developed a proposal on women's empowerment
• Publicity
• Developed a publicity strategy
• Commenced a regular radio programmes on the achievements of the SLPP in Freetown , Bo and Kenema
• Improved relationships with newspaper houses
• Public Governance
The Secretariat fully recognizes the fact that good governance is imperative for winning election. It therefore regularly engages ministers and public officers on projects and activities. It holds bilateral meetings with ministers on their activities and occasionally bring convene meetings to hear from the ministers their accomplishments and plans.
8. The Road to 2007 and beyond
As we seek a new mandate to govern, I therefore implore Party members to remain respectful, disciplined, avoid violence and rude conducts, remain focused and not be bordered by the few resignations of those that do not believe in the tenets of democracy. The year 2007 is crucial for our sustainability and your support is crucial. I also advise you to be persuasive, preach party messages of improving on participatory governance, restoring law and order, promoting human development; creating jobs for the unemployed and ensuring food security and developing the infrastructure. We should be hopeful that the party will be much integrated into public governance. The credibility of the Party will be restored and the apparent gap between the Party and government will be narrowed. Government policies will be anchored on party manifesto. Appointed public officials will regard the Party as their source of power. Competent and loyal party members will be proud to belong to the SLPP family. Youths and women will have their rightful places in society. Above all, national cohesion will be fostered, peace will be sustained and the economy will boom and living standards improved.
I therefore appeal to all Sierra Leoneans to vote SLPP for continuity of good policies and programmes.
I thank you all.One Country One People.
Jacob Jusu Saffa
National Secretary-General, SLPP
SLPP clocks 55 April 27 th
Regina Pratt 21/4/2006
Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) is to celebrate its 55 th anniversary April 27, which coincides with the country's 45 th independence anniversary. This was disclosed Thursday to Concord Times by the National Administrative Secretary, Brima Koroma at the Party's headquarters, Wallace Johnson Street , Freetown . Koroma said everything has been put in place for the celebration.
The Administrative Secretary disclosed radio discussions featuring SLPP since 1951 to 1967 and present date will be aired over FM 98.1D on Tuesday April 25 th . On April 26 th , a vigil would be held at the party's headquarters and on Thursday April 27 th , which is their founders' day and also to mark the country's 45 th Independence Anniversary, a traditional memorial service would be held at the graveside of Sierra Leone 's first Prime Minister, Sir Milton Margai at the back of Parliament Building , Tower Hill.
Koroma said the celebrations will continue on Friday 28th and Sunday 30 th April with Muslim prays at the Freetown Central Mosque and the King Memorial Church , Regent Road . The Administrative Secretary said that similar celebrations would take place in Kenema starting on the 23 rd with a football gala and inter- party athletics meeting which will be held at the Kenema Show Grounds.
He said a symposium will be held at the Ahmad Tejan Kabbah Hall, Eastern Polytechnic, Kenema with the theme, “55 years of existence of SLPP, what manner of Political Party?” on April 26 th a dinner and dance at the Eastern Polytechnic and on the 27 th in Kenema a launching of all SLPP support groups, bike riders and brass band. Other activities will include cultural groups, artists and HIV/AIDS skit at the Kenema Show fields. “These activities are also in commemoration of the 45 th Independence Anniversary celebrations,” he said.
“Six-month-old threatening 50-year-old is unimaginable,” S LPP Admin. Sec . reacts
Regina Pratt 21/4/2006
National Administrative Secretary (Admin. Sec.) of the SLPP (Sierra Leone Peoples Party), Brima Koroma Thursday at the Party's headquarters, Wallace Johnson Street reacted to a front page story in Concord Times' 20 th April edition captioned, “6-month- old threatens to kill 50-year-old.” Koroma says it is “unimaginable” for a six-month-old to threaten to kill a 50-year-old.
He says that could only happen through supernatural means. The SPPP Administrative Secretary charged the person making the threats, Charles Margai, leader of the PMDC (peoples Movement for Democratic Change), is short of words. “To start with SLPP is not 50 years old, but a 55 years old”, he said and adds, “we are never threatened by any political party”.
He said no one on earth would ever believe that a six-month-old baby could threaten a 55-year-old unless that baby is a witch. “It is really beyond human comprehension for a six-month-old baby to threaten a 55-year-old”, he said in amazement, adding that the 55-year-old has seen the sun and maybe the 6 months old would not even leave up to a year.
He maintained that the six months old is PMDC and 55-year-old is the SLPP because the former only registered officially six months ago while the latter has been in existence for over five decades in thick and thin. “If what is reported in the newspaper is anything to go by then the speaker had a dream that would never come true,” he said. He further said as the saying goes “empty buckets make much noise.” Koroma said that what the SLPP has done and what they are doing is there for all to see. “We would not be blackmailed,” he said.
“There age is counted in months, ours is in years,” Koroma said. The National Administrative Secretary said that by the time the six months reaches 55 years their leader would have drifted to numerous other political parties.
‘ Restoration 2007' apocalypse for the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP)
20/4/2006
With the pending 2007 Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the horizon I dare make bold to categorically proclaim the death knell reverberating across the land for the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) resounds with my belief that Sierra Leoneans are justified to believe we can safely be adjudged the present day ‘Children of Israel'! However, before some ‘smart mouths' fast-tracks my reasoning by insinuating it is sacrilegious, it would behove their spiritual and intellectual determination well to read, digest, and then analyse my contentions.
For devotees and students of the significance or numbers, i.e. numerologists, who are conversant with the political dynamics and history of Sierra Leone , the year 2007 should be a case study for the rationalization of their theories. And when one eventually factors in the coincidences religious and pre-determination biases impact, even the most dyed-in-the-wool agnostic will be constrained to jettison his heathenic disposition.
The Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) has since its inception been stalked and bedevilled by forebodings of doom whenever the 7 th year in any decade appears, except in the decade of the 80's. No doubt but that apologists may be wont to be dismissive by branding such correlations as superstitious flippancy, if not outright balderdash. They should advise themselves though, to ponder anew especially since the next decade's 7 th year – 2007 features a scr1ptural inference only the most irreligious would dare ignore.
Readers are implored and invited to take a ‘walk' with me as I navigate through the SLPP's political minefield of chequered history to fully appreciate my present discourse.
YEAR OF 1957
About six years after its founding, the first cracks in the Party surfaced when a sibling rivalry for leadership between the Margai brothers - Dr. Milton and his younger brother the Lawyer, Albert shook the Party to its foundation. The Leadership tussle culminated in an election where 22 out of the 43 delegates voted and chose Albert Margai as their Leader. He was by this affirmation, duly elected as the Chief Minister.
Before Albert could assume the leadership mantle however, elders and leaders of thought in the society then, converged and ultimately succeeded in persuading him to step down in deference to his older brother's age and status. This singular and unprecedented display of magnamity by Albert has never been, and would be hard-put to be - replicated in history.
The first real split in the Party was to come when Dr. Margai reneged on some of the prerequisites agreed upon as conditions for Albert's relinquishment. A vendetta had been launched against some supporters of Albert for the leadership, besides other open breaches. Chief amongst the victims were Siaka Probyn Stevens and Kandeh Bureh. As the marginalization persisted, Albert and others decamped from the SLPP to found the People's National Party (PNP).
YEAR OF 1967 (END OF SLPP PART I)
After very contentious and acrimonious general elections were held, the SLPP found itself unenviably tied in a dead heat with the opposition All People's Congress (APC) with 32 seats each in the 66 seat House of Parliament. The outstanding 2 seats of the Chamber had been contested for, and won by erstwhile and controversial SLPP MPs, Luseni A.M. Brewah, and Kutubu I. Kai-Samba. The SLPP had refused them use of its symbol to contest, thereby forcing them to do so as Independent candidates,-who then went on to win.
Holding the ‘balance of power' in their hands then, as they swore never to pitch tents with the opposition APC, they also vowed never to return to the SLPP fold while Sir Albert Margai was still the leader. His resignation and immediate replacement by Salia Jusu Sheriff were the pre-conditions set. (Some pundits contend that even though Brewah and Kai-Samba had legitimate ‘beefs' with the Party's hierarchy, their overriding interest was to see an old Bo School Boy – an alumnus of theirs installed as Prime Minister!)
The protracted stalemate that ensued created a dangerous vacuum in the country's body-politic, and became the mitigating factor that brought about the first and second Military interventions in quick successions. The first which was launched by Brigadier David Lansana, was quickly supplanted by the Colonel Andrew Juxton-Smith–led National Reformation Council (NRC).
YEAR OF 1977 (BEGINNING OF THE END OF SLPP PART II)
In General Elections that were dexterously articulated by the nebulous Siaka Probyn Stevens and his All People's Congress (APC). the SLPP woefully ‘lost'! Intrigues inimical to morality and good governance were monopolized as vote rigging was transformed into an art form. Unlawful arrest and detentions of opposition candidates on election day struggled to keep pace with the rampant lawlessness and avid distaste for civility.
Not long after this debacle, the SLPP and all other Parties were proscribed by Parliament as a one-Party state dictatorship was crudely imposed. Though the SLPP was ‘dejure' banned, it festered in the minds of its adherent and refused to die'!
This writer is inclined to believe this was so because it had not come ‘full circle' to establish Sierra Leoneans as the Biblical ‘Children of Israel' who had to endure nothing short of ‘40 years in the wilderness as atonement for sins'. Read on to find the basis of this assertion.'
YEAR OF 1987
‘Hallelujah!…. Thank God for small mercies! The SLPP was not ‘blessed/cursed' with the chance to ‘shoot itself in the foot' during this decade's 7 th year, because it had been ‘graciously' proscribed by Siaka Steven's APC. However, is there any noteworthiness to the fact that it was this same year that ‘the man died'… that is, Shaki! Was he the ‘black sheep that had to die so that the Party would not exercise its proclivity to self-destruct?
YEAR OF 1997
Back to ‘wining ways' … with a vengeance!
A year later, thanks to help from the James Jonah-led Interim National Electoral Commission (INEC), behind the scene manoeuvring catapulted the SLPP back into power in 1996.
As the rebel war incessantly raged on, the SLPP Leader, Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabba, who trebles also as Commander-In-Chief and President was officially informed about security threats to the nation. His studious and injudicious discounting of them can only be surmised by patriots as gross negligence. When a few days later the military struck on May, 25, 1997, and invited the RUF rebels to join them in forming the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), what did our ‘Dearly Beloved' President, Commander-In-Chief, etc do?… He high-tailed it out of the country… “To fight another day?” You must be joking?! I wonder what would have happened if genuine patriots left behind had listened and adhered to Bob Marley's marijuana induced lyrics?
If that was not debilitating enough, while languishing comfortably in Guinea our ‘Fountain of Honour' had what I can only describe as brazen effrontery, to brand altruistic patriots left behind to defend democracy rather than put our tails between our legs and scamper off as some had cowardly done, rebels and rebel collaborators over the worldwide news network of the BBC. No gall could have been more bitter to swallow than this by those of us brave and sincere enough not to run away at the sound of the first gun-shot. We felt cheated of statesmanship expected from a Leader worn his salt by these utterances.
Not long ago I remember posing a series of rhetorical questions to a senior Armed officer friend of mine. “What happens,” I had asked, “when a Commander of forces in the heart of battle deserts his men? He replied that such was one of the most unforgivable Military crimes an officer could commit and would lead to Court Martial proceedings being instituted. “What about the punishment? “I further prodded him, to which he replied that it carried maximum penalty if found guilty. But, when I asked if this Commander also was the Commander-In-Chief etc, etc, he looked me straight in the eye and sternly said, No comment… Next question? “ I did not need to be told he wished “ No san-san nar im garri!.. Phew!
YEAR OF 2007
Apocalypse for the SLPP! What negatism the past posed for the Party is set to pale into insignificance as it will be eclipsed by the symbolic reference point I use to determine Sierra Leoneans as the Biblical Children of Israel. when I forefront and defend this inference I shall implore readers to appreciate my waxing scr1ptural is not borne of a wish to be an holier-than-thou apostle.
Our purgatorial period commenced in the year 1967 with the fractious General Elections of that year. Since I am of the firm conviction that it would end in the year 2007 with the wind of Positive Change blowing, that would mean it would have lasted exactly 40 years… just as the period of the Biblical Israelis!! Our oneness in this regard with the Children of Israel is also buttressed by my beliefs that we had to atone for our excesses by drafting in the wilderness of despair as Sierra Leone went through a period of destruction that was unfathomable.
If there are any doubts about our akinness to the scr1ptural reference point them let me persuade away those reservations by introducing the seemingly supernatural twists of fate that embolden me to reach this conclusion.
If the Kabbah-led SLPP Government had not fleet-footed it and abandoned the ship-of-State in 1997 for a year, the statutory date for the coming 2007 elections would have been this year, 2006! This would have meant that from the year 1967 to 2006 totalling 39 years! Divine intervention cannot be more apparent to prove Sierra Leoneans are living the scr1ptural reference because we would not have completed the Bible's mandatory 40 years!
Do you want any more evidence that the angels interceded on our behalf and that our ‘Restoration' would begin unfailingly when the results of the 2007 Elections would have been announced?
The mind-boggling coincidence revolving around three names that featured in varying degrees of culpability in the 1967 debacle and set to occupy central stage in the year 2007 with uncanny precision, 40 years later makes for interesting conclusion.
They were a ‘Margai', an ‘Ahmed Tejan Kabba', and The Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP). While one can safely believe that a Margai – in the person of Charles Francis, is come to have history re-evaluate his father's name, one would maybe be hard-put to think the same way of the other two names. For the distinguishing factor visiting the Kabba of the year 1967, with ‘Kabbah' of the year 2007 would ostensibly be the metamorphosis of an ‘Ahmed Tejan Kabba' in 1967, into ‘Ahmad Tejan Kabbah' in 2007. The SLPP however retains its dangerous potency to self-destruct, only this time around with an unarguable finality.
And finally, the clincher which puts the final nail on the coffin of the SLPP comes with a revelation after the runoff for Presidential mandate in 1996, in which the duplicitous orientation of the party was evidenced by two numerical factors which end with the numbers ‘419'! Duplicity could not have been more illuminated than the ‘419' figures that dogged the SLPP.
Concerned about the non-availability of election results in Freetown then I thought Bo might have some information. When I called Sierratel to enquire about the SLPP's telephone number in Bo, I was told it was, 032-419. the irony of ‘419' being the last numbers had not fully sunk in with me before the Presidential results were announced. And guess what number did our Prezzo poll? Are you ready?… 608,419!! Was this a double coincidence that the ‘419' featured with all its ugly ramifications?
Any wonder then that the ‘419' factor seems to have been stalking and infesting the governance of this country by the SLPP leadership since then?
YOU TELL ME!
JJ Saffa sells SLPP, Sierra Leone overseas
Samuel Harding 20/4/2006
A seven-man SLPP (Sierra Leone Peoples Party) delegation led by Chairman, Alhaji UNS Jah left Freetown for China through London last Friday, reports from the SLPP headquarter say. The delegation, according to SLPP sources, is to ‘sell' the party to the Chinese and showcase Sierra Leone . The delegation transited at Gatewick Airport where high-level SLPP UK branch executive members received it. In a brief meeting with the executive and other members of the party, the National Chairman lauded the efforts of the UK branch to support the party. After few hours in transit, the delegation left for Beijing , China .
In Beijing , the delegation has started talks with high-level members of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. They started with a brief visit to the Communist Party Central School and the Policy Research Office. They also had a meeting with the Deputy Minister of International Department, Communist Party of China Central Committee. The SLPP scribe, Jacob Saffa, a former world bank development economist used the occasions to market the country and in particular, the SLPP. He referred to the successful peace process headed by Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabba and Hon. Solomon Berewa. Saffa said, the country‘ coming from a low level economic growth of -17% in 1997 to above 6% in 2005 is a clear manifestation of the good leadership. He emphasized the Party's successes in the areas of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants, decentralization, reconstruction of socio-economic infrastructure, human development (including education, health and social security), food security and turnaround in productive sectors, notably in agriculture, mining marine resources and the infrastructure. Saffa also thanked the Chinese for their contributions to the post-war recovery and specifically cited the rehabilitation of Youyi Building and national stadium. He thanked the Chinese for their contribution to job creation through Chine Direct Investment in Sierra Leone . Saffa assured the Chinese about Sierra Leone 's hospitality, the improved security in the country, law reforms and improvement in the investment climate. The SLPP Scribe also gave a detailed account of the development in the macro-economy and sector development with special emphasis on education, agriculture, communications, roads, reconstruction and social security when the delegation met with a cross section of the Sierra Leonean community in Beijing .
Speaking to Saffa on phone from his Xiyuan hotel room, Northwest Beijing he described the Chinese people as “very serious.” “The development of China under the leadership of the Community Party since 1949 and the commencement of reforms in 1978 is amazing. One does not miss US or Europe when you are in China . There is a lot to benefit from China with an aggressive diplomacy. I am particularly inspired by the sequencing and contents of her economic reforms and rural development strategies.”
Asked what is useful about the visit, he said, “the visit gives us an opportunity to learn new and successful development models that could be very useful in our manifesto and successive policy discussions. It also enlightened us about party management, particularly in the area of capacity building for its cadres.” The delegation also visited the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development (CPAD) where they met with Dr Wu Zhong, Director General and staff of International Coopertaion and Social Mobilisation Department. The delegation had fruitful exchanges with their Chinese counterparts on the experiences and challenges of poverty reduction.
The delegation further continues its visits to rural China to learn from its impressive rural development since 1978 and party management at the grassroots. The delegation is expected to later return to London and at least 6 states in the US .
SLPP scribe outlines government's achievements
Mohamed Massaquoi
Sectary General of Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Jacob Jusu Saffa Monday outlined government's success stories in the infrastructure, political and social developments since it came to power in 2002.He made this statement during a press briefing at the party's headquarters on Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown .Saffa said his government prioritized very important developmental issues after the decade-long civil conflict in the county and that they have achieved a lot considering the state of the country before they came into power.
“Since the end of the war in 2002, the government has embarked on massive reconstruction of the state's infrastructure and the restoration of social services and political stability in the country,” he pointed out.Saffa cited the peaceful outcome of the local council elections in 2004 and the election of 70 Paramount Chiefs as a success story, for which his government should be given a pat on the back.The SLPP scribe went further to giving assurances that his government has put in place structures to ensure that there is efficient service delivery.
“We have put in place institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission, National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) and other credible institutions for good service delivery,” he said and maintained that they have improved on the educational structure, health facility etc.He confirmed that there is a remarkable improvement in the productive sector, particularly agriculture: “Current domestic food production stands about 69% of total requirement compared to pre-war levels.”
SLPP MPs accuse NEC of constitutional violation
Sahr Musa Yamba 29/3/2006
Three Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Members of Parliament (MP) have unequivocally condemned the national Electoral Commission and accused it of constitutional violation. The three SLPP MPs from Bonthe district, Hons. Arthur Harvey, Chairman SLPP Bonthe district, Jonathan Sama and Brima Conteh accuse NEC of violating Section 38 0f the 1991 constitution which says boundary delimitation should not be subject to population density alone but also topography. They further accused NEC of bypassing parliament without due regard to the laid-down criteria as spelt out under section 38 of 1991 Constitution.
The three MPs who walked into Concord Times' office with their complaint queried the proposed delineation of constituencies by the NEC based on population densities. They accuse NEC of only allocating three seats to the whole of Bonthe district when formerly, the district had five seats in parliament.
“The terrain of Bonthe is one that cannot in any way be allocated three seats in Parliament because of the landscape,” Hon. Harvey complained.“It is in Sierra Leone constitution that population density should not be the only criterion for boundary delimitation? That would lead to inequitable distribution,” Hon. Harvey queried.
He made analogies that Koinadugu District for example, because of its land mass and topography, the present proposals would put a lot of strain on voters many of who may have to travel some 20 miles or more to the nearest Registration or Polling Station. He queried that in comparison, there will almost be 6 Members of Parliament between the Clock Tower and Calaba Town in the Western Area. He argued, “surely geographical locat1on should be an important factor.”
“SLPP has no ears for the fierce wind of Change” …Dauda Tombo Bangura
Sahr Musa Yamba 14/3/2006
A senior official of the PMDC (Peoples Movement for Democratic Change), Dauda Tombo Bangura Sunday charged the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) “has no ears for the fierce ‘wind of change' that is blowing.”
Bangura was delivering a speech to the P.M.D.C. General Assembly of the Washington Metro Area, USA Chapter in which he explained the philosophy and objectives of his party for the benefit of his listeners and other Sierra Leoneans everywhere.
“We have called you here today, like always, on matters of grave importance, except if you live in the S.L.P.P. world where the leaders call their people only when a fierce wind of “Positive Change” is blowing,” Dauda said.
He recounted that the British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, on February 3 1960, in South Africa , upon sensing the burning desire for change in the African peoples from colonialism to self-rule, said: "The wind of change is blowing through this [African] continent, and whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. We must all accept it as a fact, and our national policies must take account of it."
Bangura recalled Sierra Leone gained its independence a year after that historic speech by Macmillan, on April 27, 1961.
“We enjoyed brief democratic governments under the Margais afterwards. The Margai family is not a political dynasty: it means Charles Margai has a burning desire to effect a “Positive Change” in Sierra Leone . He responded to the people's demand for a new party with the “Positive Change” concept. Here in America , Dr. Martin Luther King's “I Have a Dream” march on Washington , on August 28, 1963, was a classical example. Last year, the American, the European Union and the British Embassies came together and issued a joint statement of concern over the S.L.P.P. foot-dragging the registration of political parties. But the S.L.P.P., unlike the British Empire, the European Union, the international organizations and the United States government, has no ears for the fierce wind of ‘Positive Change' that is blowing,” the PMDC strongman charged.
He reminisced the recent rumor of the plot to assassinate Margai. “We have a strong message for would be assassins: they are cowards; we are not afraid; and Charles Margai is not afraid either. Charles Margai of the P.M.D.C. is a man of virtue, courage and wisdom-has less to do with just the name, has more to do with the diligence and majesty; he walks the path of nobility that has been passed on to him. Sometimes, it takes such a man with such burning desires to deliver his people on the mountaintop of their destination. Make no mistake about it; there are many Charles Margais in this movement. This is evident in the way the P.M.D.C. is becoming the fastest growing political party regardless of the intimidation and foot-dragging tactics by the S.L.P.P. government to complete its registration.”
Bangura preached that the P.M.D.C. was borne out of the desire to uplift the marginalized sector of our society after the S.L.P.P. convention that one of the contenders, former Ambassador John Leigh, called “conbention.”
“This means that we [the people] were not wrong when we rose up roaring as the majestic felines of the Lion Mountain in peaceful demonstration that we need another party. We consulted the East, South and North in the two weekends following the Makeni convention with the question; what is the way forward? The people demanded the need for a new party, and we answered their demand with the P.M.D.C. Since then, we have become a threat to the S.L.P.P. to the point that they want us out by any means necessary,” Bangura said.
The PMDC stalwart reminded his listeners: “Recently, John Leigh of the S.L.P.P. called our people “Low grade noisemakers - san san boys, honda drivers, ex-combatants, carwash boys, riffraff, etc.” He forgot that our movement is aimed at uplifting the groups he identified. But such forgetfulness is the natural attribute of the S.L.P.P. leadership.”
Ending his speech, Bangura asked the following questions. “Do we want to continue seeing Freetown as filthy as it is? Do we want to continue receiving power outage in the capital city of our country and no good drinking water? Do we want to continue with the massive unemployment and poor wages in the country? Do we want to continue with the poor health facilities in the country?
Do we want to continue with the poor road conditions in our beloved country?
Do we want to continue with the poor educational standards in a country that was once called the Athens of West Africa?
Do we want to continue with the high cost of living with false promises that nobody will go to bed hungry come 2007? Do we?”
SLPP MP argues right to bid for contracts
Tanu Jalloh 10/3/2006
Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) parliamentarian, Hon. Brima Kamanda Thursday argued they have right to bid for contracts, win and implement them in their capacities as businessmen. He made this disclosure while addressing the usual “Le Di Pipul Talk” audience, a programme organized by Premier Media and Campaign for Good Governance at Stop Press, George Street Freetown .
“Parliamentarians could as well involve in business in which case they can bid for and get contracts awarded them. The emphasis should be on transparency, efficiency and the parliamentarian in question not taking part in the deliberation of the contract since he has expressed interest. If he did he would be guilty of criminal offence,” he said. But the concern according to the Public Relations Officer of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Koloneh Sankoh would be how parliamentarians carry out the oversight when a colleague is involved in the execution of a contract.
Responding, Hon. Kamanda said it is parliament that monitors contracts not parliamentarians. It decides which committee investigates certain anomalies,” he pointed out adding that except a parliamentarian is more dedicated to his business as opposed to his duty as representative of his constituency, he has right to bid for contracts as long as he goes through the right procedure to get the contract. He explained that they do not award contracts like government ministers and cited an instance where a pharmacist Nigerian parliamentarian won a contract to supply drugs to most parts of Nigeria and has proven very efficient.
Contract ‘wahala' in Kenema as drivers protest: “Without Abess, No SLPP come 2007”
Mohamed Vandi in Kenema 8/3/2006
The award of a contract to reconstruct the Kenema lorry park has sparked massive controversy (‘wahala') in the township.“Taylor, (Eastern Regional Chairman of the Drivers Union) must go,” supporters of Allie Abess, mostly drivers chanted in demonstration at the office of the Provincial Secretary, Lansana Koroma in Kenema Monday morning. The irate protesters, mostly youths waved placards some of which read ‘without Abess, no SLPP come 2007;' ‘Development is what we want, not politics.'
Abess is a businessman who claims he had won the contract to rehabilitate the Kenema lorry park. The protesters accused the Provincial Secretary and the committee responsible for the award of contracts at the Kenema Town Council of politicizing the award of contract to rehabilitate the Kenema lorry park. Some of the drivers support Abbess while the others support Taylor, their Chairman.
On Saturday, brouhaha broke out between supporters of Abess and Taylor at the park. Supporters of Abess allege the awarding of the contract was manipulated. A committee was however constituted to meet on Monday evening to address the issue. Paramount Chief Amara Vangahun of Kenema town has issued a stern warning to the drivers union to stop the violence maintaining that development is what Kenema residents want.
In attaining food Security: SLPP better than APC, Presidential Spokesman says
Sahr Musa Yamba 8/3/2006
Presidential Spokesman, Kanji Daramy Monday told Concord Times the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) is better of than the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) in attaining food security in Sierra Leone . The Spokesman was reacting to a question posed by Concord Times whether President Kabbah's pledge to attain food security by 2007 would be a reality.
Said the Spokesman: “We have carried out a survey to see how food security is paying out. There are no more any queues for foodstuff. One way you will know that food security would be attained is because there are no queues and as long as you have the money you can buy.” The Spokesman maintained that even in the most advanced countries of the world, one needs to have money in order to purchase food.
Daramy bashed the APC era as one that was indifferent to the needs of the people of this country. “The difference is that in the days of APC even when you had money, you cannot buy because there were long queues. Today, that no longer happens,” Daramy boasted. He maintained that the importation of rice into the country has gone down considerably. Leader of APC, Ernest Koroma and Secretary General Victor Foh could not be reached for their reactions Monday as their phones were continually switched off when Concord Times tried to reach them.
SLPP running mate wishes ...Kabbah, Berewa, above lobbying, Ambassador Saccoh says
Sahr Musa Yamba 27/2/2006
The number of Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) members wishing to become running mate to the Party Leader, Vice President Solomon Berewa, is growing large. Many have expressed interest in becoming the number two-man in the SLPP, but who will the cap fit is the zillion-dollar question. The choice of a running mate is the prerogative of the Party Leader, according to the SLPP constitution, but he is yet to make a choice.
Concord Times' Sahr Musa Yamba caught up with His Excellency Sheku B. Saccoh, Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea, one of those that has manifested interest in the position, and in a snap interview asked him why he thinks he is the most suitable to be chosen as running mate to the Vice President.
SB Saccoh: I have never pronounced I am the most suitable. I only expressed the wish as one of those manifesting interest for the consideration of the position.If others are making it known publicly through the media, it is good for me to make mine known too. It would be belated if I manifest the interest later by hiding my feelings because people will tell me we never knew you had interest. But the choice is his, the Vice President.
CT: You are an elderly man with a wealth of experience why don't you leave the task of a running mate to the middle aged in the party?
SB Saccoh: If I were less qualified, I would have left it but in politics age does not count. Experience and health count in politics.
CT: What experience do you have that qualifies you for the position?
SB Saccoh: SLPP has many qualified candidates and it is difficult to choose one, as all aspirants for running mate anyone appointed has good credentials for job. But age gives me added advantage in the political arena as I have worked in various ministries in government. I was Resident Minister North, Minister of Labour, Minister of Social Welfare, Minister of Youth and Sports. With contacts in those Ministries, which spread over 10 years, it gives me added advantage. The fact that in 1996 elections (general) I contested for SLPP in Bombali under the leadership of Dr. Alhaji Conteh (only 4 candidates for SLPP in Bombali) gives me edge. By then it was only those who had the guts that could contest under the SLPP symbol in that part of the country. I won the election in 1996 for the Bombali West constituency.
CT: What are some of the contributions/innovations you've brought into the SLPP?
SB Saccoh: I have made extra contributions in my own way to the SLPP, which I would not want to be boisterous of now. It is difficult for one to praise himself, but if you talk to the SLPP members they will tell you my contributions to the party.
CT: It is widely believed that the President and erstwhile Leader of the SLPP, President Kabbah has a favoured candidate in the person of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Momodu Koroma to be running mate to Vice President Berewa. Do you think there is a level playing field for you all?
SB Saccoh: Those are rumours I cannot say a word on rumours. It is just rumours. When President Kabbah wanted Vice President Berewa to succeed him, he made a public pronouncement about it. Let us avoid rumours.
CT: But what is your relationship with the President and his Vice? Are you going to lobby them to become running mate?
SB Saccoh: President Kabbah and Vice President Berewa are beyond lobbying. It is difficult to lobby them as they are above lobbying.
CT: Many believe the ruling SLPP, with Vice President Berewa at the helm is very unpopular. Why are you still intent on becoming running mate to an unpopular candidate?
SB Saccoh: I do not buy the idea that the Vice President is unpopular. It is the opinion of people who failed at the convention in Makeni. The party does not see it that way and it is not reflective of results at the convention.
CT: There is talk within the SLPP called 3+1 formula, which means in most of the SLPP arrangements for leadership in the party, there are three southerners and only one northerner. What is your background?
SB Saccoh: I was born 15 miles off Makeni in Kalangba, Gbendembu N'gowahun Chiefdom, Bombali district. I attended primary education in the north then later attended Taiama Secondary School where I am a foundation student. I attended that school till form five and was made Senior Prefect. So I can speak Mende and Themne fluently.
CT: If you are not chosen as running mate to the Vice President, will you quit the SLPP, what next?
SB Saccoh: (laughs and leans back in his seat) I was dropped as Northern Region Chairman of the SLPP but I am still campaigning for our party. There were rumours that Charles Margai had given me dollars and I had accepted to become running mate to him. But I know that was a calculated ploy to make me annoyed and desert the SLPP. But I just ignored it until a senior member approached me and that was when I cleared the air. But unfortunately none of the party elders asked about that allegation. They just took hook, line and sinker what they were told and that cost me that election at the convention in Makeni. But for me the SLPP in greater than all, the party is greater than all of us. I am still doing my work and campaigning for the party in my constituency although I lost the elections.
CT: Talking of Charles Margai, do you think his quitting the SLPP is a threat for your party in the upcoming elections?
SB Saccoh: Oh yes! His quitting is a big threat. People want to downplay it but it is not good. We should go all out to work. Downplaying it will make us complacent. Charles Margai has certain things to his credit. During 1996 leadership contest in SLPP he came second, how could you say such a man is not important?
CT: But the SLPP Secretariat had made utterances that Margai quitting the SLPP is no threat and not an issue?
SB Saccoh: They have a right to say his quitting is not an issue because this is not the 1 st time Margai has quit SLPP. He did that in 1996 and joined the National Unity Party (NUP), but that does not mean this time when he has formed his own party, Peoples Movement for democratic Change (PMDC) it is not a challenge. Every party, even the APC is a challenge.
CT: Thanks for the time sir.
SB Saccoh: You are welcome.
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