The convicted warlord, Charles Taylor

On Wednesday May 15^th, the convicted former Liberian President, Charles Taylor took his last stand to make his last appeal in front of judges at the Hague’s court. Like a smooth talker and savvy politician, Taylor continued to point fingers with a frantic hope of exonerating himself for aiding and abetting the infamous civil war that left thousands of Sierra Leoneans maimed and dead.

During his address, the former Liberian President Charles Taylor made a plea for why he should not go be sentence for his conviction on aiding and abetting war crimes. According to him, he was saddened by the 11 count verdict in April, in which the court said he had assisted Revolutionary United Front rebels who fueled Sierra Leone’s long and bloody civil war that ultimately left thousands dead, amputated or missing. Taylor insisted his intent was far from what had been portrayed by prosecutors and that he, himself, was a victim.

“What I did to bring peace to Sierra Leone was done with honor,” said Taylor, standing before the tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, adorned with the kind of breathe-taking self confidence that have come to characterized his personality.

In a composed voice, he said to the judges, “”I pushed the peace process hard, contrary to how I have been portrayed in this court”.

He went on to fault money as a big influence on the outcome of the trial. “Money played a corrupting, influential, significant and dominant role in this trial,” he said. “Money, in this case, prejudiced my rights and interests in an irrevocable way.” He said prosecutors received millions of dollars from the United States government and witnesses were paid off. He compared the charges against him to what he called U.S. abuses but said President George W. Bush would never have to stand trial.

“President George W. Bush ordered torture and admitted to doing so,” Taylor said. “Torture is a crime against humanity. The United States has refused to prosecute him. Is he above the law? Where is the fairness?”

He cautioned other African leaders not to fall in a similar trap of unfairness

“I never stood a chance,” Taylor said. “Only time will tell how many other African heads of state will be destroyed.”

In his final argument, Taylor, cleverly employed his paternal pride to win the hearts of the judges. He reminded the court of his role as a loving father and a grandfather, and a man of genuine actions and that at 64, he is not young anymore, he said. He is a man who favors peace and reconciliation, a man, he said, who is the opposite of the monster that the court said he really was. “I am no threat to society,” Taylor said.

There is no death penalty in international criminal law. Brenda Hollis, chief prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone, has said an 80-year sentence would be appropriate.

Taylor and the world will find out what his fate will be like two weeks from today.

© 2012, Christian Foday Sesay Jr. EIC. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum

Mohamed Sankok (One Drop)

Imagine the reaction from the German people if a politician, vying for the Chancellorship, accepts in a radio interview that he was a secret commander of Adolf Hitler’s Gestapo and that he is collectively responsible for exterminating nearly six million Jews in gas chambers during the Nazi reign. Or the reaction from the Rwandan populace if a politician, who is vying for the Presidency, accepts collective responsibility for the pogrom of Tutsis and moderate Hutus?

That’s the situation which the SLPP presidential candidate, Madder Bio, has now found himself. For a very long time, since he was selected by just 39% of his party’s delegates, Bio has been shadow-boxing on the issue of his complicity in the extra-judicial killings of 29 innocent peaceful Sierra Leoneans in the December of 1992. But finally, in a recent BBC interview and a local one granted to the “Politico” newspaper, he accepted that he was part of the group which terminated the lives of his compatriots without any attempt at even a “show trial” like Josef Stalin’s.

But if Madder Bio had accepted “collective responsibility” without any attempts at dishonesty, may be the victims’ relatives would have been contented to bury their dead—though still in unmarked graves—in their hearts. But even in accepting guilt for joint murders, Madder Bio did so with blatant lies. He told the BBC and Politico newspaper of Wednesday May 9-15, 2012 that, “… I was not involved in giving that command [to kill the 26 people]”. Pressed further to know who ordered the killings, he said he did not know who gave the command. But I will prove to you in a jiffy that Bio is a celebrated liar!

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Volume 3A) report is very explicit that Madder Bio was part of the group which gave the command for the extra-judicial killings of 26 innocent people. According to the TRC report, “…On the day the alleged coup plotters were executed…the Commission was informed that they [Madder Bio and other NPRC henchmen] had assembled at Strasser’s Kabassa Lodge residence where the coup plotters were brought for trial…Strasser and his colleagues [including Madder Bio] resolved that they should be executed” (the TRC report Volume 3A, page 165, Sections 332 to 333). So, logically, if Bio was amongst those who had assembled at Kabassa Lodge when the order for the executions was passed, then he can’t tell us that he does not know who gave the order for the execution!

And after the order was passed at Kabassa Lodge, in the presence of Bio and others, for the victims to be executed; it was only Madder Bio who suddenly materialized at SAJ Musa’s residence—the actual abattoir  of torture and execution. In page 164, Section 328 of the TRC report (Volume 3A) the reader is told that it was Madder Bio himself who told the Commission that he had inkling or foreknowledge that SAJ Musa would torture and executive some of the alleged coup plotters. So he, Bio, went to Musa’s residence at night where he met some of the innocent people’s “ears were cut off and they were practically dead”. 

Now let’s ask some few hard questions here: Why didn’t Madder Bio stop SAJ Musa from torturing and executing those innocent people if he was not part of the group that okayed the extra-judicial killings? As Minister of Information then why didn’t he protest at Kabassa Lodge where Strasser had assembled them and the decision made to execute without trial the 26 people? If Madder Bio was not part of the group that gave the order for the executions why didn’t he resign in protest when as Minister of Information he later learnt that after the executions acid was poured on the corpses, which were later burnt and dumped in unmarked graves at theKingtomCemetery?

Even the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was not convinced of Madder Bio’s testimony before it. Because in page 164 Section 328 of the TRC report Volume 3A the reader is told that, “Maada Bio’s account of what transpired that night at SAJ Musa’s residence is an attempt to shift responsibility for a gross failure of leadership by their government[on] the shoulders of one person…” In order words, those who interviewed Bio, at his private residence during the TRC hearing sessions, were convinced that he was not saying the truth about the executions of the December of 1992.

But alas, Madder Bio has finally accepted collective responsibility for the extra-judicial executions of 26 innocent people excluding “the three alleged coup plotters [who] were killed in a cross fire” (page 167, Section 336 of the TRC report Volume 3A). Now, what is “collective responsibility”? The Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe in his novel “Anthills of the Savannah”, notes that “…collective responsibility…makes each and everyone of us [in government] guilty when one of us is guilty. One finger gets soiled with grease and spreads it to the other four…” (page 19) In order words, Maada Bio might not have pulled the trigger himself but for the mere fact that, according to his own testimony to the TRC, he was at SAJ Musa’s residence at the night when some of the victims’  “ears were cut off and …were practically dead” (page 164, Section 328) without him intervening to stop the torture automatically makes him an accomplice to murder. It is just the same reason why someone could be tried for treason because s/he hears about or sees treasonable acts in motion and refuses to alert the authorities about the acts.

Logically, if Madder Bio has accepted collective responsibility for the extra-judicial executions of 26 innocent people excluding “the three alleged coup plotters [who] were killed in a cross fire” (page 167, Section 336 of TRC report Volume 3A), then it means he should also accept collective accusation and punishment for murder. And in this case, he should be tried for manslaughter with Strasser et al. Though the TRC report might have shielded Bio and his partners in crime from being tried by any democratically elected government, it does not give them blanket amnesty if the victims’ families want to file a civil class lawsuit against Madder Bio and his NPRC murderous NPRC colleagues.

Madder Bio asserted that the TRC did a very good work when it investigated the matter of the extra-judicial killings of the 29 people, according to Politico newspaper of Wednesday May 9-15, 2012.  But what he fails to take into cognizance is the fact that the TRC only forced some members of the NPRC to talk but never try to reconcile the victims’ relatives with the NPRC murderers! It is also a fact that when Madder Bio and his cohorts were committing blatant human rights violations, they had in mind that before leaving power, they would go into a sort of arrangement in which any new government would let bygones be bygones. Little wonder, Madder Bio reluctantly handed over power to his uncles and in-laws in theSierra LeonePeople’s Party with the assurance that after ten years he would be given the leadership of that party!

Another issue that came out clearly, during the course of Madder Bio’s acceptance to joint murders, is the blatant lie about him ushering democracy in 1996. How could he take credit for restoring democracy when he was one of those who tried to delay the rejuvenation of democracy in the form of the Bintumani II Conference? In 1992, modalities were being put in place for multi-party democracy in Sierra Leonewhen Madder Bio and his power-thirty colleagues struck. And for him to attempt to take credit for bringing back democracy, which he was one of those who stole it, is like Mango Park trying to claim credit for ‘discovering’ the River Niger when the indigenes had long been frequenting that river with their canoes! Or it is like the commander of Adolf Hitler’s Gestapo trying to claim credit for how Josef Stalin’s gulags were being run!

Now that Madder Bio has started accepting collective responsibility for one of the many gory things that happened under the steership of the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC), can he now accept collective responsibility for the joint theft of state resources by himself and his brother Steve? Could he also accept collective responsibility for the siphoning of monies accrued from the sales of Sierra Leonean passports? What Madder Bio is failing to know is that collective responsibility has a sort of chain reactions. Is he now ready forThe Hague?

© 2012, Daily Mail. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum

Ambassador Stevens & Mr Kammann

Sierra Leone Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, H E Jongopie S. Stevens has continued to make President Koroma’s vision to transform the lives of the people a reality.  The career diplomat is not only working in the interest of Sierra Leoneans living in Germany, but also ensuring that the people in Sierra Leone benefit from the long standing relationship that exist between Germany and Sierra Leone.

This was proven when Ambassador Stevens received a solar powered water treatment machine, donated by a German Company, Medical Medizintechnik for the people of Sierra Leone Monday 14.

Medical Medizintechnik is a company producing medical chairs with a worldwide distribution of approximately 4,000 products a year in the north western town of Kirchlingern in Germany.

Speaking shortly after the presentation of the machine, Ambassador Stevens reiterated the bilateral relationship established between Germany and Sierra Leone in several areas which include among other things, sanitation, youth employment, micro-finance, and capacity building. He said the significance of the gesture made by Medical Medizintechnik to assist the government of Sierra Leone in providing safe-drinking water for the people of Sierra Leone is not to be over emphasized, adding that “…this single act will contribute to the saving of many lives in Sierra Leone.”

Ambassador Stevens highlighting his government’s priorities admist Mayor Ruediger Meier, Mr Kammann and Manfred Lederer extreme left

Considering the fact that safe drinking-water is a powerful environmental determinant of health, Ambassador Stevens reaffirmed that drinking-water safety is a foundation for the prevention and control of waterborne diseases-a primary factor leading to the vulnerability through cholera, typhoid and diarrhea in the country.  Many homes in Sierra Leone, he went on, do not enjoy the facility of a pipe born and safe drinking water.  He maintained that, the APC-led government under the leadership of Ernest Bai Koroma has made it possible within the framework of its development strategy and medium term reform priorities to lay the ground to improve the lives of the people and make Sierra Leone what he called “a haven” for all through the provision of basic necessities for its people.  He further catalogued his government efforts in the successful implementation of several development programmes in the areas of infrastructure, energy, agriculture, health and sanitation among others.  Ambassador Stevens concluded by thanking Medical Medizintechnik and the people of Kirchlengern in particular for the thoughtful and humane act.

Welcoming the Ambassador and his entourage in the community of Kirchlengern, Mayor Ruediger Meier said the purpose of the water purification machine is to enable the people of Sierra Leone get access to clean and safe drinking water.  He disclosed that the idea to help the people of Sierra Leone came after examining the work of Driving –YMCA – Doctor for Sierra Leone under the tutelage of a German and Kirchlingern native, Susanne Schroeder.

The Driving –YMCA – Doctor for Sierra Leone was launched together with YMCA in Sierra Leone, to provide basic medical care to pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under five in the rural areas of Sierra Leone.

Mayor Meier said, the work of the Driving – YMCA – Doctors in Sierra Leone is very impressive which is why they as a community have decided to join the band wagon in providing assistance to the people of Sierra Leone.  He expressed hope that the facility will be properly utilized for its intended purpose.

Ambassador Stevens and his wife examining the machine

Making his statement before the handing over ceremony, the head of Medical Medizintechnik, Michael Kammann registered his company’s willingness to assist the people of Sierra Leone noting that, his company which has been in full operation since 1982 is producing high quality and reliable medical chairs for both the national and international market.

Mr. Kammann said, the need to provide basic and clean water system is imperative which is why he believed that the people of Sierra Leone should enjoy such facility in an effort to halve the problem of water born diseases in the country.

The producer of the machine, Manfred Lederer demonstrated to the audience how to use the machine and its compatibility.  He said the machine works together with a solar powered system and could provide water for at least 400 people per day.

Mr. Lederer said he has an establishment in Botswana, Haiti, Mali and other parts of Africa. He has opted to go to Sierra Leone and train people how to use the machine.

Umaru S. Jah – Berlin, Germany

© 2012, Daily Mail. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum

John Pa Baimba Sesay

I was part of a delegation that recently met the Deputy Director-General for African Affairs at the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Zheng Zhuqiang. After beautiful exchanges and discussions between him and the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the People’s Republic of China, HE Abubakarr Multi-Kamara, I was moved, particularly by the words of Zheng Zhuqiang that his country-China was impressed and happy with development in Sierra Leone, with specific reference to the country’s democracy and good governance and the maintenance of peace.

Receiving such commendations meant a lot for a post war country that is still trying to rebuild its infrastructure and one that is trying to overcome the effects of a decade long civil war. We cannot know how precious our country is, and the level we have moved in recent times, in terms of our socio-economic development until we hear such from friendly countries and from investors.  The recent commendation for Sierra Leone came from a very strategic partners I world’s development-China, a country that is the importantly, the world’s second largest economy.

What I have noticed in recent time, is the confidence that the international community has continued to demonstrate in terms of their relation with Sierra Leone. Not only that, as a result of the trust and confidence that developed and emerging nations have had for Sierra Leone, it is no gainsaying, that we have continued to witness  a twist in terms of investors, descending flights, into the country to invest their resources. This is a clear manifestation of the trust that the world now has over Sierra Leone under the able leadership of Ernest Bai Koroma.

I wrote few days ago extensively on Sierra Leone’s investment opportunities. I argued that in the area of extractive industries, there has been a great reform; as well as in the fisheries, infrastructure and tourism sectors. The media landscape also has its areas of investment and this, we have begun realizing with an investment decision by StarTimes Group in China, to get into Sierra Leone and invest in the area of digital television.

Let us, for a moment examine the basic facts. The IMFC has practically projected Sierra Leone’s GDP o grow at an encouraging level at around 13% this very year. The introduction of the Auto mated System within the operations of Customs has been a positive development in the country especially so as it is now helping to make cross-border trade easy and reliable. Sierra Leone is the top reformer in the African continent for providing Sustainable Economic Opportunity, as shown in the Mo Ibrahim Africa Governance indicator, also improving 25 places in the Doing Business Rankings in five good years, according to the World Bank. The commitment of the government towards employing international best practices in governance and policy are real and very promising. The creation of an enabling business environment, the reforms that have taken effect   in the country’s tax system have been of tremendous help to not just the government, but the average Sierra Leonean in recent time. This has generally led to an increase in the revenue generated by NRA in recent time. This must be as a result of the determination and dedication of the agency’s workforce, not to talk of the support and especially the political will that they have continued to receive from the central government, through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

The determination of the Ernest Bai Koroma led government has reached a level that should warrant the urgent and sincere support of Sierra Leoneans to him. A leader with genuine intentions and plans is easy to tell and this is what we see in our present day leadership.  When he was canvassing for the political leadership of Sierra Leone, President Koroma made series of promises in terms of improving the country. His promised to look at the aspect of the country’s energy sector was met with real fulfillment, when, in 2007-2008, he worked towards the completion of the Bumbuna Hydro project in Sierra Leone. Bumbuna is today one of several instruments that President Koroma could use in assessing his successes in governance, from the viewpoint of provision of electricity.

Tejan Kabba(h) had and still has  a clear record  of creating, better still, establishing  a number of post war institutional reforms, but what was lacking at the time, was making these institutional reforms, like the NRA, IMC, ACC, etc perform as expected. The fight against corruption was as corrupt as corrupting the heart of a committed cleric. During the days of President Tejan Kabba (h), there was little or no impact left behind by the ACC except for the fact that the institution was created by him.  The IMC was little utilized by even Kabba (h) himself as we saw when he opted to take Philip Neville and Paul Kamara to court, rather than utilizing the IMC at the time, just was the case with the late Olu Gordon of blessed memory.  The revenue collection efforts of the NRA during the period 2004-2007 were as discouraging and poorly done as was the political way the institution was managed at the time.

But today, we have a different picture in most, if not all of the above listed institutions. The ACC’s impact in national development is encouraging, the IMC has had its own side of Sierra Leone’s development in present day governance, the NRA has had just too an exceptional story, with trillions of Leone now being  mobilized by the institution, under the leadership of a woman, a young and unassuming lady, in the person of Haja Kalla-Kamara. But all of thi9 could be related to the kind of political support that these institutions have continued to get from President Koroma.

The ACC has today been so exceptional and truly committed to its mandate, that government Ministers can today be asked to account for whatever goes wrong in their ministries.  The fact that President Koroma had to declare his assets to the ACC was a demonstration of his sober mindedness to moving Sierra Leone to another level in its socio-economic and political development efforts. The pace at which we are moving ahead with our infrastructural development means, we can make tremendous progress in this direction in years to come,  when we shall be re-elected President Koroma for another term.

But given all these positive developments, one can only suggest that giving President Koroma another mandate for five more years will be one of best things we can do as a people. Our readiness and commitment to the growth of Sierra Leone should be our primary objective. In an exclusive interview with him  in his office at State House on Tuesday 10^th April, President Koroma  was practical in telling me that Sierra Leoneans all over the country have kept  demonstrating  their appreciation  for  what  his government has been able to achieve within four years in governance ,especially  in the fulfillment of the ‘Agenda for Change’. For President and this is a view I strongly share, “The evidence is all over the country and people have been appreciative of our achievements as a government”, as “we have sustained our progress as a government” When President Ernest Bai Koroma assumed power in 2007, one of his first priorities was to work towards the implementation of an Agenda for Change.

This ‘Agenda for Change’ is aimed at moving the country to a new direction in the areas of agriculture, infrastructure, education, health energy and power. So far, I am of the strongest of views, that there has been tremendous progress in the implementation of this ‘Agenda for Change’. The provision of electricity to every household in the country has been a major priority of government. The Bumbuna Hydroelectric Dam, which got the attention of President Koroma upon assuming office in 2007, was completed and commissioned in 2009. To date, it has helped largely in the supply of electricity in Freetown.  Also, the government ensured the installation of a 10MW thermal plant at the Kingtom Power Station, West of Freetown.

Another major area of concern, as part of the Government’s ‘Agenda for Change’ was the implementation of a Free Healthcare Initiative, introduced in 2010. In working towards its implementation, Government ensured the provision of more resources to medical staff and the procurement of drugs and equipments and strengthening of supervision. And as a result of this initiative for pregnant and lactating mothers, in 2011 alone, 41,000 women gave birth through the program. These achievements by the government of President Koroma are just too enough for us to be rationalistic and see how we could vote him for another term and when once that is done, then we are sure and certain, that Sierra Leone will be taken to another level.

And for those who think nothing is happening in Sierra Leone, it is high time they changed that notion and look at practical happenings in Sierra Leone.

© 2012, John Baimba Sesay. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum

JARRAH KAWUSU-KONTE

Most of the people I spoke with told me the SLPP had woefully failed to reconcile with their developmental aspirations. One indigene of Segbwema who I had the privilege to interact with unequivocally maintained that the SLPP should wait for a very long time to come. “The reason is simple. They are not honest as many a time they had lied to us in the south-east that they are the only ones who care for us. Unfortunately and wickedly too, there has been no development in our area until Ernest Koroma arrived on the scene”, he said.
The Imam of the recently commissioned Njaluahun Central Mosque by President Koroma in Segbwema described the President as their Solomon and Joshua. “We the Njaluahun Chiefdom Muslim Jama’at recognize your Excellency President Koroma as our Solomon and Joshua in fulfilling our dream for a chiefdom central mosque. You and your entourage are welcome today and forever”, a giant banner hung at the newly constructed mosque read.

Candidly, I believe most south-easterners support the SLPP but the new wave of awareness blowing across the south/eastern political landscape suggests that the SLPP is in big trouble. Because the people have now become far more conscious about who (between the APC and SLPP) is more serious about turning around their lives and those of their children for the better. “Today, our only aim is to support development because our area was the most devastated during the war as the war itself started here (Kailahun) and raged for years before spilling over to other areas”, Samuel Sesay formerly of the PMDC now a new convert of the APC maintained.

According to Hon. Robin Fallay representing the people of Njaluahun Chiefdom, including Segbwema, in Parliament, President Koroma has done extremely well especially in the introduction of the free health care for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children below five years. Hon. Robin Fallay of the SLPP said that the elders, women and youths of his constituency had asked him to thank the President on their behalf for a job well done in less than five years. “Take the construction of the Kenema– Kailahun Road for example and tell me whether this is not a clear manifestation of responsible and visionary leadership?” Hon. Fallay rhetorically asked.

Hon. P. C. Alhaji Mohamed S.K. Banya of Luawa Chiefdom in Kailahun described President Koroma as a just leader. “I therefore request your Excellency to permit me to refer to you as an EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION President”, the P.C said. He went on to note that with all what President Koroma has done for Kailahun District, “We want to assure you that whatever party colour you stand for; we have to be grateful to you this time round so that others will know that we are not political fanatics but people who cherish and appreciate development.”

From a very personal perspective, I believe the passions and feelings of the people of Kailahun towards President Koroma’s leadership style clearly demonstrates that Ernest Koroma is not just talking about good governance, including inclusive politics, but he is actually implementing and fulfilling what he promised that his government would be; all-inclusive by taking and delivering development in terms of not just the road projects to facelift Bo and Kenema and make Kailahun more accessible and open to markets for especially their produce, but also the free health care for our women and children, the smallholder commercialization programme which seeks to empower farmers, the improvement on the doing business index, the provision of electricity in our homes; the list is endless.

When we got to Kenema on the last day of our trip, a councilor of the Kenema District Council revealed that the Kenema town hall which the APC started to construct in the 1980s was left derelict throughout the NPRC era and the SLPP’s eleven years of maladministration. He said that it is only now that Ernest Koroma’s responsible government had resumed the construction of the Kenema town hall, which is almost now nearing completion.

With all of these declarations you begin to imagine what is wrong with SLPP hardliners who, it appears, have no respect for their people to begin to even contemplate that they are only deceiving the president. This is no deception at all as could be seen everywhere we went, from Walihun to Jaiama Nimikoro and Gbane Chiefdoms in Kono, from Lower Bambara chiefdom in Kenema to Njaluahun to Luawa, Kissi Tongi to Kissi Teng, Mandu to Pejeh West chiefdoms in Kailahun.

But the question of south/easterners warming up to the APC is long overdue when you take into cognizance the ongoing massive development all across the country. Even if south/easterners previously hate the APC’s guts, the leadership qualities and focus of President Ernest Bai ‘Development’ Koroma have really won the people to his clarion call to continue the unprecedentedly massive development taking place in every chiefdom, town, district and region, irrespective of which political party stronghold development is taking place.

At this point, I fervently believe neither the tribalistic card, nor the propagation of deception, lies and propaganda by the SLPP against this very responsible, astute, visionary and transformative leadership of President Koroma (our Solomon and Joshua) could distract the people of the south/east from seeing the light that is now shining all over the place. Nothing would possibly distract south/easterners from voting for the APC massively in the November elections.

This is no joke as the future of our kids and the development and transformation of the country are on the line. And if we don’t act as one people now, instead allow a gang of self-seeking, arrogant and dishonest people to take us for a ride; it would be our problem at the end of the day. Because we would have ourselves to blame. No other group would be blamed but those of us who have seen the light but failed to seize the opportunity by putting a break on the wheels of backwardness from pressing the reverse gear. This is the SLPP for you, and Bio supporters who continue to believe that they have a better plan for the country than the current president are nothing but “Dandogoes”.

© 2012, John Baimba Sesay. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum

Speaking on Tuesday, 8th May, during a courtesy call by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to China Abubakarr Multi-Kamara, the Deputy Director-General for African Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the People’s Republic of China, Zheng Zhuqiang spoke of China’s impression and happiness, that Sierra Leone has in recent years, been peaceful and that the practice of democracy and good governance in the country has been very encouraging. According to Mr. Zhuqiang, their Foreign Affairs Minister visited Sierra Leone two years ago and “had a very good impression about the country.”  The Deputy Director-General also expressed hope, that the pending November presidential and Parliamentary elections will be peaceful.

Zheng Zhuqiang also informed Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara that China and Sierra Leone have been good friends for years. “We have been working with the African continent for years and Sierra Leone, being a friend, has always worked with us and I want to assure you of our cooperation and support to you as Ambassador” he assured.  Since the People’s Republic of China takes Sierra Leone as a good friend in the African continent, the Deputy Director-General said, they (China) look forward to continue with the cooperation between the two countries economically as they have been involved in Sierra Leone’s reconstruction efforts.

He also commended Sierra Leone for her role in support of the one-China policy. “Our cooperation with Sierra Leone has a promising future as our economic cooperation is the main content of our relationship as well as the cultural cooperation. We have many projects in Sierra Leone and the new airport project is underway”, he stated.  He also informed the Ambassador about preparations by the People’s Republic of China for the pending Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting this year and informed that an invitation has been extended to Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.  He wished Ambassador a happy and successful stay in the People’s Republic   of China.

Speaking earlier, His Excellency Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara conveyed heartfelt greetings and felicitations from His Excellency the President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Koroma, his Government and the people of Sierra Leone to his colleague His Excellency, President Hu Jintao, his Government and the people of the Peoples Republic of China. He informed the Deputy Director-General, that his appointment to China as Ambassador by President Koroma is a great opportunity that comes with huge challenges and that it was a deliberate one as he has come to restore the confidence that once existed between the two countries and to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.

According to Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara, he  is aware of the special ties that exist between the two countries and  also conscious of the role that Sierra Leone  played, in terms of ensuring China’s entrance into the United Nations by casting its vote in its(China) favor.  He specifically also paid tribute to the Deputy-Director, on behalf of Sierra Leoneans for the tremendous role that China is today playing in the development strides of Sierra Leone, “since China has a special role in the full implementation of the President’s Agenda for Change especially  in the growth and human development sectors” .

Speaking further, Ambassador Multi-Kamara informed the Foreign Ministry official that he will be happy to learn better ways of strengthening the already existing relation between Sierra Leone and China “which also hinges on our (Sierra Leone) commitment to continue to uphold the one-China policy”

On the pending November elections, Ambassador Multi-Kamara spoke with confidence that they will be peaceful as Sierra Leone is now consolidating the peace and other democratic gains, made over the years.  On President Koroma’s Agenda for Change, Ambassador Multi-Kamara informed the Chinese Foreign Ministry Deputy Director-General for African Affairs that there has been tremendous progress in this direction and that “it is the hope of Sierra Leone that by 2023, we will move away from least developed nation to something very encouraging and by 2050, we should be in a position to help other nations”

John Baimba Sesay, Information Attaché, China, Beijing

© 2012, John Baimba Sesay. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum

For most of us who are deeply rooted(tigi tigi wan) against Maada Bio and his cabals in support of progress and development for the average Sierra Leonean, it gives us the uttermost satisfaction that indeed, the people of Sierra Leone, regardless of their ethnic dialect and district of birth are beginning to discern between the good and the bad, daylight and darkness.

If Kailahun District, an SLPP stronghold can go red, then where else can stay green? The massive turnout this past weekend to support Presidennt Ernest Bai Koroma, is an attestation to the fact that gone are the days when Sierra Leoneans will blindly support that which is deemed unfit for them.

Presdient koroma after opening the new Kailahun Mosque

Pictures: Courtesy of Mr Jarra Kawusu Konte, State House Media Department

© 2012, Christian Foday Sesay Jr. EIC. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum

Executive Vice President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries has called for stronger collaboration between his Association and Sierra Leone, through the Embassy of Sierra Leone in the People’s Republic of China.

 Speaking on Monday, 7th May, during a courtesy call on him by Ambassador Abubakarr Multi Kamara, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Vice President Feng Zuoku stated that there is the stronger desire on his part for both Sierra Leone and his Association to continue working “so as to promote people-to-people as well as diplomatic ties between the two countries”. Speaking further, the Vice President said, the ties between Sierra Leone and China are very strong and that since the establishment of the Sierra Leone-China Friendship over forty years ago, a number of Presidents and Ministers of Government from Sierra Leone have visited China.

Vice President Feng Zuoku further spoke of President Ernest Bai Koroma’s visit to China in 2009 when he was in opposition and referred to him (President Koroma) as “our good friend”. With the support of the Sierra Leone Embassy, he said, the Sierra Leone-China friendship, which is in line with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, will be strengthened. Speaking on the establishment of twin sister cities between the Freetown and two cities in China, namely Hefei and Ganzhou, the Vice President said, although there had not been enough exchanges, to promote local governance cooperation, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries will be organizing a forum for African Mayors, Local Government Ministers and government leaders in August this year and that the invitation to government Ministers and leaders will be within the framework of the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation. He used the occasion to officially extend an invitation to the Mayor of the Freetown Municipality.

Through this forum in August Vice President Feng Zuoku expressed hope to see more sister cities established and pragmatic actions taken that would make the Africa-China Friendship more broad and comprehensive. He congratulated Ambassador Multi-Kamara on his appointment to the People’s Republic of China and expressed hope, that the Ambassador will play an important role in terms of strengthening the ties between Sierra Leone and China.

Making his remarks, His Excellency Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara conveyed greetings and felicitations from President Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone to the people of China. He informed the Vice President Feng Zuoku, that President Ernest Bai Koroma is conscious about the diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China and as such, Sierra Leone is even more determined to strengthen the relationship between the two countries and “in that we will want to reaffirm our solidarity not just in the context of the one-China policy but towards your (China) commitment to international peace and peaceful co-existence.”

Speaking further, Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara also highlighted the importance that China’s economic and technical cooperation as well as her people-to-people cooperation has been to Africa and especially Sierra Leone. As Ambassador, he said, he was anxious to know how both countries can strengthen the already existing cooperation, especially the one between the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Sierra Leone.

His Excellency Abubakarr Multi-Kamara also paid special tribute to Sierra Leone for her role in facilitating the entrance of China into not just the United Nations but also the UN Security Council. “We are proud to have played an important role in making China enter the UN Security Council at a time when most countries would not know how China will be today”, Said Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara. Sierra Leone, under President Ernest Bai Koroma, the Ambassador said, is making strides for development and consolidation of peace and that through the Agenda for Change, China has been playing a major role in Sierra Leone’s development “as the country (China) has a special role in that direction and my appointment is a deliberate one in terms of strengthening the important ties from the viewpoint of state-to-state and people-to-people…”, Ambassador Multi-Kamara emphasized.

He also extended, on behalf of Sierra Leone, appreciation to the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries for inviting the Mayor of Freetown to be part of the forum in August and promised to do a follow-up on that. The Ambassador also expressed optimism that his visit will not be the last one as he “is interested in being involved in your activities” The courtesy call was climaxed by the exchange of gifts by both Ambassador Abubakarr Multi-Kamara and Vice President Feng Zuoku. John Baimba Sesay, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone Embassy-China

© 2012, John Baimba Sesay. All rights reserved. Discuss this article on the Salone Forum Salone Forum

The United Kingdom has worked very hard over the last decade to ensure that those who enter its shores and granted visa to do so, are not known International criminals or terrorists. But it seems they have allowed their rather shabby political interest in Sierra Leone to interfere in how consular decisions are made to deter human rights abusers and known saboteurs, from entering into Britain. There was no disguise in how Julius Maada Bio, a known criminal, who took power by force in the small West African State of Sierra Leone, was handed a visa to enter the United Kingdom. It was conspiracy at the highest level hatched by Julius Maada Bio with the help of the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House who acted as a conduit to ensure the brutal killer was given access to a country that proclaims it stood for everything human rights and justice!!

Britain’s’ hypocritical stance in African politics has always been meant to foster its own interest and not for the continent’s progress. Britain’s interest in Africa has always been linked to how it can protect what it continues to benefit from the continent’s rich mineral and natural wealth. Anyone who comes between what Britain stands to benefit from this mineral rich area of the world would face its wrath with unforgiving consequences. Sierra Leone has always been a true friend of Britain, but the recent decision to ignore the pain endured by loved ones of those who were brutally murdered in cold blood by the NPRC regime of Julius Maada Bio, threatens to strain this once extremely important relationship that stretches back to colonial times.

Britain’s High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Mr Ian Hughes, recently made a statement about he forthcoming elections in Sierra Leone, in which he pointed out that “International attention is drawn to this election because it illustrates the country’s graduation from fragile state to stable developing nation.  Once that transition is complete self-sustaining democracy should allow the country to move forward with confidence to build a prosperous future for all”. What Mr Hughes fail to realize is that he has made a mockery of his own clarion call by approving the issue of a visa to a man with the innocent blood of Sierra Leoneans in his hands. The easy granting of a visa to Maada Bio only exposes the reckless agenda Britain has, and the clear intention to interfere in the politics of this West African State.

Mr. Hughes may also have failed to realize that Sierra Leone is already on the road to becoming a stable developing nation, and it’s not only the next election that will guarantee this, it is complete discouragement of human rights abusers and state funds embezzlers from participating in the future development agenda of the country, and the Agenda for Change already in place, and so clinically being implemented by the APC-led government, that will help achieve this. High Commissioner Hughes must already have a dossier on the despicable crimes committed by Julius Maada Bio and his henchmen, if not, he can easily request this from Amnesty International’s archives. It is against this background, of the  heinous crimes these ruthless soldiers inflicted on an innocent people, that Hughes and his bosses at the FCO have decided to grant a mass murderer entry visa to the UK.

Hughes and co. may not have thought through the long-term ramifications their actions would have on the peace and tranquility of a nation that already bears the scars of the most brutal civil war ever fought by mankind. This one blind political act – that lacks a thorough sense of discernment, has the potential to pour a sour taste and destroy the already tangible appreciation our country has for Britain’s fine contribution to our national development, and the vital role it played to help end the massacre that we endured as a people. I wonder what Britain stands to gain from allowing Julius Maada Bio entry into its shores! The Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House told me they wanted to give a platform to everyone! But when that someone has a record of brutalising his own people, and is a thief who has stolen millions from his country’s coffers, is there anything that will justify such act?

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Dr. Anthony Kakpindi Soyei

Sierra Leone is mourning the sudden death of one of its illustrious sons, Dr. Anthony Kakpindi Soyei, a former Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Presidential candidate who was killed in a gruesome road accident yesterday on the Bo-Kenema Highway.

Dr. Soyei, a former consul to Italy headed of the Pediatric department in the Medicines and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) for six years. He was also president of Christ the King College Old Boys Association (COBA).

May his soul rest in Perfect Peace.

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