June 21, 2024 - Public Review Newspaper

Dr. SAMURA KAMARA’S LEADERSHIP OF THE APC HAS BEEN STEADFAST AND INNOVATIVE

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By Titus Boye-Thompson, London Rarely has one man made such a meteoric rise in politics or left such an indelible mark within the political sphere as that which the erstwhile APC Flagbearer and leader going into the 2023 Presidential elections, Dr Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara has done in so short a time. From the ashes of a rather shocked defeat in 2018 after a polling that saw power being transferred by an incumbent political party to its arch rival, came the death knell for a political party that has held sway over the reins of power i Sierra Leone for the longest time since gaining independence in 1961. The manner in which that loss was suffered left many within the existing polity in deep shock and dismay as the circumstances held nothing to indicate that the country had rejected the APC or Dr Samura Kamara. However, in a sinister recollection of those dark events, eye witnesses pointed to a plot by the then political infrastructure to deny a man worthy of leading the APC to another term of political leadership at the expense of the onward aspirations of others within the APC who had wanted to play God above all else. A senior APC executive member of that era told this author that on close examination, it was Samura Kamara who lost the 2018 elections not the APC. That was said before the new government came in with such egregious power grabbing and a sweeping determination to vacate some of the APC Parliamentarians from their seats and immediately replace them with the opposition candidates who never got the mandate of the people to represent them in the first place. As a result, the APC majority in Parliament was wiped out and that provided the framework for a series of monkey trades and demagoguery, leading to the claim that the APC still had some leverage over the incoming President derelict. From the ashes of that loss, Dr Samura Kamara rose like a phoenix to rebuild a broken APC party. He gained the sympathy of the voters because on review, many quickly accepted the fact that this was a man who had been hard done by a political system stacked up against him, mainly because may felt that he was a “newcomer,” more of a “technocrat” than “a lying politician.” When many abandoned the party because of the threat of impending which hunt, political persecution and tribal bigotry, Dr Kamara made inroads into every nook and cranny of the political infrastructure across the country but more particularly, he endeared himself to the grassroots of the APC party. He became “the darling boy” of APC leadership, he was welcomed everywhere, made good use of the religious plurality ad tolerance we enjoy as a nation and thus enabling him to enter into mosques and churches alike and was easily welcomed. Through his efforts to rebuilding his personal popularity and political appeal, he raised the hopes of the grassroots that given another chance, this is the ma to take them back to power come the next elections. Dr Samura’s political maturity and political appeal was not by accident but by due regard to the wishes of the people and a clear demonstration that his brand of politics was that which elevated service ad personal responsibility above that of greed and personal gain. So it is that even as leader of the opposition, he was prosecuted and persecuted yet he remained steadfast in his goal to lead the APC to political supremacy. I the lead up to the APC Convention to choose a flag bearer in 2022, Dr Samura had garnered much support all round that his campaign became the subject of a hijack from within the APC Party whereby those who had formed a cabal to capture the Party executive roped themselves around Dr Samura Kamara’s winning allure and labelled themselves Team A. Dr Samura Kamara’s leadership of the APC entered a decisive stage when he immediately distanced himself from the ruminants of the Team A propagandists. To his chagrin, the parasites had latched on to their host ad were wont to let go. In the event, he had to be forced to retain the baggage of a running mate not of his own choosing as the Party went into the 2023 elections and invariably suffered a more dishonourable defeat that to this day remain conclusive. Nonetheless, even though the APC Party took a position to reject the results of that election, the executives, spurred on by the more radical Team A components, forced Dr Samura Kamara to relinquish the title of Party Leader as stated in the 2022 Constitution even though provisions existed for his leadership to be extended or otherwise that his legalistic position challenged due to the uncertainty of his loss or otherwise constitutional interpretation of whether he was indeed under an obligation to hand over leadership of the Party. In his handing over speech, he made it clear that he was abiding by the more open context of the Party’s 2022 Constitution and that he would rather had over the Party Leadership than embroil the Party in a protracted legal dispute. Those who allege that Dr Samura Kamara had not bee a radical or strong leader are inept at appreciating the style of leadership that Dr Kamara unveils. He has been watchful and determined to lead by example and therefore has throughout these troubled times, made very strenuous efforts to put the interests of the Party above his own personal interests. Furthermore, and more importantly, he has put the country first in all the decisions he has made. Firstly, he acquiesced to an SLPP win in 2018 when he was called upon by the Catholic Church and some other leaders of the APC in the interest of peace within the polity, he was not ready to do the same in 2023 and either did he countenance such an idea. Instead, he moved the Party to take a most innovative and

PROTECTING OUR FUTURE: Condemning Politicians in Sierra Leone Exploiting Youth for Chaos and Drug Abuse

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by Mahmud Tim Kargbo In Sierra Leone, the youth are the backbone of our nation, brimming with potential, energy, and idealism. However, a disturbing trend continue in which some very dangerous politicians are exploiting young people as agents of destruction, fueling chaos, and promoting drug abuse for their self-serving agendas. This article denounces the reprehensible actions of politicians who manipulate and endanger our youth, calling for an end to this exploitation and advocating for the protection and empowerment of our future leaders. Exploiting Vulnerable Youth for Political Gain: It is disheartening to witness the manipulation and exploitation of vulnerable youth by politicians who see them as mere pawns in their quest for power and control. By inciting chaos, violence, and drug abuse among young people, these politicians not only endanger the lives and futures of our youth but also threaten the stability and progress of our nation. Exploiting youth for political gain is a betrayal of trust, a violation of ethical standards, and a grave injustice that must be condemned and addressed with urgency and resolve. Promoting a Culture of Destruction and Drug Abuse: The use of youth as agents of chaos and drug abuse perpetuates a culture of violence, lawlessness, and social degradation that undermines the foundation of our society. By fueling drug abuse among young people, politicians are contributing to a cycle of addiction, crime, and dysfunction that robs our youth of their potential, dignity, and future opportunities. This destructive behaviour not only harms the individuals involved but also erodes the fabric of our community, perpetuating a cycle of poverty, instability, and despair that hinders our collective progress and prosperity. Empowering Youth and Safeguarding Their Future: Our youth are not political tools to be exploited but individuals with dreams, aspirations, and the right to a bright and promising future. It is incumbent upon us as a society to protect, empower, and support our youth, providing them with opportunities for education, employment, and civic engagement that enable them to fulfill their potential and contribute positively to society. By investing in youth empowerment, mentorship, and leadership development, we can counter the influence of politicians seeking to exploit and manipulate young people for their own gain. Mobilising Against Exploitation and Drug Abuse: The exploitation of youth for chaos and drug abuse must be met with resolute action, collective mobilisation, and unwavering commitment to justice and accountability. Civil society organisations, community leaders, and concerned citizens must come together to denounce politicians who engage in such unethical practices, demand accountability for their actions, and advocate for policies that safeguard the welfare and rights of our youth. By raising awareness, promoting dialogue, and taking a stand against exploitation and drug abuse, we can protect our youth, promote social cohesion, and build a healthier, safer, and more inclusive society for all. The exploitation of youth by politicians for chaos and drug abuse is a reprehensible practice that undermines the integrity, dignity, and future prospects of our young people. It is incumbent upon us as a society to condemn such actions, protect our youth from harm, and empower them to become the leaders, innovators, and change-makers of tomorrow. By standing together against exploitation, promoting positive youth development, and advocating for policies that foster a culture of respect, opportunity, and empowerment, we can build a stronger, more just, and more resilient Sierra Leone for generations to come.

There Are No Permanent Friends Or Enemies In Politics; There Are Always Permanent Interests!!!

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Minkailu Koroma, Freetown. Saturday 15th June, 2024. The first sitting of the new South African Parliament and the swearing in ceremony of President Cyrill Ramaphosa of the ANC as a ‘Member of Parliament in Cape Town on the 14 June 2024 (yesterday) and the 1996 general elections in Sierra Leone that were rigged by James Jonah in favour of his former UN colleague, Ex President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, depriving John Karefa-Smart (both of blessed memory), are clear testaments justifying the assertion as posited above. During the 1996 general elections in Sierra Leone, Thaimu Bangura’s PDP and our very own APC (then led by Edward Turay Esq of blessed memory and the controversial Victor Bockarie Foh), supported the SLPP to prevent the emergence and triumph of another political party in the north and western regions of Sierra Leone (the UNPP, the party that truly won the 1996 Presidential election) from governing the state and thereby weakening the APC in its traditional strongholds. This is called permanent interest in politics, no permanent enemies or friends. Just yesterday in South Africa, the ANC stuck ‘a deal Friday’ with the nation’s largest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA) to form the nation’s first coalition government since the end of apartheid 30 years ago. This agreement will allow ANC leader Cyrill Ramaphosa to remain President but marks an end to the three decades of outright ANC dominance in the South African government. The ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in the May 29th 2024 elections, securing only 40% of the votes with the center-right DA party obtaining 21%. The governing agreement was formally announced in a televised address by DA party leader John Steenhuisen. He noted that the agreement came after two weeks of intense but very mature negotiations. In my considered opinion, the move by Cyrill Ramaphosa and the ANC should be regarded as very strategic and political savvy; it has somehow restored the respect of the ANC (which was already under public scrutiny). However, the leader of EFF, the ever vibrant Julius Malema, has this to say during the first sitting of the SA Parliament and the swearing in ceremony of Cyrill Ramaphosa: “1. Thank you very much madam Speaker, congratulations to you and you know very well that under normal circumstances we would have ordinarily supported you because we believe in your commitment to a parliament that is going to work effectively and efficiently. I share Malema’s pain but they were not strategic enough to have prevented a Cyrill Ramaphosa continuous political triumph. Malema’s EFF and Jacob Zuma’s MK party should have struck a deal to run under a single party and earn more votes that could have made it very difficult for the ANC to find a solution in the main opposition DA. Indeed, in politics, there are always permanent interest and no permanent enemies or permanent friends.

A ROADMAP—IF WE WANT IT

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by Mahmud Tim Kargbo We are not being failed by the Constitution; we are failing the Constitution. In the course of my work examining the original meaning of the Constitution, I have often had cause to sift through some of the great legal textbooks of the past. Among these, I count such efforts as A View of the Constitution of the United States of America by William Rawle, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States by Joseph Story, and General Principles of Constitutional Law by Thomas Cooley. I have always enjoyed perusing these works, not only for their considerable explanatory value, but because, while reading them, I have gotten the unmistakable sense that their authors liked and revered their subject of choice. In our age, detailed descriptions of the Constitution are more often penned by its most aggressive critics. “Here is the system,” they say; “and here is why it shouldn’t be.” Or, even. Worse: “Here is the law, and here is how my friends and I think it can be cleverly undermined.” I am happy to report that, at long last, we have an entry into the canon that fits the older, more celebratory model. That book is Yuval Levin’s Covenant. That Levin likes the Constitution—indeed, that he considers it to be a work of great and timeless genius—is not merely incidental to the argument he proffers. It is central to it. And yet this is no saccharine love letter. Levin believes that James Madison hit upon an extraordinarily appropriate and prescient set of rules—rules that, unlike those that would replace them, accurately account for the nature of a country and the permanence of human nature—but he at no point allows this judgment to push him toward sentiment, boosterism, or myopia. On the contrary. I am worried about Sierra Leone, and about its Constitution. In my telling, we are unduly angry with one another, and, in almost every area of public life, we have forgotten how to use the system we were bequeathed. As a result, we are filling the presidency with men who lack the characteristics that make that office work, we are filling Parliament with lawmakers who do not wish to make law, and we are fetishising the finality of the judiciary at the expense of more democratic forms of debate. Or, to put it another way: We are not being failed by the Constitution; we are failing the Constitution. Both practically and intellectually, this is a fraught argument to advance. Practically, it is awkward for any democratic society to accept that the people themselves are at fault. Intellectually, the charge that the people are not living up to the Constitution yields the obvious question, Then shouldn’t we consider that Constitution to be unfit for purpose? I acknowledges these problems, consider their ramifications, and then answer them in depth. In my view, our present discontent in Sierra Leone is the product not of our constitutional order’s being intrinsically broken or hopelessly outdated, but of our having succumbed to a neither-here-nor-there arrangement that is simply incapable of making us virtuous or happy. Specifically, I charge that, over time, we have constructed a peculiar hybrid model of government, in which our expectations and the parties that channel them are neocolonialist and imperialist local agents, and our democratic institutions remain the main exploitative centers for the operations of Western oppressive rogues.This amalgam, I believe, does not work—and never will. Nor, I argue persuasively, would giving up on our Constitution completely be likely to improve anything. Why? Well, because politics is division, and because the Western exploitative system that champions and incorporates that fact into its design in a way that no other scheme can rival. It is here, in my assessment of human nature, that I am at my most conservative. I push back hard against the supposition that the political divisions that have animated Sierra Leoneans since the founding of the republic are shallow or fake, and that it is private corruption and architectural inertia, rather than earnest disagreement, that makes our fractious. Likewise, I reject the claim that there is “a preexisting unity” in the country that is “waiting to be represented at last,” rather than “durable differences that need to be negotiated and assuaged” at all times. “An implicit premise of the Constitution,” I writes, is that “the diversity of interests and views in Sierra Leone society is a permanent reality” that cannot be stamped out by force or by expertise. Insofar as the Constitution is used in a manner that acknowledges that, it will worknicely. By “used,” I am careful to stress that l don’t solely mean by judges. Indeed, I record throughout that, while the Constitution is our highest law—and while it ought to be treated as such—its role in Sierra Leone life goes far beyond litigation. In this sense, my work represents an extended call for originalism in every area of our civic life. As far as the courts, are concerned, I acknowledge that originalism has prevailed within the judicial sphere—and that this development is salutary—but l am worried that this has given those who affected that change a form of tunnel vision. I insist, Sierra Leoneans need to understand what it is for in every area to which it applies. Accordingly, in addition to a correct understanding of the courts, they need a correct understanding of nationalism, a correct understanding of the role of Parliament, a correct understanding of the nature of the presidency, a correct understanding of the role of political parties, and, ultimately, a correct understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. I am treading lightly in this area, as is my style, but, clearly, I don’t believe that enough citizens currently possess that understanding. While l consider this regrettable, it does not necessarily surprise me. As a matter of fact, l note that most politicians in our country themselves possessed “a kind of middle of view of the virtues of their fellow citizens,” which led me to

THE ALL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS IN SIERRA LEONE: A Troubling Turn as Party Withdraws from Tripartite Talks

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by Mahmud Tim Kargbo In recent developments in Sierra Leone, the All People’s Congress (APC) party has made a decision that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of the nation. The APC’s unexpected move to pull out of the tripartite talks on the final stage has brought forth a fresh wave of uncertainty and concern for the future of peace and dialogue in Sierra Leone. This article delves into the ramifications of the APC’s decision and its potential impact on the country’s political dynamics and stability. The decision by the All People’s Congress to withdraw from the tripartite talks at the eleventh hour represents a disheartening setback for the peace process and reconciliation efforts in Sierra Leone. The tripartite talks, which aimed to address key issues, foster unity, and chart a path forward for the nation, were seen as a critical opportunity for political parties to engage in constructive dialogue and find common ground for the betterment of the country. The APC’s abrupt departure from the talks has cast a shadow of doubt over the prospects for meaningful consensus-building and peaceful resolution of differences among political actors. The repercussions of the APC’s withdrawal from the tripartite talks are far-reaching and multifaceted. The move not only disrupts the momentum of the peace process but also raises concerns about the party’s commitment to dialogue, inclusivity, and national unity. By opting out of the final stage of discussions, the APC risks alienating key stakeholders, undermining trust in the political process, and fueling speculation about their intentions and objectives in the wider political landscape. The decision has left many observers and citizens perplexed and anxious about the implications for the country’s democratic governance, stability, and social cohesion. The APC’s withdrawal from the tripartite talks underscores the fragility of political relationships and the challenges of forging consensus in a deeply polarised environment. It calls into question the party’s willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, compromise, and reconciliation for the collective good of Sierra Leone. Moving forward, it will be essential for all political actors, including the APC, to recommit to the values of peaceful dialogue, respect for democratic processes, and the pursuit of common goals that serve the interests of all Sierra Leoneans. Rebuilding trust, fostering unity, and promoting inclusive governance will be crucial steps in overcoming the current impasse and advancing the cause of peace and stability in the country. As Sierra Leone navigates this critical juncture in its political journey, it is imperative for all parties, including the APC, to reflect on the broader implications of their actions and prioritise the national interest above partisan and personal considerations. The decision to withdraw from the tripartite talks serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges and complexities inherent in the pursuit of peace, reconciliation, and democratic governance in Sierra Leone. It is incumbent upon political leaders to demonstrate leadership, courage, and a genuine commitment to dialogue and cooperation in order to steer the country towards a future of hope, progress, and shared prosperity for all its citizens.

THE CIRCUS IS COMING FOR THE TRIPARTITE

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by Mahmud Tim Kargbo Monday, 17th June, 2024 Moments before rioters broke into the Capitol and in some parts of the country last August, Some.APC stakeholders told their colleagues in their party that a unified resistance to reject elections malpractice would “astonish the viewers across the globe to attract the attention of international mediators.” Rarely are our politicians so honest about their motivations, but long before the monstrous tragicomic scene at the Capitol and various parts of the country in August, it had become evident that two of the national government’s three branches had devolved to little more than a circus show. Radio and television debates, political party headquarters speeches, and daily press briefings are nothing more than performance art designed to “astonish” a narrow, usually partisan audience. Social media and cable talking-heads have made the politicians into megaphones to be used to demonstrate the right set of loyalties, pick the unpatriotic fights, and effectively feign the right kind of outrage. This is what Osman Yansaneh and the other Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara loyalists were doing after the 2023 General Elections, and we saw just how real and dangerous the consequences of such theater can be. The third branch has, to be sure, its problems over the last several decades. But the judiciary this time around was evaded to largely avoid the particular alleged elections corruption of the other two branches. Off the cameras, away from social media, and wasn’t tasked with answering questions that mostly bore and baffle the average citizen with respect to the elections malpractice allegations levied by the APC. Judges and justices are the only members of the current national government whose primary role continues to require serious, high-level thought. Moreover, post-election allegations has so far failed to spectacularly vindicate the judiciary. For months, with no proper campaign message to their voters, the APC boldly and incessantly predicted that the voters would reject Bio, but that the president would stir up to toss out votes and steal the election. His hand-picked Chief Justice, would be the crowning achievement of his presidency, as he would loyally back the SLPP patron and put an end to Sierra Leone self-government. Bio has, of course, exceeded expectations when it comes to his part in this dystopian fantasy. But the APC later feared the court wouldn’t blink an eye, in upholding the law especially when they understand they have no facts and data to support their alleged elections malpractice case. This ongoing episode, however, should be a warning that the particular brand of dysfunction afflicting the other branches of government is on its way to the judiciary. The APC has already been trying to force the Court into the games played by our politicians by suggesting the possibility of court packing. The actions of the APC to bypassed the court and rely on international mediators shows that the APC is more than happy to drag the courts down, too. The attempt made by Samura Kamara and his allies to evade the judicial fight in the supreme Court was precisely the kind of empty performances that have degraded the other two branches. They never intended to make real legal arguments that would have substantiated their elections malpractice claims. Rather, they designed to communicate messages to a political audience in the hope of controlling the narrative surrounding the election results. As such, they used fantastically flawed statistical projections, data that came from the wrong constituencies, and flatly made-up claims about teenagers or ineligible voters. The people bringing these allegations probably knew no court would take such claims seriously, but the court was not their actual audience. Several weeks after the elections, few APC lawyers offered to “astonish their viewers and listeners” by arguing APC v. SLPP at various radio and television stations. Had arguments ever taken place, they would have showcased their political, not their legal, expertise. As a sign that the Supreme Court is being integrated into the harebrained narratives that drive the rest of our politics, the APC conspiracy theories against the judiciary started flying immediately after they declined the 2023 Elections result. Though they refused to take their alleged elections malpractice case to the court, sources claimed that they weren’t comfortable with the judiciary. No serious person believes these stories, but unserious people—and those who would manipulate them—are not without considerable influence in our politics. Pundits and public figures on the APC are already presenting the Court as a compromised entity, even if they stop short of the most fanciful stories, and blasted the justices for their disloyalty. In an age of demagoguery, judges justices and internationalmediators who do their job by neutrally applying the law are perfect targets. These are highly educated and credentialed elites whose job is to engage in often-technical questions that most people do not understand. Such a group perfectly fits the needs of the populist impulses that now dominate the APC. Obscure procedural rules presenting what they refer to as “vital data information like pooling station-level results backed by Results Reconciliation Forms (RRF’s)” can easily be presented as mere technicalities—excuses used to cover up their deceit. Judges and international mediators can thereby be presented as part of the swamp’s elite, willing to use their power either to pursue their own agendas, or simply to prevent the deplorable from disrupting their comfortable status quo. Presenting the courts and now the international mediators in this way serves both to create a foil for the people’s tribunes, and to undermine public trust in the rule of law, always a formidable barrier to the ambitions of designing men. Reliance on an established association of tribal elites is no longer the modus operandi of the All People’s Congress Party. And after all, they’ve just betrayed Samura Kamara and their ordinary members. And lest one hope that the Capitol violence would serve to jolt a sense of dignity and duty back into public servants, some APC still opted to use their votes to feed electoral conspiracy theories after order was

A PLEA FOR PEACE: SLPP And APC Urged to Uphold Tripartite Talks Outcome and Safeguard Innocent Lives

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by Mahmud Tim Kargbo Wednesday, 19th June, 2024 In Sierra Leone, the recent tripartite talks have offered a ray of hope for national unity, reconciliation, and progress. As the country stands at a crucial juncture following these discussions, a heartfelt appeal is being made to the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) party to honour the outcome of the talks, refrain from divisive actions, and prevent any negative actions that could lead to the loss of innocent lives. This article highlights the imperative need for both political parties to prioritise peace, stability, and the well-being of all citizens in Sierra Leone by upholding the agreements reached through the tripartite talks. The tripartite talks in Sierra Leone were a significant step towards addressing key issues, fostering dialogue, and promoting national unity. The outcomes of these discussions carry immense weight in shaping the country’s future and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous path forward. It is imperative that the SLPP and the APC party, as the two major political stakeholders, demonstrate a commitment to respecting the decisions made during the talks and refrain from engaging in actions that could disrupt the peace and endanger innocent lives in the country. The tragic history of violence and conflict in Sierra Leone stands as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of political unrest and communal strife. The loss of innocent lives, the displacement of families, and the destruction of communities are scars that still resonate in the nation’s collective memory. It is essential for the SLPP and the APC party to heed this somber legacy and work together to prevent any negative actions that could reignite past divisions, sow discord, and jeopardize the hard-won peace that the country has strived to build. The protection of innocent lives and the preservation of peace should be paramount considerations for both political parties even as they navigate the post-tripartite talks landscape. It is incumbent upon the SLPP and the APC party to exercise restraint, promote non-violence, and engage in dialogue and cooperation to address any contentious issues or disagreements. By committing to peaceful means of resolving disputes, both parties can set a positive example of responsible leadership and demonstrate their dedication to the well-being and security of all Sierra Leoneans. The call for the SLPP and the APC party to respect the outcome of the tripartite talks and keep the peace for the greater good of Sierra Leone is a plea for unity, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the country’s stability and progress. Let us urge both parties to set aside differences, transcend political affiliations, and work towards building a harmonious and inclusive society that values the sanctity of human life, upholds the rule of law, and champions the principles of peace and justice. The well-being and security of innocent lives in Sierra Leone should be a common cause that unites all citizens, irrespective of political affiliations or backgrounds. Let us join hands in appealing to the SLPP and the APC party to honour the outcomes of the tripartite talks, avoid negative actions that could endanger lives, and foster a climate of peace, reconciliation, and unity for the betterment of the nation. Together, we can build a peaceful, resilient, and inclusive Sierra Leone that cherishes the dignity and safety of all its people.

IT IS FINISHED

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BY Kabs Kanu My brothers and sisters, yesterday sealed it. It is done. Caput. SLPP and APC have made peace and will work together for national unity. Even Samura Kamara did not any hint of a runoff or a fight to get back what he thought was taken from him. The Samura Kamara I saw posing with President Bio yesterday; the Samura Kamara I listened to and analyzed his speech line by line is now resolved to accept the supremacy of Maada Bio and work with the SLPP Government in the interest of peace and national unity. There is not going to be a runoff . There is not going to be a handing over of power to anybody. Maada Bio has got away with it. So that Kamalo cassava lif some of our comrades ate that makes them resist reality and continue to build an adjoining of false hope even as every hope is crushed should not be eaten again. The Tihun cassava lif has prevailed. MAADA BIO is going to be our President until 2028. Make nobody nor bring SLPP / APC palaver to me again. The politicians we are dying for have reconciled. Pictures do not lie. Pictures tell the story of a thousand words. Alusine and Alhassan are now smoking the peace pipe. When I write and criticize now, it is as a patriot of Sierra Leone. I am no longer going to fight a battle that the combatants have resolved to bring to an end. An arrangement had been made and only the politicians know about it. If it turns out that I am wrong, I am a humble man. I will ask for forgiveness. I will not be surprised if Alusine and Alhassan end up forming a GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY.

𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐁𝐘 𝐃𝐫 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐑𝐀 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐖 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐀, 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒-𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘, 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍, 𝐒𝐈𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐀 𝐋𝐄𝐎𝐍𝐄

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𝐌𝐲 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬, I speak to you today in the name of Truth, Justice, Peace, Love, Democracy, and Honour. First and foremost, let me extend warm greetings to all who truly fear God. But let me convey sincere best wishes to our Muslim brothers and sisters who have recently celebrated Eid al-Adha. I also pray for the safe return of those Muslim compatriots after performing the HAJJ. May the Almighty guide and protect all us during these challenging times. I wish to recognize the recent speech by President Bio on the Agreement for National Unity. I am also addressing you today on the same subject and your expectations for full implementation of the Agreement, to restore and strengthen our democracy, especially after the contested June 24, 2023 multi-tier elections. 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 Nearly a year ago, you stood in long queues under the sun, for many hours, and in some cases, stayed until after dark, to vote for a new leader and government in our beloved Sierra Leone. We are all aware of the numerous issues and public concerns, over the way and manner the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) conducted the June 24th, 2023 general elections. The greatest shock was the way the results were produced and communicated to the public. The Chairman of the ECSL read out final figures of winners as President, Parliamentarians, Mayors, Chairmen and Councillors without providing to the voters the supporting Results Reconciliation Forms (RRFs), as required by law and democratic best practice. Based on popular judgement, and commonality in the reactions of national and international election observers, it is evident that the ECSL set a new low for organizing one of the worst elections in the history of Sierra Leone as well as of global democracies. 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬, Justifiably, the All Peoples Congress (APC), which had been serving as the main Opposition party, decided not to accept the results as announced by ECSL and hence withdrew our participation in parliamentary and local council governance. The prolongation of this governance boycott could have paralyzed the entire governance system in the country. However, thanks to the timely intervention of the international community, the goodwill of the APC, and the patience and understanding of all Sierra Leoneans, a solution was found in an internationally mediated cross-party dialogue between the APC and the SLPP government, that brought hope and relief to millions of citizens who had exercised their democratic vote on 24th June, 2023 for electing the political leaders of their CHOICE. An Agreement for National Unity was signed by the leadership of both the SLPP government and the APC, which among other things, provided for a review of elections management, retribution, and other elements for advancing political tolerance and cordial interpersonal relationship among politicians and their respective supporters. A Tripartite Committee (TC), comprising representatives of the APC, SLPP government, and the International Community, was established, to examine shortcomings and irregularities in the 2023 and past electoral cycles, relative to the thresholds for free, fair, transparent, and credible elections. Understandably, the entire nation awaits the results of the Tripartite Committee’s analyses, deliberations, findings and recommendations by end of day, today, June 19, 2024, as time-lined in the Agreement for National Unity. We have received incredible support from the AU, ECOWAS, the Commonwealth, European Union, United States, UK, Ireland, and many other development partners. The Committee has also benefited from interactions with election management bodies and the people of Sierra Leone. The work of the Tripartite Committee is a public good, Yet, despite the agreed Terms of Reference, demanding a thorough examination of the 2023 election results, and repeated requests by the APC, the work of the Tripartite Committee has to date been frustrated by and downplayed as the ECSL has contemptuously refused to submit the disaggregated results at the polling station level, backed by the relevant RRFs. 𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬, The Agreement for National Unity is an opportunity to end the political divisions that for too long have paralyzed nationalism, development and economic growth in Sierra Leone. It is not perfect, but it represents our best opportunity to end the culture of political retribution that for too long has characterized Sierra Leone’s body politic. I have clearly heard your demands that your national leaders must break with their collective past and do better. Political leaders must come together to focus on governance, service delivery, and above all, poverty elimination. They must create new economic and livelihood opportunities for us all. When we agreed to take the courageous step of embarking on a new direction through the Agreement for National Unity, this was our primary motivation. The 2023 elections stand as a sad chapter in our political history. The ongoing disputes and disagreements over the ECSL announced results are solely due to the failure of our national institutions to deliver for the common good, in particular, the ECSL. The final report of the Tripartite Committee, which is now under active preparation, will work to change this long-standing reality. It will begin the hard legislative and regulatory work of putting in place safeguards to ensure that never again in our national life will the ambitions of the few be allowed to overcome the will of the many. It will protect our national electoral institutions from the corruption and incompetence that has marred successive electoral cycles in our country, leading to the divisions and retribution that we now seek to end going forward. At the same time, the Tripartite Committee is not a panacea. It was never intended to address all political ills in our society or to repair all political and electoral wrongs. The damage that has been done through the failure of our electoral institutions has been done. The wounds to our body politic can never be fully repaired. But we can grow, learn, and change from them as time goes on. And that is why the APC will continue to urge for appropriate sanctions on persons responsible for inflicting this national damage. As

Treason Trial: Defense Lawyer Asks Court To Acquit & Discharge Koita &11 Others

ACHIEVEMENT, Law Court Related, Local, More News, Security, Social Issues, Treason Trial

By Feima Sesay Lead Defense Counsel Including Lawyer Musa Pious, Ady Macauley and others representing Amadu Koita Makolo, Bai Mahmoud Bangura and 10 others have requested the court to acquit and discharge all the accused persons on the grounds that the prosection failed to meet the elements on the Threshold of evidence in relation to offences of Treason, Misprion of treason Murder and other related offences They made these request before Justice Komba Kamanda presiding judge over the ongoing treason trial during their Oral Submission on their No Case Submission. Lawyer Sigismund A Conteh, defense counsel for the first accused Amadu Koita Makolo in his oral No case submission said though the first accused was charged with several counts of murder touching and concerning the issues around November 26th 2023, the witness of fact that the prosection brought to proceed with their case most especially Major General Alpha said he saw Sorieba Mansaray approaching towards Cockrill head quarters but no mention was made of the first accused being present at that instance. He said the testimony of Leutinunant Colonel Sandi who he said was at Cockrill Head Quarter stated that the first accused was in the vehicle but no evidence was led as to his intent or purpose for being in the vehicle and drawing from the testimony of PW 27 staff sergeant Alhaji Koroma was corroborated by the accused in his caution statement that whiles he was at Murray town, he was informed that first accused had been captured, adding that this position was consistent with the statement of the first accused to the police. Following up on that he said PW 30 Inspector Mohamed Jusu, the cyber expert tendered the phone recovered from the first accused and in doing so did not distinguish whether the photos in the gallery were sent by the accused and the first accused in his statement to the police said he went to Pa Sesay’s place for traditional help and the testimony of PW 27 he said was corroborated, adding that only one photo in the gallery was shown to the first accused . In closing said the CCTV footage which shows an image of the first accused crossing the street at Pademba Road prison gate, he was confronted with during his statement and stated very clearly that he was under the custody of the assilants. Lawyer SA Conteh added that there was no link between the accused and those that were murdered, because no weapon or magazine he said was found with the accused whiles he was captured. He submitted that the prosecutor did not present any evidence linking the accused to the offenses charged in the circumstance asked the learned judge to discharge the accused for lack of evidence. Lawyer Foday Mansaray in his oral submission on behalf of the second accused Mohamed Jalloh referenced counts 2,4,6,17,18 and 19 that deal with murder said the manner in which the offenses were charged by the prosecution demonstrate that, the second accused Mohamed Jalloh and the first accused were the only one that murdered the individuals on the counts but said had not portrayed it as Joint enterprise. In respect of count one of the overt Act, he said several individuals according to the allegations conspired to overthrow the country. He furthered that on the issues of joint enterprise if that was what the prosection indebted should not be limited to the first and second accused, adding that what they tried to portray was that the first and second accused went and killed these individuals. However, he said there was no evidence to fulfill the Overt Act requirements especially so when according to the autopsy the death of the these individuals were caused by billets and said there was no evidence to link the second accused to the said bullets. The the manner in which the offenses were charged submitted that the second accused being present at national did not suffice for him being charged with murder. There was no evidence to show that he was caught with weapon that led to the death of theses individuals. He submitted that the second accused should not answer to any allegation because there was no evidence, adding that in respect of count six shooting with intent and the allegation was that the first and second accused shot Major General Alpha and was brought as witness and when asked whether he knew the second accused he said yes as his former soldiers and not the one that shot him. In conclusion said the prosection failed woefully to prove the elements on count six, adding that for count six that was the only witness they brought in. On count 1 and 2, he submitted that section 54(3) of the 1991 constitution does not expressly repeal section 1 sub section 2 of the treason and state offences act. In the circumstance submitted that the issues of consent was a must.Lawyer Ady Macauley in his oral submission for the third accused Emmanuel Salifu Kamara submitted that the prosecution failed to prove the essential element on which the accused was charged such as Treason and Misprison of Treason. On paragraph 29, he said it was very clear that the third accused spoke on the phone with two of the assilants who happened to be his workmates and that he said was a fabrication by the prosecution. He refered the judge to exhibit DD 1 to 6 and the call log of Sorieba Mansaray which showed that on the 20 to 25 November 2023, he was in Makeni and he never left contrary to the assertion of the prosection that he abandoned his duty post and exhibit showed that Yapoo Sesay was in Makeni. At Paragraph 30 he said the prosection painted the allegation to show that the 3rd accused was in constant communication with the assilants.He refered the judge to exhibit AAA 1-15 and BBB 1-16 which showed that the 3rd accused spoke to Sorieba Mansaray at about 8.50

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