IS THE CIVIL SOCIETY IN SIERRA LEONE A CONTRADICTION, OR, AN UNDER-COVER POLITICAL OPPOSITION AGENT AGAINST STATE GOVERNANCE?
{Courtesy: Facebook Post , 23/11/16}
By Wotay Brima
The government of Sierra Leone’s re-branding efforts continue to yield dividends, despite the penchant by detractors to sabotage those efforts.
on 'Black Monday ' morning.
In the past two weeks alone, the country has received eight ambassadors and High Commissioners with the aim of establishing and consolidating bilateral relationships with Sierra Leone which to a significant extent is demonstrative of confidence by the international community in the country’s progress, especially the resilient and strong leadership exhibited by President Ernest Bai Koroma. The main opposition, instead of focusing on providing a formidable opposition in the country, have resorted to fermenting panic among the public through the reckless use of social media with a game plan of undermining and disrupting the peace and stability of the state. It is no secret that the SLPP has failed the nation in providing the role of an opposition on a wide array of issues and happenings in the country.
Amidst the current challenges facing the country, the Government and the people of Sierra Leone are paying attention to the ongoing development strides in rebuilding the economy, wooing foreign direct investment and ensuring mutual socio-economic development. The recent inflow of ambassadors from The Peoples Republic of China, Pakistan, Australia, Netherlands, Colombia, Czech Republic, France and Canada who have all presented their letters of credence to His Excellency the President is a clear manifestation that Sierra Leone is making progress. During these bilateral engagements, the foreign envoys pledged their commitment to strengthen the economy, supporting government’s projects and efforts in energy, trade and investment, water and sanitation, agro business, private sector development, mining and infrastructural developments across the country. The strong pledges made in supporting these sectors speak volumes on the confidence in the government and the leadership of President Koroma. It’s however disheartening that when significant progress of this sort is taking place the defunct SLPP is busy parading itself as an inciter of civil unrest and disobedience. This is all a ploy to score cheap political capital; a capital they will not utilize in the near future.
It could be recalled that earlier this month, the president commissioned three ultra-modern hospitals in Lumley, Macauley Street and Waterloo that will significantly help in rebuilding the country’s healthcare delivery system. Despite the economic challenges which are not unique to us, the country is making progress. YES! We are making progress. This progress was recently lauded by the DFID International Development Secretary; Priti Sushil Patel said she was impressed with the state of progress made on the ground and the amazing developments taking place in the country under the President’s Recovery Priorities.
The drumming of support from the international community and development partners is hurting the SLPP. This is completely the opposite of what took place in 2006 when the international Community and institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) backed out as a result of lack of confidence in the then SLPP government. The SLPP in their wildest dreams will be having an all night of prayers to see similar occurrences at the moment but to no avail. “Dis dae morna dem baad.” Hehehehehehe.
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission led by John Wakeman-Linn visited Freetown between September 14 - 27, 2016, to conduct the sixth and final review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). He stated that “Sierra Leone’s economic reforms over the last three years have been largely successful. The economy proved resilient in the face of two major exogenous shocks: the Ebola epidemic and collapse of iron ore prices and associated loss of production in 2014-2015. Sound macroeconomic policies, together with generous support from development partners helped ensure fiscal and external sustainability, while providing sufficient resources to begin implementing the post-Ebola Recovery Strategy. Since the last quarter of 2015, economic growth has resumed, and it remains on an upward trend, supported by new investments in mining, agriculture and fisheries. The recovery underway is projected to remain sustainable over the medium term.”
Sierra Leone is now a model of resilience in overcoming challenges as demonstrated in its post war reconstruction and demonetarization as well as the fight against Ebola. We have been described as a darling of post war democracy by the outgoing United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon. It is worthy to note that amid these challenges, Sierra Leoneans can now make a clear distinction in the areas of increased electricity supply, roads, increased agricultural productivity, doing business reforms, access to justice, water and sanitation to name but a few. Let the SLPP sit down and solve the widening divide within their embattled ‘club’, stop the infighting and mend the factions among party stalwarts before making a move to address national issues. They have essentially lost the moral ground to even hold the government to account. — with Ahmed Abdulai Tarawally and 6 others.
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{Courtesy: Promote Sierra Leone}
*President Ernest Koroma's Credential on Free Speech and Open Media *
John Baimba Sesay
State House: Freetown Sierra Leon
Sierra Leone’s media landscape had its most challenging period during the war era. The return to multiparty democracy in 1996 however, initially ushered in a new sense of hope. This was evident by the rise in number of media outlets.
It lasted briefly, then came an era of uncertainty. And sadly so, this period of uncertainty was within a perceived participatory democratic era, a period that would normally call for the media to have a free space thus providing a platform for public discourse- the SLPP era (1996-2007).
Jailing critical media practitioners became part of the norm. Few examples here and there - then managing editor of ‘For di People’ Paul Kamara had his story to tell, with repeated jail terms, added to again, repeated arrests of late Olu Gordon, a vocal, sharp and intelligent doyen in the field of journalism. Olu was an inspiration to many!
I worked briefly with Harry Yansaneh, when he was acting editor at ‘For di People’ newspaper. That was when Paul Kamara was in jail as a prisoner of conscience, on the orders of the then government.
We had, in 2005 or so, published a story which exposed plans by the government to execute alleged coup plotters. It was to the displeasure of the government. The newsroom was to be attacked and Yansaneh beaten by thugs on the directives of a Member of Parliament of the SLPP. Yansaneh died 78 days after that sad episode. A presiding magistrate had conducted an inquest, made some orders as per the law for the MP to be detained! The rest, we say, is history.
Well, a different scenario all together today, courtesy of the government's respect for free speech and an open media. We should at least commend the current administration for ensuring an enabling environment. A high sense of commitment has always been demonstrated since 2007, when President Ernest Bai Koroma was elected on a popular vote. There has been no journalist jailed as a result of his work; there is a law guaranteeing access to public held information, something the former administration could not do; there has been an open political space to the point of us not having any political prisoner.
This administration is mindful of the crucial role that a vibrant and independent press has in sustaining those credentials attached to democracy and the rule of law. The President has been a media friendly person and one who values free speech. The media, in diverse ways continues to be part of the country's governance process. These are undisputable facts!
In essence, the country enjoys greater freedom under this administration. It would therefore be unreasonable to say otherwise! It also should be noted that freedom comes with responsibility. Where that responsibility by the citizenry is not met, the state has the duty to act and sure with no desire to tighten the knots to the detriment of free speech.
There have been campaigns for the repeal of the Public Order Act, something the government is committed to. But we should go beyond calls for repeal and look at how society also conforms to acceptable norms. Ensuring society goes by the dictates of acceptable standards both morally and legally is crucial. And as public sphere, this is where our right groups should be seen playing their role, not just lampooning or critiquing actions of government.
But they could only have a moral position to stand and speak when they are apolitical. I submitted recently that individuals have the right to associate with any political party. Fact!
However, when once one takes the identity of a civil society activist, nothing but neutrality is expected when it comes to partisan politics. Fact, too! Demonstrating loyalty to, and having a sort of liking for a political agenda will outrightly contradict what is expected of a civil society organization.
In a nutshell, government has and will not muzzle free speech. The media landscape has been outstanding, with civil society having the needed environment to operate independently.
The opposition, with their past record in the area of press freedom and free speech, in my view, lack the moral platform to lecture government on free speech and ensuring a pluralistic media. Not only did they muzzle it, the media became their target and now having surrogates in civil society doing their political bidding!
Ps: Pictures add by blogger!
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