News / Press Statement - Election Aftermath

Press Statement -Election Aftermath 1. INTRODUCTION Courtesies The purpose of this Press briefing is to inform the public about the position of the Sierra Leone People’s Party on recent developments of political intimidation, harassment, victimizations and the selective dismissal policy of the All Peoples Congress. 2. IMMEDIATE AFTERMATHS OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2007   Following the announcement of the final results for the Presidential Run-off election on September 17, 2007, there has been a systematic pattern of intimidation, harassment and victimization of SLPP members by APC members nationwide. It started with the comprehensive looting of the SLPP National Secretariat by APC thugs and criminals.  The matter was reported to the police, arrests made and the cases charged to court. We eagerly await judgment. Our members continue to suffer intimidation, harassment and victimization in their homes, communities and work places. The most recent case is the attack on SLPP members in Tongo when the Hon. Francis Konuwa, Member of Parliament for Constituency 14 visited his constituency. There are several cases of physical assaults, molestation of members reported but the victims have been denied justice. You would recall that few weeks ago, a high level SLPP delegation led by the Chairman met with President Ernest Koroma on some of these cases of human rights abuses. He assured the Party of full enforcement of the law and justice to the victims. We are yet to see concrete evidence of this. This may explain why these instances continue to occur. 3. SELECTIVE DISMISSAL POLICY In recent weeks, Party stalwarts in state’s institutions have been targeted. Several have been relieved of their duties in an unprofessional manner symptomatic of the APC disrespect for democratic values and basic respect for human integrity. Some had valid contracts to serve their beloved country. In particular, is the case of the Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone. According to the Bank of Sierra Leone Act 2000, Section 15(3) “Subject to this Act, the Governor shall not be removed from office before the expiration of the term of his appointment unless a resolution is passed by Parliament supported by two- thirds of all its members recommending his removal from office”. The dismissal is unlawful as it contravenes this section of the Act. We recognize the powers of the President to hire and fire. What the SLPP strongly condemn is the manner in which these people are dismissed with complete disregard for termination procedures. The pro-APC tabloids and radio stations present these people as common criminals without trial. The Party strongly believes this is contravenes the basic right of the individuals to equal employment. Perhaps more worrying is the targeting of young professionals in public institutions who were hired into positions through a competitive recruitment process supervised by donors. Like all other Sierra Leonean, most supported the SLPP, some the APC and PMDC. As citizens of Sierra Leone, it is their democratic rights to support Political Parties of their choice. The past administration, cognizance of this fundamental right never coerced anybody who did not support the SLPP. The new APC regime is targeting this critical mass of the population who are contributing to the development of the nation but leaving APC supporters in public institutions untouched. This we consider as a Selective Dismissal Policy. Such policy only reminds Sierra Leonean of the old APC misrule (1967-1992) when high level professionals were purged, thereby creating the capacity problems that have plagued this nation ever since. The Party is reliably informed that prominent and qualified professionals from the South and Eastern provinces are targeted for political dismissals from their places of work. A repeat of such intimidating actions will surely not augur well for the development of Sierra Leone. It undermines the democratic values which the past SLPP administration promoted. It further de-motivates their relatives and sympathizers to work with this government. Some of these may leave the public sector and join international organizations either locally or abroad where their skills will be utilized. This labour mobility will have far reaching implications for the nation, which requires benefiting from its full human resource potentials to meet the challenges of growth, poverty reduction and development. This Selective Dismissal Policy of the APC, which is unduly biased against professionals from the South and the East, further breeds ethnicity and regionalism. It also undermines national unity and cohesion for which the record of past administration is unprecedented in the history of this nation.

4. THE DISMISSAL OF NEC COMMISSIONERS The Party is also concerned about the recent dismissal of Edward Nyalley and Winston Minah, Commissioners of NEC for the East and South respectively. You would recall that these two Commissioners publicly dissociated themselves from the final results of the presidential elections. They were dissatisfied with the decision of NEC boss, Christiana Thorpe in league with the Commissioners from North and West to invalidate results from over 400 polling stations in the South and East. Christiana Thorpe is yet to convince our people about the authenticity of the results; given that vote tallies from 477, of which 426 are from SLPP strongholds remain unknown. Collective punishment even under international law is unacceptable. Consistent with the Selective Dismissal Policy, the two Commissioners have been sacked leaving unaffected the NEC boss and the two others who were equally responsible for the misconduct of the affairs of NEC. The Party views this as the first attempt to have in the Public Sector, particularly in an independent institution such as NEC only those perceived to be loyal to the APC. The Party awaits further actions and will resist with all it takes to stop the APC from its undemocratic practices. Never again can we allow a throw back to the democratic practices of the old. We are monitoring the situation and will robustly oppose such attempts. 5. APPRECIATION TO MEMBERS I would particularly thank the general membership for their resolve to stay on. You are our most valuable asset and we respect your courage. Continue to be proud of our Motto “One Country One People”. Continue to love one another irrespective of ethnic group or region or sex. Our core values of unity, tolerance, respect for human rights and the rule of law, freedom and justice are what make the SLPP different from other Parties. The practices of ethnic bias and nepotism do not in anyway make the APC better. Obviously, the consequences of such actions will not be good for the Country.  6. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING The SLPP is alive and its membership numbering at least 50% of the registered voters is determined and resolved to work hard to continue to contribute to the development our beloved nation. No amount of intimidation, harassment and victimization will force us to succumb. We shall stay in opposition until we get back what was wrongfully taken from us, our happiness. For two days, December 7-8, 2007, the SLPP National Executive Council will meet in Bo to map the way forward and start effective work for the Local Council elections. 7. PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION Because of these ugly developments and some other factors, the SLPP will not participate in the presidential inauguration scheduled for November 15, 2007. I thank you all.    Signed Jacob Jusu Saffa National Secretary-General