UNPP ELECTS US COLLEGE PROFESSOR AS PRESIDENTIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000511

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM SL
SUBJECT: UNPP ELECTS US COLLEGE PROFESSOR AS PRESIDENTIAL
CANDIDATE - LEGITIMACY CHALLENGED


1. Summary: On June 16 and 17, the United National People's
Party (UNPP) held a national convention in Freetown to elect
a new party leader and presidential candidate. Delegates
elected Abdul Karim Koroma, a U.S. professor, as presidential
candidate. One party official denied the legitimacy of the
convention in a press release, but the convention attracted
approximately 500 attendees and delegates. In a letter to
the National Electoral Commission, former UNPP party leader
John Karefa-Smart stated that he has resigned his position;
however, the legitimacy of this weekend's convention remains
in dispute. While the UNPP is no longer a force to be
reckoned with in Sierra Leone politics, the party dynamics
closely reflect the recent infighting of the two major
parties. If the UNPP is able to gain a following, they may
form a coalition with a more popular party. If Charles
Margai's People's Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC)
effectively pulls votes away from the ruling Sierra Leone
People's Party (SLPP),this will be a dynamic worth watching.
End Summary.


2. On June 16-17, POL intern attended the 4th Delegates
Convention for the UNPP. The convention was held in Freetown
to elect a new party leader and presidential candidate.
Amidst controversy over the legitimacy of the convention,
delegates elected Abdul Karim Koroma as the presidential
candidate for the 2007 elections.


3. On June 15, "Standard Times" published a press release
claiming that the proposed convention was illegitimate. The
press release stated that a very old Dr. John Karefa-Smart,
who lives in the USA, was the true party leader and had not
abdicated his position to Acting Chairman Ahmed
Taylor-Kamara. The press release discouraged party
supporters from attending the convention and stated that the
official convention will be held in September 2006. The
author, David Ansu-Koroma, claims to be the Acting National
Executive Secretary of the party.


4. Approximately 300 people attended the first day of the
convention. Acting party chairman Ahmed Taylor-Kamara
appealed to the international community to closely monitor
the 2007 elections, citing campaigning violations already
committed by the ruling SLPP. (Note: The SLPP holds a 74%
majority in Parliament as well as the presidency. End Note.)
Working committee chairman O.B. Conteh stated that the
party's poor showing in recent local elections was a result
of poor organization and discouragement from past failures.
Conteh urged delegates to remain committed to the growth of
the party and improvement of the country. Both Taylor-Kamara
and Conteh emphasized the unity of the party and tried to
dispel any claims that the party was divided or that the
convention was illegitimate.


5. International delegations from the U.S., UK, Canada and
Germany were scheduled to speak; however, only the UK
delegate (also a contender for party leader) was present.
Delegations from the Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern
regions of Sierra Leone were also present. Delegates from
the Eastern and Northern regions called for immediate action
to build party support, but Taylor-Kamara intervened and
emphasized that campaigning would not begin until the
National Electoral Commission (NEC) announces election
season.


6. On June 17, the convention reconvened to elect the new
party leader and 2007 presidential candidate. There were
approximately 500 people in attendance with 411 voting
delegates. Delegates nominated Mohamed Ben Kamara, a
businessman living in the UK, and Abdul Karim Koroma, a U.S.
college professor. It was clear that Koroma had the
overwhelming majority of party support. Though he was not
present on the first day of the convention, he was received
with cheers and applause on the second day. (Comment: It
appears that Koroma gained support by making numerous
financial contributions to the party. His election speech
was essentially a retelling of these contributions. End
Comment.)


7. The election was made by open ballot with members of the
press counting the votes. The acting chairman made several
references to the party constitution to resolve disputes over
procedure.


8. On June 19, "For Di People" published a letter from
former party leader and presidential candidate John
Karefa-Smart. The letter confirmed his resignation as party

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leader, but was unclear about the legitimacy of the
convention. Karefa-Smart appealed to the NEC to disregard
any claims from persons not properly empowered by the party
constitution to convene a national convention. Karefa-Smart
also wrote that Haja Memunatu Conteh, his presidential
running mate from the 2002 elections, should serve as interim
National Party Leader until a new party leader is elected.
Neither Karefa-Smart nor Conteh was present at the
convention.


9. On June 20, "Awareness Times" published an interview with
Karefa-Smart and Haja Memunatu Conteh. Both Karefa-Smart and
Conteh declared last weekend's convention to be fraudulent
and illegitimate. Conteh stated that the convention was held
without regard for proper procedure, as outlined in the party
constitution, and that convention organizers excluded many
prominent party members, including Conteh herself. (Note:
Haja Memunatu Conteh is Chairwoman of the Western Region.)
Conteh also stated that while nominee Mohammed Ben Kamara
holds an official position as chairman for the UK branch,
Abdul Karim Koroma is an ordinary party supporter living in
the United States with no official position. UNPP officials
are preparing to take legal action against the organizers of
the convention.


10. Comment: John Karefa-Smart, now a professor at Loma
Linda University School of Public Health in California, was
Sierra Leone's first Foreign Minister in 1961 and nearly beat
out President Kabbah in the 1996 presidential elections.
Since his departure, the UNPP has not been a serious
political force and currently holds no seats in Parliament.
Karefa-Smart was the saving grace of the UNPP. He received
widespread support during the 1996 elections and Sierra
Leoneans still hold him in high regard. Though he was
referenced frequently during the convention (his name even
mentioned in the party song),his absence makes a stronger
statement. Without another charismatic figure to replace
Karefa-Smart it is unlikely that the UNPP will garner
substantial political support. Karefa-Smart's official
resignation from his position, and the impending legal
battle, will likely seal the UNPP's fate as a minor sideshow
party. The controversy over the delegates' convention seems
to be par for the course for Sierra Le one politics; with
internal party disputes leading to party splits and legal
battles ruling the day. If the UNPP is able to gain a
following, they may form a coalition with one of the major
parties. If Charles Margai's SLPP breakaway party, the PMDC,
is able to pull enough votes away from the ruling SLPP, this
will be a dynamic worth watching. End Comment.
HULL