THE BEGINNING OF THE LONG GOODBYE: KABBAH OPENS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 FREETOWN 000554 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SL SUBJECT: THE BEGINNING OF THE LONG GOODBYE: KABBAH OPENS HIS LAST PARLIAMENT REF: FREETOWN 499 -------------- SUMMARY -------------- 1.(SBU) An emotional President Kabbah opened Sierra Leone's Parliament for the last time before stepping down next May. In a two-hour address he emphasized democratic values and took credit for leading Sierra Leone from the abyss of civil war. Looking to the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections, he cited electoral reforms, called for political civility, and encouraged women to be candidates, but did not announce election dates. He listed "enormous challenges" still facing Sierra Leone: sustaining peace for development; improving the national security environment; stabilizing the macroeconomic environment; upholding participatory democracy and the rule of law; and building an educated, healthy population. Of particular concern ahead of the elections, he said, is the "current state of lawlessness in the country," a reference to recent isolated but ominous violence. U.S. references in the speech included a James Madison quote urging citizens not to abuse liberty; an appreciation of President Bush's few cabinet changes to justify Kabbah's loyalty to his appointees; and citation of U.S. support for Sierra Leone "as the most suitable candidate for a coastal logistical depot for ECOWAS and hopefully for an African Standby Force" to illustrate his success in consolidating peace. Kabbah thanked international development partners, and asked for more help "to reduce our dependence on them." Critics subsequently reproved Kabbah for embellishing the state of the nation and omitting or glossing over critical issues. Between now and next May, when Kabbah will give Parliament a more comprehensive account of his accomplishments, we can expect more nostalgic farewells intertwined with political rhetoric. End Summary. -------------- Democratic Leadership -------------- 2.(U) President Alhaji Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah opened Sierra Leone's Parliament on June 23, 2006, for the last time since his first election in 1996. Parliament was packed with legislators, cabinet ministers, supreme court justices, senior military and police officers, diplomats, and the media as Kabbah spoke emotionally for two hours about his accomplishments of the past decade. He reaffirmed that he will step down in May, 2007, because he was "sworn to protect and defend this Constitution, which provides for two five year term limits." (Note: Kabbah will actually be in office for 11 years because his reelection was not until 2002 due to the civil war. End Note.) 3.(U) Throughout the speech Kabbah repeatedly emphasized democratic values, saying in various ways that "The Government of Sierra Leone must be a people's Government, deriving legitimacy from the people, serving them in an accountable manner and not afraid to be open to them." In describing himself, Kabbah claimed to have "lead our country diligently and justly, with commitment and with courage. I have ensured the country remains peaceful and united, living amicably with our neighbors .... I have worked hard and innovatively ... to create the right domestic and international environment for economic take-off, with economic growth rates that can empower us to overcome degrading poverty." Commenting on his own leadership style, Kabbah observed, "Once elected to power you can either govern or lead. I prefer to lead.... I believe earnestly that it is the people's inalienable right to be convinced about the government's policies and and agenda. And I believe that such a right cannot be fully enjoyed if the government is not fully accountable, to explain to the people what it is doing with the people's taxes, and in the people's name." -------------- Elections Ahead -------------- 4.(U) With presidential and parliamentary elections looming in 2007, Kabbah emphasized improvements conducive to credible elections. He took legitimate credit for the December 2004 census that "will support Sierra Leone's first post-conflict constituency-based elections, thereby enhancing a free, fair FREETOWN 00000554 002 OF 005 and peaceful electoral process that will further consolidate our democracy." He highlighted some conditions that will contribute to credible elections including the development of an electoral code of conduct, preparation of a National Permanent Voters Register, transparent ballot boxes with ballot-counting at each polling station, and media expansion such as the growth of newspapers from 14 in 1996 to 49 today and the presence of 39 radio stations. He made a specific appeal for "women to come out and contest for seats and other positions at the forthcoming General Elections." 5.(U) Kabbah called for greater political civility. "I would urge opposition political parties to be more proactive and innovative, rather than ... nitpicking on what the SLPP Government says or does." Although the growth of political parties to 28 should "signify a strengthening of democratic discourse," Kabbah continued, "I am not sure this is really happening. But, obviously, this increase in numbers represents expanded political freedom, a positive thing in its own right." Regarding Sierra Leone's frequently inaccurate and notoriously opinionated press, Kabbah called on journalists to "abide by professional ethics, and treat all people and parties fairly" as the country heads for elections. 6.(U) Kabbah observed that "the Multi-party political system is now better understood, and is gaining strength" in Sierra Leone. He took credit for elections "since 1996, all of which were peaceful, free and fair, as attested by comments of representatives of the reputable Carter Center. ... Day after day, election after election, we have continued to use our experience and that of others to improve our system. We are moving forward." 7.(SBU) Comment: There have only been two elections since 1996: the 2002 presidential/parliamentary election and the 2004 local electionQth were conducted peacefully with assistance from UN peacekeepers, now departed. Both elections were considered free and fair, but were subsequently found to be fraught with fraud by all political parties that analysts jjudged did not significantly change the outcomes. Current preparations, per reftel, give hope that fraud can be prevented in 2007. Observers hoped that Kabbah would announce a date for the 2007 elections, and were disappointed when he only commited to leaving office in May. End Comment. -------------- From the Abyss -------------- 8.(U) Kabbah billed his speech as concentrating on "some of the major achievements of my administration over the past 10 years," a period marked by a brutal, destructive civil war that officially ended in January 2002. Citing his first-hand experience of post-war Europe and the benefits of the Marshall Plan, Kabbah said that his performance should not be compared to what happended "in another distant country," but by comparing the situation in Sierra in 1996 with "what prevails today, looked at objectively and fairly." Sierra Leone, he suggested, would be much more developed today if the resources and energy used for post-war reconstruction could have been used for "building on what existed rather than remedying or rehabilitating what was destroyed." Kabbah took particular pride in having passed through Parliament 95 laws, "to strengthen good governance, to facilitate economic, political and social reforms.... We have made substantial progress even as I concede that much more remains to be done." 9.(U) Kabbah asked observers to recognize realistically that "our own war ended only four years ago." In that time, he had restored state authority throughout the country; reestablished elected city, town, and district councils; restored local administrative structures, meaning the "respect and honor" of traditional Paramount Chiefs; resettled 2 million internally displaced people and repatriated 200,000 refugees; reintegrated 72,500 ex-combatants; improved human rights; expanded public health care; introuduced free primary education and increased the numbers of girls in school; reconstructed the economy with with World Bank, IMF, UK, and EU budgetary support that has resulted in 7.3% GDP growth, "low inflation" of 13.5%, and exchange rate stability. Kabbah took credit for keeping "the public service afloat by paying salaries of public officers, the forces, teachers and nurses on a regular basis," FREETOWN 00000554 003 OF 005 preventing "queuing for basic commodities such as fuel and rice," and ensuring that the banks have cash "through serious economic and fiscal management." 10.(SBU) Kabbah proclaimed that "the war on poverty is being fought on all fronts and it is a success story on all those fronts." Sierra Leone has been last or next to last worldwide for the past decade in the UNDP's Human Development Index. Kabbah tried to deflect criticism by noting that first ranked as the least developed country by the UN already in 1991, "an event which occurred much earlier than 1996, when I took up office as President." 11.(U) Kabaah dwelled on progress in education and health, citing the free primary school education, increasing numbers of girls in school, assistance with examination fees, grants-in-aid to university students, expansion of community health centers, and reconstruction of hospitals. He cited the work of the National Commission for Social Action (NACSA) and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) as examples of the social safety net that he is building for the country. He also singled out his food security program that has promised that no Sierra Leonean will go to bed hungry by 2007. He said that an independent review of the Food Security Project reported that 69% of the objective has been achieved, and stated that only those "who want to do no work" will be hungry next year. -------------- Challenges Ahead -------------- 12.(U) Kabbah appealed for public patience with the often slow pace of progress. "Some of the benefits resulting from the changes we have introduced will fructify many years after I leave office .... What I am asking ... is to allow time for these changes to be embedded in our systems and culture for them to reach the point where it is impossible to derail them and bring us back to the situation we were in not too long ago." 13.(U) Kabbah listed five "enormous challenges" remaining for Sierra Leone's post-war reconstruction. The first was continued work toward sustainable peace as a prerequisite for economic development. The second was an "effective security environment" with emphasis on training and upgrading the police and army as a first step. Elsewhere in the speech he declared that "cooperation among the security forces is exemplary," but he recognized clearly that their capabilities are limited. Kabbah also appealed to communities as "key stakeholders" to work for peace and security in their locales. A "stable macroeconomic environment" was Kabbah's third remaining challenge with emphasis not only on GDP growth, but with emphasis on growth that results "in job creation, improved education and health delivery services, adequate housing, sustainable energy supply and adequate socio-economic infrastructure." 14.(U) The fourth challenge was "upholding and promoting participatory democracy and the rule of law." Kabbah observed that "the Sierra Leone Civil War could significantly be attributable to the mauling of democratic institutions and processes as well as the marginalization of the people for a prolonged period." He cited overly centralized governance as a "manifestation of bad governance," and emphasized that "the benefits of participatory governance are enormous and must be pursued at all cost." This was an oblique reference to his own decentralization policies that must be sustained to succeed. 15.(U) Kabbah's final challenge was "building "a solidly educated and healthy population." Interestingly, he cited education and health as both accomplishments and challenges. "An uneducated nation, is at best a lost nation," he said, "at worst a dead nation." Calling health "equally critical," he said that together education and health "will provide a productive and vibrant labor force" that will drive the economy. 16.(U) A separate challenge that Kabbah noted in the speech was the need to manage public expectations that he implicitly sees as unrealistic. Sierra Leoneans are cynical about government promises and performance, a concern that was reflected in Kabbah's comment that "Attitudes of Sierra Leoneans must also shift towards the positive from the FREETOWN 00000554 004 OF 005 overtly negative." -------------- Dangers Ahead -------------- 17.(SBU) Kabbah's concern that recent isolated violent incidents throughout the country could lead to wider and perhaps orchestrated violence ahead of the 2007 elections now that UN peacekeepers have left the country led to his pronouncement that "Government is mobilizing the necessary resources to curb the current spate of lawlessness in the country. We are warning those who engage in lawless activities that the era of impunity is over and that we are determined to firmly restore law and order ... and maintain a peaceful, orderly and progressive nation." 18.(U) Kabbah's view that the root cause of the violence is indiscipline, as stated in a recent presidential press release, was reflected in his speech when he said, "It is not enough to be a free country; the citizens must also enjoy freedom within the limits of the Constitution and our laws." He used the United States, which he described as "a beacon of freedom and human rights," to justify his point by quoting President James Madison as having said, "Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as by the abuses of power." Kabbah concluded, "So let us not ignore the potential dangers posed by those who are inclined to abuse their liberty." -------------- American References and Appreciation -------------- 19.(U) The U.S. was the only country to which Kabbah referred in his speech, and he did so several times. In addition to quoting President Madison, he used President George W. Bush to address criticism that he is too tolerant of underperforming appointees. Saying that officials need time on the job to create solutions to challenges, he observed, "This may well explain why apart from resignations, the current United States President, for example, has carried out no major reshuffle since becoming President." In another self-serving comment concerning security reform, Kabbah said, "In a special study conducted by the United States and ECOWAS, Sierra Leone emerged as the most suitable candidate for a coastal logistical depot for ECOWAS and hopefully for an African Standby Force." 20.(U) Kabbah appreciated Sierra Leone's international donors, although he did not specifically cite the U.S. "In a special way," he said, "I want to thank our development partners ... for their understanding, coooperation, and commitment to the cause of development in Sierra Leone. ... I ask for their understanding when I do not mention them by name. What I ask for is that each one ... accepts the words of sincere gratitude, and my request that they continue supporting the next government, especially in helping us gradually build the capacity to reduce our dependence on them." -------------- Critics Assess The Speech -------------- 21.(SBU) Political opponents and some newspaper commentators criticized Kabbah's speech for distorting, glossing over, or omitting vital issues. Many found his comments on democracy disingenuous, feeling that Kabbah and his SLPP have ridden roughshod over the opposition and were responsible for electoral manipulation and fraud in the 2002 and 2004 elections. Likewise, they see SLPP intolerance of opposition parties in SLPP strongholds as the primary source of current political incivility and potential violence. While several shared Kabbah's concern about lawlessness, they saw the problem not as abuse of liberty, but as failure to address adequately the root causes of the civil war. 22.(SBU) The critics found Kabbah to be out of touch with the 71% of Sierra Leoneans who live in poverty. Claims of economic progress have not been matched by improvements in their quality of life. Critics noted that since the end of the war four years ago, Freetown dwellers have have suffered high unemployment, no electricity, erratic water supply, rising fuel and transport prices, unrepaired roads, FREETOWN 00000554 005 OF 005 significant price rises in imported rice (that still costs less than local rice),widespread crime, poor sanitation, inadequate health care, and substandard schools. Kabbah referenced the country's failed infrastructure only once as part of a future challenge. He took credit for the Anti-Corruption Commission, but, critics noted, gave no explanation for failure to prosecute senior miscreants. Some saw his comments on giving appointees time to perform as a veiled reference to the underperforming ACC Chairman. Although Kabbah cited agriculture and food security, observers were surprised that he made no mention of Sierra Leone's other key economic sector: minerals. 23.(SBU) Critics noted that President Kabbah omitted any reference to the Truth and Reconcilation Commission whose recommendations have not become law as required by the law that established the TRC. They also wondered at his failure to cite the Special Court for Sierra Leone as an accomplishment and that he made no mention of war crimes defendant Charles Taylor's recent transfer to The Hague for SCSL trial. On national security, they criticized him for only a brief mention of Guinea's occupation of the village of Yenga and no discussion of recent Guinea Armed Forces incursions elsewhere along the border. -------------- Comment -------------- 24.(SBU) President Kabbah is concerned about his historical reputation and the legacy that he will leave for Sierra Leone. He wants his tenure as Sierra Leone's second longest serving President to be remembered for more than the destructive civil war, and he wants to be perceived as a champion of democracy. His speech is the beginning of a long goodbye that will culminate in the transfer of power to his successor. More speeches justifying his actions and describing his accomplishments can be expected, especially when he campaigns for his own party's candidates. 25.(SBU) Kabbah will undoubtedly be remembered as benign, but his record might be seen as "Failures Outweigh Successes," as one headline commented. Although there have been some significant accomplishments, his administration has been marked by lost opportunities especially during the UN peacekeeping years. Kabbah's rhetoric has not been matched by performance, and his new laws have not been well implemented. Although his speech to Parliament was personally emotional and drew cheers from the SLPP, it was telling that the APC opposition leader looked bemused throughout. Most Sierra Leoneans probably found it similarly unsatisfying. HULL