RUMORS OF CABINET CHANGES ABOUND IN SIERRA LEONE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000366

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL SL
SUBJECT: RUMORS OF CABINET CHANGES ABOUND IN SIERRA LEONE

REF: A. FREETOWN 300

B. FREETOWN 336

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 b/d


1. (C) SUMMARY: While whispers of a possible cabinet
reshuffle have been heard in Sierra Leone for several months,
the whispers have escalated into a roar recently in numerous
local press reports. While Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL)
representatives are officially denying imminent changes in
the Cabinet, this is the logical time for the President to
take action for a variety of reasons. A major overhaul at the
Cabinet-level would potentially shore-up Koroma's public
support, respond to criticism of ministries that appear to be
underperforming, and demonstrate to the international
community that the government is committed to accountability
and fighting corruption. The July 13 seizure of a
cocaine-laden plane has also called into question the
efficacy of various officials. There is a strong possibility
that changes will be made prior to the anniversary of
Koroma's inauguration as President in November 2008. END
SUMMARY.

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MINISTERIAL REVIEW
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2. (C) While GoSL officials deny press reports that President
Koroma intends to reconfigure his Cabinet, rumors of this
eventuality have circulated for a number of months. Koroma's
development of a performance appraisal system, which included
each minister signing contracts agreeing to a performance
review every six months, demonstrated an obvious interest and
commitment to accountability. The review period is
fast-approaching, which the ministers were reminded of during
a meeting with President Koroma on July 10. This meeting
provided a venue for the President to remind his Cabinet
that, with the local elections behind them, attention will
again concentrate on the actions and inactions of the federal
government. The wide reporting of this meeting indicates that
the President also used it as a means to send a clear signal
to the public that he will not hesitate from removing
ineffective ministers from their positions.


3. (C) That some of the Ministers were chosen for political
reasons, as opposed to proven sectoral competency, is
widely known. A highly-placed embassy source told Poloff
earlier this year that the President considers some of the
ministers as forced upon him, and that the review process
will give him an acceptable means of removing those that do
not share his "vision" without losing considerable political
capital. This is also a means to remove ministers whose
reputations are clouded by suspicions of corruption. On July
13, the landing of a plane under the cover of darkness and
filled with cocaine led not only to immediate arrests of
eight suspects, but also to implications of complicity
involving the Minister of Transportation, among others
(reftel B).

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MAINTAINING A POSITIVE PUBLIC IMAGE
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4. (C) Beyond an opportunity to create a Cabinet more of his
choosing, the President is also likely trying to curry favor
with the public. Though Koroma has largely enjoyed strong
support since he came to power, he and his advisors are aware
that he was elected on a platform of dynamism. Promises to
rectify past governance problems, particularly in the area of
corruption, as well as to move the country into a period of
prosperous development through increased investment in
business and growth enterprises are considered key to
Koroma's victory. The realities of inheriting a government
bankrupt of funds, infrastructure, and human capacity,
however, has made it difficult for the President to make
considerable strides in creating change that is universally
tangible to Sierra Leoneans. While supplying power to
Freetown generated tremendous good will, it represents one
small victory in the face of significant challenges. In
particular, escalating prices of commodities created
financial and food insecurity across the country, and Sierra
Leoneans, while patient with the new government, are becoming
increasingly vocal about the hardships they face. In
addition, the recent cocaine bust, the largest in the
country's history, is raising questions of corruption at some
of the highest levels of government. Such a visible display
of criminality and possible corruption could create even more
skepticism amongst Sierra Leoneans that the Koroma
administration is no more committed to changing established
bad practices than the previous government was.

FREETOWN 00000366 002 OF 002



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DEFLECTING NEGATIVE ATTENTION
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5. (C) While removing ineffective ministers is a logical step
for the President from the standpoint of improving
governance, any movement could also be perceived as a
potential diversionary tactic from other issues. The local
elections, though occurring with relatively few
irregularities, were not without controversy (reftel A).
Allegations of misconduct and intimidation were levied at the
APC party in general, and the Vice President in particular.
Coupling this with the recent cocaine bust, there is an
appearance that Sierra Leone cannot escape the thuggery and
crime that has plagued its history. Sweeping changes in the
cabinet presents an opportunity to distract the public from
the allegations against the Vice President. It is also an
opportunity to demonstrate a tough stance on crime. President
Koroma's highly-touted anti-corruption legislation, which
strengthens the powers of the Anti-Corruption Commission and
its Commissioner, also send a clear signal of firmness to the
public.

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COMMENT
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6. (C) As the completion of Koroma's first year in office
draws nearer, the "honeymoon" period his administration has
thus far enjoyed is also nearing an end. Shifting the Cabinet
composition to increase its effectiveness is one means of
demonstrating to the people his commitment to anti-corruption
efforts, and ensuring that their needs are well met. Such a
move would buy the GoSL more time and patience to prove to
the citizens that the changes promised during the
Presidential elections are happening. It is also an
opportunity to move quickly past recent events, including the
local elections and the cocaine bust. Both compromise the
credibility of the APC government's image as promoters of
peace, good governance, and rule of law. While the Cabinet
changes are currently rumor, there are strong indications
from highly-placed sources that changes (for the better, one
predicts) will be made in the next few months. END COMMENT.
PERRY