PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARY RESIGNS OVER SALARY SNAFU

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000421 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER) E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL SL SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARY RESIGNS OVER SALARY SNAFU REF: FREETOWN 366 Classified By: CDA Glenn Fedzer for reasons 1/4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Secretary to the President James Sanpha Koroma tendered his resignation on August 25 in the wake of a small-scale scandal surrounding proposed salaries and benefits for the current President and Vice President, and pensions for former Heads of State. A statutory instrument laying out an increase in salaries, benefits and pensions was put before Parliament on August 22, without the Constitutionally-required approval of the President. The proposal recommended huge salary increases which were lambasted in the press, and the President quickly distanced himself from the request. He stated that he had never seen it, nor would he request a raise during these troubled economic times. Koroma, a banker well-connected with both parties, may have resigned to save face for the government and protect his long-term future, or recent events may have simply been the last straw needed by the President to fire him. End Summary. ¶2. (U) In his position as Secretary to the President, James Sanpha Koroma exercised considerable power at State House. Owner of the Union Trust Bank and previously Governor of the Central Bank for both the Stevens and Kabbah governments, his appointment came as a surprise to Freetown insiders. Koroma was removed from the Governorship position due to allegations of corruption and embezzlement by Siaka Stevens and spent many years abroad before being called back to Freetown by former President Kabbah. Seemingly a political opportunist, he has relationships across party lines and likely provided financial support to the current President during the 2007 campaigns. Considered by many to be overly self-important, he was known throughout State House for circumventing protocol and demanding direct access to the President, rather than working through the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Alpha Kanu, or the Vice President. According to many, no love was lost between Koroma and Kanu, who is one of the President's closest friends. ¶3. (U) Though Koroma has claimed the statutory instrument was sent to Parliament by junior clerks in his office without his consent, rumors abound that he played an active role in moving it forward without executive approval. His potential motivations are unclear, but it is possible that he advocated for the steep pay increase for the President and Vice President to cement his relationships with them. More likely, however, is that he was motivated to pay back old political favors to former President Kabbah, whose pension would have grown substantially had the statutory instrument been approved. Kabbah reportedly quashed corruption investigations involving Koroma during his administration. Koroma accepted full responsibility for the event in his resignation letter, gave his "profound thanks" to the President for the opportunity to serve him, and stated his continued affection and loyalty. ¶4. (C) Koroma's quick and obsequious resignation is an anomaly in the Sierra Leone political scene, where even those caught doing blatantly illegal or unethical things take leaves of absence rather than resign. As a long-time businessman and politico, he likely realized that such action would help to keep him in the good graces of APC leaders. Further, with frequent recycling of politicians and bureaucrats, including those with checkered reputations, he is probably hoping for a high-level position again at some point in the future. Given that he has personally shouldered the blame for a situation of great embarrassment to the President, it is not outside the realm of possibility that this hope be fulfilled. However, sources close to other Presidential advisors suggest that this event was the tip of a much larger iceberg, and gave the President an easy means of removing Koroma from his position. Many expect a Cabinet re-shuffle at some point over the next few months (see reftel),and Koroma could be the first of many heads to roll from positions of prominence. ¶5. (C) Comment: Circumstances surrounding this situation are opaque: was Koroma insubordinate and responsible for submitting documents to Parliament without Presidential approval? Was his resignation an astute political move, or was he pushed from his position? If the latter, does this signal a turning point in the President's administration, indicating that poor performance and inappropriate behavior will result in actual dismissal, or the isolated result of machinations by Alpha Kanu? While answers related to this incident may never be made public, the resignation of a highly visible and powerful figure is unusual in the Sierra Leone political scene. This may be the first of many changes to the President's inner-circle. End comment. FREETOWN 00000421 002 OF 002 FEDZER