THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE PENDING: KOROMA COMMENTS ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000493

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON SL
SUBJECT: THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE PENDING: KOROMA COMMENTS ON
HIS FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE

Classified By: CDA GLENN FEDZER FOR REASON 1.4 (b)


1. (C) Summary: President Koroma marked the end of his first
year in office by inviting government and international
officials and members of the media to a speech on the
anniversary of his inauguration. His September 18 was
broadcast live across the country. The President took credit
for, among other achievements, new legislation, better donor
relations, and electricity in the capital. His speech fit
the mold of Sierra Leonean political discourse, telling the
population and international community what it wanted to
hear, and blaming his predecessors (not inaccurately...) for
many of the problems his administration currently faces.
President Koroma is likely sincere in his intent to bring
about the positive changes highlighted in his speech, but he
has yet to make some of the hard decisions needed to realize
that change. End Summary.


2. (U) President Koroma marked the end of his first year in
office by inviting members of his administration, government
officials, parliamentarians, the international community, and
media to celebrate the anniversary of his inauguration.
Information Minister Ibrahim Kargbo opened the event by
emphasizing the government's efforts to rebrand Sierra Leone
as a "developing" rather than a "post-conflict" nation, and
highlighted the media role in the effort. This re-branding
is part of President Koroma's efforts to restore
international confidence and foster attitudinal change in
Sierra Leone.


3. (U) President Koroma then took the floor, listing what he
considers his notable achievements in his first year in
office:

--The resumption of direct budgetary support from the
international community, including 26 million pounds from
DFID and $3 million from the World Bank; direct support was
previously frozen due to concerns over transparency

--A government-initiated review of mining agreements to
ensure that the people of Sierra Leone benefit
proportionately from mining profits

--Visits by high profile individuals, including George Soros
and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and their
pledges to provide technical assistance and advocate on
Sierra Leone's behalf

--Improved ranking in the International Finance Corporation's
Doing Business Report

--The passage of new legislation, including anti-drug
legislation and anti-corruption legislation, both of which
are viewed among the best in the sub-region

--The provision of mostly reliable electricity in Freetown,
with plans for expansion and improvements next year.


4. (U) Despite his satisfaction with these accomplishments,
Koroma warned of challenges still ahead, including the need
to manage the long-term effects of the civil war, eliminate
poverty, end youth unemployment, and improve access to
justice. Preventing terrorism, fighting corruption, and
combating global warming were also cited as issues facing the
administration in its second year. In naming the challenges,
the President did not miss the opportunity to note that many
are the legacy of the previous administration.


5. (U) President Koroma then turned his focus to issues that
need to be on the government's radar. For national growth,
investment is needed in information technology, agriculture,
tourism, education, infrastructure, and national resource
development. The government also needs to promote private
and public sector investment and continue to improve the
nation's image internationally. Finally, it must build on
the democratic gains of the 2007 election process by
consolidating peace, rule of law and good governance.
Koroma's specific goals include: improving Sierra Leoneans'
relationship with the environment; working with the
international donor community to ensure aid addresses
national priorities; building a national service ethos among
Sierra Leoneans; eliminating corrupt and ineffective public
officials from government; and, working towards political
reconciliation.


6. (U) Local media have been divided on the President's
performance in his first year. One of the most reputable
daily newspapers, Awoko, published the results of an interlan
poll that had 17 percent giving the administration and "A,"
25 percent a "B," 20 percent a "C," and 38 percent a "D."


7. (C) Comment: Koroma's remarks, effectively a state of the
union address, contained few surprises and offered few
solutions for political observers. Two noteworthy aspects
were the limited discussion on narcotics trafficking,
especially in light of the current inertia surrounding the
most recent drug bust (due in large part to the inexplicable
absence of the Attorney General from Sierra Leone for much of
September),and the new focus on the environment, which has
never been part of his platform and had previously received
very little attention. Otherwise, his comments maintained
the norm in Sierra Leonean political rhetoric: emphasis on
topics of interest to the international community, such as
terrorism and corruption; identification of challenges but no
concrete solutions; and voicing support for political
tolerance while also pointing the finger at rivals. That
said, Koroma is still viewed as sincere in his efforts, but
has yet to make the hard decisions needed, including
dismissing ineffective and/or corrupt ministers, before his
stated vision can begin to be realized. End Comment.
FEDZER