NOVEMBER POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 FREETOWN 000563 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER/ESPRUILL) E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/01/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM SL SUBJECT: NOVEMBER POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN REF: A. FREETOWN 421 ¶B. FREETOWN 548 Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) Summary: In November, the Freetown political scene focused on government budgeting and management issues. The 2009 budget, released November 21, revealed that the global economic crisis is having only small effects in Sierra Leone at the moment. The real GDP growth rate and national inflation rate both took negative hits, but are expected to rebound. The budget includes a 20% pay raise for historically underpaid civil servants, and ignored outrageous salary hikes demanded by Members of Parliament (MPs). Despite threats to suspend Parliamentary business until their demands are met, MPs continue to work. Civil servants were shuffled between ministries in an effort to remove some corrupt officials and pay back political favors. Allegations of government bias towards members of the opposing party are likely true, though not as virulent as under previous administrations. The Ministry of Lands placed an indefinite moratorium on land sales in an effort to curb abuse and corruption. Addressing land tenure issues is a key area for improvement with regards to Millennium Challenge Corporation eligibility. Eleven prisoners condemned to death for treason were released, following the completion of a three-year appeals process. They are the first prisoners convicted for treason to escape the gallows by means other than a Presidential pardon. President Koroma stated his intention to develop a national health insurance program, representing a new focus on social services. Vice President Samsumana will travel to Mecca with support from the Saudi Arabian government, while China promised technical assistance for fish farming. The Iranian Cultural Chancellor spoke about the need to accept "religious truth and stop rational reasoning." The Italian government provided significant food aid, including 200 tons of rice and 100 containers of meat for needy communities. End Summary. -------------- --- 2009 BUDGET INCLUDES PAY RAISE FOR CIVIL SERVICE -------------- --- ¶2. (U) Minister of Finance David Carew presented the 2009 budget to Parliament on November 21. He outlined the challenges of the global market that impacted hitting targets in the previous year, such as real GDP growth standing at 6 �0A;percent, rather than 5.5, and national inflation holding 3 points higher than expected, at 15 percent. Carew announced that there will be a pay raise of 20 percent for all civil servants in 2009. This increase is hoped to cushion the effect of the high cost of living in the country, and make the civil service a more competitive potential employer for educated Sierra Leoneans. Further details regarding the budget will be sent septel. -------------- MPs DEMAND RAISE -------------- ¶3. (U) On November 20, Members of Parliament (MPs) voted for government business to be suspended until their conditions of service are considered by the Minister of Finance. The MPs demanded a salary increase from 2 million Leones (750 USD) to 12 million Leones (4,000 USD) per month. The MPS also requested vehicles, costing 45,000 USD each, claiming that they otherwise cannot visit their constituencies. Minister Carew told the MPs that the government is unable to meet their demands. The MPS threatened to boycott the budget speech the Minister made on November 21, but were appeased by Carew's promise to review their proposed needs at a later date. Comment: This demand was criticized by many people in a "vox pox" conducted by the UN Radio, civil society activists and media representatives who think MPs should promote the general welfare of the people they represent and not themselves. Some have even called the request as "irresponsible," given the size of the budget and the general lack of services the government can currently afford to provide. The President himself turned down a pay raise opportunity this year (reftel A),and the pay raise for civil servants mentioned in para. 1 is long overdue and much-needed. Though the budget speech was not disrupted, this issue is unlikely to die quietly. End comment. -------------- SHAKE UP IN THE CIVIL SERVICE -------------- ¶4. (C) Amidst rumors of a cabinet reshuffle, many Sierra Leoneans were taken by surprise when the reshuffle occurred instead in the civil service. The State Chief of Protocol (SCOP),Souley Daramy, was transferred to the Ministry of FREETOWN 00000563 002 OF 004 Foreign Affairs as Director General, replacing Ambassador Umuru Wurie (reftel B). Cyprian Kamaray, the Accountant General, was sent on indefinite leave. Mr. Abdul Rahman Wurie, a former SCOP to President Kabbah and now serving as the Permanent Secretary of Transport and Aviation, is being forced to retire. Other civil servants were transferred within ministries. Comment: It is widely believed that if you are not an avid supporter of the ruling party, you will be posted to a less lucrative ministry. Non-APC supporters stand to lose the prestige that goes with working in a strategic ministry, political clout, and unfettered access to the President. Government sources say that such moves are designed to remove corrupt or suspicious workers from the government entirely, or to positions where they can do minimal damage. Others suggest that the APC is seeking to eliminate its enemies and provide positions to those it favors. From the changes made thus far, post theorizes that both motivations are at play. End comment. ¶5. (C) In another development, some senior civil servants who were relieved of their duties in 2007 due to their alleged support for the SLPP were reinstated in early November. However, they were given less important positions than they previously held, possibly in the hopes that they will be discouraged or disgruntled and resign of their volition. A typical example is that of former Development Secretary Kona Koroma, who was reinstated at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports as Permanent Secretary. -------------- MORATORIUM ON LANDS -------------- ¶6. (U) The Minister of Lands Country Planning and the Environment, Cpt. Benjamin Davies, issued a press release on November 19, placing a moratorium on the sale of all lands in the country. The moratorium will be in effect until the government develops a comprehensive and transparent system to prove ownership of all lands. This action is welcomed by many and viewed because of the historically complicated land tenure issues in the country. For example, in the Freetown area, land can be owned free-hold. In contrast, land in the provinces is communally owned and the Paramount Chief is its custodian. Some property owners have sold pieces of land to more than one person and others connive with lands officials to falsify ownership documents. Corrupt practices have led to violent confrontations in the past. The timeframe for this moratorium has not been made public, but land transactions already in progress will continue. Comment: The Minister's move is an indication of political will to address this pressing issue. Land ownership issues are a challenge to a healthier investment and business climate, since many commercial enterprises have been fleeced in land deals or rental agreements. Improving land tenure issues is also an important indicator for Millennium Challenge Corporation eligibility, which is a key priority of President Koroma (septel to follow). The Minister's move is see as a bold step, especially since some of the people involved in the illegal sale of both private and State lands are wealthy and powerful. End comment. -------------- CONDEMNED PRISONERS WIN APPEAL -------------- ¶7. (C) The Appeals Court released 11 condemned prisoners on November 14, including 10 military officers and 1 civilian who were on death row for treason. The prisoners were arrested in 2003 by the SLPP government, for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government by force. They were sentenced to death in December, 2004, and appealed the decision in 2005. The appeal languished in the system, and many believed that the appeals process would either never end, or end in failure. During their appeal hearing, the prosecution failed to produce any evidence linking the prisoners to a coup, including an alleged recording of the defendants plotting against the government. Comment: The release of the condemned prisoners is somewhat unexpected, as almost all persons accused of treason since Independence were executed. Treason charges have been used to eliminate the opposition or people perceived to be threats to the government in the past, and the current expectation is that a treason charge will end with the gallows. Many in the press and civil society are applauding the release of the prisoners, saying that it demonstrates the judiciary's fairness and impartiality. However, rumors have suggested that their release was politically-motivated, because the APC were alleged supporters of the coup attempt at the time. It seems unlikely, though, that politics played a significant role. There is no evidence that the timing of the appeals process was influenced by government, and no indication was FREETOWN 00000563 003 OF 004 given that Koroma would grant clemency if the appeal was rejected. The most reasonable hypothesis based on the information available is that this is simply an example of justice delayed. End comment. -------------- KOROMA PROMISES NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE -------------- ¶8. (U) On November 17, President Koroma made a public promise to establish a National Health Insurance scheme in 2009. This will complement the National Social Security Insurance Trust (NASSIT) scheme which came into effect in 2002. President Koroma is a career insurance broker, and was instrumental in setting up NASSIT during his tenure as Minority Leader in the House of Parliament. All employed Sierra Leoneans must contribute 5% of their salaries, while employers pay another 10%, which is eventually paid-back to the employee during retirement. NASSIT funds are invested in various projects benefiting the country, such as additional ferries to service Lungi Airport, and low-cost housing. Details regarding the National Health Insurance scheme have not been shared, such as how it will be funded, have not been made public. Comment: While it is unclear if and how a national health insurance program can be developed, it is important to note that it is on Koroma's radar screen. His first year in office was largely focused on commercial sectors, and social services, while not ignored entirely, were seemingly put on the back-burner. This is one of several public statements Koroma has made in recent weeks about improving health care in Sierra Leone, and potentially proves that regular reminders from Ambassador and others about the importance of "investing in people" indicators are sinking in. End comment. -------------- BILATERAL RELATIONS -------------- ¶9. (C) The Iranian Cultural Chancellor to Sierra Leone, Mohamed Ghezel Sofla, commemorated International Pen Day on November 15. Focusing on the importance of reading, Sofla stated the importance of training and educating students in Islamic jurisprudence, sciences, and Quranic truth. He was quoted in the November 20 edition of Total News as saying "(W)herever one's thought can not understand some issues, we should accept the religious truth and stop the rational reasoning." Comment: The Iranian presence here is publicized as a cultural one, though there is a diplomatic mission. The cultural center does considerable outreach, particularly in schools. End comment. ¶10. (C) State Radio announced on November 6th that Vice President Chief Sahr Samuel Samsumana will be performing the pilgrimage to Mecca this year and will be hosted by the Saudi Royal family. A total of 655 Sierra Leoneans will perform hajj this year. Of the 655, 20 received scholarships from the Kuwait and Libyan governments. Comment: Sierra Leone is 60% Muslim, and enjoys a high degree of religious tolerance. While Sierra Leone has a diplomatic presence in Saudi Arabia, information about their bilateral relationship is limited. It is unclear if funding the Vice President's trip is a symbolic gesture, or designed to encourage favors later. In conversations with various diplomatic corps members, Poloff was advised to "watch the procurement" trends in the months to come, to see if the Saudis benefit. End comment. ¶11. (C) The Acting Minister of Marine Resources Mrs. Rosaline Oya Sankoh led a three-person delegation to China on the November 6-9 for the formal launch of the Global Technical and Trade Conference on Shrimp. On her return, she said that Sierra Leone stands to benefit from a technical exchange program with China on fish farming and aqua culture. She said that Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Niu promised to send a team of Chinese experts to do feasibility studies on the exchange program and to help revamp Sierra Leone's ailing fish industry. Comment: The Chinese are known for their piracy of Sierra Leonean waters, and the Chinese diplomatic presence has done nothing to curb this practice. Assisting the Ministry with fish farming seems to be a deliberate distraction from the wealth of sea life that already exists. End comment. ¶12. (U) The Italian government donated 41 containers of aviculture meat or chicken through the Ministry of Finance, Development and Economic Planning. Each Member of Parliament will be given 100 cartons of aviculture meat to be distributed to vulnerable communities in their constituencies. The Deputy Minister of Finance, Development and Economic Planning Dr. Richard Conteh said that another 200 tons of rice from Italy is on its way to Sierra Leone and the food aid has been approved by cabinet. Comment: Sierra FREETOWN 00000563 004 OF 004 Leone enjoys strong bilateral ties with the Italian government. For example the Bumbuna Hydro Project, Sierra Leone's only hope for consistent electricity, began as Italian Aid Project. The Italian government has already spent more than 150 million USD on Bumbuna. In February 2008, Sierra Leone received 10 million USD from Italy to boost food production. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will provide the technical back-up for the scheme. End comment. PERRY