Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08FREETOWN563
2008-12-01 16:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:  

NOVEMBER POLITICAL ROUND-UP - FREETOWN

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINR PHUM SL 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO3209
RR RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0563/01 3361658
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 011658Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2330
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
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)

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
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