MARCH POLITICAL ROUND-UP -- FREETOWN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000129 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER/ESPRUILL) E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR SL SUBJECT: MARCH POLITICAL ROUND-UP -- FREETOWN REF: A. FREETOWN 79 ¶B. FREETOWN 99 ¶C. FREETOWN 102 ¶D. FREETOWN 109 Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry for reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (U) Summary: March was a politically active and volatile month in Sierra Leone. Two violent clashes between the APC and SLPP resulted in the banning of political radio stations, and differences between the parties were negotiated with the international community acting as mediators. The SLPP held its party convention to elect a new executive, and amended its constitution to give more powers to the party, rather than presidential candidates. In the midst of this tension, the APC dealt a serious blow to the SLPP as they won two local government bye-elections in Pujehun, the heartland of the SLPP and in Port Loko. The death toll from the pipeline explosion on March 22 has risen to twenty-three, and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) continue to deny their involvement despite numerous eye-witness reports to the contrary. President Koroma swore in the new Cabinet Ministers approved by Parliament, and all have taken up their positions. On the economic front, Arik Air, a Nigerian-based company, will start operations in Sierra Leone with two aircraft. End Summary. -------------- PARTY VIOLENCE ABATED, BUT TENSIONS REMAIN -------------- ¶2. (U) Per reftel B, political clashes between the two parties on March 13 and 16 wreaked havoc in Freetown and placed a spotlight on the volatile relationship between the APC and SLPP parties. The government is conducting an investigation into the events of those days, though a timeframe for their findings has not been released. In the meantime, the diplomatic corps has continued to mediate between the parties and remind them of the need for unity and cooperation. More details regarding the mediation will be provided septel. -------------- SLPP ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE -------------- ¶3. (C) The SLPP held a party convention on March 6-8 to elect a new executive and ratify the party's constitution. The convention was the largest gathering of SLPP members since the party lost the Presidential election in 2007. During the convention the rift within the party came to the fore as former Vice President (and 2007 presidential candidate) Solomon Berewa blamed former President Kabbah for SLPP defeats in national and local elections. Despite Berewa's criticism, Kabbah still has a strong following within the party, and assisted several of his allies in claiming executive positions. His wife, Isatu Jabbie Kabbah, won a hotly contested race for the Women's National Leader. Notably, the party elected several members from the APC-dominated North into the executive, including new Deputy Chairperson Kadi Sesay. J.J. Saffa kept his position as party Secretary-General, despite being a polarizing figure: his public statements are frequently seen as deliberately provocative and seem to have little grounding in fact. John Benjamin, the former Finance Minister during the Kabbah administration, was elected as party Chairman. His election was the most controversial to non-SLPP supporters due to his alleged involvement in the NPRC coup. Comment: The SLPP has floundered since their defeats in their 2007 and 2008 elections, and this party conference was a critical step towards strategizing for the 2012 election year. Benjamin is a savvy politician and possible contender for the presidential candidacy, and his skillful leadership was evident during the violent clashes this month. Previously known for their bitter and often ridiculous hyperbole, SLPP statements surrounding the events were generally factual and measured. They presented a united, organized front to the international community, while their APC rivals appeared ill-prepared for legitimate questions about their party's involvement in the riots and vandalism. Once viewed as a ship without a rudder, the SLPP now seems focused on achieving its goal of regaining the presidency through legitimate political discourse and action. End Comment. -------------- APC WINS TWO BYE-ELECTIONS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The ruling APC has won two significant local government bye-elections, dealing a psychological blow to the SLPP. The Pujehun bye-election (in southern Sierra Leone) was FREETOWN 00000129 002 OF 002 previously postponed as result of pre-election violence (reftel C),but were ultimately conducted on March 22. The APC candidate won, despite Pujehun being known as an SLPP stronghold. The Port Loko bye-election in the west of the country was held on the same day, and also resulted in an APC victory. Allegations of intimidation against SLPP voters were made in both locations, but are unsubstantiated. Comment: The Pujehun win is a significant one for the APC, proving that the party can succeed in SLPP territory without PMDC support. In Port Loko, the expected backlash against the APC did not materialize; following Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay's removal from his post as Minister of Transport in the wake of the July 2008 cocaine bust, many expected his community to turn against the APC in protest. It is possible that President Koroma's public support of Kemoh Sesay ameliorated the negative sentiment against him and his party. End Comment. -------------- PIPELINE EXPLOSION AFTERMATH -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The death toll from the March 22 fuel pipeline explosion has risen to twenty-three, despite the recent arrival of specialized medication for the burn victims from Ghana (reftel D). The SLP continue to deny culpability for the explosion, despite evidence that tear gas canisters were the cause. Comment: Given the allegations of police misconduct surrounding the political incidents, as well as a recent stampede that occurred at an inter-high school athletic meet that the SLP did little to control, the SLP's professionalism is under intense scrutiny. However, rumors that there will be a sweeping change in SLP leadership appear to be unfounded at this point. End Comment. -------------- NEW CABINET IN PLACE -------------- ¶6. (U) On March 25, President Koroma administered the oath of office to the final group of new ministers and deputy ministers (reftel A). The Cabinet reshuffle is now complete, with all posts now filled. Comment: Post expects the ministers to sign new performance contracts in the next few months. Ambassador intends to meet with the various ministers throughout the month of April. End Comment. -------------- SIERRA LEONE WELCOMES NEW AIR SERVICE -------------- ¶7. (U) On March 30, President Koroma witnessed the landing of a new air service at Lungi International Airport. Arik Air, owned by Nigerian businessman Sir Arumeni-Johnson, plans to service Freetown sub-regionally as well as with a Freetown-London route. -------------- BILATERAL RELATIONS -------------- ¶8. (U) The Chinese Embassy, according to press reports, has offered scholarships to two Sierra Leonean journalists to pursue a three-year Masters program in Media studies. The president of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists said that his executive has been lobbying the Chinese government to offer scholarships to journalists wishing to pursue further studies. ¶9. (U) The Deputy Chief of Defense Staff, Brigadier Koroma, announced on March 27 that the UK government has donated 1.8 million pounds to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. The donation also included 20 vehicles and some generators. Brigadier Koroma also gave an update on the security situation across the country, which he says is calm. He stated that the military, with the assistance of IMATT, is now very robust and professional. PERRY