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.

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PARTY VIOLENCE ABATED, BUT TENSIONS REMAIN
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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.

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SLPP ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE
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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.

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APC WINS TWO BYE-ELECTIONS
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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

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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.

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PIPELINE EXPLOSION AFTERMATH
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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.

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NEW CABINET IN PLACE
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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.

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SIERRA LEONE WELCOMES NEW AIR SERVICE
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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.

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BILATERAL RELATIONS
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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