CORRUPT OFFICIAL WITH TIES TO IRAN BACK IN BUSINESS

S E C R E T FREETOWN 000229

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER),INR (BGRAVES)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019
TAGS: PGOV ENRG EMIN MNUC PREL PINR IR SL
SUBJECT: CORRUPT OFFICIAL WITH TIES TO IRAN BACK IN BUSINESS

REF: A. 08 FREETOWN 548

B. 08 FREETOWN 561

C. 08 FREETOWN 593

D. FREETOWN 51

E. FREETOWN 96

F. STATE 22002

Classified By: Political Officer Amy LeMar for reasons 1.4 (b/d)


1. (S/NF) Ambassador Umaru Wurie, ousted Director-General of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, resurfaced on June 18 as the
newly-appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of
Mineral Resources and Political Affairs. Wurie's
insubordination and alleged corruption (reftels A, B) led to
his removal from the MFA on "indefinite leave" at the behest
of the Foreign Minister. Embassy later learned from FoMin
(reftel C) that Wurie has close ties with Iran, and organized
a state visit for the President to Iran without notifying the
FoMin or receiving approval (Note: The state visit was
canceled once it was brought to the FoMin's attention. End
note).


2. (S/NF) Wurie's rise from the proverbial ashes to a
position of power within the ministry responsible for mining
is disturbing in light of reftel D, which provided
information from a single source about Sierra Leone's uranium
deposit and the possibility that Iran could attempt to
negotiate an undisclosed deal to gain access to it in a
largely uncontrolled area of the country. While the uranium
is not currently being mined, and Ambassador delivered reftel
F demarche points to FoMin with a positive response (reftel
E),Wurie's new role in the Ministry could undermine efforts
to prevent illegal and secret agreements jeopardizing the
security of the deposit.


3. (S/NF) Comment Wurie's appointment was made by the
President, along with a number of other senior-level civil
servant shuffles. The President's motivation for putting
Wurie in this position is unclear, as are Wurie's connections
to the Minister, Alpha Kanu. It is possible that Koroma has
faith that Kanu, a trusted advisor, will keep Wurie in check.
Given Wurie's past experience under the FoMin, a watchful but
often pre-occupied and traveling manager, he could carry out
sensitive activities with high-level foreign contacts under
the radar in this Ministry as well. The impact of such
activities in a Ministry wholly responsible for the country's
vast mineral resources, however, could be highly deleterious,
if not dangerous. End Comment.
FEDZER