By Kabs Kanu
Nobody is doubting anymore that President Maada Bio is the new Chairman of the Africa Peer Review System.
The amended article written by the State House Press Secretary clarified everything—Nigeria stepped down for Sierra Leone . They withdrew their candidacy , which made sense, because we too used to step down for them at the UN.
When I was a minister at the UN, there was a time when rotationally, Sierra Leone was to occupy the remaining Non- Permanent seat in the UN Security Council but we stepped down for Nigeria and let them have it.
It is therefore this favour that Nigeria was returning and anybody who has served in the international system can concede that the system is replete with these concessions. Big Brother decided to step down for Small Brother as a common courtesy. The KEKEHTOMA article clearly makes it clear.
What is now certain is that Nigeria should have had it as Sierra Leone and Nigeria were the sole candidates. But Big Brother decided to step down for Small Brother as we often do for them at the UN.
This too made all the sense. The AU did not just sit down and chose President BIO because he is that good Democrat and human rights observer as we were first erroneously told which was why many of us were concerned because President BIO is neither a Democrat nor a leader that comes even close to being an observer of human rights.
As you can see from the KEKEHTOMA article, Sierra Leone was nominated by our Foreign minister, and Nigeria by their’s and if you read from my recent researched article there is a kind of participation – fatigue among members.. The system is not working as it should and African leaders who chair it do not really name and shame defaulting colleagues . Who should be surprised about this ? When you send a thief to catch a thief, what do you expect ?
So, you can see that the system does not deserve the hype we gave it. It is not a big deal. To those who understand , Bio does not come out smelling any better. Give a rat a shave and a million dollar coat, he is still a rat.
As for the UN Security Council Chairmanship , I was the Coordinator of the AU Committee of 10, called C-10 for 11 years. It was given to Sierra Leone to Chair in 2005 by the AU during President Kabbah’s era. It was not given because our President is a champion of democracy or what-have- you. It was not even given to the President. It was given to the country. If we have a military junta leader now, he will be chair of C-10, because it is the country that was given the role.
Therefore, let us lay this whole argument to bed. It is not because President BIO is a great man and that the award was given to him because if his greatness. It is just that we have a president and supporters who have a very low self-esteem and take everything bigger than they deserve.
THIS REPORT BY STATE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY YUSUF KEKEHTOMA SANDY EXPLAINS EVERYTHING. NOT EVEN THE SLANTING OF NEWS STORIES DISGUISED THE TRUTH –NIGERIA STEPPED DOWN FOR US
H.E Dr. Julius Maada Bio as the New Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism of the African Union
By: Yusuf Keketoma Sandi Esq.
Following the end of the tenure of H.E President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa as Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism, it was the turn of the West Africa Region to occupy the chairship.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, H.E Geoffery Onyeama submitted Nigeria as a candidate for the chairship of African Peer Review Mechanism and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, H.E Professor David J. Francis submitted Sierra Leone as a candidate for the chairship of the African Peer Review Mechanism. Nigeria and Sierra Leone were the only two candidates submitted for the chairship of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
On Saturday 5th February 2022 in Addis Ababa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, H.E Geoffery Onyeama informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, H.E Professor David J. Francis that Nigeria had WITHDRAWN its candidacy for the chairship of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
In the Report of the outgoing Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism to the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on Sunday 6th February 2022, H.E Cyril Ramaphosa submitted that Sierra Leone was the sole candidate of the chairship of the African Peer Review Mechanism and the Assembly endorsed H.E Dr. Julius Maada Bio as the New Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism. Sierra Leone was praised for the excellent progress in promoting Democracy, Rule of Law and Good Governance by the outgoing chair.
H.E President Dr. Julius Maada Bio will now chair the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government which is the highest decision making authority of the African Peer Review Mechanism. Sierra Leone’s President will serve a term of two years: February 2022 – 2024.
Responding to the endorsement by the Assembly, H.E Professor David J. Francis stated: “This is a demonstration of the continental respect that AU Member States have for Sierra Leone and President Julius Maada Bio based on his credible leadership of the C-10 and his ability to deliver on African global agenda.”
Once again, congratulations to H.E President Julius Maada Bio as you now serve as a true beacon of democracy, rule of law and good governance in Africa. A special commendation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E Professor, David Francis for such a diplomatic success.
