SLPP’S DECEITFUL INFORMATION MINISTER SKIPS THE FINE PRINTS OF MCC PRESS RELEASE ONCE AGAIN AND SENDS PARTY SUPPORTERS INTO PREMATURE JUBILATION.
By Kabs Kanu
Sierra Leone has been reselected for the Millennium Challenge Corporation ‘s Compact Award worth nearly U.S 500 million. This is good news that should bring joy to Sierra Leoneans and we congratulate the country for its readmission into the program. The grant was placed on hold five months ago after the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party ( SLPP ) was accused of rigging the June 24, 2023 General Elections.
However, while it is good news worth celebrating, the Minister of Information and Civic Education , in his press statement announcing the MCC decision, should have done everything to let the nation know the caveat in the MCC decision. The lure to please SLPP supporters, as is the minister’s wont, seems to be too great but it should not override the imperatives of providing the nation what they also need to know about certain developments.
In the last paragraph of its statement, the MCC does seem to suggest that Sierra Leone ‘s re-selection does not guarantee that it has received the grant.After Sierra Leone develops the Compact , it would have to be approved and this approval will be considered based on meaningful electoral reforms by the SLPP Government as outlined in the agreement of national unity between the ruling SLPP and the opposition APC.
Therefore, the success of the compact hinges on the forthcoming tripartite interparty negotiations and whether the SLPP will implement its recommendations in accordance with the communique signed between the ruling SLPP and the APC.
Knowing the kind of President Sierra Leoneans have ——-A notorious truce breaker who has no respect for law, constitution or agreements and who is said to be secretly kicking against the forthcoming tripartite dialogue between the SLPP and the APC, it is never an unhealthy fear that somewhere along the line, Bio will undermine his own success as he did by rigging the June 24 elections.
While we do not expect Mr. Chernoh Bah to announce this about his boss, at least being a man who should know better, he should have included this caveat in the press statement in which he announced the re-selection of Sierra Leone to make it clear to the nation that receiving the money will not be a straightforward process. This forthcoming Tripartite dialogue and the successful implementation of its recommendations will be one of the deciding factors . U.S Ambassador Bryan Hunt warned the SLPP about this caveat in a TV interview two months ago.
So, the money is there to be claimed and it is the wish of all of us that Sierra Leone receives the U.S $ 500. It will do a lot for our country but the SLPP now has the responsibility to make sure that the forthcoming dialogue ends to the satisfaction of stakeholders and the MCC.
Officials of government should stop holding back vital information from their gullible party supporters. It is the duty of the information minister not to be just putting out information based on what he wants supporters of the SLPP to hear . He was appointed to serve the nation, not just SLPP supporters. He is doing a disservice to the people not letting them know what is ahead because it brings disappointment when they hear the whole truth later from another source as they have now done after reading the press release from the MCC.
After Bah’s statement, social media exploded into joy as SLPP supporters who were surprised that the country was re- selected, jubilated. But their joy died down after they read the MCC statement and learnt about the conditions attached to the re- selection. Many of them then confessed that the SLPP still has mountains to climb to receive the much- needed grant. This would not have happened if Cee Bah had been forthright with all the information from the onset.
PLEASE READ THE PRESS STATEMENT OF THE INFORMATION MINISTER AND COMPARE IT WITH THE MCC’s OWN PRESS STATEMENT BELOW IT
––‐MCC PRESS STATEMENT
https://www.mcc.gov/news-and-events/release/121423cabo-philippines-tanzania
In addition, the Board reselected Sierra Leone as eligible to continue developing a compact in recognition of the progress made to advance the national dialogue process, begin implementation of the Agreement for National Unity, and establish the national election review committee.
These actions constitute a critical beginning of an inclusive process to strengthen Sierra Leone’s democratic and electoral institutions following the June 2023 elections.
In making its re-selection decision, the Board noted its expectation of continued progress toward meaningful electoral reform, as outlined in the Agreement for National Unity, prior to considering approval of the proposed compact.
