Shielding Minister Sandy: The implications
The government has consistently portrayed itself, both domestically and internationally, as a leading force in the fight against sexual violence, particularly against women, through the introduction of groundbreaking initiatives.
Some of these significant measures include:
In December 2018, the First Lady launched the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign.
In September 2019, the Sexual Offences Act was amended to introduce life imprisonment and harsher sentences for rape and sexual offences.
In February 2019, the government declared a state of national emergency in response to the escalating instances of rape and sexual violence.
In November 2022, the government sponsored a U.N. General Assembly resolution establishing November 18th as a day to spotlight the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. This resolution was spearheaded by Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio.
In September 2022, under the leadership of President Bio, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a Resolution on Access to Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence.
Against this backdrop of notable progress, it is alarming and deeply concerning that the government has remained silent on the recent allegations against the Minister of Works, Dennis Moinina Sandy. These allegations, made public in a video posted by his stepdaughter, Amira Koroma, demand immediate attention.
We have made significant strides in the fight against sexual violence, and it would be tragic to jeopardize all that progress for the sake of Minister Sandy. Is the government willing to risk its hard-won reputation?
It is imperative that the government recognises the gravity of this situation. Sierra Leone cannot afford to retain in its cabinet an individual who stands accused of such serious misconduct, especially after the government has positioned itself as a global leader in the fight against sexual violence.
Failure to launch an investigation into these allegations will not only damage the government’s reputation domestically but will also severely undermine its international standing. Shielding Minister Sandy from scrutiny is utterly incompatible with the global image Sierra Leone has worked so hard to cultivate as a champion against sexual violence.
This inaction is also unfair to the well-meaning Sierra Leoneans at the United Nations who are tirelessly working to ensure that our small nation continues to make a positive impact on the global stage. To allow their efforts to be overshadowed by the government’s decision to protect a minister accused of such heinous acts would be a grave injustice. The concern extends beyond merely protecting the individual in question; it also empowers him to potentially continue acts of abuse and intimidation from a position of authority.
In August 2024, His Excellency the President, in a passionate interview with RISE, stated that his ambition is to “build a global alliance with other nations, multilateral institutions, international partners, and stakeholders to develop and agree on an International Treaty to guarantee access to justice for survivors of sexual violence.” This raises an important question: who will ensure that our girls and women within Sierra Leone’s borders are afforded the same access to justice that the President seeks to provide on the global stage?
In September 2024, reports highlighted that, thanks to the passage of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Access to Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence, “President Bio ensured that 1.3 billion survivors worldwide gained access to justice.”
While we take pride in our President’s achievements on the international stage, we long for the day when our own citizens at home are given even a fraction of that justice. It is time for the government to act decisively, honouring its commitments to the people of Sierra Leone and maintaining the standards it has set for itself on the global platform.
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