Inauguration has been a long-standing tradition in politics everywhere in the world even bastions of modern democracies. United States, United Kingdom and other European as well as African countries hold inaugurations after elections to celebrate their victories and showcase their legitimacies.
Sierra Leone too is part of the inauguration which has been one of the country’s cherished traditions for past Presidents. Prime Ministers Milton Margai, Albert Margai, Siaka Stevens and Joseph Saidu Momoh held inaugurations after elections.
The tradition continued to March 1996 following the introduction of multi-party democracy in Sierra Leone. Ahmed Tejan Kabba held inaugurations in 1996 and 2007 after he won the elections in those years. Kabba’s successor, former President Ernest Bai Koroma too held resounding inaugurations in 2007 and 2012 in celebration of his victory and showcasing his legitimacy to the world.
Like his predecessors, President Julius Maada Bio also held an inauguration in April, 2018 after he emerged victorious in the elections.
But, Bio is yet to hold another inauguration three months after June-24 election, and government is just tight-lipped about it as it faces strong and unending funding cut. Government even struggles for funds to pay salaries talk less of holding an inauguration.
The United States and other democratic countries are yet to recognise Bio’s presidency. Out-going US Ambassador, David Reimer amplified his country’s intention of holding back the much-needed USD450m grant which, he said, Sierra Leone qualified for under the Millenium challenge Corporation (MCC). MCC is a grant offered to any country that passes the approved good governance benchmarks including free and fair elections.
Sierra Leone, for the past five years, according to former US Ambassador has qualified for almost all but failed in the free and fair election benchmark for which she is paying the price. Trapped in obsession for the grant, the recently appointed Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh has been holding talks with the US Ambassador for a reversal of decision.
Sengeh who has stayed too long in the United States wanted to convince the American Ambassador to pour the money into government coffers so that they could roll out development projects citing revamp of the energy sector as a top priority.
For several observers in the media and the public, the Chief Minister is beating a dead horse since his boss had earlier drawn swords with the United States following allegations and counter-allegations. Bio took Sierra Leoneans as well as the Americans by surprise when he alleged that he was incited by the United States to interfere with the June elections.
“I got a call from the United States to stop Konneh from announcing the election results, but I could not do so because the Electoral Commission is an independent and semi-autonomous body,” Bio made a clean breast of himself.
The war on words continue when US officials countered Bio’s allegations and same time responded with a blanket ban on government officials and Sierra Leoneans as well holding back not only MCC grant but stopping funds for other development projects.
Despite America’s insistence on the finance ban, the Chief Minister still continues his cool persuasive skills to get a fund which he hopes would boost his government in the short run. It however remains unclear whether government would use the money for the energy sector as promised if given to them.
Projects highlighted is one good step, but getting the money is another thing as Ambassador Bryan Hunt could not go against his country’s stance. On the eve of his departure from Sierra Leone, Ambassador Reimer assured Sierra Leoneans that the incoming Ambassador would not disappoint them.
“The incoming Ambassador will have his personal lifestyle, but will not go against his the stance of the United States,” Ambassador emphasised.
US’s non-recognition of the Bio government became real when his successor presented his diplomatic credentials not to the government but the people of Sierra Leone. He also emphsised that his country would not recognise and congratulate President Bio unless the June-24 election results are published.
Like the US, the UK has also withheld its normal support to government owing to doubt over the outcome of the June elections. The former colonial power has been rendering financial support to government with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) getting a fair share.
The British government also offers technical support to ACC thus making viable in the execution of its duty, but such assistance has stopped owing to what they referred to as a lack of transparency in the June election. Treading on the same path, the European Union too has also cut off cooperation with the Bio regime in terms of financial assistance owing to a rigged election.
Like Reimer, EU Ambassador too has informed Sierra Leone that his institution would fund no government project until the real results are published. Manuel Muller made the announcement immediately after the election body ECSL failed to comply with their demands.
In a clear demonstration of a readiness to maintain their stance, EU Chief Election Observer, Evin Incir presented horrific findings of the June-24 elections during a press briefing held last Tuesday.
The findings are encapsulated in a final and comprehensive EU report that is not too different from the preliminary one that was submitted to government, the media and other important organisations two days after the June polls. During the presentation, Incir maintained that the election was riddled with brute force and intimidation making it difficult for the electorate to exercise their franchise.
“Political violence replaced political participation,” she said adding that teargas canisters and live rounds were fired during and after the election causing fatal injuries. In such a situation, it is never safe to say that the election is free and fair as voters had no freedom and several others scared away.
Also discouraged by the election fraud, the (United Nations Development Programme) which has been supporting the judiciary has scaled down a bit.
Easy access to the courts recently enjoyed by Sierra Leoneans was being facilitated by the UN body, but its continuation remains questionable at the moment owing to the ban. It is a truism that several inter-governmental institutions frown at any country which the United States cuts off ties with.
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund too has stopped funding Sierra Leone until a legitimate government is installed. Funding cut in a country with a weak revenue base makes it difficult and worrisome for Bio and his ministers as most public institutions, for now, are mere white elephants and shadows of their glorious former selves.
Youyi building which hosts almost all government ministries has lost its hustle and bustle for which it is known in recent past. Most of its workers are on a go-slow and others have seen no need to go at all.
Some wanted to ration office hours as they report for duty only when there is work to do. A senior government official who asked not to mention his name said he was figuring out what to do about the situation since there is nothing much to do.
“I am contemplating about a decision in which my staff comes to work only when there is work to be done since allowances and imprest are not forthcoming now,” he said.
Hit hard by the economic and legitimacy challenges, Bio will not be thinking about an inauguration but fighting to end the economic malaise, get international recognition and move on.