Sierra Leone, after three decades, has come again under a one-party system. The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has captured the two main arms of government: the legislature and the executive after last month’s general elections which many say is the most rigged.
Parliamentarians of the main opposition, All People’s Congress (APC) does not show up in parliament to take the oath of office as they claim that the election results do not reflect the will of the majority.
One of APC’s parliamentarian, Mohamed Bangura is the only exception as he took the oath of office alongside SLPP parliamentarians. To many APC grassroot and stalwarts, Bangura’s intention remains unclear.
But, allegations of bribery against the errant APC parliamentarian are not uncommon. Honourable Bangura is being accused of being among those secretly tapping the largesse of Bio’s politics.
Bangura’s cooperation with the ruling party, APC says, however represents no significant threat to the party as steps for his expulsion have already commenced. Although the procedures are rigid, APC will soon disown its own Bangura. Unlike the constituency system of elections, the Proportional Representation model makes the party very powerful than the electorate.
Members of parliament, mayors, chairmen and councillors are chosen by the party to which they are deeply loyal and not the people.
The margin between the number of APC and SLPP law makers is just too wide; the latter prides itself with 81 parliamentarians while the former has 51.
The disparity in numerical strength means APC will have little or no say in the legislative house. One of them remarked that if APC was weak in the previous parliament when it was in the majority, what about now when it is in the minority.
Without any hesitation, APC’s only remedy is to stage a boycott hoping to get an answer within months. They have always demanded that either the genuine results are released or fresh elections conducted by a team of international commissioners. It is not clear when the boycott will end as the main opposition firmly stands on their grounds. SLPP however seemingly cares less about whether APC attends or not since they have already hit the ground running.
SLPP parliamentarians have been sworn in and debates have commenced. Ministers and presidential nominees too are being approved by the SLPP parliament although a conundrum lies ahead. In actual political terms, the presidential nominees cannot form a legitimate government as their parliamentary approvals are not debated.
Debates prior to approval of presidential nominees has been the norm for years gone by, but the trend has changed fast under the Bio regime. Despite criticism and cynicism, SLPP moves on with a government that is largely unrecognised by the international community. The UN, EU, Commonwealth, US, UK and other inter-government agencies have no dealings with Bio’s government.
They see President Bio as one holding and exercising a “stolen mandate.”
But, President Bio and his SLPP comrades justify their grip on power under a one-party system by looking back at the politics of 1970s and 80s. From 1978 to 1991, Sierra Leone was ruled by only one political party, APC under President Siaka Stevens (late).
In 1991, the one-party rule was ruled out by the enactment of a Constitution which provides for a multi-party democracy. But, the promulgation of such law did not mean the one-party system was over.
It however came to an end following APC’s overthrow in April, 1992 by a group of renegade soldiers who formed the National Provisional Ruling Council. Those are years gone by, and no government can justify one-party system on the basis of the prevailing politics of the ages.
Political historians however argued that one-party system was never forced on the people. It was brought into the country’s body politic through a referandum as Sierra Leoneans were eager to see unity and national cohesion as well as ending the intermittent waves of coup d’etats which were already rampant at that time.
However, Bio’s one-party state is not based on a referandum but through coercion, intimidation and terror tactics. It is the forceful introduction of a one-party state that many see Bio’s government as one without authority. The situation has caused many to speculate that Bio may dissolve his illegal cabinet and prepare for fresh elections.
Opposition politicians and the international community continue their call for Konneh to step aside. The CEC earlier said he would not resign and sametime kicked against publishing the result by polling stations saying it is not part of the law.
The stalemate continues and the international community is taking tough actions against the Bio regime. The United States has been at the forefront of seeing Bio’s “illegitimate government” dissolved pending investigation. A team of investigators, according to reliable sources, is on the way to Sierra Leone on a fact-finding mission seeking to establish the actual winner of the elections.
The embattled President will be forced to step down if evidence of rigging is adduced. Although UN, EU, US and UK among others frown at the elections, Bio is however receiving congratulations from few African Heads of States except Guinean President, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya who have imposed sanctions on Sierra Leone by not allowing basic food items into the country including Rice, Sierra Leone’s staple.
US has also taken similar line of action against Bio’s government as it withholds about USD150m grant from Sierra Leone. The MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) has pulled out of Sierra Leone with its USD400m which would have been spent on Sierra Leone. The MCC is a US agency that provides grants based on the extent to which a country achieves good governance benchmarks.
EU too has withheld millions of dollars meant for supporting Sierra Leone in her national development projects. Other countries and inter-government agencies have also gone away. The punitive action is to weaken and crumble Bio’s government ahead of time.
However he is appeasing the international community to see him as a legitimate President to complete his second-term. He hopes to achieve this aim through David Moinina Sengeh, former education minister now Chief Minister.
Mr Sengeh, few days ago, met EU Ambassador and British High Commissioner, Manuel Muller and Lisa Chesney respectively on strengthening long-standing relations with Sierra Leone. For many Sierra Leoneans, it is a tactical move to mesmerise the international community after a sinister rigging of elections.
The Chief Minister’s desperate engagement with members of the diplomatic community come at a time swords have been drawn between President Bio and the West. His moves also have left many questions than answers in the face of the current political impasse.
Though subtle, the Chief Minister’s appeals for peace and strong relations have been interpreted as one seeking to curry favour from the international community after Bio bulldozed his way late last month. It was an act for which the West will not forgive the current government although Sengeh is unwary about this.
Observers in the media and the public say either the Chief Minister is not sincere with the international community or seeks to lower their morale in Sierra Leone. Signs that the international body will not reverse their decision have already crystallised as they speak with one voice over Sierra Leone’s political situation.