An uneasy calm is visible at the seat of power since the ICC (International Criminal Court) issued an invitation letter to Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio ahead of a UN General Assembly in New York next month. The invitation letter was despatched to President Bio as he prepares to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), 2023 meeting in the United States.
The court takes Bio by surprise as he does not expect such invitation at this time. By the invitation, the President should see the ICC’s Chief Prosecutor, Karim Kahn after the UN assembly. The Chief Prosecutor states that he would like to discuss with President Bio on the margins of UNGA, but the main talking point is yet unclear. The invitation was conveyed to the President in a letter dated 18th August, 2018 which states that
“The ICC Chief Prosecutor respectfully requests the opportunity of a bilateral meeting between Karim Kahn and President Julius Maada Bio on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly meeting,” a portion of the letter reads. For many Sierra Leoneans, Bio was invited at the right moment as he would go to UN headquarters even if he is not invited as he struggles for worldwide recognition, and the UNGA will be the ideal platform. He attended ECOWAS and AU conferences as well as the food summit in Rome uninvited, and he is sure to do the same at the UN conference.
Credible sources have intimated this press that Bio would be questioned on most of the killings and other human rights abuses that have taken place in Sierra Leone during his tenure as well as serious human rights abuses. State House officials remain worried and jittery since this is the first time for the ICC to issue an invitation to a Sierra Leonean sitting President.
Late President Ahmed Tejan Kabba was subpoenaed by the defunct Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) after the presidency in respect of war crimes, crimes against humanity and serious human rights abuses during the country’s civil war.
As Bio intends to leave for the New York, high ranking officials in Bio’s government scratch their heads for solution as to what should be done in respect of the invitation. One of the main solutions adopted by government is to secure the service of a prominent international lawyer who will represent Bio if there would be an interrogation. The panic also spirals out of State House to government ministries, departments and agencies as they struggle to water down the importance of the invitation letter.
What appears a sinister cover up, Minister of Information, Chernoh Bah, few days ago, confirmed that his boss was not invited for an ICC case but matters bordering on Sierra Leone’s recent election to the UN Security Council, one the organisation’s most important organs.
It is however difficult for the public to accept such claim since Sierra Leone is not the only country that has won a seat among the non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. Algeria, Guyana, North Korea too won the elections on the same day.
The question of why were those countries’ Presidents not invited by the ICC except Sierra Leone’s President remains the most frequently asked. Presidential Spokesman and former Resident Minister, Northwest region, Alpha Kanu also threw his weight behind the information minister saying it was not an invitation.
But, former Bank Government, Professor Keigala Kallon, in a widely circulated audio, expressed his fear for Bio. Prof Kallon went on to state that he would have interceded had Bio handed over power to APC after his defeat in the recently held elections.
The erudite Professor said suggested that the only way Bio could keep his head above waters is holding fresh elections and conceding defeat if defeated. But, danger lies ahead if he remains at that seat knowing fully well that he does not win the election.
An invitation to the ICC is never a child’s play, and should not be toyed with at all.Although he is worried, President Bio still continues to exercise presidential powers creating an impression that he genuinely holds power.
Within months, he has appointed several government officials including ministers and deputies and dismiss those that do not favour his political existence. In just a day, the President dissolved the entire advisory team at State House and replaced them with new appointees.
Insider sources intimated this press that the dismissal came after Bio was advised by his team to step aside. Other sources say most of Bio’s senior advisers and campaign strategists interfered with campaign funds in the recently concluded elections.
The President however is not oblivious of the cold shoulder he has received from the international community. In a state of panic or hysteria, State House really does not know which way to go as officials attack on all fronts.
They attempt to go the diplomatic way and sometimes employ the service of civil society activists and other associate bodies to go against the international community by way of protests and verbal attacks. In a cool wave of diplomacy, the dreadlocked Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh recently toured the buildings of diplomatic officials to discuss the way to a common ground.
He first met with EU Ambassador, Manuel Muller who he held lengthy discussion with that revolved around strengthening partnership and donor support. Sengeh’s subsequent visit was taken to the British High Commissioner, Lisa Chesney and the discussion points remain the same with the main objective of wooing international support for the Bio regime.
In what appears a reciprocation of visit, Chesney recently paid courtesy call on the Mines Minister, Timothy Kabba although the discussion remained a closely guarded secret. But, many Sierra Leoneans remain less comfortable with Chesney’s visit evidenced by the heavy public backlash.
Her sudden visit to a government which, the commissioner’s country, Britain has frowned at for holding a “stolen mandate” leaves many questions than answers. One of the many questions posed is whether Britain has fallen for Bio’s deceitful baits of electoral reforms. Such visit is a way of legitimising a government that that many Sierra Leoneans and the international community says is “illegitimate.” It goes without saying that Legitimisation of a government begins from recognition of the international community. Although the bashing was high, the British High Commissioner maintained decorum as she made no response.
As the tree of diplomacy fails to bear fruits in the face of hysteria, SLPP government has turned to civil society activists and other political groups to go after members of the diplomatic community. A long-standing activist, Joseph Sannoh of Heal Salone recently went after the US Ambassador, David Reimer who affirmed his country’s position on the June 24, 2023 elections.
The Ambassador made it clear that the United States did not recognise Bio’s government until the election results are investigated and that the “the US is the US position.”
This means even if he leaves Sierra Leone at anytime, another ambassador will not change that stance. Owing to the lack of recognition, the United States has withheld funding for key sectors of the economy except the health sector which is about saving life.
In a paranoic frenzy, Sannoh who is seen as a key supporter of the “illegal regime” has been calling on state authorities to bring the US Ambassador to court so that he could provide proof of his claims. Despite civil activism, Sannoh’s call is a leap in the dark as he fails to understand that the Ambassador’s statements do not amount to a crime.
Even if they amount to a crime, the Ambassador cannot be humbled in a court of law in Sierra Leone although the President can declare a persona non grata, a Latin phrase that means a diplomatic official’s service is no longer needed.
But the question is, how can Bio declare a persona non grata when he is struggling for international recognition. State House, ministers Civil society activists and other top government officials are not alone in the panic, but APPA (All Political Parties Association) too. APPA which is an umbrella body of political parties in Sierra Leone said in a press conference held few days ago that they would not “mortgage the sovereignty of Sierra Leone for anything.”
The statement is a direct affront to the US, UK, UN, EU, Commonwealth, AU, ECOWAS, MRU and other international organisations that have been supporting Sierra Leone to achieve national development goals. APPA which was a strong association is crumbling fast.
About 11 political parties have the association to form a parallel body known Consortium of Progressive Political Parties (CoPPP). By all standards, CoPPP is more active these days than APPA which is a shadow of its glorious former self. Despite desperate actions which ICC’s invitation letter has caused, it still remains a wait-and-see affair if Bio will succeed in turning situation in his favour.