By Mariama Bah
Travel ban, asset freeze sanctions and other tough measures will be imposed on Sierra Leone government officials owing to rigging of June 24, 2023 elections. The US, EU, UN and UK are hanging heads for punitive measures set to come out soon.
If the international community go by their stance, the big riggers will not travel to EU and other countries either in their official and private capacities. They will also have their assets frozen and sanctions imposed as restraining actions that will push them to a point of no return. Commonwealth, AU, ECOWAS, MRU and other inter-governmental agencies are expected to similar actions.
Although the nature of sanctions remains unclear, it could mean nothing comes in and goes out of Sierra Leone to foreign land.
The allies have issued an ultimatum to ECSL (Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone) to go by the EU demands made few days ago or face investigation for fraud and economic crimes.
“Do as you are instructed; publish the 2023 election result or the EU, UN, UK, USA will probe into accounts directly or indirectly connected to 24 SLPP politicians,” they threatened. In plain terms, the politicians will lose their assets if ECSL does not produce the genuine result.
It is close to three decades after Sierra Leone faced sanctions in 1997 following the overthrow of late President Ahmed Tejan Kabba by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council led fugitive Johnny Paul Koroma. The joint ultimatum emanated from EU press release issued a day after the announcement of the elections.
“The European Union Election Observation Mission calls on the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone to promptly publish the disaggregated results at polling station level to ensure transparency for public scrutiny,” a portion of the release reads. EU which has been in Sierra Leone since May 11, this year is of the firm view that failure to release the result at such lower levels compromises transparency.
A day prior to the announcement of the election results, the EU EOM released a preliminary statement noting that reception of sensitive materials abd each stage of the tabulation at regional tally centres lacked transparency. The EU EOM team could not meaningfully observe verification of the result forms for the presidential election.
It further noted that the number and type of corrections and cancellation of polling station results was neither released nor shared with party agents and citizen observers. Marked inconsistency of figures was also detected during the observation process.
“The EU EOM notes that there are statistical inconsistencies between the first and second batches of presidential results published by ECSL on 26th and 27th June respectively,” the observers pointed out. These discrepancies in the number of average valid votes per polling stations range from a decrease of 75 per cent in Kenema to an average increase of 31 per cent in Kono.
The result also show low numbers of invalid ballots of 0.4 per cent nationwide as well as high turn out in at least three districts exceeding 95 per cent and in a further two districts going above 90 per cent. Local observers also share similar concerns. Despite widespread rigging allegations, the EU EOM continues to observe the electoral processes including the on-going tabulation of results for parliamentary and local council elections whose results were announced yesterday.
West African election observers also agree with EU findings. In a recent press release, the West African Election Observers Network (WAEON) and West African Democracy Solidarity Network (WADSN) threw their weight behind local observer body, National Elections Watch (NEW) in their call for free and fair elections.
“WAEON and WADSN support the call made by NEW for the ECSL to release all polling station level results in the spirit of transparency and allow for independent analysis and verification of results,” the release reads in part. In an effort to ensure fairness and honesty in the conduct of the elections, NEW issued a statement on June 27, 2003 based on estimates from its processed results and verification for transparency.
NEW made it clear that no candidate got the constitutional threshold of 55 per cent of votes cast in the first round.
NEW’s stance indicated that a runoff was unavoidable. A US-based media agency, Africanist press too condemned the electoral process which confers illegitimate authority on the new government. The media agency sees the current regime enjoying a stolen mandate.
“We must also make it known that any government that is the result of a non-transparent election is one that holds a stolen mandate…The Sierra Leonean political elites have already organised an electoral coup against the popular democratic will of the majority of Sierra Leonean votes. Similarly, main opposition, All People’s Congress (APC) does not recognise the government of the embattled President Julius Maada Bio owing to a “stolen mandate.”
APC’s Presidential candidate sees Bio’s action as a “frontal attack” to democracy. Dr Samura Kamara reiterated his stance in a statement issued yesterday 30th June, 2003 calling on APC parliamentarians, mayors, chairmen and councilors not to participate in Bio’s regime.
“APC declares its non-participation in any level of government including the legislature and local councils as the results have already been tampered with to give SLPP (Sierra Leone People’s Party) an unjust majority. APC’s position implies that the party rejects the results owing to clear irregularities and abuse of established electoral procedures,” the statement reads.
An APC press release of 29th June, 2003 also raised eyebrows on the June-24 elections. It says “What culminated in the rogue announcement of fraudulent election results was not just a naked theft of votes of the suffering masses who need change, it represents the biggest threats to our democracy, unity and survival as a nation.”
It went on to state that the “gangstar nature” of their enterprise and the penchant for violence is not a one-off activity but a strategy of a complete state capture. The concerted actions aim at strengthening democracy in Sierra Leone.
A week ago, ECSL (Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone) held multi-tier elections for President, mayors, chairmen and councilors which many believed was rigged in favour of the ruling party. Many Sierra Leoneans including former President Ernest Bai Koroma raised the red flag about rigging through violence ahead of the elections.
Ex-President Koroma who foresaw thuggery during and after elections urged the international community to act and save Sierra Leone. The latest call came from Office of the former President of Sierra Leone as the country’s security situation continues to degenerate.
In a press release of 17th June, 2023, ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma called on inter-governmental agencies to step in now for the promotion of peace in the country.
“Let me take this opportunity to call on all champions and defenders of democracy, human rights, rule of law and peace building especially those who have stood with us during the darkest moments in our nation’s history including the United Nations, African Union, European Union, ECOWAS, Commonwealth Secretariat, Governments of the United Kingdom, United States of America, Nigeria, Guinea and Ghana to pay close attention to Sierra Leone. You should make your voices heard in the protection of peace, democracy and the rule of law in our beloved nation,” the release reads.
The afore-mentioned organisations are crucial to Sierra Leone’s peace, stability and development. They played meaningful role in the transition of Sierra Leone from war to peace in early 2000. The time is here again as election is a source of violence that sometimes result into an all-out conflict.
He appealed to Sierra Leoneans to maintain peace on election day. “Fellow Sierra Leoneans, we should not be distracted; our focus is on creating an enabling environment for citizens to exercise their rights,” he reiterated.
Instead of stoking flames of division, hate and conflict, he went on, Sierra Leoneans had to discourage and condemn violence in the strongest of terms.
He also called on political leaders and supporters to refrain from making “inflammatory” and “divisive” statements and work towards ending political tension in the country.
The former President also does not lose sight of the role of civil society and religious organisations in the maintenance of peace and tranquility within Sierra Leone as the country faces an election widely seen as one of the most controversial.
“I also entreat civil society, faith-based organisations and the media to maintain a non-partisan position, be more vigilant and proactive in de-escalating the political tension. They should also continue to promote social cohesion and contribute to a peaceful outcome of the elections,” he further appealed.
Election management bodies, security forces and the judiciary are also urged to rise above primordial sentiments and put Sierra Leone first. “I kindly urge the election management bodies, the security forces and the judiciary to put country first in carrying out your constitutional duties. Your work should respect the wishes and aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone. You have a duty to ensure that your conduct strengthens the confidence and trust of the people in sensitive jobs you are privileged to perform for our beloved nation,” former President Koroma stressed.
Although the three entities are the last to be appealed to by the former President, their role remains the most crucial to a peaceful and credible elections in the country.
For many Sierra Leoneans, It is clear that ECSL, Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), the Judiciary, the police and the army, have in recent times, contributed to the country’s political tension. ECSL which is at the centre of the electoral process has been treated with the greatest suspicion as it tends to tilt the scale in favour in SLPP’s favour.
Printing of sub-standard voter ID cards, borrowing of election materials from neigbouring Guinea and refusal to publish accurate voter registration data contribute to the current political situation. The Chief Electoral Commissioner’s unguarded statements in the face of political tension make matters worse.
Mr Mohamed Kenewui Konneh said he should not be questioned by anybody in the performance of his duties as he does only what he deems fit. Almost invariably, PPRC Chief, Abdulai Bangura also was accused of acting in SLPP’s interest, a party that appointed him.
Bangura imposes fines on opposition political parties for minor legal breaches while SLPP enjoys a field day. The double standards in law enforcement also nurtures and nourishes suspicion among the public.
Of course, the courts are the worst as judges and magistrates are there only to protect the ruling party’s interest. The judiciary, most times, pays attention to matters brought by the ruling party and ignore those of the opposition.
The arbitrary removal of 10 APC parliamentarians from the legislature is a case in point. Bad precedents are always set by the judiciary especially in matters between SLPP and opposition parties. A large number of political opponents have been detained on Judges and magistrates’ orders, most times, on false claims.
The political detainees are released only later without charges or convictions. Former Ministers of Defence, Alfred Paolo Conteh, Political and Public Affairs Minister, Karmoh Kabba, Public Works and Maintenance Minister, Kemo Sesay are victims of SLPP’s terror and oppression tactics through the courts.
The police and the army also have a slice of their own in the terror campaign. Police and military brutality against members, supporters and sympathisers of opposition political parties are not uncommon, most times, perpetrated in ruling party strongholds.
APC Members are key victims of police brutality in Kailahun, Pujehun, Bonthe, Kenema and Kono in South-East regions, strongholds of the ruling party. In related scenes, police usually ignore reports of physical assaults made by APC members but accept those from the ruling party. A report from Bonthe narrated how an APC member was detained at the police station after being attacked by SLPP members on an APC campaign day.
The naked discrimination practised by aw enforcers threatens the country’s peace and security, a situation that compels former President Koroma to call for appropriate action. It is five years now since Mr Koroma handed over power to President Julius Maada Bio, and
the transition was possible as many said Koroma created the conditions for free and fair elections after the end of his two terms. As President at that time, he was a firm believer of democracy, and bore the responsibility to guard the country’s peace. When objections were raised in the conduct of the 2018 elections, the former President prioritised peace and allowed the smooth transition of power from his party, APC to SLPP.
In the last four years, the former President has dedicated much of his time to the effort of such institutions as the African Union, Economic Community Of West African States, the West African Elders Forum and the Brenthurst Foundation in the quest for peace and democratic transitions in Africa.
Koroma still remains active in supporting the maintenance of peace and stability on the continent. Back home, the situation is not the same; it is riddled with political tension, a factor that keeps the former President mute and modest lest he be misconstrued. His desire has always been for peace to reign and for the democratic process that the country has embarked on to evolve naturally since the end of the civil war in 2002.
Having served Sierra Leone for two consecutive terms in the immediate post-conflict period, he understands the toll of violence and destruction Sierra Leone has gone through.
The call for peaceful, free and fair elections has been rebuffed, and the government is sure to face the music.