The recent cabinet reshuffle on the one year old Government of President Julius Maada Bio has sent tongues wagging. Various people continue to cast aspersions on the move by the President to axe a number of ministers from his very embryonic Government.
What has come out very clearly is the fact that it is the prerogative of the President to hire and fire appointees. Mark you he owes no explanation to anybody.
But since the President has this right the citizens are also at leisure to assess his actions with a view to highlight whether his decision, to axe these ministers or rotate some, was out of their failure to perform in their various ministries, or he has merely done the reshuffle to axe people whom he thinks are a threat to his position in the party. This is especially against the immediate ruling party’s delegates’ conference at Bintumani.
Many believed it was too early for the President to rotate or sack the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mines, Works and Local Government. These people have based their premise on the fact that they have not featured as non performing ministries.
The President’s reshuffle has been viewed by many as an attempt to axe those individuals who are still a threat to his ambition to continue to lead the party. Prominent among them is radical revolutionist Alie Kabbah, who was one time candidate for the flag bearer position of the party.
The former Foreign Minister is a very witty individual; he has a very strong and persuasive caliber for twisting events. His complete support for the Bio campaign produced remarkable impact for the Bio camp.
The President, many say, has kept a close eye on the former Foreign Minister as he traverses the length and breadth of the world on his foreign diplomacy. In fact, his sudden change to New York was highly suspicious.
The picture is the same with the President’s close ally, Napoleon Koroma, who is also the Secretary General of the ruling SLPP party. He was very instrumental in subduing his native district of Falaba, where the party secured a parliamentary seat in the March ,2018 elections.
His appointment as Chairman of the National Commission for Privatization, steering Government privatization programmes, was met with huge commendation from Falaba and hence his demotion to the position of Deputy Justice Minister is also a blow to his political career.
The sacking of Lawyer Antony Brewah, who was Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, one of the two appointees of the President from Tiama Kori Chiefdom in the Moyamba District, was also surprising.
Many say the old man has completely pledged his life and career to protect the SLPP in those difficult times. His law chamber was used as a springboard to represent the party in legal matters and to also train young lawyers who have eventually risen to represent the party.
While we continue to envisage unclear programmes in many ministries, largely not in tune with the Government’s aspirations, the cabinet reshuffle has not filled these huge expectations from the citizens. Is the Chief Minister doing his work? He is supposed to closely advise the President on reshuffles, since his portfolio requires him to coordinate the activities of various ministries. What is happening to the performance contracts?
The question many are asking is whether the President is apprehensive that his leadership ambitions at the party are undermined by the individuals he has shown the exit door. He has appointed them to positions abroad or by demoting some.
His current actions are quite similar to what Ernest Koroma did to his long time political opponents in the likes of Eddie Turay.
While we look forward to more reshuffles in the coming years we are craving on the indulgence of the President to be taking into consideration performance rather than partisan interest.
That Cabinet Reshuffle!
