REVIEW OF SIERRA LEONE MEDIA REPORTS

Public Information Office (PIO) of UNIOSIL – 22 April 2008

 

[Disclaimer: Excerpts below are from print media and news agency dispatches. UNIOSIL cannot vouch for the accuracy of the media reports].

 

Symbol wrangling may split APC

A report in the New Vision says there is twisting and turning in the award of symbol in the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) – a scenario that may likely weaken the Party’s chances to have an overwhelming victory in the coming local council elections. The reports says, corruption was centre stage in the award of party symbol as some candidates who were awarded the symbol were shocked to find out from the National Electoral Commission (NEC) that their names were not in the final list. This development according to the report has caused embarrassment for some of the aspirants who complained of unfair treatment. Some of the aspirants threatened to quit the party – a decision that may affect the party if not addressed on time. Amidst these controversies, Acting National Organising Secretary of the APC, M.L.Bangura denied in Awoko that no candidate had bribed to obtain the APC symbol. He said the report was a calculated attempt to tarnish the good image of prominent people in the party. “I will challenge anybody who bribed for the party symbol to come forward,” he said.

 

Disabled storm APC office in Makeni

A report in the face of Concord Times says disabled persons in the northern regional headquarter of Makeni stormed the All Peoples Congress (APC) Regional Headquarters, protesting against a disabled candidate that was awarded symbol by the party to represent them in the Makeni Town Council. The disabled said they were strongly against the candidature of Ibrahim I Sesay alias Teddy Pee, whom they said had never identified with the disabled. “We are happy that a disabled has been given symbol to represent us, but Teddy Pee is the wrong person”, Mariatu Sesay, a disabled, remarked. “He only claimed to be a disabled in order to secure the party symbol” she pointed out. “Teddy Pee used his influence and money to buy the party symbol,” another disabled claimed. Teddy Pee said he had always advocated for the rights of the disabled and it is against that background that he was given the party symbol.

 

Disabled to contest Bo City Mayor

A disabled representing the Disabled Rights Movement (DRIM), Vandy A Konneh, has resigned his membership from the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party to contest for the Mayorship of Bo Town as an independent candidate. Mr. Konneh said he was resigning from the SLPP as he would not want his official relationship with the party to disqualify his candidature. Mr. Konneh boasted that he would defeat his rivals as he is the most qualified for the Major of the township, Concord Times reports.

 

Youth groups present independent candidate for Mayorship of Freetown

Youth groups in Freetown reportedly frustrated with partisan politics over the years, have decided to present an independent candidate to contest for the Mayorship of the Freetown City Council. “We want the mayor to come from among us. We don’t want any political party candidate to become the custodian of the city, as the running of the city should not be a political party thing” The Exclusive quotes the youth communities of Fullah and Soja Towns as saying. The media piece also reports remarks made by Mohamed Pateh Bah, the independent choice of the youths that partisan politics hinders community development and if he had his way Local Government elections should be non-partisan.

 

President Koroma reconciles APC and SLPP in Lokomasa Chiefdom

Peace and sanity was reportedly restored in the Lokomasa and Kafu Bullom chiefdoms in the Port Loko district following the visit past Friday of President Ernest Bai Koroma, report New Vision and The Exclusive. The rift between supporters of the APC and those of the SLPP had lasted for over nine months, but reached its waterloo with the direct intervention of the President at a reportedly colourful ceremony. The President appealed to all to work together to sustain peace and democracy.

 

 

(Compiled by UNIOSIL, Public Information Office)