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g7+ Election Observer Mission’s Preliminary Findings of General Election in Sierra Leone

On June 25th, 2023, the g7+ Election Observation Mission (EOM) released their initial findings on the General Election held in Sierra Leone the day prior. The EOM monitored a total of 25 polling stations across two districts, specifically Freetown and Waterloo.

Led by Deputy General Secretary of g7+, Mr. Habib Ur Rehman Mayar, the Observer Mission worked to objectively, impartially, and professionally observe the opening, voting, closing, and counting processes. The delegation also included Chief Operating Officer of g7+, Mr. Felix Piedade, Vice President of National Election Commission of Timor-Leste, Mr. Domingos Barreto, and Deputy Director of National Election Commission of Liberia, Mr. Michael A. Clarke.

Despite some technical issues with the biometric voter verification system causing delays in certain polling stations, the initial report stated that the elections were conducted peacefully with voters freely exercising their right to vote without any intimidation or coercion. The g7+ EOM commended the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone for their commitment to transparency and accountability throughout the electoral process.

The preliminary report did, however, emphasize the need for increased civic education and voter sensitization to improve voter turnout, especially among women and youth. The report also recommended further training for polling staff and greater inclusion of women in the electoral process.

The g7+ Election Observation Mission congratulated Sierra Leone for their dedication to democracy and urged all parties to respect the people’s will. A final report containing detailed findings and recommendations will be presented to the government and other stakeholders in the near future.

Peace Commission Hosts Various Elections Observer Missions

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

A high powered delegation of Members of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) led by former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, which is currently in the country to monitor the June 24th multi-tier elections, on Thursday 22nd June, 2023 paid a courtesy call to the Situation Room of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion widely known as the Peace Commission at the Bintumani Conference Center in Freetown.

The delegation which also included H.E Kadre Ouadrego, Former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso and former President of ECOWAS met members of the National Mediation Team, comprising the Chairman and Board Members of the Peace Commission and representatives from Civil Society Organizations, the Human Rights Commission, the Police and Legal Aid Board.

The Board Chairman, Rev Shodankeh Johnson, in his welcome statement catalogued the numerous activities that the Commission has undertaken since its recent formation as well as the various interventions it has made that are all geared towards the enhancement, consolidation of peace and national cohesion.

He made mention of the recent dialogue between the  main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) and the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) that was jointly facilitated by the Commission and the Political Parties Regulation Commission ( PPRC), which according to him was aimed at addressing a number of concerns and dissatisfaction raised by the opposition APC regarding the general electoral process.

According to the Chairman, the Peace Commission was gratified that the dialogue turned out to be successful in resolving over 70 percent of the contentious issues raised, even though he noted that there were a few sticking matters which still required continuous engagements.

He , however, sagely insinuated that the prevalence of peace goes with some sacrifice of rights buttressing that “if everybody is right, achieving peace would   prove difficult”.

In his response, the Chairperson of the West African Elders Forum, President Goodluck Jonathan, congratulated the people of Sierra Leone for maintaining democracy despite the country’s ugly past, and commended President Bio for creating such an important infrastructure, (the Peace Commission), a move according to him, that should be emulated across Africa.

He praised the commitment of the Peace Commission team with special reference to their recent engagement with the opposition in trying to resolve some very contentious issues with respect to the June 2023 elections.

Giving a synopsis of the WAEF, President Goodluck Jonathan stated that it was set up few years ago to assist the ECOWAS leadership in mediating conflict situations in the sub-region, adding that too often when conflicts occur in the region, sitting Presidents find it difficult to intervene. He made it quite clear that they as WAEF are not core observers even though their presence would add immense value to the entire process.

He said their visit is also centered on identifying the role they could play in order to consolidate the peace before, during and after the June 24 General Elections.

H.E Kadre Ouadrego, on his part, reiterated the importance of peace and stability in the West African sub region, noting however, that peace cannot be achieved without free, fair and credible elections.

In her contribution, the Executive Secretary of the Peace Commission, Hawa Samai, asserted that the Commission doesn’t work in isolation but has been collaborating with other stakeholders including the Inter-Religious Council, the Paramount Chiefs and Traditional Leaders, whom she noted, due to the high respect accorded to them in their communities, they have also been appointed to form part of the district mediation teams.

The district mediation teams, she added, are permanent structures set up to address emerging issues even after the elections.

Madam Samai hinted the delegation about further plans of the Commission to conduct fragility studies in all hundred and ninety chiefdoms to deepen the Commission’s knowledge of the root causes of issues happening in those communities, with the aim of addressing them ahead of the next elections in five years.

WAEF is made up of   former Presidents, Vice Presidents and former ECOWAS Presidents.

In another development, a team of mediators from FemWise, has arrived to support the Peace Situation room and are now working alongside the national team in mediating on issues around the elections.

FemWise is a network of African Women in Conflict Prevention and Mediation. Their role is to strengthen the role of women in conflict prevention and mediation efforts in the context of the African setting, peace and security architectures.

Also, a delegation from the African Union Elections Observation Mission to Sierra Leone also made a visit to the Peace Situation.  The team led by the former Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, said the visit is to see what the Commission has been doing to ensure the elections were peaceful.

With Sierra Leone being a signatory to the African Charter on democracy and Human rights, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said the AU desires free, fair and transparent elections.

The African Union Commission has been very instrumental in the setting up of the Peace Situation room through capacity building for the staff and the provision of computers and other logistics.

Executive Secretary ,Hawa Samai, was full of appreciation for the AU, noting that Sierra Leone was the second country in Africa to acquire the kind of software provided by the Union for the establishment of a Pace Situation Room Call Center. She also commended them for making available a team from FemWise to be part of the Mediation team.  Their   presence, she added, would give added credibility to the work of the Peace Situation Room.

Hitherto, the Peace Situation Room has been visited by the Commonwealth Observation Mission, led by former Nigerian Vice President H.E Prof Yemi Osinbanjo  and a team from ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissioners (ECONEC).

Head of AU Mission Commends Judiciary’s Preparedness to Handle Electoral Offences

Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, who doubles as Head of the African Union Mission, His Excellency Hailemariam Dessalegn, has on the 22nd June, 2023, expressed sentiments of  his impression on the leadership provided by Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards to make the Judiciary an envy in the sub-region.

Regarding the Judiciary’s preparedness to handle elections offences and petitions, the Head of AU Mission said, “it is clearly visible that there is adequate preparedness, and thank you for that.”

While commending the Chief Justice’s impressive and compelling presentation on the Judiciary’s preparedness to promote Electoral Justice, His Excellency Hailemariam Dessalegn said, “Thank you so much my Lord Chief Justice for the excellent briefing given on the preparedness of the justice system to handle petitions and offences related to the 2023 elections.”

On his part, the Hon. Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, said the Judiciary believes in the supremacy of the Rule of Law and access to timely justice for all players in the electioneering process.

Highlighting his institution’s preparedness, Hon. Chief Justice Edwards said they have developed an Electoral Justice training manual that guided the training of all Judges to deal with cases at the Elections Offences and Petitions Court.

“I have assigned 26 Judges to preside over cases at the Elections Offences and Petitions Court across the country,” he disclosed, adding that “We have also established independent Registries” where cases are filed at the specialized Electoral Court while regular Court sittings will be ongoing uninterrupted.

“We have the capacity, and we are now prepared,” he affirmed.

2023 Elections: EU Chief Observer Discloses Preliminary Findings to the Press

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

On voting day, the 24th June, 2023, the European Union’s Chief Observer for Sierra Leone, Evin Incir, and the Press had an engagement at SOS Hermamanei on Beach Road in Freetown and Collegiate Secondary School in Freetown during which she updated the Press in relation to preliminary observations of the electoral process and further dilated on the role of the Mission in the conduct of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Municipal Elections to be very fair, free and transparent.

While acknowledging some initial delays across various parts of the country, Incir, but affirmed that she remains confident that the delays would be addressed and the voting process would continue smoothly.

“For now we have observed some delays in most parts of the country but we will provide you with further updates as time goes by,” she disclosed also highlighting the commitment to keeping the public informed.

She emphasized the importance of every eligible Sierra Leonean exercising their democratic rights by participating in the electoral process.

Head of the Mission informed that as voting has started in the country they have a presence in all the sixteen districts in the country further disclosing how Observers forming the European Union Observation Mission (EU EOM) were long deployed on two occasions to all the sixteen districts of Sierra Leone where it is expected that they will primarily observe opening, voting and counting of the ballots as well as the tabulation of the results.

During a second Press briefing at the Colligate Secondary school in the afternoon, she commended all Sierra Leoneans and ECSL staff for their commitment towards enhancing democracy in the country affirming that despite the delay in the commencement of the polls, voting is ongoing in most areas of the country. She assured the public that voting is now underway in most areas of the nation.

She further encouraged voters to continue their peaceful and orderly conduct throughout the electoral process.

The Chief Electoral Observer said the mission’s mandate is to observe all aspects of the electoral process and assess the extent to which the elections comply with the country’s laws as with regional and international standards as well as the commitments the country had made regarding democratic elections,” Evin Incir stated and assured of intermittent updates to members of the public through the Press.

Bio Expresses Satisfaction, While Samura Kamara Raises Concerns

By Abubakarr Harding

At the Hockey Field on Wilberforce in Freetown, on the 24th June, 2023, the voting process was going on smoothly, despite the usual small hitches that were taking place from one Polling Centre to the other. At some minutes after 11:00, the First Family including His Excellency, the President Rtd Brig. Julius Maada Bio and the First Lady Her Excellency, Dr. Fatima Bio arrived to cast their votes.

After casting their votes, the President in a snap interview with the Media, stated that so far from what he has seen and heard so far he is somehow satisfied with the electoral process saying he has been in touch

with other districts, towns and centers.

He acknowledged the fact that there are certain concerns raised by voters but underscored how every electoral process can experience minor setbacks maintaining that patience must be exercised

The President emphasized the significance of the electorates participating in the electoral process stating that determines the future of the country, the well-being of its people and the prospects for their children.

He, however, expressed confidence that everything will work out smoothly adding that he has no significant concerns regarding the overall voting procedure.

“Go out and vote! It is your constitutional right. Today, you’re choosing your Mayor, Members of Parliament, Councillors, and President. So go out and vote peacefully,” President Bio concluded, urging all eligible voters to exercise their democratic rights.

Hours later, at about 1:15PM, the main opposition APC Presidential Flagbearer, Dr Samura Kamara, turned up with his entourage at the MAFA Field Polling Centre located at Regent Road, Lumley in the West End of Freetown to also cast his vote.

After casting his vote he was engaged by the Press during which time he pointed out that from what he has heard and seen so far he is not complaining but raising concern.

He expressed disappointment over the delayed commencement of the polls and the poor organization observed at various polling stations, particularly the one where he cast his vote. He said there is no need for verification to take place on Polling Day citing neighbouring Liberia, where he said names are exhibited way ahead Polling Day. Samura Kamara said those concerns raised border on the credibility of the ECSL. He said that institution was not instituted to serve Presidential Candidates or politicians but rather the people of this country.  He said there have been reports of Ballot boxes not arriving earlier at Polling Stations, in some cases there are incomplete electoral materials and ballot stuffing. Samura Kamara said such must stop.

He furthered that when a Presidential aspirant wins genuinely then he can safely and freely serve with an open conscience. The main opposition contender emphasized the will of the people to gain precedence over any other thing.

He said despite those challenges he remains confident in his prospects for winning the elections.

In a statement, he said, “If they were not afraid of me, or if they were confident of winning the elections, they wouldn’t have been playing all these games.”

He further urged the ECSL to ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their votes, even if it requires extending the voting period by an additional two days.

The concerns raised by the opposition leader have generated growing discussions relating to the fairness and transparency of the ongoing electoral process and while attention will be shifted to the announcement of the final results, ECSL will have to provide answers.

Voting Day Ends Peacefully in Sierra Leone

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

On the 24th June, 2023 voting took place right across Sierra Leone in a General Elections geared towards instituting a new Government in the country. Though it is the rainy season, however, the weather was very friendly making room for many eager Sierra Leoneans to turn out in large numbers to cast their votes.

When this medium went out and about various Polling Centres to observe the conduct of the election it discovered that at certain Polling Centres eager voters were complaining seriously about having Voter ID Cards that were issued to them at the same centres where they went to vote but surprisingly and to their chagrin their names could not be traced in the Voter Registers. The response that was received from the ECSL personnel was that the affected persons should wait until 2:00 PM when the pressure from the queues of voters that have been formed may have declined.

At one Polling Station in the West End of Freetown, precisely back of Hill Station it was alleged that there was a discovery of ballot papers that had already been voted upon. A suspected SLPP Party Agent to beaten to pulp and has to be rushed to a nearby hospital. However, when it was enquired it was learnt that the so called tampered ballot papers were just specimen of ballot papers that were used to show how people should vote.

So far the voter turnout was indeed high and the voting process was very expeditious with a voter using less than five minutes to cast his or her votes. There were few incidences of outburst of violence in some areas purely based on suspicions of foul play.

Reports received from the provinces also pain a similar picture of what transpired in Freetown.

Voting is expected to stop at 5:00 but, according to the ECSL, those already captured in queues would be given the opportunity to cast their votes.

According to ECSL, manual counting will commence immediately after voting in the presence of International, Local Observers and Party Agents.

It must be noted that 13 Candidates and political parties contested the elections even though heavily dominated by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition, All-People’s Congress (APC).

Both the SLPP and APC were going head-to-head, actively campaigning and disseminating key messages to the electorate and voting was competitive as incumbent President Julius Maada Bio of the SLPP, seeks a second five-year term, against his major contender, Samura Kamara of the APC.

NEW Releases Situational Report on Election Day

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a Press Conference held on Saturday 24th June, 2023 at the Brookfields Hotel on New England Ville in Freetown, the National Election Watch (NEW), which is duly accredited by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) to observe the 2023 presidential, parliamentary and local council elections has issued a situational statement report on their observation and incident reports filed by 98% of NEW PRVT observers on the set up and opening processes as of 2PM on election day.

Reading the press statement, the Chairperson of the National Election Watch, Marcella Samba-Sesay, said NEW trained and deployed more than 6,000 observers in the whole country and that out of these, 750 observers were specially trained and deployed in sample polling stations across all the 5 regions and 16 districts in Sierra Leone using the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology.

“PRVT is an advanced and proven election monitoring methodology that utilizes scientific sampling to accurately assess what is happening at all polling stations nationwide. In implementing this methodology, NEW draws on its experience in successfully executing PRVTs to observe the 2018, 2012, and 2007 elections, which provided an accurate assessment of Election Day processes and results” she revealed.

Marcella Samba-Sesay maintained that the situational statement is based on observation and incident reports filed by 98% of NEW PRVT observers on the set up and opening processes as of 2PM on election day and in addition, it also includes incidents reported by NEW’s regular observers across the country.

She noted that NEW has so far observed the following that so far, all its observers had access to their assigned polling stations and polling stations were set up in a manner that allowed both observers and party agents to observe the process.

The Chairperson disclosed that in 88% of polling stations, NEW observers reported that there were queues outside their polling stations at 6:30am and in 75% of polling stations, observers reported that there were no campaign materials present within 400 yards of the polling station.

She maintained that 55% of polling stations had at least 7 polling officials present and 96% had at least one woman polling official, furthering that additionally, in 22% of polling stations the presiding officers were women.

“NEW observers reported that nationally, 84% of polling stations opened by 8am. 93% of polling stations opened before 8am in the Eastern region, 94% in the North and Northwest, 96% in the South, and 59% in the Western region. Incidents of late opening of polling stations were higher in the Western region, where 41% of polling stations were not open as at 8am,” she noted.

Marcella Samba-Sesay said that 91% of polling stations had all sensitive voting materials available at opening (voters register, voting booths or screens, ballot boxes, ballot box seals, ballot papers, indelible ink) but said however, 9% of polling stations had at least one of these voting materials missing, with higher rates in the Western Region and13% of polling stations didn’t have a tactile ballot guide.

She said that in terms of accessibility of polling stations to voters, 75% polling stations posed access challenges to people with disabilities and the aged because voters needed to use steps to enter the polling station, adding that in 99% of polling stations had at least one party/candidate agent present at each polling station, APC party agents were present at 83% of polling stations, SLPP party agents were present in 93%, 42% of polling stations had agents present who represented other parties, and 12% of polling stations had agents of independent candidates.

The Chairperson pointed out that since the polls opened, NEW has received and confirmed 12 critical incident reports from its observers which includes late opening of polling centres as a result of incomplete or unavailable sensitive materials, missing data of voters: where names and details of voters with voter cards or slips are not found in the register, unavailability of validation stamps in polling stations etc.

In conclusion, NEW called on ECSL to respond to centres that have not opened and also, equally asked them to resolve issues of voters with IDs whose names were not on the register.

Marcella Samba-Sesay stated that NEW will continue to observe the voting, closing and counting and results processes and keep the public informed periodically on the key observations and findings.

Sierra Leone Decides Tomorrow

From left to right: Pres. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), logo of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone and Dr. Samura Kamara of the All People's Party (APC)
From left to right: Pres. Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), logo of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone and Dr. Samura Kamara of the All People's Party (APC)

On Saturday, June 24, Sierra Leoneans will go to the polls to elect a new President and Members of Parliament. This will mark the country’s fifth consecutive presidential elections since the end of the brutal 11-year civil war – more than two decades ago –which left many dead. About 3.4 million people have registered out of a population of 8.4 million people.

Voters Concerns &the Political Campaigns

13 candidates and political parties are contesting the elections even though heavily dominated by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition, All-People’s Congress (APC). Both the SLPP and APC are going head-to-head, actively campaigning and disseminating key messages to the electorate. Voting is expected to be competitive as incumbent President Julius Maada Bio of the SLPP, seeks a second five-year term, against his major contender, Samura Kamara of the APC. In Sierra Leone, ethnicity and region are historically a major deciding factor of who emerges the winner. While the southern and eastern regions are considered strongholds of the SLPP, the northern and western regions come across as pro-APC.

High cost of living, high taxes on businesses, rising inflation, electricity challenges, high cost of fuel are some of the key issues on the minds of voters. Others are youth unemployment, education, peace, and security and infrastructure. The country in July 2022 launched a re-denomination of its currency to strengthen its value. But as of April 2023, Sierra Leone had seen inflation rise to about 43%. In the final days of campaigns, the political landscape in the country is already bustling with activity and anticipation. The winner of Saturday’s polls needs 55% of the votes to clinch victory in the first round otherwise it goes into a runoff within two weeks, a repeat of the 2018 elections.

Shoring up women’s participation in the elections with the new Gender Policy

Sierra Leone’s elections management body, the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) has assured that the polls will be held as scheduled. The ECSL is hopeful of a high voter turnout as the number of registered voters this year is an increase of almost 200,000 from that of 2018.Women’s participation is also tipped to somewhat increase as the ECSL, consciously implemented the 2022 Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment(GEWE) Act which requires that 30% of candidates put forward by any political party for parliamentary and local elections are women. The policy was intended to encourage political parties to actively seek out and support capable women to run for office and help deal with the country’s Gender Inequality Index value of 0.644, ranking it 153 out of 162 countries in the 2018 Index.

The Media and the 2023 Elections

The media in Sierra Leone is diverse and pluralistic and has seen some significant improvement over the past few years. In 2020, the country witnessed the historic repeal of the 55-year-old Criminal Libel and Seditious law (Part 5 of the Public Order Act, 1965) that hindered media freedom in the country for half a century. A new Independent Media Commission (IMC) Act was also passed which strengthened the Commission’s regulatory powers to address media challenges in the country. Consequently, Sierra Leone made an impressive showing in the 2021 World Press Freedom index as its ranking improved by ten places from 85 out of 180 countries to 75 out of 180.

As of 2022, the media landscape in Sierra Leone had over 200 radio stations, 20 television networks, 240 newspapers, even though, viability, professionalism and conditions of service remain key challenges. The media are relatively free and enjoy a cordial relationship with government despite the incidents of journalists’ harassment, arbitrary arrests and detentions. The Sierra Leone of Association Journalists (SLAJ) as part of its 52nd anniversary has also launched the “Media We Want” Manifesto as a comprehensive roadmap towards advancing media freedom, professionalism, viability, gender equality, inclusivity and journalists’ safety.

Ahead of the 2023 elections, several pro-media development and democracy organizations have partnered with local-based media associations, to prioritize support to the Sierra Leonean media to enable it play its critical role in ensuring peaceful elections. This has included trainings on elections coverage/reporting, peace journalism; safety of journalists and countering mis-disinformation as well as dialogues aimed at strengthening media-security relations and nurturing a safe environment during the elections. To help counter mis-disinformation, this year’s elections has also seen the heavy deployment of fact-checking mechanisms in the country including the UNDP’s automated fact-checking tool, iVerify platform run by SLAJ and Independent Radio Network (IRN);the #Matter Of Facts campaign by Media Reform Coordinating Group and Africa-Check, and Dubawa.

The Elections and its outlook on Democracy in West Africa

Until recently, the West Africa region had been experiencing considerable steady progress in democratic governance. Almost all countries in the region had transitioned from military dictatorships to elected governments by 2015. The progress in democratic development was characterized by the liberalization of the media sector, the opening up of the civic space and conduct of democratic elections. However, in the last couple of years, the region is experiencing a democratic rollback of the gains made marked by factors including a shrinking civic space, the recent wave of military coup d’etats and attempts by some sitting presidents to tweak constitutional term limits and elongate their stay in office.

Senegal which was traditionally a poster child of democracy in the region is going through political crises which resulted in the death of some citizens. Indeed, Sierra Leone had also earlier recorded some deadly anti-government protests against economic hardships with the latest in August 2022 resulting in the death of some civilians and security officials amidst internet shut down and an imposition of curfew.

Local and International election observers, including the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) say, the Sierra Leone 2023 polls is a litmus test for West Africa’s democratic resilience as it provides the opportunity to entrench the country’s democratic progress and by extension, regional democracy. This will certainly improve ongoing efforts to restore and consolidate democratic governance in the region.

Ensuring peaceful elections and addressing the democratic backsliding in West Africa requires actions on the part of all stakeholders including a media that is free, professional and independent; a media that is able to facilitate quality citizen-authorities dialogues, public discourse and fact-based programming and reporting. The media are therefore encouraged to use their platforms to sensitize and educate the public about the voting processes and exhibit a high sense of professionalism in their work. They should practice peace journalism, desist from and condemn any form of hate speech that have the potential to incite violence. Both the media and security must also commit to dialogue and collaboration before, during and after the elections, and to modalities of working together to ensure peaceful elections and towards protecting the peace of Sierra Leone thereafter.

As the world watches with a bated breath, we wish the people of Sierra Leone peaceful elections.

This article is written by Abigail Larbi Odei, Programme Manager for the Media and Good Governance Programme at the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA). She can be reached on abigail@mfwa.org

 

 

Caritas Freetown Donates Assorted Food Items to 100 Vulnerable Persons

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their efforts towards enhancing humanitarian aid support to vulnerable people of the April, 2023 Susan’s Bay Fire Disaster affected persons in the country, Caritas Freetown, with support from the German Doctors has on Thursday 22nd June, 2023 supported 100 Susan’s Bay Fire Disaster affected persons drawn from 100 families with assorted food items.

Each of the beneficiaries received 1 bag of rice (50kg),1 bag of garri (25kg), 1 gallon of oil, 1 gallon of palm oil, onions, maggi etc. The handing over ceremony was done at Caritas Freetown Office situated at St. Edwards School, Kingtom in Freetown.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Program Manager, Caritas Freetown, Ishmael Alfred Charles, said the donation is part of their project aimed at providing humanitarian aid to vulnerable families who were victims of the Susan’s Bay Fire Disaster.

He said the German Doctors is a humanitarian aid organization that operates in the Global South, especially in slums and rural areas, adding that through the support of the German Doctors they are giving the humanitarian aid distribution to the selected vulnerable families.

Ishmael Alfred Charles maintained that the support came at a crucial time as the elections are around the corner, and vulnerable populations such as the aged, poor pregnant women, and lactating mothers are struggling to survive daily.

He pointed out that the selection criteria for beneficiaries were based on their household income and eating style and the majority of the selected beneficiaries mostly ate on the 101 formula or 001, showing their level of vulnerability.

On his part, the Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, said the humanitarian Aid was a successful project that provided much-needed support to vulnerable families and that the project was made possible through the support of German Doctors for Developing Countries with the sole aim to improve the lives of vulnerable people of which he noted that the project had a significant impact on the lives of the beneficiaries and helped to alleviate their suffering.

He concluded by commending the German Doctors for supporting Caritas Freetown in order to undertake the humanitarian aid support to vulnerable people of Susan’s Bay Fire Disaster affected persons.

One of beneficiaries, Emma Bangura, expressed appreciation to Caritas Freetown and the German Doctors for supporting them with the assorted food items which she described as very important to them especially at this difficult moment in the country.

She said that since the Fire Disaster affected them Caritas Freetown and partners have been supporting them in order to help alleviate their suffering as affected persons.

Emma Bangura said that the donated food items will help them greatly but said one of their biggest challenge is shelter, adding that since the Fire Disaster they have been challenged in constructing back their houses of which she called on humanitarian organizations to come to their aid in that regard.

NCPD & Sightsavers Launch 100 Days “Leave No One Behind” Campaign on SDGs

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Ahead of the United Nations (UN) Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in September this year, the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) and Sightsavers International has on Wednesday 21st, June 2023, launched a 100-Day campaign for an action to protect Global Disability Rights in the country. The launching ceremony was held at Sightsavers Office on Woodland Estate, at Congo Cross in Freetown.

Making his presentation, the Sightsavers Global Advocacy Officer for Anglophone West Africa Region, Jumah Kamara, said the SDGs were adopted in 2015 by the UN and Governments around the world to reduce poverty and inequality by 2030, adding that “the 17 ambitious SDGs goals could be met if Governments around the world including our beloved Sierra Leone commit themselves to achieve the goals.”

He revealed that after the 100 days campaign, officially launched on June 12, member states would gather at the SDG Summit in New York to make new commitments and assess progress made so far, adding that it’s against this backdrop, the National Commission for Persons with Disability and Sightsavers are raising awareness of the “Leave no behind” mantra in implementing the SDGs.

Reading the press statement to members of the press, the Programme Manager for the National Commission for Persons with Disability, Tamba Mondeh, said the world is falling behind on disability rights, and the launching of the 100-day campaign is a way to kick start the movement to ensure the implementation of SDGs adequately includes Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) at all level across the spectrum of governance of which he stated that Sierra Leone as a country is not doing badly in the implementation of the SDGs.

Tamba Mondeh maintained that if marginalized groups like PWDs are not included in the implementation process, it may jeopardize the entire process. He furthered that this campaign is geared towards highlighting progress on the SDGs and called for actions on the global stage, noting that the call follows a new UN report which shows that the SDGs can only be achieved if urgent action is taken to include those most often left behind.

He said in Sierra Leone, Sightsavers and National Commission for Persons with Disability are also calling for Government to revive the implementation of principles from the Inclusive Data Charter, ratify the Africa Disability Protocol and domesticate the Marrakesh Treaty and commit to disability-inclusive and specific accelerated actions targeting people with disabilities to transform the SDGs at the SDG Summit and beyond.
The Programme Manager concluded that the Commission, as a Government institution enacted by an Act of Parliament, would work with Sightsavers and other partners to ensure that Sierra Leone as a country and the Government leave no one behind in implementing the SDGs.

In the press release, the Country Director for Sightsavers, Nancy Smart, said the world is coming to the halfway point of the 2030 deadline, progress on the SDGs has derailed and they are completely off-track and that the promise to “Leave no one behind” is in peril.

She added that the UN Secretary-General’s report shows people with disabilities are being hit hardest by the lack of progress on poverty and inequality. Globally, up to twice as many people with disabilities live under the poverty line than people without disabilities.

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