As Sierra Leone approaches the 2023 general elections, there is an urgent need to examine the current trends in the country’s political landscape, particularly concerning ethnic politics and hate messages. Given the nation’s history of a brutal civil conflict from 1991 to 2002, which resulted in the deaths of thousands and included heinous crimes against humanity, it is crucial to address the rise of ethnic and tribal instigation by politicians and their supporters across the country.
The central concern is that ethnic instigations and hate messages, especially those proliferating on social media from supporters of both the ruling party and the main opposition, have the potential to destabilize the state and could even lead to genocidal conflict if not properly managed.
The reality is that the two major tribes supporting these political factions harbor a strong sense of loyalty to their respective groups, often to the exclusion or demonization of others. This tribalism, usually connected by economic, social, or blood ties, creates a positive bias towards those within the same kinship, family, or clan, while alienating those from other tribes.
Self-serving politicians often exploit this tribal narrative to divide people for political gain. While ethnic identity has been a feature of Sierra Leone’s domestic politics since independence, it did not play a significant role in the 11-year civil conflict. Historically, the interconnectedness among various ethnic groups in Sierra Leone has mitigated deep tribal tensions.
However, tribalism is often fanned by politicians to either gain or retain political power. When political parties lack practical solutions for the electorate, they resort to ethnic or tribal manipulation. Unlike more developed democracies where policies and programs are key to election success, in Sierra Leone, tribalism becomes a safe haven for unscrupulous politicians during election campaigns.
Despite these challenges, the people of Sierra Leone have traditionally lived amicably, with intermarriages between tribes and widespread integration across the country. However, the current rise in tension and tribal hate messages spread through social media and other outlets is a serious concern. These messages are deliberate attempts by politicians to further divide the country for political gain.
A look back at the events leading to the genocide in Rwanda serves as a stark reminder. Hate messages spread by media outlets like Radio-Télévision Libre Milles Collines (RTLM) played a significant role in inciting violence. The station, owned by hardliners from the ruling regime, broadcast messages that dehumanized the Tutsi population, leading to widespread violence and genocide.
Drawing parallels to the current situation in Sierra Leone, where hate messages are spreading on social media, there is growing concern about the security and stability of the state. These messages undermine peace and contribute to the disintegration of relationships in an already polarized society based on ethno-regionalism.
It is imperative for Sierra Leoneans to remain vigilant and resist efforts to ignite tribal conflict. The nation’s stability and progress depend on maintaining peace and unity, especially as the general elections approach.
Year in and year out, when the Rainy Season starts in Sierra Leone, the expectant result is disaster in various forms.
In the last decade, Sierra Leone and more particularly Freetown, has had more than a fair share of disasters happening during the Rainy Season.
However, it is both unfortunate and ironical that the authorities responsible for managing environmental issues and those responsible for ensuring that construction of dwelling houses is restricted in disaster-prone areas, have not learnt any lesson from the many disasters that take place during the Rainy Season.
In other words, we are simply repeating the same old story every year when it comes to the Rainy Season.
The rains this year have just begun. We have not witnessed torrential rains yet. But even the ‘small’ rains that have stated are already casting shadows of events to come. Branches of the iconic Cotton Tree in central Freetown broke; a perimeter fence in Bankole community, Moa Wharf, East of Freetown collapsed killing six people; rooftops were blown off in a windstorm; the intersection of Dundas Street, Pademba Road and Mends Street is once again flooded with ankle-deep garbage and yet, like in years past, nothing was done and therefore, we expect that nothing will be done.
What beats the imagination is the fact that huge sums of money is allocated to combating climate change and natural disasters. Funds are made available by the Government and international bodies to prepare beforehand management of floods and other natural disasters. However, as stated earlier, year in and year out the same situation arises whenever we experience rains in this country.
We need not remind ourselves that some of the most gruesome, tragic and deadly natural disasters such as flash floods, landslides resulted in loss of lives and damage to property worth hundreds of millions of Leones.
A Creole parable says: “way you blame di dog, blame di bone.” Loosely interpreted in English it means: “when you blame the dog, you might as well blame the owner.” This means that while people affected by natural disasters tend to blame the Government for their predicament, they forget that it was not the Government that told them to build dwelling houses in disaster-prone areas – along river beds, waterways, hilltops etc.
Therefore, it is incumbent on each and every Sierra Leonean to ensure that they put safety before anything else during the Rainy Season.
The Government agencies responsible for managing the environment and those responsible for ensuring that people do not build dwelling houses in disaster-prone areas, must be robust and vigilant this time round in order to avert calamities that befall unsuspecting people during the Rainy Season.
During a well-attended ceremony held on Friday 12th May, 2023 at Africell’s Headquarters on Wilberforce in Freetown, Afrimoney signed a partnership agreement with the Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Riders Union. According to the agreement going forward the payment of dues by riders to the Union and Passenger payment to Keke Riders will be done digitally through Afrimoney.
In his welcome address, the Head of Marketing and Communications at Africell, John Konteh, said that Africell is very happy over the partnership between Afrimoney and the Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Riders Union.
He said that Africell has been working with the Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Riders Union on many occasions of which he reaffirmed the company’s committment towards providing good services for the people of Sierra Leone, adding that Africell as a company will continue to improve on the already existing services and also bring more excitement for their valid customers.
John Konteh said that Afrimoney will continue to increase their penetration so that people can access the service at anytime and anywhere at the comfort of their zones.
The President of the Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Riders Union, Ibrahim Serry, expressed appreciation to Afrimoney for signing a partnership agreement with the Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Riders Union and described the partnership as very important to the union.
He said that the signing of a partnership agreement with Afrimoney is an agreement among members of the union, adding that after consultations with its membership they came to the conclusion to selectively choose Afrimoney as their partner.
Ibrahim Serry called on all riders of the union to buy Africell sim and join Afrimoney as all of the union transactions will be done digitally.
He said that after the signing of the agreement they will ensure that all riders adhere to the partnership agreement by joining Afrimoney and do their transactions using Afrimoney platform.
On his part, the Managing Director of Afrimoney, Martison Obeng-Ageye said Afrimoney is very much pleased to sign the partnership agreement with the Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Riders Union, adding that transportation is an important part of any country’s economy.
He added that they are pleased because the partnership will help improve members of the Union saying if the ‘Keke’ riders are happy they will provide better services to the people which he said will have a positive effect.
Martison Obeng-Ageye said that the partnership will be enjoyed by all ‘Keke’ Riders across the country.
He said that they are not only signing because they want to sign but said the agreement signing between the two institutions will be a turning point for all Keke Riders in the country.
The Managing Director said that the world is moving digital and anyone who doesn’t belong to the digital economy will lose, adding that as Afrimoney is embracing the digital economy he is also calling on all Keke Riders to embrace the digital economy.
“This signing ceremony today is only the begging of many good things to come, as we work to make the lives of Sierra Leoneans better; we start by influencing the lives of Keke Riders. We will provide many things that will make this relationship possible. At Afrimoney and Africell we say we love you and we are with you today. If you touch one Keke rider, you touch Afrimoney.” he concluded.
Closing the ceremony was the exchange of the agreement document by the Managing Director of Afrimoney, Martison and the President of the Sierra Leone Commercial Tricycle Riders Union, Ibrahim Serry.
As part of their efforts to strengthen the capacity of partner organizations and organizations of Persons with Disabilities on monitoring electoral processes in the country, One Family People with support from Liliane Founds on Wednesday 10th April, 2023 concluded a one day workshop geared towards strengthening the capacity of 6 partner organizations and 15 organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) on monitoring Electoral Processes and Advocacy on breaking down all forms of Electoral barriers in the June 24, 2023 elections. The one day workshop was held at the St. Anthony Hall on Skye Street in Freetown.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Programs Manager of One Family People, Samuel P.O.V Macaulay said as the June 24, 2023 elections are fast approaching One Family People deemed it fit to hold the one day workshop geared towards strengthening the capacity of 6 partner organizations and 15 organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) on monitoring Electoral Processes and Advocacy.
He said that through the workshop persons with disabilities will be capacitated in order to monitor the June 24 elections as well as break down barriers that are imbedded in the electoral processes.
Samuel P.O.V Macaulay said that there has always been structural barriers that affect persons with disabilities in participating in the electioneering processes in the country, adding that in most cases schools are been used as polling stations and these schools according to him are not accessible for persons with disabilities to cast their votes.
He said that the preparation for persons with disabilities that has to do with the voting process is very challenging and it in that regard the workshop is been held in order to address these concerns.
The representative for National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Tamba Mondeh expressed appreciation to One Family People for holding the workshop which he described as very important towards addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the electioneering process.
He said that the Commission is very much aware of some of these challenges persons with disabilities are faced with and in that regard the Commission has also been working towards addressing them, adding that with the move taken by One Family People he is with the strong conviction that these challenges will be minimized.
Tamba Mondeh encouraged partner organizations and 15 organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) present to make good use of the opportunity given to them by One Family People by educating their constituents on how to address those challenges during the upcoming elections.
Representatives from Partner organizations and organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) applauded the move by One Family People for bringing them together in order to capacitate them on monitoring electoral processes in the country.
They assured all that as representatives from partner organizations and organizations of Persons with Disabilities they will cascade the information to their constituents in order to break down all forms of Electoral barriers in the June 24, 2023 elections.
The workshop was climaxed by the presentation of Monitoring Electoral Processes and Advocacy on Barriers-Free Elections by the Programs Manager of One Family People, Samuel P.O.V Macaulay which was followed by contributions as well as a Question and Answer session by the participants.
Board Chairperson of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), who is held in high esteem for her influential roles in national development, Mrs Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara has called for the empowerment and protection of women in Africa.
“I have come to realize that I have a duty to ignite and inflame women to action, because the global trends on women’s issues require dedicated candidates who are convinced of their mission to emancipate womanhood first in Africa and elsewhere around the world,” she stated
Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara was inspiring women during her keynote address at the 4th Edition of the Africa Women Summit and launch of the 50 Most Influential Women in Africa Magazine during an auspicious event took place at the Century City Conference Centre, Cape Town, South Africa on the 12th May, 2023.
Speaking on the theme: “African Women: The World is Waiting for you to Shine,” Tuma Gento-Kamara’s speech was a call to action for women in Africa.
Her audience comprised of female Ministers of Governments, Senators, and entrepreneurs. She made a clarion call for the empowerment and protection of women in Africa. A Gala and Awards ceremony also formed part of the event.
She told her audience that, “this event is so important to me that I going to attack my theme from a different perspective as I am going to sound more like a provocateur to fire up some lionesses here in this room.”
The NRA Board Chairperson informed her audience further that the African Development Bank’s Gender Data Index of 2019 suggests that a prevalence of intimate partner sexual or physical violence ranges from a little over 10% to close to 40% across Africa, which is among the highest globally. She noted that when we say the world is waiting for African Women to shine, “we meant to wake up a sleeping giant to act in a certain way.”
She went on to say that in 2021 alone, around 45,000 women and girls worldwide were killed by their intimate partners or other family members. “This means, on average, more than five women or girls are killed every hour by someone in their own family.”She added that sometimes women are targeted due to their political and social orientations. “We cannot apportion blame, but one of us who attended this event last year is no more. She was a vibrant young woman with high hopes and aspirations. Madam Juweira Ibrahim was shot and killed by a Police Officer. May her Blessed Soul Rest in Peace.”
She warned that, “the neglect of today will be the guilt of tomorrow if we fail to act now.”
According to her, she came to realize that she has a duty to ignite and inflame women to action, adding that the global trends on women’s issues require dedicated candidates who are convinced of their mission to emancipate womanhood first in Africa and elsewhere around the world.
She told her attentive audience that the world has waited long for women to arrive, “now that you are here, among the 50 most influential women in Africa, what can you do?”She further rhetorically asked: “What can you do to champion the more than 9 million girls between the ages of about 6 and 11 across this continent who would probably never go to school in our lifetime?” She stated that among these girls are promising leaders, talented individuals who will change the cause of history if women were to act today.
She went further to say that she agrees entirely with Maya Angelou who once said that, “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”. She said that this call to action lingers centuries across the course to restore the dignity of womanhood across the African Continent. She said homage must be paid to the women who went ahead of, who never gave up but played their parts and now have handed the baton to the today’s women.
She used the platform to ask questions of the women: “What can we do when about 40% of global average pregnancies are teenage pregnancies and 50% of them end up in abortion, 38% result in births but are not adequately catered for? What can we do? What can we do when it is clear to all in this room that women receive lower medical care than men?
She recalled that according to the World Bank, over one billion women hardly have legal protection against domestic sexual violence or economic violence.
She added that in many countries, there’s a lack of legal protection against harassment in the workplace, in schools, and in public. “I read somewhere that all national Parliaments at the beginning of 2019 only have 24.3% of seats filled by women. As of June 2019, 11 Heads of State were women. Despite progress in this area over the years, women are still grossly under-represented in Government and the political process. This means that certain issues that female politicians tend to bring up are often neglected. The question again is what can you do over and above the meetings, the communiqués, and the advocacies? I reckon the emergence of an awakening in the hearts and minds of women everywhere on these issues.”
She noted that in Sierra Leone, women have come a long way in the fight for an environment that will guarantee women’s right, women’s participation in politics, and gender equality. She added that the Government of Sierra Leone recently enacted into Law the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Bill ensuring active participation of women in governance. She informed her audience that the Act establishes a 30 percent quota for women’s participation in Government for both appointed positions, including Cabinet, Ministerial, Ambassadorial roles, and elected positions, such as Parliamentary and Local Council seats. She added that, the quota in the Bill goes into effect ahead of Sierra Leone’s upcoming Presidential, Parliamentary and Municipal elections on June 23, 2023.
She went on to inform her colleagues that the world is waiting for expert women to work towards the decade on achieving Financial and Economic Inclusion for African Women.
Tuma noted that this inclusion is such that every woman must be able to work, be paid and participate in the economy of her country. “We can’t achieve this overnight, it involves examining the regulatory, legislative, and policy context of our various countries to determine the changes needed to foster women’s financial inclusion and assist financial institutions in adopting approaches tailored to women, as a separate market segment.”
She went further to state that women make up 58 per cent of Africa’s self-employed population but that women make 34 per cent less money than men do in the same category. “In this continent, women are still under-represented in decision-making, and we need to figure out the best way to make sure they are more represented. Women are discriminated against in all areas; they have insufficient access to finances or land ownership. Women entrepreneurs don’t even have access to Government tenders; women-owned businesses in sub-Saharan Africa win only an estimated one per cent of public procurement contracts. Personally, this is an upset for me because the answer to these problems across this continent is in this room.”
According to Tuma Gento-Kamara, in 2021, the Global Gender Gap index benchmarked 156 countries, providing a tool for cross-country comparison and to prioritize the most effective policies needed to close gender gaps. Globally, the average distance completed to parity is at 68%, a step back compared to 2020. These figures, she said are mainly driven by a decline in the performance of large countries. On its current trajectory, it will now take 135.6 years to close the gender gap worldwide.
She went further to state that according to the report, the gender gap in Political Empowerment remains the largest with only 22% to date and that at the current rate of progress, the World Economic Forum estimates that it will take 145 years to attain gender parity in politics, 267 years to close the gap on Economic Participation and Opportunity and14 years to close the gap on Educational Attainment and Health and Survival.
She told the women present that she wants to believe that women of Africa have heard the world calling out for action. She added that they would be leaving this event believing that they have one Africa and that their problems are the same.
Before concluding her speech, Tuma Gento-Kamara congratulated the recipients of awards which would automatically position them as Ambassadors to an excited continent, a continent of readiness and hope. She however hastened to remind the women present that the African continent has been described as a continent of despair, a continent where over 278 million people are undernourished, a continent where 55% of its children under the age of five are stunted due to severe malnutrition.
“As you receive these prestigious recognitions, please be aware that some women somewhere are starving, some in need of access to safe drinking water, others wanting a seed capital to start up a business venture. If they have to do that, they are currently waiting on you to take action. Without you we are going to lose a portion of womanhood that could only be reached through you,” she admonished the awardees and further urged them to dream big but not to allow the sizes of their hearts to limit their dreams.
As a woman who has shown exceptional leadership and achievement and is tirelessly driving impact toward sustainable development in Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole, Tuma Gento-Kamara’s presence at the conference was described by participants as a testament to her support for the advancement of women in Africa.
The distribution of awards to deserving African women climaxed the event.
The Tabital Pulaaku International-Sierra Leone Chapter convened a Press Conference on the 12th May, 2023 at its Adelaide Street Office in Freetown. In attendance were Alhaji Alpha Tanu Jalloh , the Strategic Adviser to the President of the Chapter, Sheik Lama Jalloh, Ibrahim Jalloh, Abdul Hagh Jalloh all members of the organization as well as members of the Fourth Estate.
After the introductions, Alhaji Alpha Tanu Jalloh , extended thanks and appreciation to the journalists present for taking time out of their busy schedules to be in attendance.
He intimated that the membership of Tabital Pulaaku International-Sierra Leone Chapter comprises individuals who hail from the Fullah ethnic group furthering that the Fullahs are well known to be united and peaceful but lamented that of late there has been some kind of division among them which he decried as a very unfortunate situation that must be quickly addressed in the interest of development.
The Strategic Adviser disclosed that the Executive of Tabital Pulaaku International-Sierra Leone Chapter is an entity duly registered and authorized to operate in Sierra Leone as a charitable entity.
According to him, the principal objectives of the organization are amongst others to create a community of Fullahs united, peaceful, law abiding and enterprising without regard for clans, class, social standing or religious orientation.
Besides, it is geared towards developing human and material potential through literacy, education, training, modernization of agro-pastoral techniques, craft, trade, arts and technology.
He also informed how the organization provides support to indigent Sierra Leoneans by the provision of educational, health and other social services support.
“We endeavour to promote the Fullah language and the culture of the Fullahs particularly to the younger generation in order to foster unity and understanding amongst them,” Alhaji Alpha Tanu Jalloh continued adding that they are working towards strengthening the solidarity between the Fullahs on the one hand and the friends of the Fullahs everywhere.
He also mentioned that within the laws of Sierra Leone they ensure that unity and cooperation exists between the Fullahs and other ethnic groups.
The Strategic Adviser informed newsmen that under the distinguished presidency of Alhaji Amadu Juldeh Sowe, the Tabital Pulaaku International-Sierra Leone Chapter is duly recognized as the National Association of Sierra Leone highlighting how they respect and always seek cooperation with the traditional leadership of the Fullah community and all other Fullah organizations which they firmly believe have been and remain a very important part of the Fullah ecosystem in Sierra Leone and beyond.
Alhaji Alpha Tanu Jalloh stated how they have noted with grave concern that some individuals have been putting out ,in various fora, information and holding themselves out as being or representing the Tabital Pulaaku International-Sierra Leone Chapter.
“Such persons continue to seek unsuccessfully parallel regional bodies, seeking and sowing seeds of discord among members of the Fullah Community , misrepresenting themselves to well meaning members of the Fullah community and the general public that they are Tabital Pulaaku International-Sierra Leone Chapter,” he lamented further stating that some of those people while they may enjoy some status from the principal body, Tabital Pulaaku International, are not part of the national body as has been confirmed by the Secretary General of the international body.
He used the opportunity to advise members of the public, Fullah community in Sierra Leone and beyond not to deal with such persons as Tabital Pulaaku International- Sierra Leone Chapter.
“They hold no status in the Sierra Leone Chapter,” he affirmed adding that the imposters are advised and warned to desist from such conduct.
He said the continuation of such actions or conduct would result into firm and decisive legal remedies being pursued against them without further warning to prevent the destructive and dispel the malaise they represent.
The Strategic Adviser concluded that now more than ever before they must work collectively for the betterment and progress of all Fullahs in Sierra Leone.
On his part, one the members of the Sierra Leone Chapter, Ibrahim Jalloh disclosed that sometime in the past they attended a conference convened by the international body in Nigeria where some Sierra Leoneans were appointed into certain positions with their mandate limited to the performance of functions or responsibilities delegated to them on behalf of the parent body.
He continued that upon their return to Sierra Leone the individuals appointed in Nigeria started peddling the notion that they constitute the legitimate Executive body of the Sierra Leone Chapter.
Ibrahim Jalloh, however, hammered home that there was already a constituted recognized Executive of the Sierra Leone Chapter, prior to the appointment of the said individuals in Nigeria, with Alhaji Amadu Jalloh Sowe as the President and Amadu Saiku Tejan Jalloh as the Secretary General.
He said for any inquiries members of the Fullah Community and the general public can call at the organization’s registered office in Freetown on No 77 Adelaide Street in Freetown or contact them via email: info@tabitalpulaaku-sl.org or mobile numbers : 076602114/076401625.
The highpoint of the Press engagement was a question and answer session during which clarifications were made.
The 1st or Maiden Edition of “NP Zone” was launched on the 25th April, 2023 by the Communications Director of NP (SL) Ltd, Dr Williette James in the presence of Board Members and Management of the company as well as the Press.
NP Zone is the in-house publication by the company designed to tell the petroleum importing and marketing entity’s stories and more especially to enlighten readers about who they are, their offers and what they stand for as a company.
The edition is a colourful magazine that succinctly outlines the origins of the company, how through sheer managerial competence it has grown into becoming the face of Sierra Leone, the petroleum products it offers for sale and how, in varying ways, it is rolling out its corporate social responsibility and how the company’s operations is impacting the nation’s socio-economic development.
In this 1st edition it is established that NP(SL)Ltd is the leading petroleum company in the country and is highly known for being the first in the realm of customer care especially when cognizance is taken of how Management is very keen on optimizing customer satisfaction in its service delivery on different fronts.
Members of the public are informed that staffs of the company are very mindful of the fact that it is the customer that comes first and therefore needs the utmost attention always ensuring that transactions are conducted under a congenial atmosphere that results into a win-win situation.
Stated in the magazine is that an admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd possesses is working tirelessly and effectively using its contacts with oil-producing countries in order to ensure that there is timely purchase and delivery of petroleum products to avoid shortages.
The timely importation of petroleum products, it was mentioned, has earned NP high commendations from various quarters simply because it helps to cushion unrest and other forms of disadvantageous effects one of which is increase in transport fares, increase in the prices of certain commodities maintaining how the pro-activeness of the company invariably has a direct impact on poverty reduction in variable ways.
The story is being told of how Sierra Leonean 35 former employees of the British Petroleum (BP) invested their end of service benefits to purchase shares which were used to establish NP, which today is a success story of an indigenous company, having branches in various parts of the country and in other four West African countries namely Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.
Information is provided on one of the products of the company which is a gas cooker, popularly known as NP Gas, that could be access at the company’s Filling Stations and is said to be environmentally-friendly, safe and long lasting.
A revelation was made of how the company, in line with matching with technology, introduced the use of a Smart Card widely known as NP Smart Card which is a Card with memory chip embedded that can be credited with money and debited when it is used during the purchase of fuel. The holder only slots the loaded card into the space on the pumping machine after commanding the amount of fuel to be pumped and the exact amount is discharged with the card ready for another recharge to be used for the next purchase. It is acknowledged that it is a safe, cashless way of conducting transactions assuring greater security and budgetary adjustments.
When reference being made to the effective implementation of the Local Content Policy, NP-SL Ltd is portrayed as a company that stands tall within that realm as nearly all its members of staff are Sierra Leoneans thereby making use of local talents everywhere they are operating. It was also noted that the Local Content Policy is indeed an engine of growth and NP is making full use of it.
Dwelling on the rolling out of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility, it was mentioned how the entity has undertaken numerous development projects. Projects like the School for the military at Murray Town, the School for Police at Kingtom, the water borehole and storage system project in the Central and Eastern parts of Freetown for the National Fire Force to access water, the building of squash courts in some Secondary Schools and at FBC among others were captured.
From a random survey conducted it came out vividly that many find the maiden edition very enlightening and informative with some stating that its publication will go a long way to promote the company’s visibility while others expressed the view that it will serve as a source of inspiration to establish successful indigenous enterprises that could stand the test of time.
The indefatigable Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), commonly known as the Peace Commission, Hawa Sally Samai, was among the beneficiaries of the top notched IPSTC 27th Regional Senior Mission Leaders’ (RSML) Course, after her nomination, that took place in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, from the 1st May, 2023 to the 12th May, 2023 drawing participants from three continents comprising 23 uniformed personnel and 4 civilians. The beneficiaries were individuals who are serving or will be serving in senior level positions within a peace mission.
The official opening of the course, on the 1st May, 2023, was done by LT General J M Mwangi, CBS, (USA), Vice Chief of Defence Forces and the official closing ceremony done by Brig Ronnie Westerman, the United Kingdom Defence Attaché to Kenya on Friday, 12 May 2023.
One of the objectives of the course programme was to enhance participants’ knowledge and skills of strategic mission leadership and their roles and responsibilities to successfully implement a mission mandate.
It was also geared towards equipping participants with requisite tools and skills for conflict analysis and management to facilitate the resolution of conflict in Peace Support Operations (PSOs).
The course also contributed in enhancing the participants’ knowledge of contemporary Peace Support Operations as a foundation for a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of senior mission leaders.
It also equipped beneficiaries with relevant knowledge and skills on Integrated Assessment and Planning (AP) for effective planning and mandate implementation.
The knowledge of international and regional legal and normative frameworks to lawfully fulfill the Peace Support Operations mission’s mandate was also part of the course programme.
In addition, the course programme enhanced the participants’ understanding of mission partners, their roles and synergies in a PSO context.
It finally helped to contribute to the participants’ understanding of the importance and primacy of the Protection of Civilians (POC) through a comprehensive and integrated approach in Peace Support Operations.
The Peace Support Training Centre (PSTC) was established in January, 2001as part of the Kenyan Defence Staff College. It mainly focused at training of Kenyan forces for UN peacekeeping missions and later African Union Peace Support Operations. PSTC became a separate Kenyan MOSD establishment in July 2006 and 2008, initial efforts towards internationalization were made. In 2009, PSTC Karen merged with International Mine Action Training Centre (IMATC) to form one centre, International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC). The former PSTC was renamed to Peace and Conflict Studies School (PCSS) and IMATC renamed to Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS). In 2011, IPSTC achieved autonomy through formal partnership arrangements with USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Kenya, Germany and UNDP.
The vision of the IPSTC is to become the premier Peace Support Training, Research and Education Centre in Africa and its mission is to conduct training, education and research, informing military, police and civilian personnel in all aspects of peace support operations in order to improve the effectiveness of the response to complex emergencies.
The core values of the IPSTC are Excellence, Professionalism, Trust, Integrity, Accountability and Gender Equality.
In a snap chat with the Executive Secretary of the Peace Commission, Hawa Sally Samai, she intimated that the course programme was truly interesting and informative. She disclosed how she learnt very important concepts which she believes will be useful in the discharge of her mandate more especially at this crucial moment when the multi-tier elections are just around the corner, a period when conflict situations could arise.
According to her listening to the wisdom shared by an eminent speaker, Tom Tugendhat, was the best moment of the course duration.
Thunderous applauds followed the captivating presentation of the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie,
while he was reporting on his stewardship to the people of Sierra Leone through the 13th National Delegates Conference of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
The Lands Minister systematically explained his strides in ensuring that His Excellency’s policy commitment to evenly distribute land resources and provide affordable housing for its citizens is promptly achieved.
He spoke of the introduction of the land raffle initiative which is ensuring that land resources are being fairly distributed to citizens from all walks of life, tribes, regions, religions and political divide.
“A total of Seven Hundred (700) Sierra Leoneans from various backgrounds across the country have benefited from over 1,400 Town Lots of State Land in a transparent and fair raffle draw model that was introduced in little over one year ago,” the Lands Minister disclosed, while further confirming that hundreds of other state and non-state actors including parliamentarians, footballers, judges and security sector personnel, among others, have benefited from land allocation across the country.
Dr. Senesie promised that such land allocation ventures will continue in earnest.
He further reported on progress made in the direction of providing affordable housing units for Sierra Leoneans, while disclosing that the Ministry has finalized and signed an agreement for the establishment of a Micro-City at John Obey that will contain some 5,000 affordable housing units.
The Minister further spoke of how he has restored sanity in the lands sector within the shortest possible time as per the directive of His Excellency the President.
He also disclosed that work is already in progress to transform the Lungi area into a brand new city, while pointing out that the land is already being secured for the intended development purpose.
The Ministry, he said, is also generating revenues in billions for the state as a result of standard operating measures being put in place that discourages corruption in the sector.
Dr. Senesie disclosed that the Ministry is currently working towards digitizing all processes in the lands sector to ensure transparency and accessibility.
The Government, he said, will continue the implementation of progressive policies in a professional manner in the interest of its citizens.
Celebrating his 59th birthday on the 12th May, 2023, President Julius Maada Bio told Sierra Leoneans that birthdays are always occasions to express gratitude for life. He said for him they are also days on which he takes a moment for deep introspection, to review his life’s journey and rededicate himself to higher goals.
President Bio said he is privileged to mark his fifth year as the elected President of the nation adding that he also remains deeply humbled by the duty of servant leadership he has been entrusted with by the people of Sierra Leone.
Disclosing how he was born just a few years after the country gained independence, he is mindful that he is a member of the first generation to be raised in the post-colonial era.
“I feel strongly that our generation is charged with a special mission and responsibility to transform the nation,” he maintained saying that is why he entered politics: to play his part in this mission, to make a difference, and to impact lives for the better.
He continued that as their President, he is proud of the resilience and determination of his people, and he is honoured to lead a nation of such hardworking and passionate individuals.
President Bio pointed out that as the leader of the nation, he is also reminded daily of how far we have come as a nation, and how much further we still have to go.
He said this birthday marks not just a personal milestone for him, but a reminder of the efforts all have to make each day to ensure that every citizen has the opportunity to live happy, healthy, and prosperous lives.
President Bio enjoined all to continue to work together to build a brighter future, where every Sierra Leonean can achieve their dreams and aspirations.
“Let us continue to work together for lasting peace and progress for all,” he also encouraged maintaining that United in purpose Sierra Leoneans can build a more prosperous and united Sierra Leone.
Thank you all for your continued support. God willing, I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you.
The Rains Have Begun; Disaster Returns
By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Year in and year out, when the Rainy Season starts in Sierra Leone, the expectant result is disaster in various forms.
In the last decade, Sierra Leone and more particularly Freetown, has had more than a fair share of disasters happening during the Rainy Season.
However, it is both unfortunate and ironical that the authorities responsible for managing environmental issues and those responsible for ensuring that construction of dwelling houses is restricted in disaster-prone areas, have not learnt any lesson from the many disasters that take place during the Rainy Season.
In other words, we are simply repeating the same old story every year when it comes to the Rainy Season.
The rains this year have just begun. We have not witnessed torrential rains yet. But even the ‘small’ rains that have stated are already casting shadows of events to come. Branches of the iconic Cotton Tree in central Freetown broke; a perimeter fence in Bankole community, Moa Wharf, East of Freetown collapsed killing six people; rooftops were blown off in a windstorm; the intersection of Dundas Street, Pademba Road and Mends Street is once again flooded with ankle-deep garbage and yet, like in years past, nothing was done and therefore, we expect that nothing will be done.
What beats the imagination is the fact that huge sums of money is allocated to combating climate change and natural disasters. Funds are made available by the Government and international bodies to prepare beforehand management of floods and other natural disasters. However, as stated earlier, year in and year out the same situation arises whenever we experience rains in this country.
We need not remind ourselves that some of the most gruesome, tragic and deadly natural disasters such as flash floods, landslides resulted in loss of lives and damage to property worth hundreds of millions of Leones.
A Creole parable says: “way you blame di dog, blame di bone.” Loosely interpreted in English it means: “when you blame the dog, you might as well blame the owner.” This means that while people affected by natural disasters tend to blame the Government for their predicament, they forget that it was not the Government that told them to build dwelling houses in disaster-prone areas – along river beds, waterways, hilltops etc.
Therefore, it is incumbent on each and every Sierra Leonean to ensure that they put safety before anything else during the Rainy Season.
The Government agencies responsible for managing the environment and those responsible for ensuring that people do not build dwelling houses in disaster-prone areas, must be robust and vigilant this time round in order to avert calamities that befall unsuspecting people during the Rainy Season.