By Esther Wright
The Presidential Spokesperson, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi Esq, has given a rundown of the process that led to the appointment of President Julius Maada Bio as Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
He stated during the “Gud Morning Salone” programme, aired on Radio Democracy 98.1 FM, on the 9th February 2022, that after the tenure of office of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa as Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism, it was the turn for the West African Region to occupy the Chairship.
He informed listeners that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, H.E Geoffery Onyeama, submitted Nigeria as a candidate for the Chairship of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
The Presidential Spokesperson furthered that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, H.E Professor David J. Francis also submitted Sierra Leone as a candidate for the Chairship of the African Peer Review Mechanism disclosing how Nigeria and Sierra Leone were the only two candidates submitted for the Chairship of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
He went on to disclose how on the 5th February 2022 in Addis Ababa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, H.E Geoffery Onyeama informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, H.E Professor David J. Francis that Nigeria had withdrawn its candidacy for the Chairship of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
Keketoma intimated that in the Report of the outgoing Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism to the 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on the 6th February 2022, H.E Cyril Ramaphosa submitted or disclosed that Sierra Leone was the sole candidate of the Chairship of the African Peer Review Mechanism and subsequently the Assembly endorsed H.E Dr. Julius Maada Bio as the New Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism.
He stated how Sierra Leone was commended by the outgoing Chair for its excellent progress in promoting Democracy, Rule of Law and Good Governance.
H.E President Dr. Julius Maada Bio , Keketoma added, will now chair the African Peer Review Forum of Heads of State and Government which is the highest decision making authority of the African Peer Review Mechanism and that President Bio will serve a term of two years: February 2022 – 2024.
The Spokesperson stated that responding to the endorsement by the Assembly, H.E Professor David J. Francis said: “This is a demonstration of the continental respect that AU Member States have for Sierra Leone and President Julius Maada Bio based on his credible leadership of the C-10 and his ability to deliver on the African global agenda.”
He ended up congratulating President Julius Maada Bio on his new appointment as he now serves as a true beacon of democracy, rule of law and good governance in Africa. Keketoma also specially commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Professor David Francis for what he termed as a diplomatic success.
