By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio met with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan KC, on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the opening of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The meeting focused on Sierra Leone’s leadership role at the ICC and its tenure as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Prosecutor Khan emphasized the need to strengthen the already excellent partnership between Sierra Leone and the ICC. He urged Sierra Leone to take the lead among the African members of the UN Security Council (A3) on accountability and ICC matters.
Khan praised Sierra Leone for its commitment to the rule of law, stating that the nation has many accomplishments to be proud of. He also reiterated Sierra Leone’s dedication to promoting accountability and human rights protection during its tenure at the Security Council.
President Bio assured the ICC of his government’s readiness to continue its leadership role in supporting the effectiveness of the ICC. He expressed his eagerness to work with the ICC during Sierra Leone’s tenure at the Security Council to advance priorities aimed at building a just, safe, and secure world.
Earlier in the day, President Bio joined other global leaders at the welcome reception and opening of the UNGA’s 78th Session. The theme for this year’s assembly is ‘Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and Its Sustainable Development Goals Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress and Sustainability For All.’
President Bio highlighted the significance of the annual gathering, stating that it was a crucial moment in history to address global issues. He emphasized that the decisions made would be decisive in shaping the future of the current generation and those to come.
“I look forward to a robust engagement and presenting Sierra Leone’s National Statement during the second day of the high-level General Debate,” President Bio tweeted.
The UNGA, the main forum for all 193 Members of the UN to discuss international issues, holds regular sessions from September to December each year. The sessions resume in January and continue until all issues on the agenda are addressed, often just before the next session starts in September the following year.
The 78th session of the Assembly, which officially opened on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, will continue until 2024. As part of the Assembly’s annual session, a General Debate is held each September, attended by Heads of State and Government. This year’s General Debate runs from Tuesday, September 19, 2023, until Tuesday, September 26, 2023.
The body language in the photo above does not show some one been investigated by the ICC. The more I look at things, the more I am coming to terms that that letter from the ICC Prosecutor to President Bio might have been deliberately leaked to the Sierra Leone Public by the President and his handlers to distract Sierra Leoneans from the burning issues then. I remember informing a friend that if the ICC is investigating President Bio, the investigation world not start with him. Well, now we all know the ICC alleged investigation of the president was a hoax. But that said, President Bio should endeavor to have rogue security officers in the SLP who are trigger happy and can shoot at the slightest provocation. Who know if some of those trigger happy officers are not working clandestinely for those bent on damaging the human right credentials of the president and his government. In the late 60s, cannibalisms were carried out by elements who wanted to paint the then SLPP of Albert Margai as cannibals’ and human right abusers. When President Stevens finally cemented his hold on power, the only people tried and convicted for cannibalisms were one Ghazali and others all people that were very closed to or affiliated with his former Vice President S.I. Koroma. One should not rule out another tactics using the very police sent to police riots and demonstrations since President Bio came to power. .