African Press Organization (APO)
30 April, 2012
The Gambia's President - Yayah Jammeh
The Gambian President, Alhaji Yahya Jammeh, has warned that the region was “losing its patience” over the perennial political crisis in Guinea Bissau and would not allow a tiny minority to take the country and region hostage to their interests.
Dr. Alpha Kawusu
30 April 2012
Sierra Leone opposition SLPP presidential candidate - Maada Bio
With barely six months to general and presidential elections in Sierra Leone, the political mood in the country continues to be restless and polarized.
A major contributing factor to this atmosphere is the ruling All People’s Congress’ discomfort with the man at the apogee of the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party – Julius Maada Bio, the man likely to win the forthcoming elections.
Bio, a retired Brigadier-General and former head of state has been pitted against President Ernest Koroma in the battle for the soul of Sierra Leone.
Interestingly, while the president would never publicly admit it, Bio is the least of the former SLPP flag bearer contestants that he wanted to compete with for the nation’s most coveted office.
29 April 2012
Last Friday, 27 April 2012, the president of Sierra Leone – Ernest Bai Koroma , possibly delivered his last independence anniversary broadcast to the people, after five years in power. Yet, he sounded more like a general preparing for battle at the polls in November, than a triumphal president celebrating success.
There was a marked absence of celebratory tone in his speech, and who would blame him, with an economy in turmoil, as a dark cloud of gloom sweeps across the nation – despite lofty talks about infrastructural development.
Sheku Lexmond Koroma
28 April 2012
President Koroma who was awarded the presidency in 2007 is now one of top five richest Presidents in Africa, according to a leaked document from a top APC operative. When the president declared his assets in 2007, it was not worth up to a million dollars.
But the president is now so endowed with wealth, that he has demolished his two hundred thousand dollars house in Goderich, and according to sources close to him the new structure will cost approximately five million dollars.
His ascent to power in 2007, left most Sierra Leoneans with high hopes for a better future, but today, those hopes have vanished into thin air.
Yet, the president seems determined to stay on in power at all cost, regardless of our economic degradation, poor educational system, high cost of living and the massive corruption in his government.
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
27 April 2012
Mohamed Kutubu Koroma
Fifty-one years ago today, the citizens were swept off their feet in great euphoria, when just a minute past midnight on April 27, 1961, they proudly watched, along with the Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kent, the prime minister – Sir. Milton Margai, the Governor – Sir. Maurice Dorman, as the British union jack was lowered for the last time.
As the British national anthem – ‘God save the Queen’ played by the military brass band echoed across the hills and valleys of Sierra Leone, the nation’s new colours of Green, White, and Blue slowly made its way to the top of the mast – carefully serenaded by the country’s new anthem – ‘High we exalt thee, realm of the free’.
That moment signalled the birth of a new Sierra Leone. A country, which everyone then had hoped would develop into a prosperous, just and egalitarian society, where all citizens were expected to contribute their quota toward its advancement – thereby giving impetus to its newly found political emancipation.
Yusuf Keketoma Sandi
27 April 2012
keep Sierra Leone GREEN
S – So your children are here again Mama Salone to celebrate your 51st anniversary, since your independence from British rule in 1961. But what have we got to celebrate mama?
I – In sadness, we recount our history with tears as your children have for far too long become the victims of bad governance, an eleven-year campaign of terror and violence, a bunch of greedy politicians and the present state of HARDSHIP;
27 April 2012
“Today is for the people of Sierra Leone” – says Special Court Prosecutor Brenda Hollis
Today is Sierra Leone’s 51st independence anniversary, and Sierra Leoneans across the world will be celebrating the country’s independence from British colonial rule.
But amid those celebrations, the people of Sierra Leone will reflect on the landmark indictment and conviction of former Liberian warlord – Charles Taylor yesterday, by the International Criminal Court at The Hague.
The Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone – Brenda J. Hollis, applauded the
conviction of Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Sierra Leone during its eleven-year civil war. Hollis lauded the conviction as another victory in the fight against impunity.
She said that; “Today is for the people of Sierra Leone who suffered horribly because of Charles Taylor. This judgement brings some measure of justice to the many thousands of victims who paid a terrible price for Mr. Taylor’s crimes.”
Abdul R Thomas – Editor
26 April 2012
Throughout the course of human history, there has been a handful of very bad men who have done very bad things to humanity, and today, Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia has won his place in the annals of the world’s most wicked and ignoble men.
He has been found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed against the people of Sierra Leone.
More than 50,000 people were killed and tens of thousands left amputated by the rebels in Sierra Leone.
As he stood at the International Court of Justice in The Hague this afternoon to receive the verdict, Charles Taylor showed no emotion, after a long trial lasting five years.
Many viewers in Sierra Leone and Liberia watching the live court proceedings, could have been forgiven for thinking that, behind that steely motionless demeanour, Charles Taylor was already beginning to plan his escape from British prison, where he is expected to serve at least 50 years jail term.
Raymond Dele Awoonor-Gordon
24 April 2012
Forgive me for breaking my promise that I was taking a short break in honour of my brother, the late Olu Gordon.
But even he would have been filled with rage as he surveys the political scene and sees the chilling and ruthless determination of some politicians and commentators with cold-blooded contempt for the normal, acceptable rules of political warfare, dictating the pace of events in the run-up to November.
I know that it is impossible to shame a person or group who/which appear to enjoy its shame but as far as I know, if you’ve got people who are moving away from you and choosing another path, you do not need your strategic superiority to turn to strategic liability.
Sheku Lexmond Koroma
Publicity Secretary – SLPP UK/Ireland
23 April 2012
SLPP presidential candidate - Maada Bio
My recent visit to our beloved Sierra Leone has left me convinced that, our people have fully understood and accepted the ‘New Direction’ vision of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), as the only viable way forward for our country.
What I witnessed there is indicative of a clear victory for SLPP at the polls in November, with our collaborative efforts devoid of complacency.
Moreover, Sierra Leoneans appreciate and respect the fact that Mr. Bio has a disciplined background and that he is one of the few African military leaders to have willing handed power over to a civilian government.
They believe Mr. Bio is capable of sanitising President Koroma’s rotten governance system, after his defeat in the coming elections.