By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The re-elected Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer who is yet to take up office due to her Party’s decision to boycott governance has defended her decision to be present at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, insisting that she was invited to share her experiences.
She was seen making a statement in a verified social media video in response to a press release issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs dated 18th September, 2023 over a reaffirmation agreement of relationship between the Mayor of New Haven, United States of America, Justin Elicker and Yvonne Aki-Sawyer.
She said she is yet to start work owing to the fact that she stands with her All People’s Congress (APC) party in their boycott of governance in protest of the outcome of the June 24th multi-tier elections in Sierra Leone. She said even though the party is not participating in governance doesn’t mean that they should not participate anywhere in the world.
She added that she was also attending meetings in New York, performing different roles on women empowerment and climate change.
The press release by the Ministry noted that after being overwhelmed with calls emanating from concerned citizens over the agreement between Aki-Sawyer and the Mayor of New Haven, it has therefore declared the said agreement null and void.
It noted that Yvonne Aki-Sawyer who signed the agreement is not properly seated as Mayor to enter into any agreement for and on behalf of the Freetown City Council. It also urged the Sierra Leone Ambassador to the United States to contact Mayor Elicker on the position of the local government ministry.
The ministry said the issue ‘’will be investigated to bring out details of the source of funding for this illegal engagement.”
It pointed out that Sierra Leone is a sovereign nation governed by laws and one of such laws for the operations of councils is the Local Government Act of 2022. It stated that it is by law that every councilor which includes the Mayor and District Chairman, after elections must subscribe to the oath set out in the second schedule of the Local Government Act of 2022.
Attention was drawn that Aki-Sawyer failed to subscribe to the oath of Office during the inauguration of the Western Region Council on the 17th of August 2023.
The release explained that whilst the ministry acknowledges the necessity of reaffirming the relationship between New Havens and Freetown City Council, it also views this act as “misleading and fraudulent and has no place whatsoever in our democracy.”
The ministry said it frowns at such “fraudulence and considers such agreement as illegal.”
The ministry encouraged citizens not to take the agreement entered into involving Aki-Sawyer, seriously.
The APC had boycotted all governance activities since the June 24 General Elections results were announced, citing irregularities. Their elected Parliamentarians with the exception of two and their elected council representatives have refused to go to work.
Copyright (2023) Politico (20/09/23)
