CHOOSE YE THIS DAY WHOM THOU WILT SERVE, O Charles Mambu
This ULTIMATUM thing has further exposed why this government finds it very easy to deal with some of our Civil Society groups. We make particular reference to Charles Mambu's appearance on Star Radio on the morning of Tuesday October 8.
Mambu was asked what he made of the much-criticised press release issued by State House, accusing Civil Society groups of blackmail for recently issuing 21-day ULTIMATUMS to the government. In fact the release described the ULTIMATUMS as "absurd" and will not be "tolerated". In reply, Mabu, a supposed civil society activist, said that he hadn't read the statement but doubted it was written or approved by De Pa.
We can't understand why Mambu decided to comment on a document he hadn't read. Mambu, in his usual form, praised De Pa as a lover of Civil Society organisations. We will not comment on this aspect for now because people like him must tickle us more than this to get our views on De Pa's love for Civil Society.
On the same programme, Kan Kan Kan told the whole nation that De Pa might not have written it himself but it was "discussed at State House". For Mambu to convince himself that a press release could be issued from State House without De Pa's knowledge speaks volumes of his knowledge of statecraft or the level of sycophancy to which he has sunk. Here's the opening paragraph of the release in question:
“IT HAS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT THAT OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS VARIOUS CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS HAVE ISSUED ABSURD ULTIMATUMS TO GOVERNMENT THREATENING CERTAIN ACTIONS IF THEY ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ITS PROGRAMMES IN THE AREAS OF INFRASTRUCTURE, AGRICULTURE AND LOCAL CONTENT POLICY.”
If this was issued from Mambu's civil society group, would he seriously tell anybody he didn't know about it? In the interest of openness, we urge Mambu to publish the names of all the member organisations in his coalition and their MoU. We suspect, very strongly, that for very long now the Coalition Mambu says he heads has been a big hoax.
Mambu has a clear choice: he can either be a true Civil Society man or join the band of Vuvuzela characters all over the place and CONTINUE TO SURVIVE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE STATE.
THE DIARY OF A MARGINALISED VICE PRESIDENT
Monday - Chief Sidikie spends the day on Facebook responding to issues raised by his supporters on the Sumana-for-President Group set up by his friends (capital “F” small “f”). It's a popular group which carries nice pictures of the marginalised man and his beautiful wife and some of the few activities he has managed to take part in since he was re-elected in 2012 – the most recent being a meeting with the departing American Ambassador. Plus phone calls from well wishers.
Tuesday – He normally arrives at the office very early on Tuesdays. Even his staff don't know why. On Tuesdays he spares time to talk to some of his staff before retreating to his office to spend the rest of the day watching TV and talking to his friends on the phone. He likes watching sub-standard programmes on SLBC.
Wednesday – This is normally a day for cabinet meetings. Sidikie has been irregular in recent times. What's the point going to such meetings when you can't supervise ministers and some very powerful officials? From there, Sidikie would withdraw to his office to read dozens of Google pages on stories about other marginalised Vice Presidents and how they spent their days.
On one occasion, Sidikie read about Kow Nkeson Arkah, former Vice President of Ghana and his tango with his boss Jerry John Rawlings. His colleague's experience shocked him but he thanked God for little mercies in Sierra Leone. Then some phone calls from Kono people who are disgusted over the poor state of affairs of the road leading to, and inside their district.
Thursday – This day is normally set aside for meetings with old pupils of Jaiama Secondary School, Sidikie's alma mater. In the evening, other Kono people come in to discuss the fortunes or misfortunes of their district. Chief Sidikie listens quietly without saying a word but occasionally takes note. He is not quite sure who is really genuine. These are serious times.
Friday - Sidikie prays a lot on Fridays. He also does physical exercises to keep fit and reads news magazines and the works of great Africans like Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.
Saturday - Physical exercises continue. When he is not in Kono Sidikie drives around western Freetown playing jazz music and thinking about his future. More Konos and other well wishers stream into to his palatial residence at Hill Station.
Sunday – A day of rest. No work. Sidikie spends the whole day turning this issue over in his mind: "Was my decision to enter politics at this level in 2007 the right one? And "How can I get out of this situation in peace?"
Imagine this routine. It's definitely very boring.
OVERFLOWING CEMETERY AND RISING CRIME: WHAT NOW LUMLEY?
On the same morning the BERATER was on radio telling the country that De Pa's government was quite satisfied with the way things are going on in the country, a local chief of one of our sprawling communities in the "affluent" western side of Freetown appeared on the same breakfast programme to talk about the living conditions of his people and even the dead ones in his community. The old man's interview demonstrated clearly, how far the BERATER has travelled from his days as a civil society hack in Freetown to a senior government officer in fully air-conditioned offices and a slick government SUV to go with his new status.
Lumley and its ever-expanding environs is a headache that the authorities are hoping will go away without medical treatment. That will not happen.
The chief told the nation that their cemetery is overflowing – the dead are not allowed to rest before their bones are removed for other bodies to be buried. He talked about very bad water supply, poor electricity and poor roads. We couldn't understand why even after that interview from an ordinary Sierra Leonean like that, the BERATER remained in that studio to continue telling us we were very close to Nirvana.
We will like to add that real crime has gripped the whole area and the police are still dealing with the place using traditional methods. The fear of crime has made Lumley and its environs very unattractive to many. These are the real issues that the BERATER should be honest about. He should stop quarrelling with and even questioning the credibility of civil society groups who are merely reflecting the views of many Sierra Leoneans. Ultimatums may not be the right way to proceed but we expected the BERATER to concentrate on the last paragraph of their own press release:
“GOVERNMENT WISHES TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE RESPECTIVE MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES WILL SOON BE PROVIDING THE NATION WITH UPDATES ON THEIR ACTIVITIES IN THE SPECIFIC AREAS MENTIONED HEREIN, GIVING ASSURANCES IN EACH CASE THAT IMPLEMENTATION IS ON TRACK.”
Instead of hiding from its own people, the government must find more avenues of engaging with the people directly and through civil society. By the way there is nothing wrong in citizens calling for people like Petito to resign for failing the people so badly. His counterparts in other countries have resigned for less significant reasons.
And this talk about RAINY SEASON: please Petito try another trick. All the roads in Freetown - including your MENDS Street that you talked about so much were dead by February. We have been to other countries in the region during the rains and seen their roads. This spin will not work SIR.
SARAH MIATTA PALIN IN DE PA’s CABINET
You probably remember the US vice president that never was. Sarah Palin had good looks complete with her designer glasses. But substance she carried not much of. And arrogance she had in no short supply. We notice some comparisons with our own Health Minister. We have been shocked by her display of arrogance amid her newfound status as a minister. The other day she drove into Old Railway Line from McDonald Street and arrogantly drove against the traffic. No emergency! Last week we spotted her at Upgun Turntable again. She was stopped by the police to allow for kids to cross the streets. Her official vehicle, paid for by ordinary people she has no respect for, refused to obey the state police or respect the kids. She defied the stop and went away. The other day she went to the Connaught Hospital Mortuary and derided the workers there threatening the place must never be left to smell or she would deal with them. How much does her ministry allocate to the mortuary anyway! Even if it does give them all the money in the world people deserve some respect however lowly they may be. Basic courtesy and humility, Sarah Miatta Palin.
(C) Politico 10/10/13
