By Umaru Fofana
That State House meeting with the opposition
By Umaru Fofana
I have been chewing my pen butt in the last few days since the State House meeting last week between President Ernest Bai Koroma and the leaders of the country's ten registered political parties. Forget, for a minute, about what many see as an attempt by President Ernest Bai Koroma to compromise these political leaders when he reportedly gave them US$ 20,000. Concentrate on the timing and the composition of these so-called political parties and what they stand for, if anything.
2014 in Sierra Leone politics
By Umaru Fofana
The last 12 months proved very eventful in Sierra Leonean politics. Hardly any dull moments. The first post-election cabinet that never was and left many wondering whether the long wait for it was worth it. The subsequent reshuffles that did not prove desirous to many and raised the question as to why certain people were sacked or appointed or even retained.
Beyond the MCC rejection of Sierra Leone
By Umaru Fofana
Every progress-loving Sierra Leonean must be reeling at the failure of the country to benefit from the lucrative and prestigious US Government-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Not only did the country not make it through to benefit from the hundreds of millions of US dollars that would have tremendously helped in turning around the lives of many Sierra Leoneans, it was not even selected for consideration for next year.
What a week that was!
By Umaru Fofana
It came in the back of an amendment by parliament of a section of the country's constitution which many thought would have formed the main talking point in the week to follow. It was not to be. But please bear that in mind as we go along. A shocking high court ruling that pulverised majority vote. An Appeals Court ruling that let off the hook a former cabinet minister convicted for corruption. An administrative reshuffle that sends all sorts of signals. Bla, bla, bla. So here we go:
Bribery in all but name
By Umaru Fofana
The Lomé peace accord had been signed. Foday Sankoh finally decided to come to Freetown after much dithering. And it took the then US Secretary of State Madeline Albright to make that happen. Days turned to weeks and weeks into months. Then he decided to visit the President’s Lodge at Hill Station. Yes to meet President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah. But, perhaps, to also take an up close and personal look at the place he hoped he would one day occupy. That was not to be. He was to die much later.
