It has emerged, following an investigation mounted by Politico, that the visit to Moyamba two weeks ago by Vice President Samual Sam-Sumana was deliberately undermined by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Musa Tarawallie. The two have for some time now been locked in a power tussle with the minister said to be eyeing the vice president's job. Our investigations reveal that during the visit, which was a de-facto campaign to drum up support for the ruling All People's Congress party, the minister organised a free-food-and-drink dance in Bo to coincide with it. He invited all executive members of the APC in all districts of the southern province to attend the feast in Bo.
Minister Tarawallie confirmed to Politico that he did organise a dance in Bo at the same time as the vice president's visit to which he invited party officials from across the country. He described his get-together as "grand". He however said that he suspected the VP's trip was an emergency while his get-together was planned two months ahead.
He said as far as he was concerned "both events indicated that different people were working from different ends in the interest of the party."
When contacted, Vice President Samuel Sam-Sumana declined to comment and referred us instead to the Minister of State, South, Moijueh Kaikai.
Kaikai said that he was not sure whether the action of Tarawallie was a deliberate attempt to undermine the VP's visit but confirmed that the Moyamba district Chairman and Chairlady were in Bo to attend the dance rather than be in Moyamba for the visit of the vice president.
Kaikai said Musa Tarawallie was indeed aware of the visit of the vice president to Moyamba, saying he had sent SMS text messages to him and all other party executives and government ministers or deputy ministers who hail from the region. Musa Tarawallie is from Moyamba, and Kaikai said that he would have expected him to have served as the host of the Vice President.
Paramount Chief Foday Momoh Gulama of Kayamba chiefdom said he received the delegation as the traditional leader. He said he was informed rather late, adding that the meeting was "not well planned and was poorly attended".
Several people Politico contacted in Moyamba said some traditional leaders had to go round pleading with people to attend the VP's meeting if only to save them from embarrassment.
There has been no love lost between Musa Tarawallie and Samuel Sam-Sumana. Last year supporters loyal to the two men clashed violently in the VP's home district of Kono during a visit there by the minister. The matter was investigated and charges pressed against some people. Some observers believe the VP came out of that matter with his head buried in the sand.
