By Abubakarr Jalloh in Dakar
There has been an angry reaction to the manner and scope of celebrations marking Sierra Leone’s 51st independence anniversary in Dakar on 27 April.
Some Sierra Leoneans living in the Senegalese capital, who had clamoured for the opening of the embassy there, have even suggested that it be closed.
They accused the ambassador, Khadi Bassir, of running the mission like “a private organization and not in the interest of Sierra Leoneans”.
They say they had suggested to the ambassador that the 51st independence anniversary be used to bring together for the first time the hundreds of Sierra Leoneans living in Dakar so as for her to meet with them. The ambassador allegedly refused saying there was no money for such. They say that as 27 April drew closer the ambassador sent SMS text messages to about two dozen Sierra Leoneans who work for the UN and international NGOs “to a lavish secret party at her residence costing thousands of US dollars” with guests warned in the SMS not to tell anyone else.
“This woman needs to be reminded that she is not a CEO of a corporation but an ambassador representing the people of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Senegal”, one angry citizen told Politico.
“Why did she choose to share the most important date in our country’s history with only 1% of the Sierra Leone population in Senegal,” one angry lady asked, adding, “where were these supposedly important Sierra Leoneans when President [Ernest Bai] Koroma came here [in Dakar] on 2 April for the inauguration of President Macky Sall when we the ordinary citizens were asked to stand in the hot burning sun for six hours waiting for our president?”
One of the 3-member committee sent to discuss the planned independence anniversary festivities with the ambassador quoted her as saying that no money had been allocated to foreign missions for independence celebrations since Siaka Stevens’ era and that if she were to mark the anniversary it would have to be with her own money.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador has denied ever throwing a lavish celebration as alleged, noting that she is a career diplomat and not a politician.
“In fact the head of chancery did all the organisation, sent out SMSs to invite people,” she said, adding that there was no money when she was posted to Senegal on July 13, 2011.
“We received no money from government for the celebration. So, on the advice of the head of chancery we called up expatriate workers to chip in and make the day,” she said.
Head of Chancery, Sahr Johnny, said they were a young mission with no money and would therefore not have thrown a lavish party anyway.
“I personally called up a few friends like Alpha Bah who works with World Food Programme and Tejan Cole to come together,” he said.
Most Sierra Leoneans living in Senegal went as refugees at the height of the civil war. Many of them say they have since been using the country’s independence anniversary “to forget all the suffering we endured during the war, a day of celebration and happiness, a day we forget and forgive, a day that draw all Sierra Leoneans together no matter your status or class in society, a day of sharing, singing and dancing, and a day of profound hope for the future.”
