Digital News Media Summary 16th-31st July 2020
Digital News Media Summary Sierra Leone 16th-31st of July 2020
State Activities
Policies & Laws • Public Order Amendment Act 2020 On the 23rd of July, the country’s parliamentarians unanimously voted to repeal the criminal libel law in Part 5 of the public order act 1965. APC leader said, that “the two Bills were passed by the present Parliament assembled and that it should not be politicized”. https://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/sierra-leone-parliament-has-got-rid-of-the- countrys-criminal-libel-laws/ • Independent Media Commission Act 2020 The IMC act 2020 was unanimously approved by parliament. SierraEye had published a position paper on the bill. They criticized that section 14 of the bill provides that “The commission may suspend or cancel a license where it is satisfied that it is in the public interest”, while not defining “public interest”1. Furthermore, the bill states that the appeal of a media against a decision of the media commission at the court of appeal, shall not suspend a cancellation of license of the respective media institution. Given the length of court appeals, SierraEye sees the provision as unfair. They finally also ask for deletion of Section 40, which obligates the employment of qualified editors and stations managers as well as for the inclusion of a repeal of Part V of the 1965 Public Order (Libel Law) to kill two birds with one stone. http://sierraeyenews.org/editorial/sierraeye-position-paper-on-the-bill-entitled-the- independent-media-commission-act-2020/ • National Cyber Crime Bill 2020 The ministry of information and communication held a national stakeholder’s engagement on the national cyber crime bill 2020 on the 30th. The stakeholders consultative meeting sought to build a consensus on the draft Cyber Security Bill which the ministry had worked with the Office of the Attorney General and the Law Officers Department to draft.
1 All 11 members of the IMC are appointed by the president acting on advice of SLAJ and subject to parliament approval
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https://snradio.net/information-ministry-holds-stakeholders-consultation-on-proposed- cyber-security-bill/
Government • COVID-19 In order to resume commercial flights at Lungi airport on the 22nd of July, guidelines for arriving and departing passengers were put in place. http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/guidelines-on-arriving-and-departing-from-sierra- leone-by-air • Appointment of new mining and mineral Minister Foday Rado Yokie has been replaced as Minister of mines and minerals. No reason was given by State house. Timothy Kabbah, who until his appointment, was head of the National Petroleum Directorate was appointed and approved by parliament as new mining and mineral minister. Mrs. Ann Marie Harding the wife of the ruling SLPP party Chairman Dr. Prince Alex Harding, as the new Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources. https://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/president-bio-sacks-mines-minister-as-export- revenue-drops-by-almost-50-in-two-years/ • New Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) elected Mohamed Konneh was appointed as the new head of the National Electoral Commission. Of the parlamentarians present, 78 voted for him and 51 voted against. SLPP and NGC voted in favour, while APC voted against the appointment. C4C was divided as three of their MPs, including Leader Lamina, voted in favour and four against. Konneh had been working at the African Development Bank and as head of the country’s Financial Intelligence Unit. SierraEye argued before his appointment that he could not hold this position given the fact that he is a public officer. http://sierraeyenews.org/feature/my-two-cent-on-the-rumoured-appointment-of-current- financial-intelligence-unit-fiu-director-as-chief-electoral-commissioner/ Before his appointment, the APC was already of the position that Konneh was disqualified to be appointed and claimed being ready to institute legal proceedings (Press Release 20/07). APC deputy leader Ibrahim Ben Kargbo stated in parliamentarian debate, before Konneh’s approval, that the APC will appeal the appointment to the supreme court. House Minority leader, Chernor Bah complained that his party had not been consulted in regard to the appointment, although it is provided for in the constitution. https://awokonewspaper.com/as-parliament-approves-nec-boss-apc-may-go-to-supreme- court/ • Proclamation of national wide population and housing census
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Government has decided to conduct a Mid-Term Population and Housing Census across the country starting 4th of decembre https://snradio.net/proclamation-for-the-conduct-of-a-mid-term-population-and-housing- censusmtphc-sierra-leone-by-president-bio/
Parliament • Supplementary budget for fiscal year 2020 passed parliament without issues $US 120 million as supplementary budget to address impacts of COVID-19 was presented by the Minister of Finance and approved by the parliament. Total budget amounts now to ~US$1 billion. Supplement will cover health (30 mil.), the Quick action economic response programme (30 mil.), road construction (46 mil.), and the energy sector (17 mil.). http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/parliament-okays-fy-2020-supplementary-budget
Judiciary • Ex-Minister of Basic education Alpha Timbo was acquitted and discharged Alpha Timbo and 4 others who were sacked by the government in January 2020 over missing 50,000 bags of rice donated by China to the government have been discharged by high court. The ACC had offered no evidence against the accused, a decision which is perceived as politicised. In an interview, ACC chief Kaifala explained that the former Attorney-General denied a trial by judge alone, pushing for a jury to decide on the case. The ACC strategically decided to leave the case “to not set a precedent for Jury trial in corruption case. As no judgement was given, investigation can continue and the accused could be re- prosecuted. https://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/acc-czar-speaks-about-the-collapse- of-the-missing-chinese-rice-court-trial/ • Lunsar riots court cases Former Honorable member of Parliament Osman Karanka Conteh and twenty-nine others appeared in court on the 20th of July. PC Koblo queen told the court that there is bad blood between him and the honourable since 2013 when the MP led the youth to destroy properties worth millions of dollars at the London Mining. https://publicreviewsl.com/lunsar-riot-fmr-mp-29-others-jailed/ • Sylvia Blyden Charges of contempt of court were dropped against Blyden in High Court. She has still to appear in Magistrate court for the 10 other charges. http://www.ayvnewspaper.com/index.php/2020/07/24/sylvia-blydens-case-thrown-out-of- high-court/
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Police and Military • COVID-19 Risk allowance of Le 300,000 for all RSLAF military personal All military personal will indefinitely receive the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Leones as risk allowance. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/government-approves-risk-allowance-for-all-military- personnel/
Foreign Relations • Three agreements with Kuwait ratified by parliament Agreements on cultural and artistic cooperation, technical education & professional training, and the establishment of a joint commission for cooperation were signed between Sierra Leone and Kuwait. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/lawmakers-ratify-agreements-on-culture-education- cooperation/
Economic
International support • World Bank approved a $40 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA) to support investment and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in non- mining productive sectors https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/07/30/sierra-leone-40-million-to- support-sme-investments-and-economic-diversification • US$ 32 million approved by the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) as initial funding for the University of Science and Technology in Kono District. • World Bank grant of $30 million to boost agriculture The grant will support agricultural productivity and access to markets for smallholder farmer-agribusiness in Sierra Leone, specifically through construction of critical bridges currently served by cable ferries. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/07/21/sierra-leone-to-boost- market-access-and-agricultural-productivity-for-smallholder-farmers • US$ 24.5 million from African Development Fund to mitigate COVID-19 impact https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank- approves-53-million-multi-country-grant-covid-19-response-gambia-liberia-and-sierra- leone-37029
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Growth/Recession • World Bank report, Sierra Leone Economic Update is out The report projects an average economic growth of 4.1-4.3% in 2021-2022. In a second part, the report discusses the situation of girls during the epidemic in the country and explain the benefits of reducing child marriage and early pregnancy. https://www.thesierraleonetelegraph.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sierra-Leone- Economic-Update-2020-World-Bank.pdf
Political
Party Politics • Challenges around leadership in C4C The Secretary General of C4C announced a change in their party leadership in a Letter addressed to the parliament’s clerk (29/07). Saa Emerson Lamina, current party leader in parliament, rejected the change in another press release (29/07), stating that the Secretary General had no authority to change the leadership and that he would therefore continue to be the legitimate and recognized leader of C4C in parliament. Speaker of Parliament Chernor Bundu said in Radio Democracy that the parliament recognizes Lamina as C4C leader. • MP, Rebecca Y. Kamara from Kono had a car accident and is in intensive medical treatment https://snradio.net/press-release-update-on-hon-rebecca-y-kamara-road-accident/ • Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, Leader of the Alliance Democratic Party (ADP) arrested for alleged sexual penetration of a 15-year-old girl in Kono Mansaray presented himself to the police with his lawyers regarding the accusation brought against him. Kamarainba told journalists that the allegations are false and politically motivated. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/kamarainba-in-police-net-for-alleged-sexual- penetration/
Social
Health • Government launches insurance scheme for health care workers The insurance will cover all 11,039 healthcare workers nationwide, covering death benefits to kin, 50% gross salary in case of critical illness, and a 15% salary compensation in case of COVID-19 infection
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https://awokonewspaper.com/president-bio-launches-insurance-scheme-for-11039-health- workers/
Violence and unrest • Makeni riots Protest broke out in Makeni against the relocation of a 1.65MW power generator from Makeni to Lunghi. During clashes between the police and youths from Makeni, 6 young people have been killed and more than 51 have been arrested. A curfew was ordered during the week-end. https://awokonewspaper.com/makeni-riots/ The Ministry of Information noted in a press release (18/07) the effort of government to electrify the country, that Makeni city is 100% powered by Bumbuna hydro, that regular power supply to Makeni will be maintained, and that any attempt by anyone […] to undermine the public peace will face the fullest force of the law. In an interview on BBC Radio2, the inspector General of Police Ambrose Sovula, said that the police responded appropriately as he believes that the youths had machetes and guns. The SLPP condemned in a press release (18/07), the planned, deliberate, malicious, and violent attacks on the party’s northern region office in Makeni on Friday, July 17,2020. The Independent Police Complaints Board announced in a press release (20/07), as per its mandate, to conduct preliminary investigations on its own initiative with a view to determine the conduct of the SLP personnel. MPs of Makeni condemned police violence and demanded an independent investigation in a press release (20/07). Civil Society organisations strongly condemn the excessive use of force by state security in press statements (NMJD (21/07), Legal Link/CAN/NaCFoHRD (21/07)). Other Press releases were written by the National Grand Coaltion (NGC), the APC, and the Bombali District Human Rights Committee (BDHRC), condemning the use of firearms on unarmed civilians. The NGC noted that the Operational Support Division of the Sierra Leone Police is a paramilitary force and thus is not equipped for civilian riots. A group of CSOs started a fact-finding mission on the 23rd https://twitter.com/CGGSierraLeone/status/1286352091188011009 Three key issues were discovered during the mission, namely: lack of effective coordination among local and national actors; lack of trust between citizens and the security sector in Makeni and excessive use of force by security agencies in crowd control and; kangaroo social media journalism and youth violence. The report is yet to come out. https://awokonewspaper.com/csos-proffer-recommendations-after-makeni-riot-fact-finding- mission/
2 Interview by Umaru Fofana on the 20/07/20
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A fact-finding mission, headed by Minister of public affairs, Foday Yumkella, reported to president on the 24th of July. Makeni MP, Ibrahim Ben Kargbo from APC-party was part of the delegation and said that the report was comprehensive and represented all that happened. President Bio expressed his regrets regarding the incident and said that it was something that could have been avoided. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/makeni-findings-presented-to-pres-bio/ • Dalacuru, Diang Chiefdom, Koinadugu riots Information came from calabash newspaper on a riot in Dalacuru where a Chinli Mining Company vehicle was burnt down by disgruntled youths who alleged that their land has been sold to the Chinese in order to mine gold. According to the PC, the Chinese investors are trying to bring development, while the youths are causing disorder. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/c-o-12-battalion-distances-himself-from-dalacuru-riot/
Education • Survey from Afrobarometer & IGR on people’s perceptions on education is out Findings: Seven in 10 Sierra Leoneans (71%) say they want free education even if it produces more educated citizens who can’t find a job. slightly more than half (53%) think the quality of education has improved “somewhat” or “a lot” https://t.co/CUvwqD2btj?amp=1 • Higher and technical education institutions to reopen In a press release (22/07), the Government announced the recommencement of the second academic semester 2019/2020 on Saturday 25th of July. • ACC launched taskforce to combat malpractices and irregularities in public examinations The ACC with the Ministry of Basic and Sen. Sec. Education has set up a task force to combat examination malpractices in public exams. They will be supported by a stand-by Scorpion Squad who will rapidly strike where there is intel on Organized Cheating cells or Rackets.
Sexual and Gender Based Violence • Sexual offences model court opened in the law courts building, Freetown The court will try all cases of sexual offenses, which have gone through preliminary investigations at the magistrate court and were passed to high court level. The court will be presided over by two supreme court judges and one judge of the court of appeal. https://www.politicosl.com/articles/sierra-leone-open-special-court-sexual-offences https://statehouse.gov.sl/sierra-leones-president-julius-maada-bio-launches-sexual- offences-model-court-praises-hands-off-our-girls-campaign/
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• Autopsy of 5-year-old Khadija Testifying in court, the doctor responsible for the autopsy said that Khadija has been strangled to death and had been sexually abused before. https://www.globaltimes-sl.com/death-of-5-year-old-khadija-govt-pathologist-testifies/
Carceral situation • Government pardoned 153 inmates nationwide https://publicreviewsl.com/president-bio-releases-153-inmate/
Environment • Environmental Protection Agency and Sierra Leone Police sign MoU to enforce environmental laws Part of the MoU is the establishment of a Bilateral Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Coordination Crime Unit (BECECC) consisting of officials of the Environmental Crime Unit or its equivalent of the Force and three representatives of the Agency, and to establish an Environmental Crime Desk (ECD) in all districts for the effective coordination, tracking and investigation of environmental crimes across the country.
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