By: Melvin Tejan Mansaray
Tuesday 28th July 2020
INTRODUCTION
The tenth plenary sitting of the Fifth of Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone was scrupulous, engaging, sensitive and stout.
MOOD
The Chamber of the House was well attended for obvious reasons but also oblivious of the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic as both upper and lower galleries were filled but not to the brim.
The atmosphere was quite tough but largely not rancorous with submissions, interjections, propositions, conjectures and of course reservations from across the political divide.
ORDER PAPER
On the Order Paper, Hon. Mathew Sarh Nyuma Leader of Government Business proposed a motion on the third report of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service which was mixed complexioned with unanimity and majority/minority positions on particularly the approval of the Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) Mohamed K. Konneh.
The motion also saw the smooth confirmation of five other presidential nominees as Board of Director Members at NCP, NaCSA and the Local Content Agency. This motion was seconded by Hon. Bashiru Silikie and not too extensively but technically, politically and legally debated by twelve MPs.
Separately, Solomon Jamiru Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation piloted a government motion that herald the House’s resolution of three general cooperation agreements with Rwanda and Uganda and two memoranda on political consultations with Uganda.
Another item, announcement of Sessional Select Committees was abated mid flight for want of more consultation and inputs of opposition political parties, as per the observation of the objection of the main opposition leader.
ISSUES
As mammoth as always, the issues were dicey, spicy and juicy having a long run effect for especially upcoming bye and general elections.
The biggest elephant on the Floor was whether constitutionally the new NEC Chairman is qualified to hold the position against the context of Section No. 32.4.a and b. This was arguable but agreeably noted to be a case that may need the interpretation of the country’s Supreme Court especially when it had a nexus between Section No. 34, 75 and 76 of the national constitution and was strenuously argued by the government bench.
The role of the galleries on the debate can also be reflected upon.
The use and misuse of Standing Order 34 remains a great deal of consideration.
The use of face mask surfaced similar to that of the credibility of the NEC.
The answer to the question on how independent is the current crop of independent MPs remain to be found.
Does precedence supersedes the constitution is a big deal.
Was the objection of the C4C party substantial or vague enough by way of seeking the general voters register to ascertain the eligibility of the NEC Chairman?
Gender wise, no female MP was giving the Floor to contribute to what was an estranged debate.
What impacts will the debacle over the eligibility of the new NEC Chief have on upcoming elections is perhaps the biggest dilemma.
The issue of diaspora vote and registration was unmuted so also was that on whether the government should give financial assistance to political parties.
It was unique but not absolutely to have two positions on one report.
POLITICS
The spirit of cross-party corporation was reluctant and half-baked.
The result (78 to 51) on the outcome of the voting on the division on the confirmation of the NEC Chairman blazes a trail of talking points on; the party unity of the C4C party, the formidability of the Government bench and the potency of the main opposition APC party.
The C4C was exposed as it voted 4 to 3 with the Leader and Deputy party leaders on diametric positions.
The NGC showed party discipline with all of its MP cuing the line of its leader and the government bench similar to the Independents and PCMPs.
Is the APC being paid in its own coin after making some perceivably bad decisions which it is now objecting to?
It was suspecting but not surprising as to why the Leader of the SLPP party Dr. Alex Prince Harding and wife witnessed today’s plenary sitting.
CONTROVERSY
It remains to be the most uncertain if the new NEC Boss is eligible as per law to hold the post which he now holds. Is the appointment of Konneh a political or legal argument?
Is Konneh still a member of the SLPP as deposited by the Opposition Leader when he said he did in 1996 while they were university?
Is Konneh not a public officer as prescribed by Section 171 of the Sierra Leone Constitution?
Did Dr Harding go to Parliament to usher the new NEC Boss?
Did Konneh resigned on the constitutionally stipulated timeframe or was it even necessary in the first place.
Will the APC do what its Deputy Leader Hon. Ibrahim B. Kargbo threatened that they will file a case for a Supreme Court interpretation on the eligibility of the new NEC Chairman?
Whether President Maada Bio adequately consulted with the different political parties on his choice for the NEC Chairman will always be dissectible.
Whether the Leader of the APC in Parliament Hon. CRM Bah has ever been a member of the SLPP in the era of Dr. Alfred Bobson Sesay as opined by a government MP in an undertone will always be a cross for him to carry.
Should other languages be used in parliament outside of English for the masses to understand the issues better, should be a fine consideration if entertained.
Is the divided support among the C4C MPs not tantamount to anti party activities?
Is there any reason for the main opposition to have fate in the judiciary?
MR. SPEAKER
Hon. Dr. Abass Bundu was judicious and audacious as ever. His tolerance and impeccable wise character was untainted despite the fact that he was not gender sensitive enough to have failed to give the Floor to any female MP in what can be viewed as a landmark debate for coming elections.
MPs ON POSTER
Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma’s exhibition of Leadership in apologizing on behalf of all sides following a tensed moment was distinct and admirable.
Hon. Solomon S. Thomas and Hon. CRM Bah will be remembered for their genuiness in accepting that the stalemate on the new NEC Chairperson is a matter of interpretation for the Supreme Court.
Hon. Dickson M. Rogers did an injustice to himself again after his citation of the SOs.
Hon. Turay and Hon. Gavao were most unparliamentary for the ‘hooligan’ word trading that could have infuriated the hyped spirit of the House.
Hon. Afiju Kanja!
WHAT NEXT
The House stands adjourned to Thursday 30th July, 2020.
The Parliamentary Service Commission sub Committee will also meet.
EXTRA
On Thursday 23rd July, 2020, the House made history by repealing the fifty five years old Part 5 of the 1965 Public Order Act that criminalized libel and also enacted the IMC (Amendment) Act, 2020 that amended the 2000 Act. This was one of the biggest things to happen so far in the current Parliament according to campaigners and journalists.
President Julius Maada Bio proved his skeptics and cynics wrong by doing what he promised in his party’s manifesto.
On Friday 24th July, 2020 Minister of Finance Jacob Jusu Saffa laid the bill ‘The Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2020, approving a whooping supplementary budget of Le 1.7 trillion which was debated by some thirteen MPs and subsequently approved unanimously by the House after a lively debate.
