UN Chief salutes adoption of three gender bills in Sierra Leone
The Executive Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Sierra Leone, Mr. Victor Angelo, has on behalf of the United Nations commended the House of Parliament in Sierra Leone for unanimously adopting three bills related to gender issues, The News reports. According to Mr. Angelo, the passage of the Devolution of Estate; the Registration of Customary Marriages and Divorce; and the Domestic Violence Bills constituted an important milestone in efforts towards meeting international standards on gender equality. Mr. Angelo salutes Parliament for what he described as a collective tribute to the recognition of the role of women in Sierra Leone not forgetting the importance out-going President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah attached to the gender bills as evident in the urgency in passing the bills, calling it “a historic contribution to the advancement of women in Sierra Leone”. Awoko also carries the story.
Aspiring Vice President furious with party officials
At a meeting convened at the party headquarters, Vice President Berewa vented out anger and dismay at senior party officials for not responding to request for funds, saying their action was a disappointment and would affect the party’s chances. “I see no reason why you should not heed to the party’s call when you are presently benefiting form the party by the positions you are holding”, Vice President Berewa reportedly fumed, adding that he would not be ashamed to beg party members as long as it was for the interest of the party; while noting that funding a political party is an expensive endeavor and therefore needed the support of senior members of the party to ensure that the party succeeds. According to The Exclusive, letters were sent to all Ministers, their deputies, parliamentarians, senior government officials and heads of parastatals, to contribute to the party campaign fund some time in April 2007 but only a fraction of them responded positively. Their action has infuriated the Vice President who accused them of not having the party at heart and has given them one week to respond to the letter or in his words “forget it”.
SLPP executives assure vying Vice President on running mate tussle
The National Executive Council of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party meeting on last Monday at the party’s headquarters, assured Vice President Solomon Berewa aspiring for the presidency, of their unflinching support for who ever he would name as running mate for the 11 August presidential election amid keen contest for the position. Speculations are rife that Momodu Koroma, Minister of Foreign Affairs, a favorite of the out-going president may likely clinch the post to run side-by-side Mr. Berewa, New Vision and The Standard Times report. The reports also point out that President Kabbah’s presence at the meeting was a surprise to most party members. In another development Standard Times states that sixty-five SLPP Members of Parliament lost their seats in the wake of primary elections conducted nationwide for the award of party symbols. The story is also reported in Concord Time.
President Kabbah not to interfere in arrest of minister
In the wake of investigations into the fatal Paramount Airlines helicopter crash of 3 June 2007 and the subsequent arrest of four officials of the Ministry of Transport and Communications including the minister, Dr. Prince Harding, The New Citizen today reports the out-going President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, reiterating that his government had no intention to interfere into the matter relating to the Minister and the three others, stressing that the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) should be allowed to perform its statutory functions according to law. President Kabbah also noted that any attempt on his part to interfere with the present matter would dent its career. “I had warned officials of the Ministry, including Prince Harding to handle all matters relating to civil aviation, especially the operation of helicopters with utmost care and diligence.... The very reputation of the country is at stake which explains why the matter should be pursued to its logical conclusion,” the paper quotes the President as affirming. Related, The Spark reports that the opposition All Peoples Congress deputy leader, Hon. Dauda Kamara of Kambia District in the north of the country, had questioned the authenticity of the Paramount Airlines air worthiness and moved a motion in the House of Parliament inviting the incarcerated minister to explain the circumstances that led to the crash of the ill-fated helicopter. The paper adds that the motion was supported by members on both sides of the House who earlier observed a minute’s silence for those who perished in the crash. The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Justice Edmond Cowan cautioned Hon. Dauda Kamara not to apportion blame on any individual until the suspended Minister reports to Parliament on Friday 22 June.
(Compiled by Media Liaison Unit, PIO/UNIOSIL)
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