All People's Congress ACTION - PROGRESS - COMMITMENT |
AN INFORMATIVE STATEMENT ON THE APC AND THE CURRENT NATIONAL SIERRA LEONEAN POLITY As most informed observers will notice, the 41 year old All People's Congress (APC) as a Political Party is today virtually starting from scratch. This has been principally due to the former NPRC Military Junta, which illegally overthrew the APC government in 1992 and confiscated the Party's assets and properties. These assets were forcefully taken away from the party without due process of the law. The Ministry of Marine Resources is still illegally occupying our multi-purpose building, which contained our printing press and our newspaper offices amongst others. The Junta also confiscated our Party's headquarters Building at Siaka Stevens Street and is today also being illegally occupied by the National Commission for Reconstruction, rehabilitation and Resettlement. The democratically elected government of President Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah has still not seen it fit to rescind the actions of the military junta and turn over these assets to the APC thereby hampering the Operational Activities of the Party. May we inform you that our party, the APC was founded on the 11th of September 1960 as a response to the concentration of political power in the hands of a single ethnic group and a corrupt system to the exclusion of most other groups. It was also a reaction to bad governance and widespread social and economics injustices meted out to the rural poor and urban workers. Between 1962, when the APC contested the first National Elections and won nearly one third of the 66 contested seats in parliament and 1967 when it defeated the SLPP government in that year's election, the Party attracted massive popular support all over the country. That splendid record was however short-circuited with the unwarranted intrusion of the army in the political process. The SLPP did not accept defeat in the spirit of democracy. What they did then was to reverse the verdict of the people by force. This ushered in the first coup d'etat in our country. Our democratic experiment became stillborn. The defeat of a party in power by an Opposition Party was a historical achievement in Africa at that time. It was an achievement not to be recorded again by any Opposition Party in Africa until the latter part of the 20th century. Some key players in the present SLPP government were instrumental in the enactment of that unconstitutional move. The present deputy minister of defence, Mr. Hinga Norman, who was the aide-de-camp to the then Governor-General (Her Majesty's Representative in Sierra Leone) turned around and arrested the Governor General together with the victorious leader of the APC, Dr. Siaka Stevens who had already been sworn in as Prime Minister. Although the sudden abortion of democracy by the military was short lived, it however built a perception of the army as an Institution that our victorious APC Party would hardly trust. Fear of the Army set in motion a train of events including the establishment of a single political system which endeavoured to bring all ethnic groups and their political parties under one umbrella which included the very army itself. It must however be stated that the establishment of a single party system was in clear response to the urgent need for National Unity and Reconciliation following the difficult elections of 1973 and 1977 which undermined our democratic aspirations and polarized the country. It was also a response to the general political trend in sub-Saharan African. But President Siaka Stevens who had won the 1967 Elections under the APC had said that the One Party System was an experiment to minimize social and political divisions and cleavages. The APC Party, which had constitutionally established the One Party system was also the Party which, again in response to the global trend of pluralist democracy in the 1990s and the wish of the people, conducted a National Convention in 1991. Prior to that, the Party had introduced a Multi Party debate in 1989 and set up a constitutional review commission in 1990. It was these that eventually brought about the 1991 Constitution and the establishment of Plural democracy. This Plural Democracy was also, if tribute must be paid, due to the strong commitment of the then-president Dr. J.S. Momoh to democracy and the support he received from his cabinet and the APC Party. From October 1991, there were at least six political parties campaigning freely and unhindered. A free and vibrant press was being encouraged and human rights were strictly guaranteed by the Constitution. Sadly, on the 29th April 1992, the military staged a coup and removed the constitutional government of President Momoh. A new military regime known as the National Provisional Revolutionary Council was formed under Captain Valentine Strasser. Amongst the people to pledge fullest allegiances and accept appointments with this illegal military junta was Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, our current President. The regime appointed him as the Chairman of their National Advisory Council and Chairman of their National Constitutional Review Commission. Dr. James Jonah who served the regime as their appointed Chairman of the Electoral Commission became the SLPP's Government Minister of Finance and earlier Permanent representative to the United Nations. The current Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the SLPP Government, Solomon Berewa was also one of the Principal Prosecutors and Persecutor for the military junta. The readiness of SLPP big wigs to use the military to resist democratic process and their readiness to support the use of violence to change governments had been amply demonstrated in both the 1967 and 1992 Military coups. The APC Party has had its' fair share of problems both internal as well as those that are associated with nature of governments in a third world African country. The APC is 41 years old this year and has ruled the country for 24 out of 40 years of its' independence from Great Britain. The achievements of the APC Party both economic and social are innumerable. THE TWO AND A HALF DECADES OF STABILITY UNDER THE APC The period of APC rule from 1968 to 1992 witness the vast majority of all the Post-Independence Infrastructural Developments in Sierra Leone. Tarred Roads replaced bush paths. Bridges replaced rickety ferries. Education, Health Facilities, Communications and Awareness expanded all over the country. When the APC assumed the mantle of leadership in Sierra Leone, it ensured that every single district had a hospital and every town had at least one Major Health Centre. The APC massively expanded educational opportunities across the country to the extent that no part, region or district was without a secondary school. As a matter of fact, under the APC, NO MAJOR TOWN WAS WITHOUT A SECONDARY SCHOOL OR TWO AT THE VERY LEAST. A countless number of individuals received sholarships for primary, secondary and University education. These achievements by our Party were neither by accident nor were they by good fortune. It was the result of Deliberate Policy, Prudent Calculations, Wise Counsel and Good Knowledge of Sierra Leone by the leadership of the country under the APC. The APC succeeded in welding and holding the country together through the following combination of techniques: 1. Our Leader, Dr. Siaka Stevens endeavoured to maintain his image above tribal sentiments by downplaying his tribal origins so that no one really knew to which ethnic group he belonged. 2. He brought together many dissenting and sometimes antagonistic groups and involved them at all levels of governance and administration. He instituted National Unity Government by the creation of the Single Party State referred to earlier. 3. He encouraged a broad based participation in all spheres of social endeavour with across the board ethnic involvement. 4. He encouraged social uplift amongst hitherto backwards and less dominant tribes. 5. He gave special prominence to the southern ethnic groups, especially the Mendes throughout his administration. This is especially prudent in light of the fact that the Southern Mende Tribe is seen as a bulwark for the SLPP. And it was the SLPP, which had used violent force through Hinga Norman to deny an APC Governance in 1967. Dr. Stevens, in his bid to promote ethnic harmony ensured that the Mendes were full participants in all levels and aspects of the APC Government. During the 24 years of APC rule, 69 Mendes from the South-East as against 32 Temnes and 10 Limbas from the North became Cabinet Ministers. The Siaka Stevens story epitomizes the victory of reconciliation and atonement over vindictiveness, selfishness, intransigence and the well recognized foolish pride associated with the SLPP. We believe that learning from this story and emulating the lessons learnt should be the first step in the search for lasting peace in our country. As the proud inheritors of the APC, we should use the above techniques effectively to ensure good governance and peace in our country. Today, under the present government, illiteracy runs high, poverty is widespread and ethnic separatism is a constant threat to National Unity and cohesion. During our 24 years in government, we have learnt one instructive lesson. That political, economic and social development can only be achieved and sustained in an environment of security and stability. It was for this reason that former President Siaka Stevens made security and stability the cornerstone of his administration. The APC has always been a genuine grass root party and a nationally cohesive party more than any in the history of Sierra leone. The APC, throughout time has represented the interest of no ruling class or clique whether hegemonic like Paramount Chieftaincy, ruling class, professional or commercial interest. It was open to all and sundry. This is perhaps the secret of the endurance of the APC not withstanding the calumnies heaped on it in recent years. THE PENDING ELECTIONS Today, we are once again on the eve of another National Elections and we as a Party are mobilizing under difficult circumstances caused by the wrong policies of an insensitive government in a manner uncannily similar to what pertained in 1967. This is why our people look up to the APC for redemption once again. They look up to the APC, which since Independence in 1961 has been the only Party to register impressive achievements in Nation Building. We are by far the most credible ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT IN WAITING and we are more than willing and ready to shoulder the responsibility of governing the country once again. All we need is a level playing ground in which the people of this country will be given a fair chance to choose their governments democratically. The APC has always believed in the use of the ballot box and not the barrel of the gun to gain political power. We did it in 1967 and we are prepared to do it again this time round. In 1996, the proportional representation (PR) system was DECREED by the illegal NPRC junta and even though our Party was prevented from campaigning in those elections, we won five seats in parliament. The APC and the people of Sierra Leone accepted the PR system in 1996 as a means of getting rid of the odious military junta. So, in March of that year, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections were held under an NPRC-bastardized form of the 1991 Constitution. The Chairman of the Interim Electoral Commission, Dr. James Jonah declared Ahmad Tejan Kabbah the winner. When confronted with voter totals of up to 345% in some constituencies in the predominantly SLPP Strongholds in the south, Dr Jonah "penalized" Kabbah by reducing Kabbah''s votes in those constituencies, to in the words of James Jonah, "...equal the statutory limits of 100% in all districts which had recorded a voter turn-out in excess of 100%." Many people in Sierra Leone who believed that Kabbah was not fairly elected viewed this with great concern and cynicism. To compound this unsavoury situation, Kabbah with rather impudent haste and in contravention of the Constitution, appointed James Jonah as his Permanent Representative to the United Nations. What a Prize! What a Thank-you! TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM The APC endorses the constitutionally required constituency type of elections. This is the system that our people know and understand better. It is also the system that is provided for in our Constitution. By this system, all stakeholders in the Electoral Process, including the government of Sierra Leone should ensure that provincial voters largely displaced by the civil war return to their homes. A preference for PR system is to condemn those voters to remain permanently displaced and give the impression that the war which was the excuse used to decree this system by the NPRC is an unending episode. THE EXTENSIONS AND CONTINUOUS STATE OF EMERGENCY The current six months extension of the life of both the Executive and the Legislature is in accordance with the provision in our constitution which states that in the event of war, a State of Emergency will exists and with that the life of government may be extended for a period of not more than six month at any one time. It is our view that with the presence of UNAMSIL and British Forces in the country, the Security Situation has greatly improved. Government should therefore be seen to be responding positively to these developments by lifting the State of Emergency so as to encourage normal political activities. Any measure of seriousness we will attach to the government's call for Elections in May 2002 would be based on the positive actions directed towards creating an enduring atmosphere within which such elections can be held. A lifting of the nighttime curfew should also be urgently considered. The curfew is not acting as a deterrent to armed robbery and late night murders by unknown assailants in the different city centers. SECURITY CONCERNS However, in view of the prominent divisive role played by the first coup maker in the State Security apparatus, Mr. Hinga Norman, who currently holds the dual post of Deputy Defence Minister and Co-Coordinator of the Civil Defence Forces, the APC is bound to be worried. UNAMSIL and our National Army should give assurances for the security of our Party members and supporters. Both the RUF rebels and the Hinga Norman led CDF must be simultaneously disarmed because their potential for causing trouble is extremely high. The CDF are maintained at the expense of the State. But the SLPP is using the force to promote its' political interest. This is common knowledge and is of serious concern to us as a Party. This is why our Party appreciates the British Military Presence in Freetown. However, we hope they will extend their presence beyond Freetown to provide adequate protection and stability throughout the country. The success of our fledgling democracy depends on the conduct of free and fair elections devoid of intimidation and harassment. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we wish on behalf of the APC Party and the people of Sierra Leone to record our deep gratitude to the International Community especially the British Government of Tony Blair for the substantial financial, military and logistical support to our land. The timely response of our International Friends has etched an unforgettable imprint on the minds of all Sierra Leoneans. We wish to assure all friends of Sierra Leone worldwide that our APC Party which is now ready to assume the reins of government from a woefully inept and failed SLPP government will always treasure your assistance to us in our time of desperate need. We must also mention our deep gratitude to the many American lawmakers who have sought to legislate that illegal diamonds like the ones recently caught with the SLPP Minister of Transport and Communications, Momoh Pujeh, do not enter the United States and provide profit to those unscrupulous members of the SLPP Government and their RUF partners in the illegal diamond mining criminal activities. The APC will continue to keep all Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora as well as friends of Sierra Leone continuously updated on all matters concerning the National Polity. We will release our Elections Manifesto to you all when the date of the elections is agreed upon. The Constitution and Other pertinent Party documents will soon be released online. Signed and Released by the APC through Martin Bash-Kamara Secretary-General, APC North America Branch. http://www.apc.homestead.com newapc@sierraleonelive.com http://www.new-apc.org |
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