SAWN Trending: MKM Declares His Assets; Could other Political Aspirants Follow Suit?

Shebora S. Kamara, Ibrahim Mansaray, Ernest Yusif Tarawalie, and Alusine R. Wilson

It would be very hard, if not impossible, to let majority Sierra Leoneans, especially those of voting age, understand the essence of asset declaration by their opting leaders. But such move, for many level headed Sierra Leoneans, is in direct conformity with the people’s power that democracy basically means.

The assets declaration move by Mr. Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray of the ADP on the 25^th October, 2017 was an historic event in the political landmark of the whole of West African region. This was historic for the fact that, for the first time since democracy was popularized and accepted in most of the West Africa region, no political aspirant, especially presidential flagbearer aspirants, has made an open declaration of his/her assets worth right before assuming power; and the move is also in consonance with the citizens manifesto launched in Makeni on the 24^th October, 2017 (a day before his declaration) by the National Civil Society Forum and Standing Together for Democracy Consortium.  The ADP presidential flag bearer, Mr. Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, could worth up to Le 15.8 billion.

His declaration could be described as both timely and commendable. Though many sceptics have started questioning his declarations, we, however, believe that it is timely because it came four months and two weeks away from general elections in March, 2018— this could be an ample time to verify everything therein. His declaration, by all indications, is detailed; making it traceable and verifiable to any would want-to-know institution or person(s) as to the authenticity of the case.

The Anti-Corruption Commission and concerned civil society groups could save us the time and arguments to verify everything he put forth by sending their officials to the US to confirm his ownership and worth—they could afford hiring a stockbroker to put a worth to those properties—and by cross checking with his properties in Sierra Leone (not forgetting his bank statements). He has basically challenged ACC to do what they ought to be doing. Corruption does not limit itself to taking bribe, extorting from subjects, and/or misappropriating public funds; but by extension, it includes deception and dishonesty. These two could also amount to corruption. By no indication was he coerced to declare his properties.

ACC should be proactive in their fight against corruption. Being proactive in the fight against corruption does not only (as well) limit itself to sensitization efforts through workshops and seminars; the institution needs to do it best to make corruption traceable; and the best way to ensure that, in this case, is by allowing for public declaration of assets by all political aspirants from all political parties and of all positions, right before the election, and after the elections (say annually). This could help in not only helping citizens and civil society groups monitor the wealth and gains of their leaders, but in also reinstate public confidents in governments and their leaders in general. The country has for long being ranked among the most (if not worst) corrupt countries by both credible institutions (like Transparency International-2013, etc.).

Although acclaimed for his recent declaration and his vibrant opposition role, Mr. Mansaray has a mixed reputation in Sierra Leone. Two days before his open assets declaration to the media and civil society activists, the National Organizing Secretary of the ADP (Mr. George A. Macaulay) together with the National Deputy Chairman (Ibrahim Suma) and the ADP Kenema District Chairman (Mr. Joseph Mansaray) were on AYV TV’s Night Life program accusing him (Mr. Mansaray) of being unaccountable and autocratic in his decision making. The two (Mr. Macaulay and Suma) alleged that he had refused a call for meeting with them several times. Mr. Joseph Mansaray made a more serious allegations accusing MKM of making false promises to the Kenema people, which records are bad but for his political aspirations and, by extension, his party. There are some who believe he is the “all in all” in the party—he is the councillor, the MP, and the presidential flag bearer.

Meanwhile, the differences in opinions on him should not be hastily decided considering the political history of many Sierra Leoneans, especially at this material time when few could care less about their integrity, but their gains. Sierra Leone politicians are notorious for selling their compatriots for political gains. That does not, by any means, imply that we should not take note of the accusations. In fact, the media has a great role in clarifying the accusations, and in ensuring that they challenge other aspirants for other parties and positions to do likewise in other to prevent misappropriation of public funds by political representatives. If there is any reason as to why it is almost impossible, if not necessary, for the seating president, HE Ernest Bai Koroma, to declare his assets worth, it could be that he hadn’t done it publicly before his coming to power, not after that. Therefore, it could hard to ascertain his worth prior to becoming a president as compared to when he is about to leave office.

Tackling corruption in Africa could be a laborious task, but not an impossible one. And it must start with instituting transparency and accountability strategies. There is no way we could understand tell for sure what money is used to buy or construct their new houses and cars, nor could we challenge that publicly if to say we suspect that they are spending far more than they earn. If democracy must strive in Africa, stronger institutions should be created to monitor the expenses of political leaders and their corporations.

©SAWN Trending, 29^th October, 2017