Ibrahim Bai Koroma, Chief Executive Officer of Citizen Rights Network SL, extended an apology to moral guarantors at a recent meeting held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown. Joined by other prominent civil society leaders, Koroma openly acknowledged that many civil society organizations in Sierra Leone have fallen short in effectively serving the nation and its people.
Koroma candidly admitted that issues like hypocrisy and pride have impacted civil society efforts, with some organizations compromising their integrity. He noted that several groups have not consistently spoken the truth in recent years due to various reasons. Reflecting on their role, he described civil society and the media as essential voices for the people, though some members have struggled to fulfill this responsibility.
In his plea to the chairperson and moral guarantors, Koroma called for attention to Resolution Four of the tripartite agreement, which addresses the ongoing detention of political prisoners from the opposition party who remain in correctional facilities. He urged the moral guarantors to address this issue in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Andrew Lavalie, Executive Director of the Institute for Governance Reforms, highlighted the significant funding challenges faced by civil society organizations in Sierra Leone. He requested that the moral guarantors consider this obstacle, as it impacts their ability to operate effectively.
Madam Juliet Henderson from the Civil Society Movement reaffirmed her organization’s dedication to peace and democracy, emphasizing that they will continue upholding this commitment despite the challenges.
Responding to these concerns, Fatoumata Tambajan, former Vice President of The Gambia and chairperson of the session, acknowledged the points raised and assured the assembly that the concerns would be treated with respect and consideration to uphold democracy in Sierra Leone.
