PMDC supporters in the United Kingdom have expressed their thanks and appreciation over a statement issued by foreign missions in Sierra Leone condemning the arrest of PMDC leader Charles Margai. In a statement signed by Mrs. Agnes Macauley, Chair of the UK Margai Campaign Group, the supporters profusely thanked the diplomats and lauded their efforts in promoting peace and democracy in Sierra Leone and other parts of the world. Meanwhile the SLPP government in Sierra Leone has also reacted to the the acton of the diplomats. We publish below the PMDC statement followed by the SLPP reaction as published by the Concord Times of Freetown:
Vote of Thanks from PMDC - Supporters of Good Governance and Democracy:
We in the diaspora supporting a Positive Democratic Change, for the love of our Beloved Country Sierra Leone and its nationals, do applaud with great appreciation and Our Highest Consideration, the Concerns expressed by the Embassy of France, Embassy of the United States of America, The British High Commissioner and the Delegation of the European Commission regarding the arrest of Charles Francis Margai, Leader of the unregistered Peoples’ Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) and some of his supporters on Wednesday 7th December.
This unprecedented action to a man with massive support in and out of Sierra Leone with his supporters in the process of forming a political party to run for the 2007 Presidential elections is bound to heighten political tension in the country thus threatening Peace, Stability and the national security as a whole. Your concerns are a show of solidarity for the promotion of World Peace and Democracy. On the whole neither opposition leader nor supporters should be subject to such treatment in this democratic 21st century era.
There is little doubt that the arrest of Charles Margai is clearly an orchestrated plot to eliminate him one way or the other so that he does not run for the 2007 Presidential elections and in the process frustrate his supporters. This must not happen in a country that professes democracy and that has just been delivered from many years of brutal war which scars are still raw and visible caused by greed and similar actions. The onus is now on the SLPP government to desist from using unnecessary force on political opponents and to create and tolerate a democratic atmosphere for all parties to campaign lawfully and freely in preparation for the free and fair elections in 2007.
Supporters of the PMDC would like to urge the government of Sierra Leone to invent no delay tactics in the proceedings with the case against Charles Margai and others but to process the cases in honesty and transparency for a quick resolve. There is no doubt in our minds that Charles Francis Margai and his supporters are law abiding citizens and will do everything within their rights to maintain that.
Governments come and go, political parties will fade away even people die and become history, but Sierra Leone will be there decade after decade, let us put Sierra Leone first in preparation for future proud and successful generations to come.
We hold you in High Esteem.
Agnes K Macauley - Chair Margai Campaign Group
On Behalf of PMDC - supporters of Good Governance and Democracy for Sierra Leone.
London - 15th December 2005
Diplomats’ Statement Annoys Government
Concord Times (Freetown)
December 15, 2005
Posted to the web December 15, 2005
Abdul Karim Koroma
Freetown
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Momodu Koroma Wednesday registered government’s displeasure over a joint statement issued by the European Union, British High Commission, French and US Embassies in Freetown over the arrest and trial of Charles Margai, leader of the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC).
Koroma who was speaking at a press briefing at State House said the international community should allow the police to do their job as the latter has spent a lot of resources on them.
"Some people took the law into their hands and blockaded the convoy of the Vice President," he said.
The joint diplomatic release stated that "we are concerned, as this may have implications for Sierra Leone’s security and stability and also for the preparations for credible and democratic elections in 2007 " and continued, "it is important that all parties and candidates for the elections should be able to prepare for these on an equal basis".
The Foreign Minister says the missions that issued the statement should have waited for the appropriate time.
Minister Koroma cautioned the diplomatic missions not to interfere in our state of affairs adding some of those statements do not tell well.
Photo: Charles Margai at the Bo magistrate court.
Photo Credit: Awareness Times, Freetown.
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