Over the Detention of APC Spokesman, Basita Michael Questions President Bio’s Democratic Credentials

Former President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Basita Micheal has expressed great concerns over the recent detention of opposition member Sidi Yaya Tunis.

Basita Micheal stated  that Sierra Leone’s  Minister of Foreign Affairs cannot tell the world that President Bio has been endorsed as the new Chairperson of the AU-African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in recognition of the ‘excellent progress’ made by Sierra Leone to promote democracy, rule of law & good governance and the next thing you know the Acting Publicity Secretary of the opposition Sidi Yaya Tunis is arrested and detained for upholding the democratic principle of dissent and his right to freedom of conscience and expression.

She questioned that who will ever again believe what our government says when it constantly does the opposite of what it says?  she further pointed out that If as a government you are true to the principles of democracy rule of law and good governance, when you hear voices of dissent, instead of arresting and detaining them it is morally incumbent upon you as a government who is in a position of power to give these voices greater space greater freedom and protect their rights to voice out their grievances. Until then please let us refrain from telling the world we are making an “excellent progress” to promote democracy rule of law and good governance.

President Julius Maada Bio was recently endorsed as the new Chair of the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) at the 35th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa. Ethiopia.

President Bio now has the mandate to lead and encourage his Peers to observe and respect political, economic and corporate governance values in their respective countries.

Professor David Francis has this to say, “President Bio’s endorsement is in recognition of the meteoric rise of Sierra Leone on the Global Stage and as a Country of standing respected by and in the Community of States.”

Chair of the AU Committee of 10 for the Reform of the UN Security Council: The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone is the current Chair of the Committee with mandate to advocate and canvass the African Common Position on United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform.

ECOWAS and AU Endorsed Candidate for UN Security Council Seat Bid: Sierra Leone’s the sole candidate from West Africa for the UNSC Seat bid in the Non-Permanent Category. The Candidacy was endorsed by ECOWAS and the African Union.