President Julius Maada Bio’s appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Gaima as his Principal Executive Adviser to the on the Public Service and Head of the Public Sector Reform Unit is questioning Chief Minister David Sengeh’s role since the position carries Cabinet rank.

Gaima, who was appointed on Thursday, May 22 this year, is going to work from State House —close to Bio.

He will be reporting directly to Bio in this new role. It is believed that this appointment aims to support the President’s public service reform agenda, a key part of his 2023 election manifesto.

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Before this appointment, Gaima served as Secretary to the President, but it is unclear if he still holds that position, as there has been no official statement on the matter.

The Public Sector Reform Unit was previously under the Office of the Chief Minister. With Gaima now leading the unit directly from the Office of the President, questions have arisen about the future role of Chief Minister Moinina David Sengeh in the reform process. Chief Minister Sengeh has been involved in various reform and digital governance initiatives over the years.

The presidency has not released further details explaining how responsibilities will be divided or if the Chief Minister’s role in public sector reform will change.

Political observers have noted the timing of the appointment and the lack of formal communication, which has drawn attention to possible shifts in the administration’s structure.

Neither Dr. Gaima nor Chief Minister Sengeh has made any public comment regarding the new appointment or its implications.

As the Public Sector Reform Unit now reports to a Cabinet-level adviser within the Office of the President, many are watching closely to see how leadership and oversight of reform will evolve.