Civil Society blames government over hardship
The Coalition for Justice and Accountability (COJA) in discussion with other civil society organizations has drawn government’s attention to the spate of indescribable hardship in the country.
It draws government attention to issues linking international, regional and sub regional human rights and good governance instruments, so to say article 2 of the UN Convention on Economic Social and Cultural Rights which obliges developing countries seek international assistant in the achievement of such rights.
In a press statement dated 4th May, it is boldly stated that civil society is appalled at certain decisions of government on issues of development.
“We are appalled that all these development initiatives as dictated by the agenda for change (PRSP2) are not peoples driven. For instance, the people of this country were taken aback when government announced its decision to simultaneously withdraw all subsidies on petroleum products and that we have changed from more than a century old measurement system to a new metric system; in a bid to complete government mentioned development agenda.”
COJA refers to government’s decision as non-consultative, untimely and makes for risk of disapproval.
That if not handled carefully will lead to negative consequences.
“We wish to draw the attention of government to the recent developments in the northern African region and in the Middle East where people have been agitating the removal of dictatorial regimes primarily because no positive impact is felt on the livelihood of the average citizens,” the release stated.
Making references to efforts of donor countries in the augmentation of poor African countries, the release noted however that the US, EU etc had pumped billions of dollars into the private sector in the name of bail out and compulsory loans or grants to cushion economic distress of the ordinary citizens.
That such approach is clearly provided for in section 2 and 5 of our 1991 constitution which state that, “Sierra Leone is a sovereign state and that this sovereignty belongs to the people from whom government through the constitution derives its powers, authority and legitimacy.”
In the light of the above, the release stated, COJA urges the government of Sierra Leone to conduct immediate nation wide consultations in collaboration with CSOs in a bid to map an all inclusive way forward in an effort to address the acute hardship that is gradually engulfing the country.
Momoja Lappia
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