Response to Ambassador Kargbo’s allegations
I wish to respond to a press release from the Embassy of Sierra Leone in Brussels carried on some local newspapers in which Ambassador Kargbo alleged that I attempted to stir up Anti-Government riots in Europe while President Ernest Bai Koroma visited Brussels in February, 2011 and later attempted to kill him in his office armed with a knife. These strange allegations cannot be true if readers decide to ask some questions. (Photo: Peter Kuyembeh)
Firstly, right throughout his stay in Brussels, the President was with a high powered delegation comprising Senior Government Officials, his security and also the security provided by the Belgian Government who I believe should be contacted to check these claims of Ambassador Kargbo.
Secondly, Ambassador Kargbo had never summoned me in his office to warn me against such treasonable acts. Those who have been to the Embassy lately would confirm that his office door has a notice stating that anyone wanting to see him should go through his confidential secretary.
How then did I cross the conference room and the secretary’s office carrying a knife without her raising alarm? The truth is that there was no way I could have entered the Ambassador’s office without being seen by a member of staff of the Mission, the press attaché whose office is just next door, and particularly his confidential secretary. As far as I can tell, no member of staff has ever gone to his office in the past three months since he has put this notice on the door.
Ambassador Kargbo’s allegations are just aimed at finding excuses to terminate my services without any justifiable reason and portraying an ugly image of me and my family to the government and people of Sierra Leone. I want to say that I have worked devotedly at the Embassy for over ten years now, have served two Ambassadors and have never been queried based on indiscipline or any act of insubordination. God be my witness, since the arrival of Dr. Kargbo, I have served him diligently, even going the extra-mile for him.
I am a Mende by tribe; am proud to be so and I remain loyal to the government of my beloved country. I fully understand what President Koroma means when he talks about Agenda for Change; but I am sure that is not what is being implemented at the Embassy. All I ask is for an official investigation into this matter to clear the air; the facts speak for themselves.
Peter Kuyembeh
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Momodu Mansaray
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My name is Momodu Mansaray and I am currently living and working in London, UK. I have been following the dismissal of Mr Peter Kuyembeh by Ambassador Kargbo at the Sierra Leone Diplomatic Mission in Belgium. The allegations that Mr Kuyembeh attempted to stir up Anti-Government riots in Europe while President Ernest Bai Koroma was in Brussels in February, 2011 and moreover Mr Kuyembeh attempts to kill Ambassador Kargbo are serious, but the manner in which he was dismissed is more disgraceful and shameful to the country Sierra Leone.
7th July 2011Mr Kuyembeh was an employee of the Sierra Leone Civil Service and he was serving his country abroad. In my view, the Ambassador’s behaviour was immoral and he stepped beyond his responsibilities. The most disgraceful thing is the manner in, which he dismissed an employee of the Sierra Leone Civil Servant. There is no justification apart from terrorist threats to call armed police officers to the property of the Sierra Leone Diplomatic Mission to deal with a matter that could be dealt with responsibly. Ambassador Kargbo has no right to take the law into his own hands regardless of the situation. He needed to wait for the authority of the Sierra Leone Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Kuyembeh and his family are under diplomatic protection in a foreign land and the Sierra Leone government is responsible for their safety. The dismissal of the Mr Kuyembeh by one man’s decision without due process of the Sierra Leone Civil Servant policy sends a negative message to the Belgium authorities. The attitude of the Ambassador is also an indication of authoritarianism with no regard for a worker rights.
As a concern Sierra Leonean living and aboard working, I call for Mr Kuyembeh to be reinstated and for the Ambassador to apologise. This is a new Sierra Leone with a new direction of thinking and attitude headed by President Koroma. God bless him.