Former Sierra Leone Veep confers with Rawlings

Chief Samuel Sam-Sumana, a former Vice-President of Sierra Leone, has appealed to the international community to ensure that the political leadership in his country guarantees his safety in his bid to register as a voter.

Chief Sam-Sumana said he has been unable to exercise his right to register as a voter for fear of his life and safety as well as that of his family.

The former Vice-President, who was dismissed under controversial circumstances by President Ernest Bai Koroma in 2015, reiterated the call when he called on former President Jerry John Rawlings at his office in Accra on Wednesday.

Chief Sam-Sumana, who described his removal as unconstitutional, informed former President Rawlings that he had taken the matter of his dismissal to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice, seeking an enforcement of his fundamental human rights.

The court has set April 25, 2017 for the hearing of the case.

He noted he had been compelled to seek asylum in a foreign embassy because his life was in danger.

A letter authored by the Solicitor for Chief Sam-Sumana, Dr. Raymond Atuguba and addressed to President Bai Koroma requested the President to “provide security for the safety of his client, his family, supporters and well-wishers as they take steps to participate in this all important political process”.

The voter registration process opened in Sierra Leone on March 20, 2017 and closed on April 16, 2017. Presidential elections are scheduled for March 7, 2018 in the West African country.

President Koroma sacked Chief Sam-Sumana as vice president in March 2015 for ‘abandoning’ his duties.