FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Freetown, Wednesday 25th January 2023.
Representing a collective of over five hundred civil society organizations across Sierra
Leone, we assemble in solidarity to express in the strongest term the recent litigation
outcomes from the class action filed by the Native Consortium and Research Center.
Considering how fragile our democratic space is, we consider that the people’s best
interest remains at the center of our engagement and focus.
We recognize the government’s leadership in ensuring that the class action stated
above received the attention it deserved, especially in recognition that it is the very
first in the country’s history.
Furthermore, we appreciate H. E, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone for
his timely intervention to reverse the tariff on data in November last year after it
was increased by the MNOs to 300%.
Recalling previous engagements in November of 2022, the National
Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) convened a consultative meeting of civil
society organizations (CSOs) and media on the increase of data and voice tariffs. In
that meeting, CSOs and media agreed that there should be a minimal increase and
not to the extent that the Mobile Network Operators (MNO) have resorted to making
it extremely difficult for citizens to communicate and conduct affairs while addressing
some of the major unmet economic difficulties.
Agreed before the tariff increase, MNOs promised to have a transparent consultation
with the CSOs and media after a nationwide sensitization to sound the people’s minds
on the increment as CSOs review. What may best reflect the current economic and
living trends of the masses.
What remains a puzzling concern to us as civil society immediately after the arrest of
comrade Edmund Abu Jr on the premise of contempt, followed by the impulsive
increment of tariffs the next day of the arrest while awaiting judgment to be passed
by the Court.
Bearing in mind the current economic depression, the daily realities of citizens
continue to worsen when multiple deprivations remain imminent for daily survival.
The recent tariff increment in talk and data bundle has not only exacerbated the
current financial hardship but most importantly, had an impact on a range of everyday
-life realities across multiple facets of society.
Following the arrest and incarceration of comrade Edmond Abu on the 10th January
2023, the general public remained in shock, as they believed it was a direct attack on
CSOs advocacy as a mouthpiece of the people to demand responsiveness and address
issues that affect the wellbeing of all.
Therefore, the undersigned CSOs recommend that:
• The voice tariff increment from Le 650 to Le 1,200 per minute should be
reversed and renegotiated to a minimum increment, as agreed at the country
Lodge Public Dialogue forum organized by NATCOM in December last year.
• Failure to reverse this increment, CSOs humbly appeal to the public not to
transact with the ORANGE and AFRICEL companies for the next seven days
• With reference to the press release published by the PR unit of the Judiciary
claiming that the Executive Director of Native Consortium was given one
hundred million Leones as alleged. We demand evidence to confirm this
allegation.
• An assurance of protection for critical civic space is urgently needed from the
Executive and Legislative arms of government and at the same time calling on
global Human Rights institutions to closely monitor and intervene as needed.
•
On the 19th of January 2023 for instance, the Honorable Justice Adrian Fisher, while
addressing the contempt issue in court, vehemently threatened a constituency
member of the civil society, Mr Solomon Moses Sogbandi – Country Director of
Amnesty International in Sierra Leone. Connecting the threatening statement by the
Honourable Justice, “Some civil society activists are writing non-sense through social
media and press releases. How I wish some of those CSO activists like Sogbandi to
appear before me tomorrow to deal with him.” Justice Fisher concludes.
In conclusion, considering the complexities surrounding people-centred and public interest advocacy, we remain worried that the civic space for critical voices remains under serious threat.
Long live activism, long live advocacy and long live the power of our
voice for change.
