Viewing cable 08FREETOWN389, COCAINE BUST: MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION SACKED,

Viewing cable 08FREETOWN389, COCAINE BUST: MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION SACKED,

 

Reference ID	Created	Released	Classification	Origin
08FREETOWN389	2008-08-06 16:04	2010-12-06 15:03	SECRET	Embassy Freetown

S E C R E T FREETOWN 000389 

SIPDIS 

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W (JHUNTER), INL/AAE (SSNYDER) 

EO 12958 DECL: 08/06/2018 
TAGS SNAR, PREL, PGOV, PINR, SL 

SUBJECT: COCAINE BUST: MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION SACKED, 
DEA PARTICIPATION ACCEPTED

REF: A. FREETOWN 336  B. FREETOWN

Classified By: CDA Glenn Fedzer for reasons 1.4(b/d)

¶1. (S) Summary: Transportation and Aviation Minister Ibrahim

Kemoh Sesay was relieved of his duties August 4, pending 

the conclusion of the cocaine trafficking investigation.

Sesay has vehemently proclaimed his innocence since the bust,

despite a close family connection to one of the accused.

XXXXXXXXXXXX Sesay was questioned by the Sierra Leone 

Police (SLP) August 5, but the SLP had orders from the 

President to neither charge nor detain him. This runs counter

to Koroma’s public and private statements which have said he

will hold anyone connected to the cocaine bust accountable,

regardless of their connections. Also, following an Embassy

offer August 1, the GoSL has accepted and offer for DEA to 

assistance in the investigation, and possible help with the

deportation of the accused. End Summary.

Minister Fired
-------------- 

¶2. (SBU) The repercussions of the July 13 cocaine bust at 

Lungi Airport (reftel A) continue to be felt, with Minister

of Transportation and Aviation Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay relieved

of his duties August 4. According to a State House press 

statement, this action was taken to facilitate the investigation

and provide “unfettered access to everyone and everywhere the

investigations demand.” Sesay stated in a radio interview 

August 5 that he “expects to land on his feet” following the

conclusion of the investigation, inferring that he will resume

his ministerial duties at that time.

¶3. (SBU) Sesay’s removal from power is not a surprise. Media

reports have called for his resignation since the bust, in large

part due to the arrest of his cousin (Note: Media reports refer

to them as brothers, but this reflects the African tradition 

of brotherhood that extends beyond immediate family. End note),

Mohamed Sesay. The media have reflected the public sentiment 

that, at the very least, the close familial relationship between

the two makes it hard for the Minister to be impartial during 

the investigation. Kemoh Sesay has frequently declared his 

innocence and willingness to allow the investigation to occur

without influence or interference.

¶4. (C) XXXXXXXXXXXX  XXXXXXXXXXXX  the President directly 

ordered SLP senior officers to refrain from arresting Kemoh 

Sesay. Instead, he was brought in for questioning and released 

on August 5, with subsequent questioning expected August 6. 

The SLP intend to convince the President to sanction his arrest,

and in the meantime have Kemoh Sesay under constant surveillance.

Since he is considered a flight risk, warnings were sent out to 

all exit points, including the airport. Despite these measures, 

known corruption at the borders makes it nearly impossible to 

prevent escape.

¶5. (C) The Sesay “brothers” are APC stalwarts with close ties to

the President. Kemoh Sesay was originally elected as a Member of 

Parliament in 1996 as an SLPP party member, but switched allegiances

to the APC during the 2002 elections. He was elected MP in the

Port Loko District in 2007 and resigned this position to become 

Minister. Mohamed Sesay, not considered competent or educated

enough to be a politician, was one of the key financial 

backers of the 2007 Presidential campaign. His contributions

during the election, according to rumor, earned the ministerial

position for Kemoh Sesay and the Manager position of the 

national football team for himself. If the allegations are true,

these positions were strategically selected and likely used to

facilitate narcotics trafficking beyond this particular case.

DEA Help Accepted
----------------- 

¶6. (S) Following an official USG offer made by diplomatic 

note on 1 August, the GoSL accepted DEA assistance and held 

a joint DEA-GoSL meeting August 6, chaired by Office of National

Security General Kellie Conte. Conte and GoSL officials made 

clear their fear that the traffickers could
corrupt lover-level judiciary and police officials, and hoped 

that the DEA could indict and remove the traffickers from Sierra

Leone as quickly as possible. The attendees at the meeting also

agreed that an additional DEA agent fluent in Spanish should be

sent to Sierra Leone immediately. Post will report further 

developments regarding DEA participation septel.

¶7. (S) Comment: XXXXXXXXXXXX  XXXXXXXXXXXX  His stance on Kemoh

Sesay’s possible arrest contradicts previously reported information

that he intends to see any guilty party brought to justice, 

regardless of their personal or professional connections. This 

is an unwelcome development, particularly given the importance

of Koroma’s personal integrity and commitment to rule of law 

in encouraging greater investor and donor confidence. On the 

other hand, DEA involvement, particularly if it results in the

removal of traffickers from Sierra Leone quickly, helps the 

President retain his government’s reputation and commitment to

the rule of law--before the traffickers use their resources

to bribe their way past prison and police officials who make

only few dollars a day. End comment. FEDZER

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