VZCZCXRO7905
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHFN #0314/01 1840840
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 020840Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2012
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 FREETOWN 000314 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/W, INR/AA (BGRAVES) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PREL SL
SUBJECT: SIERRA LEONE LOCAL ELECTIONS: HISTORY AND CONTEXT 
 
REF: A. (A) FREETOWN 244 
     ¶B. (B) FREETOWN 300 
     ¶C. (C) FREETOWN 305 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The 2008 local government elections in 
Sierra Leone, scheduled for July 5, represent the next step 
forward in consolidating the peace process that began with 
the Lome Peace Accord. Fair and balanced elections at the 
local level will build on the process of devolution of power 
from the central government. Local councils play an integral 
role in providing social services and creating development 
schemes that impact the daily lives of Sierra Leoneans. The 
means and empowerment to fulfill this role, however, is beset 
by challenges, particularly due to sometimes strained 
relationships between traditional leaders and local 
representatives of the federal government. Loosely defined 
objectives for each party has resulted in struggles for 
influence and resources, and the resultant tension is on 
display in the final days of the campaigning period. Though 
seen by many as less politically significant than the 2007 
national elections, the results of the local elections will 
nonetheless have huge impact on the citizens and overall 
political landscape over the next four years. END SUMMARY. 
 
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶2. (U) In the early seventies, the Siaka Stevens' APC 
government banned local government in Sierra Leone, 
effectively centralizing power with the federal government in 
Freetown. The reason cited was endemic corruption in the 
councils. This centralization decision proved very costly. 
The Lome Peace Accord credits the resulting ineffectiveness, 
lack of social services and corruption among the underlying 
causes of the 1991-2002 civil war. The Local Government Act 
of 2004, an outcome of the Lome Peace Accord, restored the 
local councils and began the devolution process in Sierra 
Leone. The Act demarcates the boundary between the federal 
government, chiefdom councils and local councils in terms of 
tax revenue sharing and other core functions. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
LOCAL COUNCILS: RESPONSIBILITIES AND ELECTIONS 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶3. (U) According to the Local Government Act, the local 
council is the "highest political authority in the locality 
and shall have legislative and executive powers..." 
Nationwide, there are nineteen local councils, and each 
consists of a mayor or chairperson who presides over at least 
twelve councilors. Besides the elected officials, Paramount 
Chiefs are also represented. The councils have the 
responsibility of disbursing tied and untied grants from the 
central government, as well as local revenue generation. 
Moreover, the councils are the main body of government 
concerned with the political, social, and economic 
development and welfare in each respective locality. 
 
¶4. (U) In accordance with the Act, two elections occur 
simultaneously: one to elect the mayor or council chairperson 
and the other to elect councilors. Representatives selected 
by the registered parties can compete for votes and 
independent candidates can register for participation. 
Candidates for the Office of Councilor and Office of 
Chairperson/Mayor of Council must achieve a simple majority 
and adult citizens vote directly during each cycle. For the 
mayor and chairperson election, officials tally votes across 
all wards in the locality. For the council election, 
officials tally the votes within each ward. The term of 
office for all seats on the local council is four years. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
CONFLICT AND COOPERATION WITH TRADITIONAL LEADERS 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
 
¶5. (U) In addition to the councils, traditional leaders have 
considerable power at the local level. Paramount Chiefs, who 
are elected by representatives in the chiefdom and hold the 
seat of power for life, carry a great deal of credibility 
with the people. The primary source of power for the 
Paramount Chief is his or her control over the land in the 
area, which they hold in trust for the people. However, 
Paramount Chiefs generally have influence in all areas of 
community life, and can have great sway over individuals, 
decisions, be they personal or political. 
 
¶6. (U) Paramount Chiefs oversee chiefdom councils, which 
include Section Chiefs and the Chiefdom Speaker. The role of 
the chiefdom councils is to prevent the commission of 
 
FREETOWN 00000314  002 OF 002 
 
 
offenses in the chiefdom, prohibit or restrict illegal 
gambling, and making and enforcing bye-laws. One primary 
point of contention between the local and chiefdom councils 
is the revenue-sharing scheme, with both parties seeking 
greater control over the collection and distribution of 
funds. Another point of contention is that the Local 
Government Act empowers local councils to create bye-laws. 
This can create an environment in which contradictory 
bye-laws are established by the different councils. Paramount 
Chiefs also report that local councils are not always 
inclusive, and make decisions without their input. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The Paramount Chiefs do not have an official role in 
the democratic process of electing local council officials, 
are not eligible for candidacy themselves, and are meant to 
be party-neutral in the proceedings. A source at the 
Decentralization Secretariat, however, indicates that it is 
common practice for Paramount Chiefs and chiefdom councils to 
collaborate with politicians in favor of their interests in 
the local election process. Reports from the field also 
indicate that Paramount Chiefs are sometimes pressured by 
political parties to ensure votes for particular candidates, 
or that chiefs seek to collude with parties of their own 
accord. Rumors related to both pressure and collusion have 
circulated heavily in the run-up to these local elections, 
resulting in concerns about their democratic integrity (see 
ref C). 
 
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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) The federal government is represented at the local 
level by an appointed Resident Minister. The Resident 
Minister is responsible for policy matters, technical 
guidance, and performance monitoring of the local councils. 
Given this role, regular interaction with local and chiefdom 
councils is necessary, though not always welcome. Discussions 
with Resident Ministers in various regions indicate 
frustration that they have no means with which to force local 
government to regularly and meaningfully communicate with 
them, or provide information on how federal funds are being 
dispersed. Enforcement is challenging because Resident 
Ministers consider themselves without sufficient staff, 
infrastructure, or resources to meaningfully oversee the 
areas in their purview. 
 
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COMMENT 
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¶9. (SBU) Though the local elections have received relatively 
limited attention outside of Sierra Leone, their results will 
have a significant impact on the daily life of citizens. The 
intricate tapestry of local, traditional, and federal powers 
woven by the decentralization process, while considered 
necessary to maintain peace, is not without flaws. The 
overlapping of roles and responsibilities creates unavoidable 
tension, the magnitude of which is determined locally by 
personalities and politicking. With power, money, and local 
influence up for grabs, it is not surprising that these 
elections have captured the nation's attention, and will 
continue to do so. END COMMENT. 
PERRY