The News Review:

- Awareness Times News Briefs From Sierra Leone
- Sierra Leone: Kabbah’s record.(Feature)
- Fake University Degrees & Blood Diamonds: The Real Sam-Sumana…

Awareness Times News Briefs From Sierra Leone
Awareness Times – Aug 1, 2007
Two of the 3 unnamed suspects now assisting police investigators are said to be members of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) while one belongs to the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) Party. Reports added that the suspects may be charged to court with offences not unconnected with violations of the codes and conducts of the Nation Electoral Commission (NEC) and the Political Party Registration Commission (PPRC). 7B to the agedThe National Social Security Insurance Truest (NASSIT) is reported to have commenced another of its important programmes known as the Social Safety Net (SSN) in the Northern Region and about 878 old people in Bombali District benefited from the programme.

Sierra Leone: Kabbah’s record.(Feature)
Free with registration – New African – AccessMyLibrary.com – Aug 1, 2007
(Feature) –> COPYRIGHT 2007 IC Publications Ltd. From the miserable, blood-drenched nation dismissed by many as beyond salvage, Sierra Leone has conducted two successful multiparty elections since the end of the civil war in 2002 and has had an annual growth rate of more than 7% (the highest in west Africa). It is set to conduct another crucial general election on 11 August to find a successor to President Tejan Kabbah. Lansana Gberie looks at Kabbah’s record and who is likely to succeed him. ********** In the Freetown suburb of Aberdeen–one of the original settlements of freed slaves brought from the Americas to this small coastal state at the turn of the 18th century–there is, almost hidden from view, a small, 30-bedroom hotel whose recent trajectory roughly mirrors the country itself. Hotel Barmoi, perched between the stunning blue Atlantic Ocean and lush green vegetation (Cape Sierra), gives an immediate impression of somnolence and easy luxury to the visitor.

Fake University Degrees & Blood Diamonds: The Real Sam-Sumana…
Awareness Times – Aug 1, 2007
Sierra Leone has been reminded ad nauseum about the importance of this election given the recent violent history of the country. This article will add to the nauseatingly repetitive reminder of the importance of this election. The difference with this reminder is that it will focus largely on the running mates of the SLPP and APC presidential candidates, Momodu Koroma (alias MK) and Samuel Sam-Sumana. It is important that we focus our search light on these two individuals for the simple fact that they would be a heartbeat away from the presidency. The following questions are in order for Sierra Leoneans when they cast their votes: who would you prefer to entrust the administration and management of the country to Momodu Koroma or Samuel Sam-Sumana; does Samuel Sam-Sumana have the requisite experience to run the country? How did Samuel Sam-Sumana end up as Ernest Koromas running mate? Is Samuel Sam-Sumana actually the person he claims to be? Momodu Koromas profile is out there for all to see and people can crosscheck the facts…
Do you have a criminal record in the United States? Is it also true Mr. Sam-Sumana that you are not the Muslim you claimed to be and that Mr. Ernest Koroma is fully aware of that? Did you just adopt the religion to fool Muslims in Sierra Leone? Is it not true Mr. Sam-Sumana that you are a baptized Christian and remained so until you allegedly paid for the running mate position? Would you agree that it would be unconscionable to lie about your religion just for a position? Is it also true Mr. Sam-Sumana that you were involved in some shady diamond deals with a company in Minnesota called Lionsgate Diamond Jewelers? Did you sell uncut diamonds from Sierra Leone to this company at the time when diamond exports from Sierra Leone were banned? Are you aware of the fact that this very company has a bad record with the Better Business Bureau in the USA? Are you aware that such bad record means people should avoid doing business with such a company? If indeed you sold some uncut diamonds to this group, were they blood diamonds given the years you did business with the company? Further, Mr. Sumana, is it true that Lionsgate Jewelers or a company affiliated with them bankrolled you when you allegedly bribed Ernest Koroma and the APC Central Committee with the sum of $250,000 for the running mate position? Can you throw light on the allegation that this company bankrolled you with the understanding that they have sole rights to the Sandor Forests, both in timber and diamonds? I want Mr. Sam-Sumana to know that as a Sierra Leonean I have every right to ask these questions.