Foreign Affairs Ministry Caught in Accountability Lapses
By Abdul Rahman
The Oversight Committee on Foreign Affairs convened at the Parliament Building Committee Room, Tower Hill, Freetown on Friday 24th January 2024, to address the operational and financial activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Chaired by Hon. Mohamed Bangura of the All People’s Congress (APC), the session was marked by a tense atmosphere and sharp criticism directed at the ministry for its perceived neglect of responsibilities and failure to meet parliamentary obligations. The meeting, which drew attention to critical issues of governance, accountability, and representation, exposed lapses that highlighted broader concerns about inefficiency and disregard for legislative authority.
Hon. Mohamed Bangura opened the session by expressing disappointment with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for failing to provide adequate supporting documentation to validate the financial submissions it presented. He underscored that such a failure was not merely a procedural error but a fundamental lapse in accountability that undermined the integrity of the parliamentary process. He emphasized that as an institution tasked with representing Sierra Leone internationally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs carried a unique burden of responsibility to operate with transparency and competence.
By submitting incomplete and unsupported documents, the ministry not only hindered the committee’s oversight duties but also raised questions about the credibility of its leadership.
The frustration of the committee was compounded by the conspicuous absence of the minister and deputy minister of foreign affairs. Their failure to attend, or even provide a formal apology or explanation for their non-attendance, was deemed a serious affront to the authority of Parliament. Hon. Bangura remarked that their absence reflected a troubling disregard for the constitutional role of Parliament as the supreme legislative body of the nation. This conduct, he argued, sent a message of indifference toward the institution tasked with ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. The chairman noted that such actions were not only disrespectful to Parliament but also detrimental to the international image of Sierra Leone. He described the situation as a significant embarrassment for the country, especially given the growing global expectations for good governance and accountability.
As the session progressed, Hon. Bangura and other members of the committee expressed grave concerns over the issue of diplomatic passports, which he described as a source of national embarrassment. He explained that the mishandling of diplomatic privileges had led to unnecessary challenges for passport holders abroad, resulting in situations where Sierra Leone’s representatives were ridiculed or treated with disdain.
This, Hon. Bangura argued, was emblematic of poor governance and a lack of oversight within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The chairman called for an urgent review of the processes surrounding the issuance and management of diplomatic passports to restore dignity and credibility to Sierra Leone’s international engagements.
The committee also turned its attention to the ministry’s financial accountability, an area where glaring deficiencies were identified. Hon. Bangura reminded the ministry’s representatives that they had been summoned to Parliament as far back as November and December 2024 to account for their expenditures for that fiscal year, as required by the constitutional “Committee of Supply” process.
Despite these repeated summonses, the ministry had failed to present a comprehensive financial report for the year 2024 or provide the necessary evidence to support its claims. The chairman expressed disbelief at the ministry’s inability to fulfill such a fundamental obligation, especially given that it was now January 2025. He emphasized that Parliament, as the supreme legislative authority, expected government ministries to appear fully prepared, with all relevant documents in hand, to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
The lack of preparedness and diligence displayed by the ministry’s representatives was another point of contention. Hon. Bangura observed that the officials seemed unwilling or unable to engage meaningfully with the questions posed to them. Their responses were described as vague, evasive, and indicative of a broader culture of inefficiency within the ministry. The chairman criticized the apparent disregard for the seriousness of parliamentary oversight, warning that such conduct not only obstructed the work of the committee but also eroded public trust in government institutions. He called for immediate action to address these shortcomings, emphasizing that Parliament would no longer tolerate excuses or delays from the ministry.
Hon. Bangura also addressed the broader political implications of the ministry’s failures, particularly in the context of Sierra Leone’s upcoming elections. He reminded his colleagues that Members of Parliament, unlike public servants or civil servants, were directly accountable to the electorate, with their faces appearing on ballot papers. This accountability, he argued, placed an even greater responsibility on Parliament to uphold its role as a guardian of transparency and good governance. He warned that the ministry’s lack of accountability could have far-reaching consequences, both for Sierra Leone’s international reputation and for the domestic political landscape, as citizens would judge Parliament’s effectiveness by its ability to hold the executive branch to account.
Citing sections 95 and 96 of the Sierra Leone Constitution, Hon. Ambrose Maada lebby emphasized the powers of Parliament to address acts of contempt. Section 95 states that any act or omission that obstructs or impedes the work of Parliament, or undermines its dignity, constitutes contempt. Section 96 further provides that such acts, even if addressed within the parliamentary framework, may also be subject to criminal proceedings. Hon. Lebby reminded the ministry’s representatives that their actions, including their failure to provide adequate responses to questions and their overall lack of preparedness, bordered on contempt of Parliament. He warned that the committee would not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers to ensure accountability.
The session also shed light on the challenges faced by Sierra Leone’s diplomatic missions abroad. Hon. Lebby noted that many embassies and consulates were grappling with severe financial difficulties, which had left them unable to perform their functions effectively. He criticized the ministry for failing to prioritize the needs of these missions, arguing that such neglect undermined Sierra Leone’s ability to engage meaningfully in international affairs. He highlighted the importance of addressing these issues urgently, as the effectiveness of the country’s diplomatic representatives was directly tied to its global reputation.
The tone of the session remained one of urgency and determination. The Oversight Committee on Foreign Affairs made it clear that it would no longer tolerate the ministry’s excuses or delays. The committee demanded immediate action to rectify the shortcomings that had been identified, including the submission of all necessary documents and a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability. Hon. Bangura called on the leadership of the ministry to take its responsibilities more seriously, warning that any further lapses would be met with stronger consequences.
In conclusion, the session highlighted the critical role of parliamentary oversight in ensuring transparency and accountability within government institutions. The Oversight Committee on Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to exercising its constitutional powers to hold the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accountable. The deliberations underscored the urgent need for reforms within the ministry to restore public confidence, protect Sierra Leone’s international reputation, and ensure that the principles of good governance were upheld.
