By Kemo Cham
The relationship between the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone has been based on mutual respect and will remain so for the benefit of the two peoples, the new UK High Commissioner in Freetown assures.
Simon Mustard who assumed office in September spoke to Politico in an exclusive interview at the British High Commission in Freetown on Thursday as part of his first engagement with the local media since he arrived in the country. He outlined the priorities of his government to Sierra Leone which he assured would be pursued.
“My main agenda here in the next two to three years is very much to build up a deeper partnership between our two countries,” he said.
Mustard said his priority was also to help the government create opportunities for its people by opening up the environment for business, creating jobs and providing services like healthcare and quality education. He added that the UK would help the Sierra Leone government provide a conducive business environment to encourage investment which would in turn help build the economy.
Mustard replaced Guy Warrington, whose tour of duty ended in July this year. Mr Warrington left behind a cloud of controversy over the UK’s alleged role in the 2018 general elections.
The UK is Sierra Leone’s biggest bilateral donor, spending an estimated £50 million annually, mostly in development which includes education, healthcare and the fight against corruption. That also makes it the biggest per capita recipient of UK aid in the world.
The UK was notably instrumental in the fight against the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic spending over a £100million in response efforts that included the construction of treatment centers and drugs procurement, which proved a game changer in ending the outbreak. Before that it helped ended the country’s eleven-year civil war where it also sent in troops, an intervention that proved decisive in defeating the rebels.
UK, through its international development arm, DfID, is currently a major contributor to the country’s free healthcare initiative that targets three vulnerable groups in the country – children under five years, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
There are also many private investments with UK interests in the country.
The two countries have however intermittently had tough relations, most recently before and during the 2018 general elections.
The former administration of Ernest Bai Koroma accused the UK of involvement in an alleged international plot to effect a regime change in the country. They claimed that Warrington was here specifically to implement the policy. The former ruling All Peoples Congress which is now the main opposition even called for Warrington’s expulsion; allegations which were flatly denied.
But Mr Mustard said he didn’t believe his predecessor, or the UK government at large was part of any mission to interfere in the country’s politics. He said he himself had no desire to pursue such a course.
The new UK envoy said he was aware of the need for dialogue and that he was open to do so with all the political players in the country in a bid to further the already “thriving democracy”.
Mustard has already met with President Julius Maada Bio. He said he plans to meet with all other leaders of political parties in the coming days and weeks.
“I am not here to interfere in politics, that will be disrespectful to your people, your politicians and your political system,” he assured.
“My job is to have a good relationship with all the political party leaders, whichever party they represent. My job for my country is to understand the politics and not to influence it,” he added, noting that if asked he would be available to provide advice in ways geared towards solving problems facing Sierra Leone.
© 2019 Politico Online
