POLITICS Face To Face....SALNAM’s Presidential Candidates Trade Jabs in Winnipeg Debate Posted by David Mahdi Koroma on Oct 12, 2009, 16:31

Presidential Candidates Mohamed Sesay, Moses Shyllon and Alieu Sesay

Despite the tension, trading of jabs and counter punches at the Winnipeg Convention Centre between the three candidates on Sunday 12th October, the SALNAM Executive Elections presidential debate ended with no clear cut frontrunner but with a big win for the Sierra Leone Community in Manitoba.

Various speakers from the African Communities of Manitoba shower praises on SALNAM’s transparent and democratic pursuit of the electioneering process. Public Relations Officer of ACOMI Frank Idome disclosed that the Sierra Leone Community has raised the bar for all other African Countries to follow “You guys have set the stakes high” he said “Now the responsibility is on other African Communities to follow your trend”.

Conservative Party, Winnipeg Centre riding Candidate, Kenny Daodu also added her voice in the glorification of SALNAM.” For all my years in Canada this is the very first time I have witnessed a well structured electoral process, you Sierra Leoneans have done it again” she confessed to this writer. The Conservative Party candidate who came second in the last Canada General Elections was so moved by the transparent manner of the debate that she donated $100 to the Electoral Commission.

The debate itself was a plus for all three presidential candidates, Mohamed Sesay, Alieu Sesay and Moses Shyllon as the Chief Electoral Commissioner Muckson Sesay who moderated the entire process made it a level playing ground for all candidates to showcase their manifestoes. From acquiring a day care and resource centre, setting up a mediation committee, to bridging the gap that divides the Sierra Leone Community in Manitoba all three candidates made patronizing promises they intend to accomplished if elected president.

While Mohamed Sesay took a swipe at some community elders for handpicking Alieu Sesay so he can act as their stooge Alieu Sesay on the other hand considered the endorsement as recognition for his good works. Though Moses Shyllon received some bashings for leading a rebellion against SALNAM his diplomatic response was greeted with thunderous applauses even from his opposition.

Questions ranging from “Why do you want to become the president of SALNAM” to “As president of SALNAM what would success or failure mean to you” were asked by the Electoral commission and members of the audience. .  

Overall the debate was a success as it attracted hundreds of Sierra Leoneans and other nationals in Manitoba. Though after the debates all three presidential candidates were claiming victory several SALNAM members this writer spoke to seemed to be split on who may have gained an advantage. Award winning Sierra Leone rapper Donald Bai Koroma aka “Kool Don K” believes that Mohamed Sesay,Alieu Sesay and Moses Shyllon presented themselves very well but none of them walked away from the debate as the clear winner

Outgoing SALNAM President David Mahdi Koroma Sandwiched by Presidential candidates Mohamed Sesay and Moses Shyllon

Former SALNAM Presidents Alex Bockarie and Ahmed Koroma

Liberal Candidate and owner of Powerland Computer Wes Penner

Frank Idome of The African Communities of Manitoba (ACOMI)

Sammy Yeboah of Th Ghanaian Union Of Manitoba

Vice President Candidate Henry Menyer and Asst Sec Gen Alie Nasralla

A Cross Section of The Audience

PRO Candidate Lans Omar with Bakarr Mankotta and Ibrahim Turay

A Cross Section of The Audience

SALNAM Founder Member Peter Koroma

Presidential Candidate Alieu Sesay delivering his manifesto

Presidential Candidate Mohamed Sesay delivering his manifesto

Presidential Candidate Moses Shyllon delivering his manifesto

Chief Electoral Commissioner Muckson Sesay, Commissioners Nancy Sam Hunter with SALNAM outgoing President David Mahdi Koroma

From Hewlett Parker (HP), Eric Routhier

Electoral Commissioners Fredo Kamara

Randolph Gorvie Chatting With Mohamed Jalloh and Sahr Yamba