CDP leader blasts United Nations office in Sierra Leone

The leader of the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP), Joshua Carew, has accused the United Nations Peace Building office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) of marginalizing minor political parties in the areas of capacity building and logistical support ahead of the 2012 General Election.

According to the CDP leader, the UNIPSIL has failed to provide logistical support to newly registered political parties in the country as compared to other parties like the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), All Peoples Congress (APC) and the National Democratic Party (NDA).

He argued that the recent donation of vehicles and office materials to selected political parties was a show of discrimination and marginalization of other legally registered political parties that have not participated in the election process.

He suggested that the United Nations should be seen as a neutral organisation rather than a bias one that have special treatment for some political parties; adding that they should have taken into consideration that there were other political parties in need of help.

Carew expressed doubts over the independence of the United Nations Office in Sierra Leone and called for a review of their policies in a bid to provide fair and equal support to all political parties irrespective of their status.

He also said that the CDP held the strongest view that the United Nations is bias towards the support of smaller political parties in accessing technical and logistical support ahead of the 2012 election.

He concluded that the United Nations should provide all political parties with equal opportunities to avoid discontent among minor political parties.

The CDP leader is expected to meet with the United Nations office in Sierra Leone this week on the issue.