News Story

WASHINGTON DC., MOHAMED VARFIE SHERIFF: Friday April 11, 2008 marked the second anniversary of the establishment of Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) in Sierra Leone. In celebration of this important milestone, PMDC USA held their second National Convention at Takoma Park, Maryland over the weekend. Members, supporters and well wishers from Arizona, Texas, Georgia, California, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Wisconsin and the United Kingdom converged at the conference hall while others participated in the proceedings through the PMDC Website (www.pmdcsl.net) chat room and live phone-in from across the globe.

After opening prayers were offered and the singing of the national anthems of Sierra Leone and the United Sates, the moderator of the program and Vice Chairman of PMDC USA, Mr. Stephen Gaojia introduced the chairman of PMDC USA, Dr. Baimba Kamara. Dr. Kamara welcomed attendees to the conference and extended appreciation to those who have traveled very long distances to be present for this historic occasion. Dr. Kamara started his remarks by thanking the host chapter, the Washington DC Metro Chapter for their hospitality and reminded the conference that PMDC chapters have been formed in Australia and Italy since our first national conference in May 2007. On behalf of the party’s leader, Charles Francis Margai, Dr. Kamara proudly reported that PMDC as a new party captured ten seats in the legislative election, seats which were previously held by the SLPP in Bo, Pujehun, Moyamba and Bonthe districts. Dr. Kamara furthermore thanked the president of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Dr. Ernest Koroma for his kind courtesy of allotting four ministerial and two deputy ministerial positions to the PMDC party. Dr. Kamara went on to report on the current state of PMDC USA affairs and the tremendous support it has and continues to render to the success of the party in both financial and human resources. He concluded his speech by warning that PMDC must continue to grow and live by its sacred beliefs and ideology of “Positive Change”.

(Attached is the full text Dr. Baimba Kamara’s speech)

Meanwhile in his presentation, the Chairman of the Advisory Board, PMDC USA Mr. Olabisi Carlton-Carew outlined a six point plan which would strengthen the internal structure of the party. He admonished attendees to adopt the following points; recruitment of heterogeneous members to PMDC; enhanced fund raising strategies; revision of the method of funding political campaigns in Sierra Leone; setting up modalities of support for committed and grass root members in Sierra Leone; embark on PMDC USA grass root representation and outreach through appropriate community project development; and to improve communication and effective participation with PMDC SL. This six-point plan was unanimously endorsed and adopted by the delegates. PMDC USA National Executive Council was mandated to execute and report back to the general assembly the outcomes of this plan.

Hon. Dauda Tombo Bangura, founding member of PMDC and PMDC USA Ambassador at Large addressed the conference and called the gathering “The second beginning of the Movement”. DTB as he is popularly known made no bones about the reasons why PMDC lost the elections but cautioned that we must be thankful to have set a record that most political parties in Africa are unable to accomplish. He stated that in less than eighteen months of the party’s existence as a political party, its presence is proudly felt in parliament. DTB added that the movement has influenced and attracted ordinary folks, first time politicians and youths from all over the globe exemplified by the formation of chapters in all countries that have a high concentration of Sierra Leoneans. “With visionary leadership, we are bound to succeed”. Hon. Tombo Bangura reminded attendees and admonished that leadership should adhere to the principles and norms of what he termed as TAR – (Transparency, Accountability and Respectability). He concluded by emphatically pointing out that he will strongly continue to support the party to grow to higher heights.

(Attached is the full text of Hon Dauda Bangura’s speech)

During the live call-in segment of the conference, grass root members of the party in Sierra Leone lively participated and contributed to the deliberations. These included the party’s National Treasurer, Mr. Femi Hebron; East Region Chair, Chief Benson Suwu; Kailahun District Chair Mr. Lamin Vongo; Mr. Moijue Kaikai, Party Activist and PMDC candidate for the Pujehun District Council Chairmanship; Mr. Hanciles from Bonthe, Karamoh Kabba, Sidi Yahya Tunis (PMDC USA NEC members currently in Sierra Leone); Mr. Foday Sawi, East Africa Chapter Chair; the Young Democrats Leader North Region; and numerous other committed party members in Bo, Freetown, Port Loko and other districts. All were unanimous that we as a party must continue and redouble our efforts in realizing the goals and aspirations of our people through the propagation of PMDC ideology. Condolences were also extended to Mr. Karamoh Kabba and a one minute silence was observed for the death of his father.

Local chapters in the USA gave reports on the state of affairs in their localities while at the same time suggested ways of strengthening the party. A prominent youth activist, Mr. Abubakar K. Fofanah aka.“Strongman” addressed the conference where he renewed his passionate commitment to the youths of the party. At the conclusion of the conference, Captain Benedict Gbondo, Retired Military Officer of The Sierra Leone Army and Chairman of the Southern California Chapter gave a spirited speech which sent attendees roaring and rising to a standing ovation. Captain Gbondo was very succinct in his presentation with the main trust of his speech captioned below.

“The elections are over and the people of Sierra Leone have chosen those they want to govern them, but we as a young party must not forget that year 2012 is fast approaching upon us and we as a party will be knocking on the doors of citizens to once more ask for their votes. In the near future, we shall be assembling in Sierra Leone to choose a leader that should lead us to victory in the general elections and ultimately to State House. That decision, ladies and gentlemen, to paraphrase Barack Obama, “would be a defining moment in the history of our party. Ladies and gentlemen, we need a change. We need a change of leadership to a new credible leader with a clear vision to salvage our party.

To this end, ladies and gentlemen, before this august body, on the twelfth day of April 2008 at Takoma Park, Maryland Municipal Building Complex in Maryland, U.S.A; I Benedict William Gbondo, declare to all of you present my intent to contest for the leadership of our party at the next convention. I realize the grave duties and magnitude of the responsibilities and attendant obligations of this high office to which I am aspiring. I ask for your support and prayers. With God leading us, with hard work, sincerity and dedication from all our members, we are assured of success.”

(Attached is the full text of Capt Ben Gbondo’s speech)

Finally, PMDC USA would like to take this opportunity to express our special gratitude and profound appreciation to the numerous PMDC members, supporters and well wishers worldwide who contributed to this historic occasion. Special thanks to the Washington DC Metro Chapter for their wonderful hospitality and the hosting of the event.

Thank you.

One for All, All for One

Mohamed Varfie Sheriff

Publicity Secretary

PMDC-USA

www.pmdcsl.net.