By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

Africa 24 news

Campaign for Human Rights and Development  International (CHRDI), has expressed sad worries over the current situation at University of Sierra Leone, which has lately turned to a leadership calamity.

On Thursday 22, February, one of the credible civil society organizations in Sierra Leone, has issued a position letter citing the dilemma that USL students and the University of Sierra Leone are faced with at the moment.

“We urge the Sierra Leone government to uphold the fundamental rights to education and abide by the laws of Sierra Leone,” the CSO said in a statement that has gone viral. .

“Failing to address this issue of leadership at the University of Sierra Leone is causing significant harm and so it cannot be ignored any longer.”

“ We, at this moment, will want to call upon the government of Sierra Leone for it to pave a way for a swift resolution on the leadership crisis at the University of Sierra Leone in consonance with the provisions outlined in the university Act of 2021,”the statement reads in part.

The lack of accountability at the university,  CHRDI observes, is a matter of great concern and the issue requires immediate attention.

“We remain equally vigilant in monitoring the situation and urge all relevant parties to take prompt and decisive action to address the issue transparently and equitably,” the civil society said.

At the moment, in the face of a rift in leadership within the university, the fate of students  who are expected to graduate this year,  is in “dire limbo” of.

Speaking to a student, Hawanatu Brima and other awaiting graduates of Fourah Bay College, they said the are pleading with the government to be very independent on the matter, and to strive to work towards resolving the leadership disaster at USL.

As the logjam at USL still exists, starting from the previous appointment of Professor Lawrence Kamara whose selection by the tertiary education minister, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, was refuted by the academic staff on the grounds of “procedural illegality” , also the current appointment of    Professor Aiah Lebbie as acting vice chancellor and principal  of the University of Sierra Leone, adds to the bandwagon of the deepening crisis unfolding at USL.

Owing to the existing stalemate in the academic leadership, some alumni and alumnae both home and abroad are expressing dissatisfaction over the issue.

They wish now that the issue of Chancellor or Vice Chancellor’s appointment be amicably resolved as soon as possible in the interests of parents, students and awaiting graduates of the three constituent universities (FBC, IPAM, and COMAHS) of the University of Sierra Leone.