The then VP noted that “I am disappointed with the action of the government, they are preaching separations of power, they referred me to the police for my safety and security related issues, unfortunately, my diplomatic passport was abruptly retrieved from me at the airport in the present of international diplomats that are coming into the country, constitutionally, the government should have reverence for the separation of powers that they are preaching by allowing the appropriate authority(the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) to handle the retrieving process of my diplomatic passport” Sam-Sumana ascertained and considered the public retrieval of his diplomatic passport as an unfair treatment by a party and a government that he had work assiduously to bring into governance.
Sam-Sumana stated that his predecessors in the office of the vice president still obtaining their diplomatic passports, “I am aware that some government ministers and public officials in the previous government still withholding their diplomatic passports” Sam-Sumana as quoted.
The fact remains that he was aptly elected as Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, owing to that he would never be considered as an ordinary citizen whether sacked or not.
Possessing a diplomatic passport happened to be a special privilege and amenity accorded to diplomats/consuls when posted overseas and senior public officials within a government.
Exceptionally, diplomatic passports could be granted to individuals considered as statesmen because of their former outstanding contribution to national development or related issues.
Honestly, I would want to see President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and VP Foh carrying diplomatic passports after their elected term of office as a blotch of recognition and honour, owing to the fact that they will no longer be considered as ordinary citizens.
