A spokesman for the Lebanese Embassy in Freetown has clarified that the Embassy does not recognize the leadership and members of the so-called Lebanese Union in Sierra Leone. He called on the to seek the mandate of the Lebanese Community instead of constituting themselves into ” a social club”.
He said, “They do not represent the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone and therefore, does not recognize them.”
Senior government officials in Freetown have refused to meet any member of the Lebanese Union because they lack the mandate to represent to represent the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone.
The Lebanese Embassy has encouraged them to disband the group and seek a legitimate mandate from members of the Lebanese Community before they can be officially recognized by the Embassy.
Since Samir Hassanyeh was forced to resign from the Office of the President of the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone in September, 2020, the community has not democratically elected a successor to him.
The Lebanese Community is one of the oldest and respected communities in Sierra Leone. But it has without a leader for the past three years. This situation is concerning to the Government of Sierra Leone, according to a government spokesman.
The newly- formed Lebanese Union lacks the mandate to govern. It will soon be dissolved.
Investigation continues…
