Halifa Sallah has fired a strongly worded open letter at President Adama Barrow, accusing him of threatening the independence of the Auditor General’s office.

In the letter, the PDOIS leader warned that the president of a country “must never conduct himself in a manner which brings his office into contempt or disrepute,” stressing that good governance allows no room for “prevarication.”

Sallah insisted that the Office of the Auditor General, which oversees the lawful use of public funds,must remain shielded from political interference.

He pointed to Section 160(7) of the Constitution, which states the Auditor General “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.”

“The encroachment that happened on 15 September is unreasonable and unjustifiable in any democratic society,” Sallah charged.

He reminded Barrow that Modou Ceesay had already taken the oath of office as Auditor General and therefore remains in post unless removed under the Constitution, by retirement, termination, or proven incompetence or misconduct.

“Mr Ceesay has not reached retirement age. He has not been removed for misbehaviour or incompetence. In fact, because of his competence, he was offered a ministerial role. Declining that offer cannot invalidate his current office,” Sallah wrote.

The veteran politician warned that unless there is “another motive yet to be revealed,” the government must respect the Constitution and allow Ceesay to continue his work as Auditor General.

By Adama Makasuba