SLAM-Global Demands Immediate US Action on Sierra Leone’s Electoral Crisis – Press Statement September 24, 2024

The Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-GLOBAL) calls for urgent U.S. intervention following the fraudulent June 2023 elections, urging the suspension of Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funding until electoral reforms are implemented, and calls for the immediate recall of U.S. Ambassador Bryan David Hunt from Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone’s Political Crisis: A Call for U.S. Leadership and Action SLAM-GLOBAL today issued a strong call for immediate action from the United States in response to the escalating political crisis in Sierra Leone. Following the disputed June 24, 2023, elections, Mr. Julius Maada Bio’s government has continued to seek international legitimacy despite widespread reports of electoral fraud and manipulation. (Photo: Bryan David Hunt is playing dirty politics).

SLAM-GLOBAL calls on the U.S. to take a firm stance by continuing to withhold MCC funding and supporting an independent investigation into the election process. Furthermore, SLAM-GLOBAL is now calling for the recall of U.S. Ambassador Bryan David Hunt, citing his failure to adequately address or condemn the widespread electoral fraud and manipulation that has threatened Sierra Leone’s democracy. Electoral Irregularities in the June 2023 Election Independent observers, including The Carter Center and the European Union Election Observation Mission, documented significant electoral irregularities. These include broken seals on ballot boxes, inconsistent vote tabulation, and the refusal by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to publish transparent polling station results.

Despite these red flags, Mr. Bio’s administration has sought recognition at international forums like the United Nations General Assembly while lobbying for MCC funds. SLAM-GLOBAL views these actions as a threat to democratic integrity, not only in Sierra Leone but across the region. By allowing these election results to stand, the international community risks legitimizing a government that came to power through undemocratic means. Why U.S. Leadership is Crucial Now U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Chris Coons have already raised concerns regarding Sierra Leone’s eligibility for MCC funding due to the fraudulent nature of the elections. (Photo: Maada Bio is unfit to lead Sierra Leone).

In a letter to the MCC Board, they stated: “The deeply flawed June 2023 elections in Sierra Leone have raised serious concerns about the country’s commitment to democracy. We urge the MCC Board of Directors to carefully weigh the reputational risks of proceeding with any compact unless Sierra Leone demonstrates real reforms.” The senators emphasized the importance of upholding the MCC’s standards for democratic governance and warned that proceeding without accountability could set a dangerous precedent. SLAM-GLOBAL aligns with this view, urging the U.S. to withhold any further MCC funding until the Bio administration addresses the irregularities surrounding the election.

The U.S. has consistently shown leadership in defending democracy worldwide, including in nations such as The Gambia (2016), Malawi (2020), and Venezuela (2024), where it played a pivotal role in restoring the rule of law and democratic governance. Sierra Leone’s situation is no different. The U.S. has the power to intervene diplomatically, applying pressure to ensure electoral transparency and accountability. We therefore urgently call for a similar approach in Sierra Leone.

SLAM-GLOBAL’s Appeal to U.S. Lawmakers – SLAM-GLOBAL respectfully calls on U.S. lawmakers to: · Suspend MCC Funding: Until Mr. Bio’s administration provides verifiable election results and takes genuine steps toward restoring electoral transparency. · Demand Judicial Review: An independent and transparent investigation into the June 2023 elections to uphold the will of the Sierra Leonean people. · Exert Pressure: Exert pressure on the Bio administration, emphasizing that democratic legitimacy cannot be achieved through fraudulent means. · Engage International Partners: Collaborate with ECOWAS, the UN, and other international organizations to ensure that Sierra Leone does not descend further into political unrest.

Call for Global Action SLAM-GLOBAL urges the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Sierra Leone in their fight for electoral justice, transparency, and the restoration of democracy. Allowing the current administration’s actions to go unchallenged threatens the democratic future of not just Sierra Leone, but the wider West African region. Conclusion SLAM-GLOBAL remains committed to advocating for electoral justice, transparency, and democracy in Sierra Leone. The United States has a critical role to play in this process, and failure to act now could embolden other authoritarian regimes in Africa. With strong U.S. leadership, Sierra Leone can restore its democratic integrity and secure a brighter future for its citizens. (Photo: Dr Samura Kamara is the President Elect).

SIGNED Dr Alfred A Veenod Fullah DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Cc:

• Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of States
• Brian Forni, Vice President, Congressional and Public Affairs
• The Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General
• Leonardo Santos Simao, Representative of the Secretary-General & Head of UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS)
• Karim Ahmad Khan, Chief Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC)
• Richard YOUNG, Chief de Division, Afrique de l’Ouest
• Ms. Ursula Von Der Lyen, European Commissioner
• The United Nations Representative in Sierra Leone
• H. E. Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria & Chairman of ECOWAS
• H. E. Oumar Touray, President of ECOWAS Commission
• Madam Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang, former VP of The Gambia
• Nana Akufo Addo, President of Ghana
• H. E. Bassiru Faye, President of Senegal
• H. E. Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea
• H. E. Joseph Boakai, President of Liberia
• David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Dev Affairs, UK
• Neil Alan John Coyle, MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark, UK
• Ambassador Aly Diallo, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea to the UK&I
• H. E. Cyprian Terseer Heen, Acting Ambassador of the Nigeria High Comm. in the UK&I
• British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone
• Head of the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone
• General Consul of Canada in Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of China to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Germany to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Lebanon to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Iran to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Brazil to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Sweden to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Iran to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Libya to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Egypt to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Cuba to Sierra Leone
• Ambassador of Guinea to Sierra Leone Ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone
• High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Sierra Leone
• High Commissioner of Ghana to Sierra Leone
• General Consul of Italy in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul-General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul-General of Ireland in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul-General of Japan in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul-General of India to Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Senegal to Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Syria in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Turkey in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Mali in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Romania in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Norway in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Hungary in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of France in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Belgium in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Spain in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Serbia in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Austria in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Denmark in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Russia in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Pakistan to Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of Malaysia in Sierra Leone
• Honorary Consul of South Africa in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-Global) Motto: Trust, Unity and Social Justice Email: advocacy1@slam-global.org.uk Mobile:UK – +447725982424/+447564115946 EU – +46734836874/+34676768005 US – 01732-629-951/01518-253-0069 https://www.slam-global.org.uk.