The former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is now the new Home Secretary after replacing the sacked firebrand politician Suella Braverman. Sierra Leoneans could not hide their delight when they heard that James Cleverly, who has been turning a blind eye to the numerous atrocities of human rights violations and fraudulent June 24, 2023, general and presidential elections committed by Maada Bio’s regime, has been removed from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office FCO. Sources say James Cleverly was visibly annoyed when he was told about moving to the Home Office. (Photo: James Cleverly shaking the hands of a killer Maada Bio has disappointed the suffering Sierra Leoneans).

The demotion of James Cleverly, announced on Monday, November 13 at this crucial time is wholeheartedly welcomed by the majority of citizens who see him as a stumbling block to the defence of democracy and the rule of law, peace and security in Sierra Leone. James Cleverly has been conspicuously silent on the Maada Bio’s violent nature which has created the suspicion that he was covering for his Mende brother. Since news broke out that James Cleverly has original links to Sierra Leone, specifically in the southeast of the country, Sierra Leoneans have had various assumptions about Cleverly’s position. Sources say James Cleverly was visibly annoyed when he was told about moving to the Home Office. Sources say James Cleverly was visibly annoyed when he was told about moving to the Home Office.

One school of thought believes James Cleverly has behaved professionally with Sierra Leone affairs despite his biological links to the country. But another school of thought says the former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly had failed to perform his diplomatic duties impartially as required with international diplomacy. Keen political observers have noticed the lethargic attitude of James Cleverly towards the SLPP regime of illegal President Julius Maada Bio even though there are glaring reports of electoral violence and corruption in the country. Sources say James Cleverly was visibly annoyed when he was told about moving to the Home Office. (Photo: James Cleverly in Sierra Leone with the UK High Commissioner Lisa Chesney, right, who is doing very well).

Sierra Leoneans have also observed the silent approach exhibited by James Cleverly before, during and after the chaotic June 24, 2023 elections that was clearly stolen by the Bio presidency. Up to this point of demotion from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, James Cleverly did not call into question or even raise concerns about the fraudulent elections and the bloody violence that followed. Britain, being a former colonial master was expected to lead the fight to restore democracy to Sierra Leone but that did not happen because of James Cleverly’s suspicious conduct. Sources say James Cleverly was visibly annoyed when he was told about moving to the Home Office.

Everyone saw the leading role being taken by the United States government against the Bio presidency after the June elections. First, the US imposed financial sanctions, then a travel ban and bank freeze on Maada Bio and his SLPP cronies. There was elation and optimism when the US State Department made it clear that the Bio presidency would not be recognised and the Millennium Challenge Corporation MCC Compact $500m funds would be withheld until democracy was restored to Sierra Leone. That was welcome news for the suffering Sierra Leoneans. Sources say James Cleverly was visibly annoyed when he was told about moving to the Home Office.

In comparison, the British government through James Cleverly has never publicly condemned the election fraud, unlike his US counterpart David Blinken who publicly condemned the electoral impasse in Sierra Leone. During the last protest in London, Sierra Leone protesters publicly questioned the role of James Cleverly in Sierra Leone. Chants like “James Cleverly, where are you?” reverberated as Sierra Leone protesters marched in the Streets of London to submit a petition letter to the Commonwealth Secretariat. Cunningly, James Cleverly was hiding behind the Commonwealth to do his job. Sources say James Cleverly was visibly annoyed when he was told about moving to the Home Office. (Photo: Rishi and the new Foreign Secretary David Cameron, left).

Since the visit of James Cleverly to Sierra Leone a few months ago, where Maada Bio accorded him all pleasantries and dubious welcome, the Foreign Secretary never condemned Bio’s presidency and instead turned a blind eye to everything including the June 24, 2023 electoral fraud. Only the Commonwealth, representing the UK, was seen here and there trying to resolve the electoral process before, during and after the elections but with little impact. James Cleverly’s mother came from the Mende tribe in Sierra Leone. The total silence of James Cleverly has not impressed the people of Sierra Leone. No wonder his demotion this week is welcome news for suffering Sierra Leoneans. Sources say James Cleverly was visibly annoyed when he was told about moving to the Home Office.

Hopefully, the new Foreign Secretary David Cameron, the former UK Prime Minister, will do better to usher in democracy and security in Sierra Leone. A concerned citizen sums it up: “Cleverly is indeed a significant factor in the current impasse in Sierra Leone. He has been involved in numerous questionable dealings with Maada Bio even during this crisis. The UK, surprisingly inactive, should have taken the lead in resolving the electoral coup d’etat in Sierra Leone. Interestingly, the United States stepped in, positioning themselves on all fronts in defence of democracy, rightfully taking their course of action.” Sources say James Cleverly was visibly annoyed when he was told about moving to the Home Office.