Dated September 27, 2024, SLAM stated – Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM) extends its sincere appreciation to the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) for adhering to the call for “electoral justice” in Sierra Leone. With the signing of the $480 million compact between the MCC and the Government of Sierra Leone, SLAM welcomes the clear and stringent conditions tied to the disbursement of these funds. These conditions emphasize transparency, rule of law, and accountability – principles that are indispensable to democracy. (Photo: US Ambassador Bryan David Hunt).

While SLAM acknowledges this signing as an essential step, we must also remind the world of the undemocratic actions of Mr Julius Maada Bio and his administration, who declared themselves victors of an election without verifiable results. The shameless proclamation of victory by the current administration remains a dark chapter in Sierra Leone’s political history. This breach of trust, which undermined the very essence of democracy, cannot be forgotten or swept aside. The world must not suffer collective amnesia. We must continue to hold Maada Bio’s administration accountable for this gross manipulation of the democratic process.

SLAM urges the international community to remember that this is the same administration that has prioritized luxurious travel and extravagance over the basic needs of its people. In a country where most citizens struggle to afford even a single meal a day, Mr. Bio’s actions reveal a glaring disconnect from the harsh realities of his nation. His administration’s appetite for lavish spending, even amidst widespread poverty and hardship, must not go unnoticed. The people of Sierra Leone deserve a government that prioritizes their welfare, not one that indulges in luxury while its citizens suffer.

Conditions of the MCC Compact: The MCC’s decision to tie the release of funds to “electoral justice”, effective collaboration between the SLPP and APC on adopting recommended electoral and constitutional reforms, etc, is a strong and commendable move. It sends a powerful message that the International Community, particularly the U.S. government, stands firmly behind the values of democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. These conditions are crucial for addressing the electoral grievances that have plagued Sierra Leone since the last elections.

The MCC expects Sierra Leone to implement reforms, including constitutional amendments, ensuring judicial independence in election disputes, and tackling electoral malpractices. SLAM fully supports these conditions and urges for their strict and transparent implementation. The signing of this compact should not be viewed as an endorsement of the Bio administration, but rather as a firm step toward accountability. If the Maada Bio administration fails to meet these electoral conditions, SLAM will call for the immediate suspension or termination of the compact until “electoral justice” is realized.

Congressional Oversight and Responsibility: SLAM also acknowledges the critical role of U.S. Congress in the disbursement of MCC funds. Congress has the power to delay or block funding if a recipient country does not meet the established benchmarks of democracy, human rights, and governance reforms. We trust that Congress will uphold these values and ensure that no funds are disbursed until the Maada Bio administration demonstrates full compliance with the conditions tied to “electoral justice”. SLAM calls on all stakeholders to recognize that this compact is not an automatic endorsement of the current regime. The Bio administration must prove its commitment to democracy by fully implementing these reforms and addressing the deep flaws in Sierra Leone’s electoral process.

SLAM recognizes that, without the timely signing of the MCC compact, there was a risk that the U.S. Congress’s fiscal year could pass without securing the agreement. This delay might have pushed the funding approval into the next congressional session, further postponing the much-needed energy sector investment in Sierra Leone. We applaud the MCC for acting swiftly while ensuring that all conditions related to “electoral justice” are firmly in place before any funds are released. A Call to Action: As we move forward, SLAM urges the International Community, Sierra Leoneans at home, and those in the Diaspora to remain vigilant. The signing of the MCC compact does not absolve the Bio administration of its past transgressions.

This administration has lied about the most sacred element of democracy – free, fair and transparent elections. If they can lie about the outcome of an election, they can lie about anything. Therefore, we call for actionable and enforceable conditions to be implemented to the letter before any funds are released. SLAM applauds the MCC for acting swiftly, but we caution that no funds should be disbursed without verifiable and implementable reforms. We remain committed to ensuring that the Bio administration is held accountable and that the voices of the Sierra Leonean people, who demand justice and transparency, are heard. For further information or media inquiries, please contact the Director General or Key Members on any of the numbers and email provided on this Letterhead!

SIGNED

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.