In a press release dated September 1, 2024, SLAM wrote thus – The Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM) strongly condemns the blatant attempts by Mr Julius Maada Bio and his government to delay the deployment of ECOWAS Mission in Sierra Leone (ECOMISIL) under false pretenses and deceptive tactics. This morally bankrupt strategy is yet another example of Mr Maada Bio’s continuous disregard for democratic principles, transparency, and integrity. After months of unresolved electoral disputes following the June 24, 2023 elections, Mr Maada Bio and his government are actively sabotaging efforts to ensure electoral justice and restore peace in Sierra Leone. (Photo: ECOWAS Depot in Lungi ready for ECOWAS Soldiers).

SLAM is therefore drawing the attention of ECOWAS, International Community, Development Partners for Sierra Leone and all stakeholders to the following: The Government’s Lack of Integrity: The same government of Mr Maada Bio that has refused to release verifiable election results, despite countless calls from local and international bodies, is now stalling the arrival of ECOMISIL by claiming that it needs more time to “study the document” from ECOWAS. This is a deliberate tactic to delay the final recce, which is crucial for the timely deployment of the mission. Mr Maada Bio and his government’s reluctance to move forward is a transparent attempt to drag out the process, and it underscores their moral decay.

A government that lies about election results has no moral ground to delay the arrival of a Peacekeeping Mission. Tactics of Deception: Mr Maada Bio’s tactics are clear: 1. Changing ECOMISIL’s mandate from “providing security” to “training the military”: This change would defeat the purpose of the mission, which was intended to safeguard electoral justice and protect democratic principles. By shifting the focus, his government aims to avoid any international scrutiny of its fraudulent activities. 2. Reducing the number of troops: A smaller force would be easier to manipulate and less effective in holding his government accountable for its electoral misconduct. This is a calculated move to weaken the impact of ECOMISIL’s presence.

3. Redirecting troop deployment away from Freetown to Lungi: This move would limit the visibility of ECOMISIL and diminish its influence where it is most needed – Freetown, the capital and political heart of Sierra Leone. 4. Buying time to consolidate power: His illegitimate government, which is desperate to cling to power, seeks to stretch its tenure until 2028 by undermining international efforts to ensure democratic accountability. This delay is simply a way for the government to continue manipulating officials and maneuvering itself into a position of unchallenged authority. This is not governance; it is an assault on democracy. (Photo: ECOWAS Chairman and Nigeria President Ahmed Tinubu is ready to restore democracy in Sierra Leone).

The Global Responsibility of ECOWAS and the International Community: SLAM calls upon ECOWAS, the UN, the UK, the US Congress, the Senate, and the EU to recognize these delaying tactics for what they are: an attempt to entrench an illegitimate regime that has already betrayed the trust of the Sierra Leonean people. If ECOMISIL’s deployment is delayed, the responsibility lies squarely with Mr Maada Bio’s government, and anyone who continues to support or agree with this government’s actions is complicit in the moral decadence that is destroying the very fabric of our democracy.

The Moral Decay in Governance: Mr Maada Bio’s government, which refuses to uphold basic principles of truth and integrity, has lost all credibility to act in the interest of its people. The lies surrounding the election, the constant manipulation of public trust, and now the stalling of ECOMISIL’s deployment, all point to a deep-seated moral failure. Their actions show a blatant disregard for integrity, which is fundamental to the proper functioning of any government, especially a democracy. If a government can lie about its elections – the very process that legitimizes its authority – what else is it not willing to lie about? Announcements regarding the national budget, the country’s wealth, and even economic forecasts cannot be trusted when the very foundation of the government is built on deception.

The moral character of this government is not just questionable; it is nonexistent. A Final Call to Action: SLAM demands the immediate deployment of ECOMISIL as originally planned. Any further delay will only serve to embolden the government of Mr Maada Bio’s unethical behavior and deepen the crisis in Sierra Leone. We call on ECOWAS and the International Community to refuse any attempts by Mr Maada Bio’s government to manipulate or weaken the Mission. The deployment must proceed without changes to its mandate, without a reduction in troops, and without diversion from Freetown. Standing for Democracy: The people of Sierra Leone deserve justice, transparency, and leadership with integrity. This fight is not just for the present, but for the future of our country.

To allow this government to delay ECOMISIL’s deployment and evade accountability is to betray the principles of democracy and to side with moral decadence. SLAM will continue to raise its voice for justice, for truth, and for the integrity of Sierra Leone. The International Community must not allow Mr Maada Bio’s government to continue this charade. To delay the mission is to delay justice. To delay justice is to allow corruption and deception to thrive. Conclusion: The world is watching! We will not stand by while Mr Maada Bio and his government attempt to manipulate their way out of accountability. We will fight for a Sierra Leone that stands on the principles of truth, justice, and integrity. Now is the time for action – ECOWAS must not fail us. (Photo: Maada Bio and ECOWAS army).

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