PRESS STATEMENT SLAM-GLOBAL LTD EXTENDS GRATITUDE TO THE US SENATORS AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR THEIR STANCE IN ENSURING THAT DEMOCRACY PREVAILS IN SIERRA LEONE – AUGUST 20, 2024

We, members of Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement Ltd. (SLAM-Global), extend our heartfelt gratitude to the U.S. Senators and Members of Congress who have stood in defense of democracy by putting a hold on the issuance of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) funds to Sierra Leone until democracy is restored. This decisive action followed our urgent appeal, and we are deeply appreciative of your steadfast commitment to upholding democratic principles not only in Sierra Leone but across Africa and the world at large. (Photo: US Congress).

It is no doubt that the decision to withhold the MCC funds is a critical step towards ensuring that democracy prevails in Sierra Leone. The actions of the current government, under Mr Julius Maada Bio, pose a significant threat to the democratic fabric of our nation. If left unchecked, what is unfolding in Sierra Leone could set a dangerous precedent, undermining the rule of law and the sanctity of free and fair elections in the Sub-Region. In Sierra Leone, we should no longer be ruled by monarchs who declare power by mere proclamation.

The legitimacy of leadership must be derived from transparent electoral processes, not from unsubstantiated claims of victory. The recent election results, which have been widely contested, lack the evidence needed to validate the incumbent’s proclaimed victory. If such actions are allowed to stand without challenge, it opens the door for any leader to declare themselves a winner without the burden of proof, eroding the very foundation of democracy.

We are mindful of the bitter memories and troubling history associated with Mr Julius Maada Bio, who has been implicated in incidents of extrajudicial killings and the harassment of opposition members. This pattern of his behaviour is not new. In the 1990s, Mr Maada Bio advocated for “peace before elections,” a stance that our compatriots, backed by the international community, wisely rejected in favour of “elections before peace,” a choice that underscored the importance of democratic processes.

It is evident that the executive leadership of the All People’s Congress (APC) Party has been compromised through financial incentives and politically motivated prosecutions, creating an environment where true opposition is stifled. This situation bears a stark resemblance to authoritarian regimes, where dissent is quashed, and power is consolidated at the expense of democratic governance.

The refusal of Mr Julius Maada Bio and his government to adhere to the recommendations of the Mediated Dialogue and Agreement for National Unity, including: “the release of political detainees/prisoners and the discontinuation of politically motivated cases against the APC and other parties and their supporters”, demonstrates a blatant disregard for democratic norms. What is more worrying was the statement of Mr Maada Bio and his government, through their Chief Minister, that they could only account for 15, out 318 Political Detainees/Prisoners under their custody.

We have little confidence therefore that the 80 recommendations of the Tripartite Committee will be implemented, not to mention the divergent issues that contain the core challenge surrounding the administration of “electoral justice” and the true will of the people. Additionally, Mr Maada Bio is purported to have been spending and lobbying heavily to sustain his illegal regime in power. The continued governance of Sierra Leone under Mr Maada Bio’s Sierra Leone People’s (SLPP) government beyond 2024 risks turning our nation into a de facto autocracy, akin to the oppressive regimes we have seen in other parts of the world.

If this trajectory is not halted, we could see a complete overhaul of the military, police and law enforcement agencies, filling these critical institutions with individuals loyal to the SLPP’s tribal affiliations, effectively eliminating any viable opposition. The implications of such a transformation are dire. The blatant human rights abuses against opposition members and their supporters will significantly increase and the voices of the people will be further silenced. Mr Maada Bio’s history of disregarding international norms and rules suggests that he will continue to flout democratic principles, leading Sierra Leone down a perilous path.

In view of the above, we call on the international community to remain vigilant and to continue supporting the people of Sierra Leone in their quest for true democracy. The actions taken by the U.S. lawmakers are a beacon of hope, demonstrating that the world is watching, with great interest, and that the prevailing undemocratic actions in our beloved nation will not go unchallenged. Once again, we thank the U.S. Senators and Members of Congress for their unwavering support. Your display of leadership in this matter sends a clear message that the values of democracy, transparency, and justice are non-negotiable. Together, we stand with the people of Sierra Leone in our fight for a democratic and just society. (Photo: SLAM Director General Dr Fullah).

SIGNED Dr Alfred A Veenod Fullah DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Cc:

Brian Forni, Vice President, Congressional and Public Affairs

• The Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General
• The Secretary of State, United States Department of States
• 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
• The Chief Executive Officer, Carter Center
• Justice Keith Sullivan
• 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
• Ms. Ursula Von Der Lyen, European Commissioner The Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell, UK
• Lynn Brown, 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