By Kelvin Jay
The United States Government has slammed a visa ban on individuals believed to have contributed to undermining the Democracy in Sierra Leone.
Speaking to journalists during a virtual press conference held a day after the statement of visa ban was issued by the U.S Secretary of State, Blinken, the Spokeswoman for the U.S Embassy in Freetown, Ms. Van Horne attested that the United States is looking forward to take further action after the visa ban on individuals that have undermined the democratic process in Sierra Leone, stating that this is geared towards the U.S. Government Commitment to upholding democracy in Sierra Leone.
“The U.S position has not yet changed… We are still concerned about the lack of transparency in the electoral process and tabulation of election results”, Ms. Van Horne said in the virtual presser, while responding to question suggesting a change of tone in the statement concerning the transparency of the electoral process in Sierra Leone.
The June 24 elections was a fierce battle between the SLPP and the APC with concerns of rigging, manipulations of results and discrepancies clouded the overall outcome of electoral process, which the main Opposition APC has been pointing accusing fingers on the ECSL Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohamed Konneh, of playing the game in favour of the SLPP for them to stay in power by securing 56% of the valid votes cast as opposed to the APC securing 41% of the valid votes cast.
In demonstration of the disputed outcome of the election results, the APC ordered all its elected officials to boycott all levels of governance until their demands are met although two of its elected MPs (Hon. Mohamed Bangura and Hon. Thompson) violated the party’s stance.
The APC supporters staged a protest in various countries abroad and pounced pressure on the International Community to sanction the SLPP Government so that they heed to their demands.
However, Thursday’s announcement by the U.S Government was hailed by opposition supporters who are now celebrating that their calls have been heeded by the U.S. Government.
The Visa ban on Individuals has not been narrowed down to Government officials, but it is expected to affect many individuals in the Bio Government.
The U.S Secretary of State did not mention any names of the individuals in the visa restriction, but stated that this decision is in line with the U.S visa policy not to disclose the status of any individuals.
In another development, a letter dated 21st July, 2023 coming from Alicia Philip Mandaville addressed to the Vice President of SierraLeone, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, indicated how the MCC has slowed down the compact grant due to issue of lack of transparency in the Sierra Leone elections among other things.
In the letter, Alicia Philip Mandaville said that MCC compact is contingent on MCC partner countries to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the principles of democracy. “This include protecting democratic rights and holding free, fair, transparent and credible multi- party elections”, she stated, adding that due to concerns in the recent elections in Sierra Leone, the MCC has questioned Sierra Leone commitment into this criteria- namely the lack of transparency in the tabulation process, irregularities in the election results announced by the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone and concerns about the protection of fundamental freedoms and civil liberties including those of election observers.
The MCC Vice President also urged the Government of Sierra Leone to take steps to restore confidence in the integrity of the electoral processes while looking forward for a close touch with them.
