When the MCC approved the $44.4Million Compact grant to the Sierra Leone Government prior to the June 24 General Elections, SLPP members including the wife of the President, Fatima Maada Bio, celebrated the success story and even took to social media with the happiness by dancing and singing to provoke those who have been opposing the SLPP Government. Fatima Bio organized what seems to be like a birthday party in his office to celebrate the good news with members of the SLPP. She also made a bogus statement that the U.S. Government has restored confidence in the SLPP Government.
Few months after that, the MCC again written a letter to the Government of Sierra Leone underscoring the approval of the compact grant, but stated how that is hinges on SierraLeone’s continued dedication to the principles of democratic governance, a prerequisite outlined in the MCC’s eligibility criteria and scorecard.
The Vice President of the Department of Policy and Evaluation at the MCC, Alicia Philip Mandaville, in a letter dated 21st July, 2023 addressed to the Vice President of SierraLeone, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, on July 21st re-echoed on the MCC’s Commitment to provide the compact grant to the Government, but said that could only be done when the Government of respect and uphold the principles of democracy- holding free, fair and transparent elections and protecting the human rights of its citizenry as outlined in the MCC criteria and scorecard.
“MCC, its board of Directors and stakeholders in the United States congress expect all MCC partner countries to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the principles of Democratic governance that underpin MCC’s statutorily mandated eligibility criteria… This include protecting democratic rights and holding free, fair, transparent and credible multi-party elections”, the MCC Vice President stated in the letter, intimating that as discussed in their call concerns about the integrity of the recent elections in Sierra Leone have questioned SierraLeone’s Commitment to these criteria. The MCC added by urging the Government of Sierra Leone to address the electoral concerns through investigation, and to engage in public dialogue around electoral reform and respect for the constitution to clear public condemnation of violence against any Sierra Leonean citizen exercising their civil liberties to other measures identified.
The MCC is looking forward to gain clarity on the actions and plans taken by the Government of Sierra Leone to address issues highlighted above before they can continue with the compact negotiation and presenting the proposed compact to the Board in September. “Your Government has been justifiable proud to have qualified for the MCC Compact assistance, and as our partner, we would be deeply saddened if these issues impact our longstanding relationship”, the letter reads, stating that as MCC continues to monitor and assess the development in Sierra Leone, they are encouraging the government to take steps to restore confidence in the integrity of the electoral process, while looking forward to remaining a close touch with them in the weeks ahead.
However, since the SLPP Government has been urged to do the needful, the call of the MCC has fallen in deaf ears as the Government is still dragging its feet to do the right things.
The direction of the SLPP is taking will perhaps led them to lose the Compact grant.
According to some Political Commentator, it is difficult for the SLPP to bow to the dictate of the MCC because they are aware of the looming danger of what the MCC has compelled them to do.
By the look of things, the SLPP government is going to sacrifice the Compact grant for political power, says a political analyst. If this goes in that way ,then, the SLPP Government “bongo’ will definitely be capsized.
