United States Ambassador To Sierra Leone, David Bryan Hunt, has spilled the beans over the controversy surrounding the approval and disbursement of the $400M MCC compact grant to SierraLeone.
Stating the condition attached to the Compact grant, Bryant Hunt stated categorically that the approval/disbursement of the Compact Grant to Sierra Leone Government “hinges on the Electoral Review Committee report and the implementation of resulting electoral reforms and accountability measures”.
The Ambassador did not talk about any possible rerun of the June 24 General elections, but stressed on the condition attached before the disbursement of the compact grant to SierraLeone. “The Electoral Review Committee has no plan to rerun the 2023 Elections. SierraLeone law allows timely Court challenge for any disagreement in electoral issues”, said the U.S Ambassador, adding that, when the compact grant is approved, it will be implemented jointly by the U.S Government and the Government of SierraLeone.
The funding for the development projects in the compact will be released by phases, he continued.
The Ambassador also pledged the U.S Government commitment to continue to support development activities in SierraLeone, noting that “We remain steadfast in our support for inclusive democracy and prosperity in SierraLeone”.
He underscored the various financial and technical supports provided by the United States Government to Sierra Leone Government, especially in areas like Agriculture, Health and many more.
In terms of agricultural support, the Ambassador said the U.S Government is guided by the activities outlined by the Government of Sierra Leone.
On Health sector, he pledged the U.S Government commitment to continue helping the Government of Sierra Leone to build the health sector network by eradicating diseases like Malaria and HIV and Aids.
He also expressed similar sentiments of the U.S Government in the other development projects, intimating how the U.S Government is very much committed to working with its Implementing partners like USAID, to roll-out development programmes in SierraLeone.
It can be recalled that the MCC has approved $400 compact grant, but the disbursement of funds has been stalled because of issues around the June 2023 elections. Negotiation upon negotiation were made, but the American corporation still stands on its ground, insisting for addressing accountability issues before any disbursement of fund is made.
