U.S. Ambassador Questions the Appointment of VP Jalloh …As Head of Electoral Reform Committee
By Kelvin Jay
United State Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer, has reiterated the U.S, Government position on the June 24 elections, stating that U.S Government view has remained intact about the lack of transparency in the electoral process which affects the credibility of the June 24 elections.
“The US Government position on the June 24 elections has remained intact and has not yet changed… We have raised concerns about the integrity and credibility of the election results, but this isn’t my personal opinion, but rather the position of the United States Government”, U.S Ambassador told the people of Sierra Leone through an interview aired on Radio Democracy Good Morning Salone Program, while intimating that in order to heal the wounds over the credibility of the elections; they have advised the Government of President Bio to establish an independent body and appoint outsider independent investigator that will look into the irregularities of the election.
The Diplomat also questioned the appointment of VP Jalloh as head of the Electoral Reform Committee, saying that even though VP Jalloh is man of integrity and pedigree, but his appointment is a misplaced one because he is member of the SLPP as he is expected to display biasness in the investigation.
“Even though VP Jalloh is a man of integrity, but rather his appointment as head of Electoral Reform Committee does not meet the requirement as independent outsider investigator that the U.S Government is yearning for”, he added.
The U.S Ambassador also urged for political dialogue to resolve the ongoing crisis in SierraLeone and appealed to the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC), to engage in governance rather than boycotting.
On the question of the $400M compact grant to Sierra Leone, the Ambassador said the U.S Government has slowed down the grant owing to the political stalemate in the country, and has advised the Government to do the needful in resolving the political crisis by taking the appropriate steps.
“The compact has not been cancelled outrightly, but we are slowing it down or taking a pause to see what the Government of Sierra Leone does next before we proceed”, he revealed, noting that their pause came as a result of ongoing political stalemate in the country among other things as they have advised the Government to do the needful by appointing an outsider independent investigator to look into the irregularities of the June 24 elections.
