The United Kingdom and United States- based Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement ( SLAM ) has written to the U.S Ambassador Bryan Hunt to complain about his utterances and activities in Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-Global)
Motto: Trust, Unity and Social Justice
Email: [email protected]
Mobile:UK – +447725982424 / +447564115946
EU – +46734836874 / +34699669219
US – +1 (732) 629-951 / +1 (518) 253-0069
https://www.slam-global.org.uk
July 10, 2024
Ambassador Bryan David Hunt
Embassy of the United States
Southridge, Hill Station
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Dear Ambassador Hunt
Dear Ambassador Hunt,
We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to you on behalf of the Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM) to express our deep concern about your statements and actions regarding the recent electoral and democratic issues in Sierra Leone. Following the June 2023 elections, the Sierra Leonean government has faced widespread criticism because of the electoral commission’s refusal to publish detailed election results – a move that significantly undermines transparency and the integrity of the electoral process. Despite this, your public statements and actions appear to lack the necessary criticism and urgency required to address these serious issues. We have noted several instances where your stance and remarks have been problematic:
AMBASSADOR BRYAN HUNT AND PRESIDENT MAADA BIO
CHAIRMAN OF SLAM DR. ALFRED FULLAH
- Meeting with APC Leadership (May 11, 2024): You emphasized adherence to legal frameworks and stated there would be no rerun of the elections as the contesting period had passed. This statement overlooks the fundamental issue of transparency and the publication of detailed results, which are critical to validating the election’s legitimacy. 2. Joint Press Briefing with United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (February 1, 2024): While announcing a $1.5 million support package for electoral reforms, you did not address the immediate need for transparency in the 2023 election results, thus failing to tackle the core issue at hand.
- Call for Accountability and Separation of Investigation and Dialogue (December 28, 2023): In stressing the importance of accountability under Sierra Leonean law, you did not sufficiently address the election malpractices and lack of transparent handling of the election results, which undermines the rule of law. 4. Presentation of the MCC Scorecard (November 6, 2023): The MCC scorecard you presented praised Sierra Leone for progress in areas like control of corruption and democratic rights. This positive outlook is in stark contrast to the serious concerns regarding the 2023 elections, casting doubt on the integrity of these assessments. 5. Lack of Public Criticism: Despite engaging with political parties and promoting dialogue, you have not publicly criticized the Sierra Leonean government’s inadequate response to calls for transparency from international observers like The Carter Center and the European Union. Given these concerns, we respectfully urge you to take the following actions: 1. Evaluate Your Conduct: Review your statements and actions to ensure they align with U.S. foreign policy objectives that prioritize democratic principles, transparency, and accountability.
- Call for Immediate Publication of Election Results: Use your esteemed position to demand the immediate publication of the detailed election results to ensure transparency and restore faith in the democratic process. 3. Promote Legislative Measures: Advocate for and support legislative measures that condition U.S. aid and cooperation on adherence to democratic principles, including transparent electoral processes. 4. Raise Awareness: Highlight the situation in Sierra Leone in your communications and public statements to bring greater international attention to these issues.
- Engage with International Bodies: Work with international organizations to apply diplomatic pressure on the Sierra Leonean government to adhere to democratic norms and publish the election results. Your continued dedication to fostering democratic values and transparency in Sierra Leone is crucial. We believe that your intervention can make a significant difference in promoting these principles and ensuring that democracy prevails in Sierra Leone. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We look forward to your support in ensuring that democracy and transparency are upheld in Sierra Leone.
SIGNED Dr Alfred A Veenod Fullah CHAIRMAN
CC:
▪ The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General
▪ The Secretary of State, United States Department of State
▪ 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 Kate 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 W D Cameron, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth & Dev Affairs, UK
▪ Ms Ursula Von Der Lyen, European Commissioner
▪ The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell, British Minister responsible for Africa
▪ Lynn Brown, Shadow Minister for Africa, 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
▪ Honorary Consul of Guinea-Bissau in Sierra Leone
▪ Vice Consul of Greece in Sierra Leone
▪ Chairman, Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion ICPNC – SL
▪ The Chairperson, National Elections Watch (NEW), Sierra Leone
▪ Executive Secretary, Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), Sierra Leone
▪ Chairman of the APC Party
▪ Chairman of the SLPP Party
▪ National Secretary-General, APC Party
▪ National Secretary-General, SLPP Party
▪ Co-Chair Representing the APC Party on the Tripartite Committee
▪ Co-Chair Representing the SLPP on the Tripartite Committee
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